Is there anybody in the same league.

[Silver]

Lets put aside opinions about his private life for this discussion. For me the death of Michael Jackson has been the 'biggest show biz death' in my life time. Yes that includes Elvis and Sinatra but that is just my opinion.

On Thursday night my better half and I were in bed chatting about who's death could possibly be bigger than M J's.

Names like McCartney, Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, Tom Jones, Robbie Williams, George Michael, Clint Eastwood Elizabeth Taylor were mentioned but we couldn't think of anybody's death that would/could create the mass interest that M J's death has.

I also accept how he died, too early, unclear circumstances etc. are so similar to that of Elvis's which does create an air of cover up and intrigue, this will add to the 'glamour'.

P.S. Leave royalty out of this :)

So my point is this ... Is there anybody alive in showbiz who's death will be 'bigger' than Jacko's. For me, no, this man was the giant in the land of giants.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

how odd i posted the same question in the MJ thread about nobody elses death overshadowing MJ's.

I think Lennon's death would of been more upsetting (i wasnt alive Im just second guessing) just purely because of the way he died.

Otherwise no, cant think of anyones death that is currently living would of created as much media coverage or widespread morning

[BeerFunk]

I can't think of anyone.

Trevor Nelson read out a quote last night, I can't remember who it was, but someone from Tamla Motown, and it was something along the lines of "Someone like Michael Jackson doesn't just come along once in a lifetime, not even once in 100 years - someone like Michael Jackson is once, and once only".

[Silver]

I can't think of anyone.

Trevor Nelson read out a quote last night, I can't remember who it was, but someone from Tamla Motown, and it was something along the lines of "Someone like Michael Jackson doesn't just come along once in a lifetime, not even once in 100 years - someone like Michael Jackson is once, and once only".

Here's another, not word for word ... Paul Gambuccini said " Whatever top ten you have in the next one hundred years, no matter who is in it, Michael Jackson will be there"

Says it all for me.

[PropellerHeadCase]

I'd personally be more upset about Prince dying.


As for the masses, what about Madonna?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Not meaning to go off topic but (I will just for a second)...I am only 41 and in my lifetime so far I have seen a fair few superstars pass away. I remember when Elvis died and also when John Lennon was killed too. I remember the exact place I was when Kurt Cobain died as I was DJing in a club and playing a Nirvana track when it flashed up on the TV screens around the venue. Growing up with the likes of various filmstars, popstars etc and seeing them pass away is pretty scary actually as it's a sign of getting old (even though the 3 examples above all died relatively young)...

I used to watch Charlies Angels...and now one of those has gone. I loved Record Breakers too and Roy Castle has gone. Most of the comedians I loved (Les Dawson, Morecambe & Wise, Tommy Cooper etc) have all gone too...scary stuff.

...anyway...Who, apart from royalty could be in the same league and have the same effect?...I've waffled on as usual but I can't really think of anyone...No'one that has had the same effect on the whole world as Michael Jackson has. Maybe Paul McCartney? Mick Jagger? Tina Turner?...I would say those lot are on par with Freddie Mercury personally. What about the likes of Bono? Madonna? These people are huge allover the world but as a superstar I don't think anyone can touch Michael Jackson.

[BeerFunk]

The thing with John Lennon, Freddie Mercury, and even Kurt Cobain is that they were band members - the rest of the band is still there. In saying that, Lennon's death must have had a similar magnitude - although I wasn't around at that time.

So in terms of the music world - Presley, Lennon and Jackson surely must be the three biggest individual losses? Of course, what they all had in common was that their lives seemed cut short - and that they had more to give.

[andyw]

[QUOTE=PropellerHeadCase;353308]I'd personally be more upset about Prince dying.


QUOTE]

i thought the op said leave royalty out :)
i think it is difficult to compare the reactions of when the likes of lennon/presley and others died to what has just happened, because the press is a lot more over the top with coverage of everything in todays world, and we have almost instant access and 24 hr news of anything that happens anywhere in the world.

[rob1963]

I can't think of anyone.

Me neither


Trevor Nelson read out a quote last night, I can't remember who it was, but someone from Tamla Motown, and it was something along the lines of "Someone like Michael Jackson doesn't just come along once in a lifetime, not even once in 100 years - someone like Michael Jackson is once, and once only".

I heard that too, and completely agree.

[PropellerHeadCase]

So in terms of the music world - Presley, Lennon and Jackson surely must be the three biggest individual losses? Of course, what they all had in common was that their lives seemed cut short - and that they had more to give.

I dunno, in many respects I think the loss of Buddy Holly had a huge impact especially considering how many of his songs are still well-known today and that, from the date of this first major single to his death was 21 months.

[Excalibur]

I dunno, in many respects I think the loss of Buddy Holly had a huge impact especially considering how many of his songs are still well-known today and that, from the date of this first major single to his death was 21 months.

A point which I think bears making is that Holly had so much in front of him at the time of his death, and Lennon was making the best music of his career when he died. I think MJ's best years were behind him.

[Corabar Steve]

A point which I think bears making is that Holly had so much in front of him at the time of his death, and Lennon was making the best music of his career when he died. I think MJ's best years were behind him.
Indeed.

[rob1963]

A point which I think bears making is that Holly had so much in front of him at the time of his death, and Lennon was making the best music of his career when he died. I think MJ's best years were behind him.

That is also true of Elvis in the last year of his life...even more so than with Michael Jackson, from what I've read.

To say Elvis was a mere shadow of his former self must be one of the understatements of all time.

[Corabar Steve]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Elvis have a single in the top 5 the day he died? When was the last time Jacko was there?

[PropellerHeadCase]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Elvis have a single in the top 5 the day he died? When was the last time Jacko was there?

Six years ago, I believe - 'One More Chance' was top 5 in December '03.

[PropellerHeadCase]

A point which I think bears making is that Holly had so much in front of him at the time of his death, and Lennon was making the best music of his career when he died. I think MJ's best years were behind him.

Which rather makes the point. Holly was a death of 'what if...?'. Jackson was a rather pathetic self-caricature.

To call Elvis a shadow of his former self is to ignore the fact that shadows are generally thinner ;)

[rob1963]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Elvis have a single in the top 5 the day he died? When was the last time Jacko was there?

If you're referring to Way Down, from what I've read that was outside the Top 40 on the day he died, but was catapulted to number one AFTER the news of his death.

Just after Michael Jackson's death, he has SIX singles in the top 40 as well as the best selling album, so there's no comparison really.

[andyw]

does it really matter who was the better at the end of the day when a family is devastated through their loss, it is a shame ,whether he is the most famous person in the world or someone we have never heard of before,i would feel saddened for them, and i was shocked and saddened by the news of mj because although i don't know him (we never exchanged xmas cards or talked on the phone for that)personally i know of him and grew up with his musicalways around, i felt very much the same last year when someone i talked to on the phone at work was killed in an accident at work,i never knew the person on a one to one level but was shocked and saddened by his death,

[soundtracker]

Just after Michael Jackson's death, he has SIX singles in the top 40 as well as the best selling album, so there's no comparison really.

Spot on Rob, absolutely no comparison at all, back then you had to sell more copies to reach the top 75 than you now have to, to get a number one!:)

[Babybob]

I think Nelson Mandela would be someone who may fit into the category mentioned by the OP but apart from him there aren't that many that spring to mind.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I think Nelson Mandela would be someone who may fit into the category mentioned by the OP but apart from him there aren't that many that spring to mind.

Was he in show biz then?

[Penfold42]

Possible 2 -

Diana Ross - Stevie Wonder?

[Shaun]

This type of Hysteria seems to be more profound when the person dies suddenly 'before their time' (MJ, Elvis, Lennon, Diana).

The only other showbizzer (is that a word?) I can think of that would have huge effect if she died suddenly is possibly, Madonna.

[andyw]

This type of Hysteria seems to be more profound when the person dies suddenly 'before their time' (MJ, Elvis, Lennon, Diana).



for me that sums it up, it's all about them going before their time

[rob1963]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Elvis have a single in the top 5 the day he died?

Not according to this: http://www.yearsofgold.org.uk/1977WEEK34AUG20.htm so consider yourself corrected, Steve! :D

You might also be interested to see the singles chart for the week AFTER he died by clicking on the following link. Please take note of the new entry at number 4. If you scroll down to under the chart, you can read all about the song in question. http://www.yearsofgold.org.uk/1977WEEK35AUG27.htm

[Corabar Steve]

Not according to this: http://www.yearsofgold.org.uk/1977WEEK34AUG20.htm so consider yourself corrected, Steve!
Fair enough, I could've sworn it was in the chart (top 40) prior to his death.:confused:

Also, thanks for providing a link to this:


Elvis had once again become a consistent hitmaker over the previous 12 months. He had three consecutive top ten hits until this release faltered just outside the top 40

I don't seem to recall Jacko's career folowing a similar path recently, but then, I could be wrong again :sj:

[rob1963]

Fair enough, I could've sworn it was in the chart (top 40) prior to his death.:confused:

Respect to you for posting and accepting that, Steve.

:thumbsup:


I don't seem to recall Jacko's career following a similar path recently, but then, I could be wrong again :sj:

No, I don't think you're wrong with that statement!

:D :D