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Threes Again

It is said that bad things come in threes- why good things can not clump up like that is beyond me, but I am guessing there are more bad things in this world than good, thus the axiom.

Whatever the reason, now three people have died in a week- Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and now Michael Jackson.

Ed was, of the three, the most famous- oh, I know there are people who worshipped MJ, and there are, or were many guys my age who had posters of Farrah on their walls, but since this is my post, I can rank them as I see them.

Ed McMahon lasted about forty or so years in the TV business, what with his work with Johnny Carson, his endorsements and Star Search, where he was the emcee. He never had problems with drugs or any other substantial “issues”. The man performed with class and decorum, no matter the venue. This is why I place him first in the list here. He was, no matter what his politics might have been, a class act.

Farrah was a Texas gal, and I had the privilege to have met her, and her sister, since they both had second (or maybe third) homes here near where I live. She seemed to be a very nice person, and as beautiful in real life as she was on “Charlie’s Angels”. Cancer is the greatest equalizer, and it can get you no matter if you are rich or poor, good or bad, young or old. On a personal level, I think the world was a richer place for having her around.

Michael Jackson was a phenomenon of the pop world, beginning when he was four, pushed by his domineering father to be a part of the Jackson Five. With the JF, Michael had many hits- “I’ll Be There”, “ABC”, and others. Then, he struck out on his own, and together with Quincy Jones, had a string of hits. Unfortunately, there was also a strain of “he’s just not quite right” mixed in with the tremendous talent, and this was probably fed by some of his handlers over the years.

Regardless, I certainly take no joy in his death, as it seems, from accounts, that he was about to stage a comeback, which if true, would have been truly Phoenix- like for his career, and a personal triumph. To pass away on the eve of this possible resurgence is truly tragic, and I join with his fans in expressing my condolences, even if I wasn’t personally affected by his music as were some others.

The first time I heard that famous people seemed to die in threes, I was skeptical, and indeed, you can find examples of exceptions to the rule, but they do seem to be exceptions, and I for one, am glad it isn’t fives, or tens. It is just my hope that this ends it for awhile- we need no more complications in this world than we already have, nor any more sorrows.

All three families have my prayers and deep condolences.
Blake
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