My mate was making a comment on the state of social media rather than this forum in particular, although I wouldn’t say we’re immune. This entire thread is about celebrities that have passed away, and while a respectable proportion is in the respectable obituary camp, we’re often as guilty as everyone else about making these deaths about how they affect us.
And FWIW, “how does this affect me?” is a valid enough question.
Just not as impressed with peeps making out like they’ve undergone a year of personal hell because some celebrities are no longer with us.
I hope 2017 is better than 2016. Some of my favourite music and film stars have died this year and I know that they will never be replaced. These have quite often been the soundtrack to my life, and every time I hear from George Michael or I watch Carrie fisher, I am transported back to different events. I have cried with these people, I have laughed with them, I made love with them, I have eaten microwave meals for one with them, I have been victorious with them, I have fallen with them.
I have grown as a person through watching and listening to these people and this country can truly be called Great Britain as a result of their contribution. I only hope that we don’t plummet into free fall towards the destruction of culture - the things that differentiate us from animals.
Not a new one, but one that I missed back in November. Was a great musician and songwriter who I was did see play live once back in 1989. Bastard cancer got him.
Martin Christopher Kennedy (17 June 1962 – 1 November 2016), known as Bap Kennedy, was a singer-songwriter from Belfast, Northern Ireland.[1] He was noted for his collaborations with Steve Earle, Van Morrison, Shane MacGowan[1] and Mark Knopfler,[2] as well as for writing the song “Moonlight Kiss” which was on the soundtrack for the film Serendipity.[3]
Kennedy was in the rock band Energy Orchard[4] for many years and also recorded a number of well-received solo albums including Domestic Blues, The Big Picture, The Sailor’s Revenge and Let’s Start Again.[4] During his solo career, Kennedy performed, written and recorded songs with artists such as Steve Earle (on Domestic Blues), Van Morrison (on The Big Picture) and Mark Knopfler (on The Sailor’s Revenge).[1] Following the releases of The Big Picture and The Sailor’s Revenge, he toured the USA and Europe with Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits,[4] who also produced Kennedy’s 2012 album The Sailor’s Revenge.[1]
(Taken from his Wiki page - was alerted to it by the BBC said Mary of those departed this year)
We grow up with music that touches us, sometimes deeply. Some of these artists play a big part in our lives, sometimes at crucial times. I know we don’t know them personally but they can become part of extended family emotionally. It may not be the loss of a mother, father, brother or sister, but it can still be a big loss all the same. I don’t see anything wrong in mourning the loss of someone who touched you life over that of someone we have never heard of. If we spent all our time grieving for everyone who passes that is all we would do every day.
It was like this with Bowie and Prince as well, but not Lemmy (weird that).
On the George Micheal death, I was and am not a fan (maybe a couple of songs), but what has come to light since his death, I can see him in a very different light. What a kind and generous Man he was, also very humble about it. Fair play to him.
