This has been a summer of celebrity losses like none I can
remember. It has been sad, heartbreaking and shocking to see so many familiar
faces and voices leave us. Many of those who have passed on had roots in Las
Vegas. Some of them performed here, lived here, regularly visited here or even
have family members here, but no doubt that all of them are survived by
countless fans in Las Vegas.
The shocking death of Michael Jackson was worldwide news,
and that fan loyalty will continue for a long time; perhaps, it will never die.
In Las Vegas, there are many friends and family members who loved Michael, among
them, Joe Jackson, the patriarch of the Jackson family dynasty and someone I’ve
known a long time and spent time with over the years.
I wish Joe and the family well. I was around for some of
the memorial events. Sad, truly sad. Who would have ever though Michael’s
phenomenal talent would be gone so suddenly?
And there were many other celebrities who were added to the
list of our beloved favorites who have passed on recently and were mourned by
many in Las Vegas. Among them were:
--Farrah
Fawcett
--Walter
Cronkite
--Gale
Storm
--Karl
Malden
--David
Carradine
--Ed
McMahon
--Steve
McNair
--Koko
Taylor
--Fred
Travalena
--Billy
Mays
and
Gidget, the star Chihuahua
In the stunning news coverage of Michael’s passing, several
of the other deaths could not receive as much airtime and print space as they
otherwise would have, so I want to remember them for their accomplishments. They
each brought a special talent to the celebrity scene.
The iconic, brave, well-tressed actress Farrah Fawcett of
“Charlie’s Angels,” veteran funny girl Gale Storm of “My Little Margie” and
other screen productions, and the super-solid newsman Walter Cronkite, were
familiar to nearly all of us who spent time watching television during the last
century. I can’t say with certainty that the journalist spent any significant
time in our city, but he undoubtedly reported on the events at the very
foundation of Old Vegas all the way through its explosive growth.
All of the stars and celebs mentioned before are known for
being in the traditional star-making industries, but what is notable about Billy
Mays’ inclusion on that list is that he was not a singer, dancer, film star,
news anchor, sports figure or any of the other ‘usual’ celebrities.
Mays, who delighted countless people with his sales
ability, only recently became a TV screen celebrity in the reality TV show
tradition as co-star of the insightful show focused on the professional “pitch
men” selling products around the clock on infomercials and at public events. But
that TV show was not what made him famous: it was his distinctive voice and
charisma and sense of pitch-perfect timing. He was the ultimate pitch man! He
will be missed.
One of my associates, Alex Ayzin, is a California-based
business broker who met Billy Mays and became friends after they encountered
each other several times at tradeshows and seminars. I was to meet Mays in
person, and I am saddened by his passing. I’m sure that there will be others in
the profession who will do amazingly well, but I wonder if any of them will
become as huge in the ranks of celebrities as Mays did.
In the field of covering stars and famous people, it is
both amazing and touching to see how many lives are deeply influenced because of
the spirit and style of those who gained the status of “celebrity.” They gave us
much, and we remember them fondly—even down to the smallest, the four-legged
“Taco Bell star,” Gidget.
So in closing, keep your visions positive, keep positive
people around you, and know that God is there for you.
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My book of poetry
entitled "Messages" was inspired by my dear friends C.J. Cansler along
with Victoria Boone and Beryl Warren.
The group of poems
along with some beautiful photographs are to inspire the reader.
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