I suspect we're more part of celebrity culture than we like to thi

[A Lark Ascending]

On the death of Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's real cause of death. 57 replies 986 views

Jazz Versions of Michael Jackson Tunes 25 replies 581views

Michael Jackson has died 213 replies 5634 views

On the death of Harry Patch and Henry Allingham

Lest we forget 0 replies 18 views

I realise this is primarily a music board and that the latter two were not American, but it looks a bit stark.

[Jazzmoose]

I feel like someone just called me emo...

[Big Beat Steve]

On the death of Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's real cause of death. 57 replies 986 views

Jazz Versions of Michael Jackson Tunes 25 replies 581views

Michael Jackson has died 213 replies 5634 views

On the death of Harry Patch and Henry Allingham

Lest we forget 0 replies 18 views

I realise this is primarily a music board and that the latter two were not American, but it looks a bit stark.

Please set me wise, Bev (I did not look up that latter topic right now so I am really starting from "scratch"):

Those latter two names do NOT ring a bell with me at all.

Imagine me as being somebody very interested not only in U.S. but also European jazz but (as far as collecting in strictly "collector" sense of the word goes) with a major emphasis on the jazz styles, periods and musicians of the early 30s to the early 60s. What would I have missed under these aspects and what glaring non-knowledge would I have to admit to within my key period of historical interest if I did not know these names? I'll be glad to learn and add to my knowledge but could it be that those just were bound to be off my radar, given my key areas of interest?

OTOH, whoever (even if not pop-minded at all) could have AVOIDED having heard about Michael Jackson on NUMEROUS occasions throughout the past 30+ years?

So this explains that ...

[jazzbo]

Worth mentioning is that these threads have sparked discussion trangential to the celebrity himself.

[J.A.W.]

On the death of Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's real cause of death. 57 replies 986 views

Jazz Versions of Michael Jackson Tunes 25 replies 581views

Michael Jackson has died 213 replies 5634 views

On the death of Harry Patch and Henry Allingham

Lest we forget 0 replies 18 views

I realise this is primarily a music board and that the latter two were not American, but it looks a bit stark.

Please set me wise, Bev (I did not look up that latter topic right now so I am really starting from "scratch"):

Those latter two names do NOT ring a bell with me at all.

Imagine me as being somebody very interested not only in U.S. but also European jazz but (as far as collecting in strictly "collector" sense of the word goes) with a major emphasis on the jazz styles, periods and musicians of the early 30s to the early 60s. What would I have missed under these aspects and what glaring non-knowledge would I have to admit to within my key period of historical interest if I did not know these names? I'll be glad to learn and add to my knowledge but could it be that those just were bound to be off my radar, given my key areas of interest?

OTOH, whoever (even if not pop-minded at all) could have AVOIDED having heard about Michael Jackson on NUMEROUS occasions throughout the past 30+ years?

So this explains that ...

Harry Patch and Henry Allingham were the last two British survivors of the World War I battlefields. They died earlier this month. Allingham was also the oldest living man on earth.

Harry Patch

Henry Allingham

Edited July 27, 2009 by J.A.W.

[A Lark Ascending]

No reason why you should know the names, Steve. They were not even in the thread title.

If you asked the average Brit in the street what were their thoughts on the passing of the two men you'd most likey get a 'Who?' (that would not happen with MJ!). Though if you mentioned 'oldest First World War veterans who just died' then I suspect it would be picked up on.

Edited July 27, 2009 by Bev Stapleton

[Big Beat Steve]

Ok, now I see clearer. In fact I DID take note of a news item that said recently that the last British WWI veteran had died at 111 (I think). But would I remember the name(s) after ahving read the news item?

But to get back to your original post which might (for good reason) be looked at from a different angle:

Run the gamut of the MUSICIAN obits on this forum and you will see that views and replies often quite clearly reflect the interests of the forum members, and some of them who've left the building get short shrift (underservedly) just because their main period of activity falls outside the era of jazz the majority around here seems to be able to relate to.

Now what does THAT say about celebs and who in the jazz or pop/rock world would be seen as a celeb so everybody jumps at his obit thread?

It would have been very interesting, for example, to see if the number of views and REPLIES, in particular, would have changed significantly if that recent obit thread here on one "Gordon Waller" (who, I hear some say??) would have included a statement to the effect of "one half of Peter & Gordon" in the title. :D Most music fans beyond 40 (or 50?) would probably remember Peter & Gordon but their REAL and full names? Until I viewed that thread I had not made that connection either.

Edited July 27, 2009 by Big Beat Steve

[Rooster_Ties]

Well, in my own defense, I originally clicked on the latter thread thinking it was about Harry Partch.

[seeline]

Good grief - I just read this entire thread, thinking that Bev was talking about Harry Partch and thinking ???