Another Christmas and another batch of icons has passed away. Like last year, these have been dramatic, extremely saddening and unexpected.
Rick Parfitt was the first to go. I know he lived life to the full, a true rock and roller. He had had heart issues over the years but he was one of the iconic faces of Status Quo, a band that was going to run forever. He and Francis Rossi were the denim clad sound of 70's rock. This is the band that kicked off Live Aid in the 80's and even in the last few years had released some superb tracks.
I had recently been listening to the live version of "Roadhouse Blues/Big Fat Mama", exciting and beautifully imperfect, showing the furious four as the no nonsense powerhouse that they were:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqmXoK93_NY
Then there was George Michael, not someone that I had ever been a big fan of but he was a part of my life, a huge star that I had taken pleasure in slating, then begrudgingly admiring. I think it is tragic that anyone feels the need to hide their sexuality and to be outed in the way he was, it was demeaning and embarrassing but it was the way he handled the situation that commanded my respect. The subsequent single, "Outside" and the video set in a men's urinals with George dressed as a Policeman, it was sheer genius, hilarious and showed a side to the man that I didn't know existed, a sense of humour. This is the only George Michael song that I have on my phone but I think it is a slice of gorgeousness, simply a beautiful and well written song and acoustic, what's not to love?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syb876tgoaM
To hear what a kind man he was, a charitable person that kept it all secret, not only am I shocked at his death, I am deeply saddened that such a nice person had such a difficult life.
Then there was Carrie Fisher. Maybe not such a shock as she had had the heart attack but you don't believe that Princess Leia can die. I watched the face of my youngest just crumble as she heard. She first remembered Carrie Fisher in "the Blues Brothers" but is such a Star Wars fan, as am I of course. I could hear the collective sob of generations when that news broke. Some of the greatest films ever made and such an iconic character and seeing Carrie Fisher more recently in interviews, such a vivacious woman, it is impossible to think that she is no longer here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftt4f2H3GDs
Lastly, there was Richard Adams, the man that wrote the perfect book, Watership Down". A book that has so many layers that all ages can read it and understand it The writing is prosaic but not overly wordy. He trod a fine line but managed to paint a true picture in words yet still retain the urgency of the story, even Tolkein struggled with that yet Richard Adams made it seem so effortless. It is one of the few books that I know I will shed a tear over at the end. It beautifully handles life and death and I cannot recommend the book enough, it is truly one of the greatest books ever written and I hope that many more will remember him amongst the others that have passed at the same time. If you've not read it, pick it up and prepare for a journey of emotions, picturing the chalky hillsides, the hollow triumph and danger at every turn.
Like last year and the start of this year, we have lost some icons of our youth, people we grew up with, sang their songs, watched their films and read their books. I am grateful that these people have influenced my life in ways that they would never know. They had touched the lives of my children and their influence has been nothing but positive, despite any issues they may have had in their own lives. I hope they lived happy lives and I hope they are remembered by others as fondly as I remember them.
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