In 1959 a small plane took off from an airport in Iowa. It was a cold, snowy, winter night. The plane, carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and P.J. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, crashed soon after takeoff. Don McLean, in his 1971 tribute "American Pie" called it 'The Day the Music Died.' The last week of June 2009 will be remembered as the week that Pop Culture died.
Ed McMahon was a decorated war veteran, a game show host, television personality, celebrated side-kick, and the person many people wished would knock on their door. When you think of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson almost everyone would immediately remember first and foremost, "Heeerrreee's Johnny!" Long before there was Simon Cowell and American Idol, there was Star Search, hosted by Ed. American Family Publishers used the immensely popular and recognizable McMahon, and the potential that he would knock on your door with millions in sweepstakes winnings, as its spokesman during the mid 80's. For over 3 decades Ed was a part of our new TV culture. Never the headliner but always present, nonetheless.
Farrah Fawcett was part of a new wave in popularity among millions of TV viewers for. Farrah became a pop culture figure whose hairstyle became a huge trend and whose poster broke sales records that had stood for decades. Who remembers those first commercials? Noxema, Ultra-Bright toothpaste, Wella Balsam shampoo? That's right. That was her. She appeared on I Dream of Jeannie, The Six Million Dollar Man, and The Dating Game. Then came Charlie's Angels and it was HUGE. Larry King said, "TV had much more impact back in the 70's than it does today. Charlie's Angels got huge numbers every week - nothing really dominates the television landscape like that today." Her posters are the best-selling of all time. Her red swimsuit poster, published in 1976, sold more than 12 million copies alone. Farrah started what became a trend in television by using sexy actors in roles that you would not imagine them in. ‘Sex Sells’ can be attributed to her, at least in the TV world.
Michael Jackson, a.k.a. “The King of Pop” couldn’t be a more polarizing figure. For the millions of us who grew up on the Jackson 5 and idolized the young Michael, we were devastated to hear of his death. After capturing the hearts of generations with the Jackson 5 and branching out onto his own he single handedly changed the entertainment industry with his signature dance moves, fashion statements, and incredibly fascinating videos. Fame and fortune would not be friendly to Michael, however. His personal life was wrought with controversy and ridicule, much of it brought on by his own actions. Regardless how you come down on the MJ argument you have to agree that his musical and artistic talent is among the best. His infuuence on American culture can be compared to anyone previously, including the King himself, Elvis.
Billy Mays is a name that you have heard of, or once you hear his booming voice you will certainly remember. As the pitchman for OxiClean, Orange Clean, Orange Glo, and Kaboom, Billy entered our homes and businesses and became one of us. Early TV shows were sponsored by companies utilizing the actors and actresses to plug the products during the show itself. Later, individually produced commercials would be developed to run in the ‘breaks’ between shows and during the shows. These commercials would feature actors and actresses that were familiar, or would become familiar. Billy Mays was different. He was the star of commercials, not TV shows. He was the show. It was only after creating his own popularity that ‘the star’ starred in his own show, PitchMen, a documentary series on the Discovery Channel.
Ed, Farrah, Michael, and Billy. Four individuals that all passed from this earth the week of June 21, 2009, the week Pop Culture died. Each of them contributed to and developed our popular culture in their own creative ways that have been duplicated and refined since. They will be missed.
