Like it or not, deaths of celebrities have profound impact on their fans

The death of music icon Prince on April 21 was another shock in a list of celebrity deaths in 2016, a year that is still young.

Natalie Cole, David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Glenn Frey, Abe Vigoda, Harper Lee, Gary Shandling, Patty Duke and Merle Haggard are just a few of the other names on that list. Some, like Prince, were what many of us might consider still young when they died.

What is it about these deaths, individually or collectively, that hits us so hard? Are celebrities larger than life, and thus large in death? Or is it that we will miss what they gave us?

As a child of the 1960s, I grew up heavily influenced by music.

The many and varied artists of my youth hold a special place in my heart and memory.

As such, news of the deaths of musical giants like David Bowie and Prince admittedly affect me. I greatly respect the profound influence they have had on past generations and will continue to have going forward.

Great music is liberating. It transcends race and genre, refusing to be defined. It can be instantly nostalgic, transporting us back to a happier, more carefree time.

Appreciation for a singer’s artistry grows and is more palpable as years, even decades, pass by. They are like friends we’ve not had the privilege to meet.

I get swept up in all the accolades and tributes bestowed upon some celebrities in their passing. They are all mortal, even if larger than life, and too often gone too soon.

But for now, I will say a prayer, pause to honor their memory, wistfully reflect on their legacy, and, begrudgingly, say goodbye to these “friends” of my youth.

Considering all the media coverage of the death of Prince, one might have thought that God himself had died.

It seems to me to be indicative of the decline of our culture when someone like him gets media attention for days on end while the deaths of heroes, our military men and women, get little notice.

Just what positive contribution to society did Prince make other than making some kind of music?

Prince was more than just a celebrity; he was an icon.

Icon status is unique and attainable only by being broadly popular and symbolic.

Some celebrities become so even if they have no athletic, musical or acting ability — such as Albert Einstein, who was famous and then became a celebrity.

And don’t forget Princess Diana, who was a celebrity and then became an icon.

She, like Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe, became even more popular after death, and this phenomenon will likely be the path Prince will follow.

Early or tragic death helps a celebrity become an icon, such as Jimmy Hendrix, Heath Ledger, Janice Joplin, James Dean and even John F. Kennedy.

But the bottom line is that we, as media consumers, are an important agent for the celebrity culture, and our dollars allow it to thrive.

The passing of music legend Prince will definitely leave an indelible mark on his legions of fans.

It has also demonstrated that our idols are not superhuman or invincible.

They follow their destiny that “the show must go on,” no matter that health and age factor into their contributions to millions of fans.

Prince’s passing serves as a wake-up call that we can all fall victim to the stress of life, particularly those who sacrifice themselves for others’ enjoyment, while neglecting their own.

Sad, and yet a reminder to all of us. Tomorrow is not certain, but death is. At a time when we least expect it, we will face death. Then remember Psalm 23 in the Holy Bible.

Many of the talented, rich and famous live precarious and hectic lives. Even with managers and others around to take care of details, they feel the need to use uppers and downers to stay in the swing of things.

It’s sad that they are so driven — unable to enjoy calmness, peace and the beauty of life.

Most celebrities lead fantasy lives, but their deaths leave memories. What hits hard is that these deaths just remind us of our own mortality.

Celebrities are a break from real life and are known to many people. So their deaths hit us hard.

It’s particularly hard when the deceased are young.

There is just as much sorrow or grief for lesser-known people, but their deaths do not get the attention because fewer people are aware of their passing.

Many people will miss the talent and entertainment that they brought to us and our lives.

This story was originally published April 29, 2016 at 6:20 PM with the headline "Like it or not, deaths of celebrities have profound impact on their fans."