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James Ewers: A sidekick, an angel and a king

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3:57 PM Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The sudden passing of musical icon Michael Jackson last Thursday capped off a 10-day period in which we lost some show business legends.

It is hard to believe that we have lost Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Each of them left behind a footprint that will forever be etched in the American landscape. Losing one of these show-stoppers is enough, but to lose all three is numbing. It is almost surreal.

McMahon was the consummate sidekick for Tonight Show host Johnny Carson. I don’t think the show could have enjoyed success without Ed. He was the fall guy and the butt of many of Carson’s punch lines. You could tell that he was having fun on the show. His trademark expression, “Here’s Johnny,” made us tune in every week night at 11:30 p.m.

Carson and McMahon were so successful at their craft that for 30 years they kept America coming back for more.

While there continues to be a variety of late-night talk shows, I still don’t believe any of them can top The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon.

The current host, Conan O’Brien said: “For 30 years Ed played his part perfectly, he played it with effortless joy, and sitting alongside Johnny, Ed was an indelible part of what I think is the most iconic two-shot in broadcasting history. There will never be anything like that again.” We all agree.

You must admit that “Charlie’s Angels” was a pretty unique name for a television show starring three women who played detectives. Farrah Fawcett was a member of Charlie’s Angels for only a brief time but certainly made her mark. The Texas-born star showcased her beauty on television and in the movies.

Her relationship with Ryan O’Neal was well-known and the subject of much conversation in Hollywood. At the time of her passing, O’Neal was at her bedside.

Jaclyn Smith, one of Charlie’s Angels, said: “Farrah had courage, she had strength and she had faith. And now she has peace as she rests with the real angels.”

Michael Jackson is rightfully called “the king of pop.” His influence on music was profound, dramatic and will last forever. I can remember Michael Jackson when he was 10 years old and singing the song “ABC” along with his brothers — the Jackson Five. That song dates many of us but that is OK because we saw a musical genius grow up right in front of our eyes.

The Jackson Five created what I call “happy music.” Their songs gave us such a good feeling that we could dance alone or sing along and be just fine.

The lasting imprint that he made on the music industry is undeniable. If you watch Usher, Justin Timberlake and Ne-Yo, then you are watching singers who have been greatly inspired by Michael Jackson.

It is my strong opinion that, at least in my lifetime, there won’t be another musical giant like Michael Jackson. His album “Thriller” is ranked as one of the all-time greatest hits.

Jackson could dance just as well as he could sing. His dance moves were pulsating and electric. We couldn’t imitate them but we certainly tried.

Jackson had a creative genius that only passes this way every once in a while. I will miss him.

While the lives of McMahon, Fawcett and Jackson had their downsides, let’s celebrate their many accomplishments and be happy, in fact, that we saw them pass our way.

James B. Ewers Jr. is a higher education consultant and lives in Middletown.

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they all are. did you ever notice how black the journal is? pitts, page and the local clowns ewers and prior, who write on a 6th grade level.pathetic.

jube
6:47 AM, 7/2/2009

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When I first heard of Michael Jacksons passing initialy I had mixed feelings considering his past alegations of child molestation.Then I remember the memories I had of him while growing up and hearing his music and it made me realize what a true icon this guy is and had to admit to myself that he will be missed by millions maybe even billions,sad to see this happen.I turn on tv last night to see the rev. al and the bet awards and watch them turn it into a racial thing why?Who are the racists?

fedup
7:17 PM, 6/30/2009

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