Like most of us who love entertainment, I have been left reeling by the events of this past week. One after another, we lost people who played significant parts in our lives. There are so many emotions wrapped up in these losses because each was so interwoven with the fabric of our lives. I am sorry Ed McMahon, the most reliably jovial man in the biz, suffered much worry and unhappiness in his last years. I was truly blown away by Farrah's enormous courage and the ferocity with which she clung to life. Beyond all the gossip and odd behavior at times, she will be remembered for her courage. And then there's Michael Jackson...

When I moved to LA in 1974, I lived several doors down from a girl who was dating Johnny Jackson, a cousin and drummer for the Jackson 5 -- whose big competition then was the Osmonds. I was just 21 and Michael was 14 or 15.
I was regaled with stories of the family. The ones that really stick with me are these: Early on in his career, Papa Joe went downstairs and caught the boys' manager molesting Michael. After that, Joe managed them exclusively. The other was that at 14, Michael told his parents he wanted a sex change operation...in 1974. They said he was already famous as a boy and would have to remain that. At 14, he was already trapped by his fame as he was in his body and his life. They hired bodyguards to prevent him for going out in public dressed as a girl. This was all pretty shocking stuff back then. But as I watched his life unfold, these two pieces of information somehow explained a lot about his later behavior: going to public places in amazing costumes, the plastic surgery, his alleged pedophilia. But before all that came a talent that simply astonished us all. His music has been part of the soundtrack of my life since my teens. I remember the thrill of seeing his videos on TV, how amazing he looked, how singular his brilliance was. But I have one particular memory from 1982 that sums it up for me. I was at the Improv on Melrose. They'd just started a dance floor in the newly remodeled front half opposite the bar and there was a pretty good crowd that night.
A number of people were on the dance floor...and as the music changed and the opening strains of "You Better Be Startin' Something" began, a howl went up and electricity crackled through the room. In an instant, the whole room was on their feet dancing with joy and abandon. We screamed, we sweated, we laughed -- all moved by this fantastic music. And for that moment, there were no cares, no worries, no rent due, no guy breaking up with me -- there was just the music and the way it made us all feel.

And so as we mourn the loss of these icons, we mourn too, those wonderful times they conjure up in our hearts and minds...those moments lost to us all of youth and hope and invincibility when all life lay before us. I am heartbroken for his difficult life and tragic end, even more poignant on the verge of a comeback. I am heartbroken for the pain he may have brought to the lives of others. I am stunned by the finality and the enormous loss to the world of entertainment...no more magic dancing and no more music. I think it will be some time before his spirit is at rest. The pull of grief here is Herculian. I hope he finds his way...

Peace to all,
Laurie Jacobson
Santa Rosa, CA
June 28, 2009

Wow, what a shocker -- Michael Jackson. I knew he wouldn't get old, but this was so unexpected.
And Farrah...and Ed McMahon...and the week isn't over yet. A lot of my past is wrapped up in those
three people, entertainment icons all. God's speed to them all.

Peace,
Laurie

John Lennon said this in 1976 and I find it frighteningly accurate today:

"Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it."

Go see "Food, Inc." -- it's crazy out there.

Peace and luv, everybody,
Laurie

BTW, saw a great movie this weekend: The Brothers Bloom with Adrien Brody (LOVE him), Rachel Weisz, Mark Ruffalo...
GO! So original and clever...

xo
L

Come on to the pasta and chili cook off at Galvin Community Park in Santa Rosa Friday from 5-8pm
Hundreds of vintage cars, live music, wine and beer tasting and plenty of good eats and all for a great cause.
Jon's a judge...all in all, a great event!

Going to Scotts Valley to Woof to Woof all day Saturday -- come on out to a worth cause and be with the doggies. Jon and I will be there with Buddy...pictures to come...

David Carradine...just when you think you've beaten the Dark Side, it reaches out and pulls you back in when you least expect it.

Rest in peace, David, rest in peace.