Yesterday was the 9 year anniversary of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes' death. She passed away in 2002 at the tender age of 31. By no means did she get the chance to live the life intended for her. She was a member of the world-class R&B group "TLC" which produced hits such as "Waterfalls", "No Scrubs", and a personal favorite of 1161 Ashby "Creep". And much like everybody has their ups-and-downs throughout life, Left Eye had hers in 1994 when she set fire to NFL wide receiver Andre Rison's mansion. Blame was placed on drugs and alcohol, but maybe there was a little bit of crazy in her. Regardless, these 5 others died way before they made the impact they could have in the entertainment business.
If it weren't for Aaliyah, Timbaland would still be considered just a boot for ghetto white people. Instead, this song gave him the courage and power to produce "Shock Value 2" which is a must-have album, if only for 3 of its songs. Aaliyah was a beautiful, young singer/actress who lost her life because of a miscalculation. The plane she was set to take off from was carrying too much cargo and a pilot who didn't have proper flying credentials. The plane then unfortunately crash-landed shortly after take-off, killing all of its passengers. A truly sad day in the music world.
Kurt Cobain (1967 - 1994)
I really like Nirvana. To this day, their music is timeless. I feel like I'm selling their music on an infomercial. But they truly paved the way for Grunge music to make it into the mainstream. And I know most people like Pearl Jam better, but Nirvana trounced them. Kurt Cobain allegedly died from a shotgun blow to the head, self-inflicted. However, anybody who knows anything about music and life should know that Courtney Love had something to do with it. I'm not saying she pulled the trigger, but something was fishy about the whole situation. I know he had serious issues with drugs as well as an internal health problem that couldn't be diagnosed, but I find it hard to accept that someone with so much talent would take their own life. Kurt Cobain was on the path to becoming a rock legend.
Heath Ledger (1979 - 2008)
No, Heath Ledger wasn't known for his singing ability, but by golly he took my breath away with this performance. "10 Things I Hate About You" was one of the great chick flicks of the late 1990s. I've seen it more than 20 times and I'm a boy, so what does that tell you? This is the only time a Shakespearean play is bearable to watch. And who could forget his memorable take as "The Joker" in "The Dark Knight"? Some say that his role in that film ultimately led to his death, but that assertion is beyond preposterous. Why didn't Christian Bale kill himself after "American Psycho"? Or Brad Pitt after "Fight Club"? These guys played sinister roles that should have shook the very ground they walk on, yet they are still here making movie after movie. Maybe it legitimately was an accidental overdose, or maybe foul play should be suspected. But by no means should we allude to the fact that he played an incredible, dark part in a fantastic movie.
Pat Tillman (1976 - 2004)
Pat Tillman is an American hero. The man died serving our country, all while giving up his place as an NFL player. He should be commended for his brevity, patriotism, and courage. Whether you agree with the ongoing war or not, as an American, you have to respect what these men and women do each and every day of their lives to protect our freedom. Pat Tillman, you truly are an American hero.
Chris Farley (1964 - 1997)
"That Veronica Vaughn is one hot piece of ace. I know from experience." The audio quality is shit, but if you don't know where that clip is from you should be shot on the spot. I had to pick one of Farley's clips from my all-time favorite movie as opposed to the other countless hilarious clips of him. He too suffered from the temptations of drugs and alcohol and it's a terrible shame because he was sooooo funny and talented. "Tommy Boy" and "Black Sheep" are phenomenal films as well as the Beverly Hills Ninja series. A true artist in every sense of the word and funny like no other. It broke my heart to hear about his death as he was one of my favorite comedians/actors. Oh Chris Farley. I hope you are in a better place.
It's hard to narrow down celebrities that have died at a young age. It seems rampant in Hollywood. However, I chose some of my favorite entertainers. And no matter how hard you try, you can't put a price on a human life. For all the others that I may have missed, sorry guys and gals. Enjoy your Tuesday folks. "I am better than you."
True. Thanks for this.
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