This is another list centered on a year we lost a lot of notable celebs. Because there are some politicians and controversial figures on this list, I would like to make clear that I am simply acknowledging the significance of their deaths. Though some admiration is expressed for a few selections (#1 especially), I am not favoring or condemning any life on this list.
#10: Billy Graham
William Graham was one of the most dominant evangelists in the Baptist church throughout the late 20th century. Not to sound political but aside from ministering, he was also a civil rights advocate and friends with several US presidents, with LBJ being whom he was closest to. What I didn't know about Rev. Graham was that he was originally from North Carolina, Charlotte to be exact. Though I wasn't born in North Carolina (originally from San Diego, California), I was raised there after moving from Kansas. We resided for at least 10+ years before moving to Vegas. Not to mention my dad was born and raised in North Carolina as well. Rev. Graham passed away in February of 2018 from natural causes (In other words: he got old). Though slightly controversial, Graham made sure that his voice was heard in the name of the Lord.
#9: Burt Reynolds
American actor Burt Reynolds served as one of the biggest icons for the 1970s. Obviously his most notable role is Lewis in Deliverance, and honestly given how highly people speak of him in that movie (and the movie itself), I'm kind of surprised he didn't get an Oscar nomination for that movie (also considering the movie was nominated for Best Picture). He did however get a Best Supporting Actor nomination for Boogie Knights. I would also like to call out his constant references in Archer, eventually leading up to his hilarious cameo in the series. Well, it was hilarious for us, Archer himself; not so much (Reynolds was on a date with Archer's mother). Reynolds passed away from a heart attack in September of 2018.
#8: John McCain
Now this one is uncomfortable considering I hate politics and prefer to shy away from them, but I do consider McClain's death to be one of the biggest bombshells of that year despite his old age. The first of at least 2 politicians on this list, McCain was mostly known for his work in the United States Navy, his role as the senator of Arizona up until his death and for his run against future President Obama in the 2008 presidential election (how I was introduced to him). Unfortunately he was diagnosed with Brain Cancer in 2017, and he had to shy away from duties as senator due to his treatment. That was probably all in vain considering he obviously passed away the following year (hope that didn't sound too nasty or anything).
#7: Avicii
Avicii was a well known DJ from Sweden. I think Levels (which samples Etta James' Something's Got A Hold On Me, cause that song is literally sampled for almost everything) might be either his biggest hit or at least his most notable one. If not that, then Wake Me Up, and I love that song. What I didn't know was that he had been struggling with acute pancreatitis for years due to his alcoholism which eventually led to the removal of both his gallbladder and appendix. You'd think that would be the cause of his death in April of 2018, but to my surprise, it wasn't. He had taken his own life via cutting himself, which is probably one of the worst and ugliest ways to die. I'm sorry it ended that way for him, truly I am.
#6: XXXTentacion
The first of two rappers and probably the most controversial person on this list, XXXTentacion was a very strange dude. Most of the time I heard about him was either for his emo-rap style music or for his trouble with the law. I believe his biggest song to date is Sad!, which posthumously went Diamond the year following his death despite having some rather questionable and honestly disturbing lyrics. As for his issues with the law, he was shown to have from what it looks like, an abusive relationship with his girlfriend and was charged for battery in 2016. In June of 2018, he was involved in a confrontation with strangers that resulted in him getting shot more than once. Though he was taken to the hospital, the medics were unable to save him. The men responsible are currently in prison with a life sentence and no chance of parole. In other words: they ain't getting out.
#5: Mac Miller
Now Mac Miller was an extremely sad case as in my opinion as he was often underrated during his time with us. While he is notable for the song Donald Trump (before presidency), I think he was often publicized for his relationship with Ariana Grande and his drug addiction. It also doesn't help that I was introduced to him through an Ariana Grande song as well (Introduced through The Way). His most acclaimed album Swimming was released in August of 2018 and it places his struggles front and center. Miller would also earn, I believe, his first and only Grammy nomination with the album. Albeit posthumously as he would die from a drug overdose just one month after the album's release. Cardi B would go on to win the category. However despite the milestone, a lot of people expressed their dissatisfaction with her win, saying that Miller should've won instead.
#4: Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking was known for being one of the most brilliant minds on the planet. Now I'm not gonna sit here and pretend that I understand a single thing he's spoken about (or agree in some cases), but I won't deny his influence in the world of science. He also wastes no time entertaining people as well, mainly referring to his cameos in The Big Bang Theory, and the Monty Python's Galaxy Song. So he was somewhat of a fun dude in a way as well. Honestly, I mostly admire his perseverance despite his paralysis and It really did pay off. I didn't expect him to live as long as he did as I thought he was dead when I was introduced to him (hopefully that didn't sound too rude). But to live 76 years despite these health problems to me is his biggest accomplishment. Though I'm speaking as someone who's definitely not a scientist.
#3: George H.W. Bush
I barely know anything about George H.W. Bush aside from him being US President before his son (who's the first US President I remember from my lifetime) eventually took the job (not from him obviously). Hell, I wasn't even born yet when he was in the White House as it would be a good 10 years before I came into the world. He and his son became the second father-son duo to become Presidents. Like my #8, this is very uncomfortable given my hatred of politics, but Bush's passing was probably one of the biggest of that year. Now he probably should've been lower given he was 94 years old (the second oldest death on this list, first is next) and this happened at the very end of the year. But either way it was still sad to see him go and I can't ignore his place in American history even if I barely know it.
#2: Stan Lee
Stan Lee's death HURT! The man created some of the greatest superheroes of all time; such as the X-Men, Iron Man, The Hulk, my boy Spider-Man, Black Panther, the list just goes on. He was also known for his many cameos in Marvel movies. As a Marvel fan (even now), it's hard to believe that we now live in a time where Lee no longer cameos in Marvel movies anymore. His cameo in Into The Spider-Verse was probably his saddest as he had commented on how he was gonna miss Spider-Man in the aftermath of the hero's death, just as we were missing Lee himself. Ironically, he had passed just a month before the movie's release at age 95. The masterminds behind Spider-Verse Phil Lord & Christopher Miller would pay tribute to Mr. Lee at the very end of the movie and during their victory speech after winning an Oscar for the movie.
Here are other lives we unfortunately lost that year..........................
#1: Aretha Franklin
I believe this is Aretha Franklin's second time topping a list. Along with my previous pick, I never really thought I would live in a world where Franklin was no longer here. There is no denying that she had one of those voices that just moves people, and she wasted no time using it. Whether she sang gospel or secular music, Franklin knew how to leave an impression with just her raw talent. Franklin was 76 years old when she passed. And I don't mean to sound dramatic, but it felt like the world just stopped when her passing was announced. I'm not trying to say Franklin's life mattered more than any of the others on this list as every life matters. But I feel like Franklin's death was one that shook people in a strange and different type of way. Long Live The Queen Of Soul.
R.I.P to every person mentioned. Google slides are down below if anyone wants to see. Thanks for reading.
Google: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12HgaLUI0e06VK7FjvL3t98LMgNJKwz6n22aWIB5pOlg/edit?usp=sharing
Comments
Post a Comment