Residents react to deaths of Jackson, Fawcett

Two figures who definied a generation are gone within six hours of each other.

The deaths Thursday of favorite “Angel” Farrah Fawcett and “King of Pop” Michael Jackson surprised and stunned us all.

We asked some local folks to share their thoughts:

“It’s a tragic situation... As far as Farrah Fawcett, that’s an icon in the movie industry.”

There’s fans (of Fawcett and Michael Jackson’s) all over the world.

— Freddie Salazar

“It’s weird because he’s one of those people that you thought would be around forever. It’s kind of sad because he’s the king of pop.”

— Delilah Estrada

“It’s a shame (about Farrah Fawcett).”

— Joseph Williams

“It’s kind of shocking to hear I guess (about Michael Jackson). I don’t know words to describe it. Shocking, surprising, totally unexpected (news) to hear.”

— Ryan Morrow

“Well we knew Farrah Fawcett had cancer, but Michael Jackson, that was a surprise.”

— Patty Turner

“I was surprised. We had a friend that also had the same disease as Farrah Fawcett that just died... It’s kind of weird that two famous people passed away at the same time.”

— Mabel Saiz

“I was shocked (at the news of both deaths). Farrah Fawcett was a very good actress, she’ll be remembered.”

— Jillian Rink

“It’s unfortunate (about Michael Jackson). It’s a big loss for the music industry, it’s shocking.

The music industry lost a big music pioneer.”

— Efren Covarrubias

“It’s weird (about Michael Jackson) because he’s been around forever.”

— Claire Simpson

 My sister Jeannette and I would get on the bus to ride across town to see Michael Jackson and his brothers at the Cow Palace in San Francisco.

Every time they came to the city, we went to see them.

Later when they became the Jacksons, they would play at the Circle Star Theater in San Carlos, Calif., and we cared for him and his brothers just as much.

I also saw Michael when I was stationed in Japan in the late 1990s and again he didn’t disappoint.

I’ve always been a fan of the entertainer and will miss the greatest entertainer in my and my sister’s life.  

—  Tony Bullocks

I can only remember falling for two April Fool’s jokes that were in print.

One was Sports Illustrated’s hoax that an eccentric pitcher named Sidd Finch had learned how to throw a baseball 168 miles an hour and had been signed to the Mets.

That was sort of understandable. The issue, though dated April 1, 1985, came to my house days before I had even got around to thinking about pranks and such.

The other was a little more embarrassing for a student attending Eastern New Mexico University at the time. The year was either ‘83 or ‘84 and, this I remember, the issue of the campus paper was dated April 1.

The big news was the pop music superstar Michael Jackson had decided to come to Portales and do a concert there.

Why? As I recall, the writer came up with some cockamamie story about how some kind-hearted citizens from Portales had assisted MJ and his traveling troupe while they were all passing through New Mexico. Apparently, the tour bus had some kind of mechanical problem or something and Michael was so grateful he promised the good samaritans a free show in their hometown.

Yeah, I was excited. What can I say?

My sister and I, only a couple of years before, had propped a copy of “Thriller” face-out on a living room bookshelf in an earnest effort to give our house a “cooler” look (much to my mom’s chagrin).

The idea that Jackson would be moonwalking all over a stage at Greyhound Arena was soon dashed when I noticed that the newspaper had two front pages: The real front page and, on the back, the April Fool’s Joke.

I guess I should’ve realized that the King of Pop doing a charity concert at ENMU, at the height of his popularity, was unrealistic. But country superstars Alabama had also played at the college at around the same time, so it seemed sort of credible.

As it turned out, I was completely taken in - if only for a few moments. But, just so you know, I wasn’t the only one bamboozled on that day.

And I also wasn’t the only one who really did like Michael Jackson back then.

— Eric Butler