Rest in peace…

These three little words have been said quite a bit in 2016. Several notable personalities and entertainers have died and they are people who once seemed immortal and a reminder of our earlier life. Garry Shandling died today; he was a person who gave you a behind the scenes look at a late night talk show and all the things and personalities and egos that gather together to make a one hour show come to life five nights a week.

I last saw him late last year at the memorial of one of his “Larry Sanders” writers Chris Thompson; Mr. Shandling looked fit and sharp and was in very good spirits despite the gathering being a memorial. I approached him and asked him if he was still boxing. I read in a GQ profile that he had begun boxing and Buddist meditation at the same time. This seemed like the make up of Mr. Shandling all his life is an internal Ying/Yang. He was legendary for hosting a regular pick up game of basketball at his house with all the more athletic comedians shooting hoops.

He left the earth too soon and of this writing no official cause of death has been announced.

One of the more staggering deaths many of my friends and quite honestly myself has been the death of David Bowie. He truly seemed immortal once Ziggy and The Thin White Duke came to life. He left this world with the remarkable and haunting “Black Star” album. He left the world swinging. Although I’ll never be a fan of death; he made it seem wonderful with his actions just prior and his requests to follow once he was gone. Ambitious and photogenic to his last breath.

I went to see his “Serious Moonlight” Tour at Dodger Stadium and this new more mainstream looking Bowie had sold out the place a few dates. I went to the show with a child hood friend from a conservative family and when the Dodgers scoreboard showed him in younger versions and make up and red cropped hair my innocent companion asked, “Who is that person?” He could not believe they were the same guy! I like so many Bowie fans knew anything was possible and he could go in any direction.

Some of his contemporaries that have passed including: Bassist Chris Squire of Yes, Actor Ken Howard, Conductor Pierre Boulez, Writer Pat Conroy, and former Eagle Glenn Frey just to mention a few felt a lot less surprising to me than the death of David Bowie; they had all seemed to live a full life-not necessarily a long life but one with long histories and accomplishments. I just remember when the late Dick Clark spoke after the death of Elvis Presely, “We all wondered what an elderly Elvis would be like and sadly we’ll never know.” I would have loved to see Bowie one more time, hear his follow ups to “Black Star” but sadly we’ll never know.

I don’t use the words rest in peace lightly but I am quite tired of those three little words; to be completely honest with you.

Thanks Gary Shandling; you’ll be missed by many.