What is the first celebrity death you remember?

[ClassicStripe]

My daughter has been asking lots of questions about today’s tragic news (a boy at school told her about it) and it made me think this is probably the first celebrity death she has taken note of and will probably be the first one she remembered. The first celebrity death I remember is Princess Diana. I was about the same age DD is now.

Princess Diana

These for me, then John Lennon.

River Phoenix.

John Kennedy

I remember Robert Kennedy too, I remember feeling shocked, two in one family.

And then John Kennedy Junior

Yes, I think you're right, my dad loved watching Tommy Cooper as well.

Freddie Mercury. I was 11 and I heard it on the car radio on the way to school.

I was about to say that. He was my first pop star crush and he was making a big comeback ( I’d been to a gig) and I was devastated. Elvis of course was the much bigger star so got far greater coverage which made it seem worse

Elvis Presley

Princess Diana also

Freddie Mercury in 1991. I was 18 with very strict parents who didn’t allow me to listen to music or watch much TV so I discovered him and the band late. I’d just started listening to his solo stuff (in secret on my red Saisho Walkman!) and so was falling very much in love with his voice and music and I remember hearing it on the radio in my little box room and just being paralysed with grief. It was weird as I had no friends either and just sort of silently grieved his passing. Had no clue he was gay or HIV positive.

Today I have my own home, listen to music galore and in my kitchen there’s an artsy print of him doing his iconic power stance which always makes me smile🙂

Randomly, John Smith, the Labour Leader.

our head teacher came into the classroom to let us know, although I doubt most of the class of 11 year olds knew who he was then.

i sometimes wonder how things would have been if he hadn’t died

River Phoenix. I was 13 and so upset.

Tommy Cooper I remember it being on TV am the following morning. My dad ushered me away from the TV.

Elvis

Elvis - I was 7 he didn't mean much to me just remember adults talking about it. John Lennon when I was 11 had much more impact I was just getting into pop music and though the Beatles split the year I was born they were still gods.

I was in my second year of my uni doing a Policy degree and remember being very upset at the time and our Politics lecturer talking about him though I can’t at all now remember what was said but I do remember there was very much a heavy sadness in the air and I think a lot of people were asking exactly that Q of what might’ve been 😔

My first memory is Diana. I remember my kids tv programme being cancelled for the news report and I was a cross child, so woke my parents up to tell them.

Im heartbroken about today. As a Wolves season ticket holder, and my lad used to play academy footy at Compton Park, we've met him loads. He was part of my sons childhood, and he was a delight every time we met him. Ive never been personally affected by a celebrity death, but Im struggling to get a grip over Diogo.

Freddie Mercury.

What news? I just checked twitter and the times and can't see anything relevant to your question.

Elvis

Assume she means the young premiership footballer killed in a car crash this morning.

Marilyn Monroe. Then later on JFK.

Kurt Cobain. Sat in the car waiting for DM to come back from the shop and it was on the radio. Oh maybe River Phoenix.

JFK

Earliest I remember is Grace Kelly/Princess Grace of Monaco, when I was a little girl.

Elvis! My 14 year old cousin turned up at the house wearing all black! I asked her why and she told me 'Elvis died.' I remember it so clearly.