November 24, 1991 -- KISS drummer Eric Carr dies. His death was completely overshadowed by the death of Freddie Mercury, which occurred on the same day.

Christmas Day, December 25, 2006 -- James Brown Dies. The following day, his death was but a memory in favor of the death of Gerald Ford, whom he was completely overshadowed by.

June 23, 2009 -- Ed McMahon dies. Overshadowed two days later (today) by the death of Farrah Fawcett, who was overshadowed by the death of Michael Jackson.

Why does this happen? Why are some folks who die all but forgotten about when another celebrity dies on the same, or in very close proximity to the same, day? What makes one of them any more important than the other?

they compete even in death..glad I am a nobody...

All will be forgotten next week

Hmmm. Good question. I would guess it depends on who was the bigger star in any given persons eyes. And people are going to say because Michael had this dark cloud hanging over him. With regard to the others you mentioned, I think it varies on importance depending on who you ask.

all three will be remembered i'm watching a news segment on Farrah right now Tomorrow night there will be a 2 hour Barbra Walters special about Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.I don't think one is more important that the other.I'm sure each person has their preference

Kinda like Mother Thersa dieing close to the so called "Princess Diana". Mother Thersa got 15 minutes of coverage while Diana got weeks of coverage.

I don't keep up with current events so I just learned about any of them, heard about McMahon two days ago off another site.

Another good example, they were just days apart.

wow

so somebody good gets obscured by somebody famous

CHAKAMOANAH...WEEE HEEE

Oh, well. Another thread of mine that tanked. C'est la vie.

Thanks for your replies.

you are not a nobody to me

That's show business for ya Keith, always trying to upstage the others...even on their final stage!

Funny perspective, I never thought of it like that.

awwwww

it just got bumped by the 15 Michael Jackson threads

Watch, now another thread will tank to try and upstage your thread! Someone has to stop the insanity.

Here...I'll give ya' a friendly bump...

I don't get it....they're dead.

Happens to all of us, no matter whether we have big teeth, big hair, a big chin...or dig big things in life.

I feel for their families....to them they were real people, not sensationalised cardboard cut outs.

Well...since Keith is - once again - whining about not getting enough attention, I'm going to comment in all seriousness.

Michael Jackson might have been a weirdo douchebag. But let's face it. His death ranks right up there with the death of Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana and JFK. Why? Because it's untimely deaths that make the headlines and shock people into oblivion. Especially untimely deaths of what some people call "idols".

Ed McMahon and Mother Teresa were old. No huge surprise factor if they die. James Brown was a drunk and Farrah Fawcett had been ill for a long time. Everybody knew it. So while their deaths are sad, everybody was sort of prepared in a way.

I don't think anybody is overshadowing anyone...it's just that some people's deaths come to more of a surprise to the general public as others because they're sudden and somehow leave a void. That's all.

Good point Jess!