Why The Deaths Of All These Musical Legends Are Getting To Us

Our boomer world was rocked by the recent deaths of so many musical legends from our generation -- David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Natalie Cole. The sudden news -- and the quantity! -- caught us off-guard, forced a trip down memory lane, and had us thinking about our own mortality this week. We asked Huff/Post50 Facebook friends to share their thoughts.

Joncile Martin was shocked to hear that Eagles guitarist and solo artist Glenn Frey was in his 60s. She wrote, "In my mind, the Eagles will always be in their 20s and 30s and have the same sweet sound they have had for 40+ years!"

The sheer number of deaths impacted Karron Wood , who wrote, "It started with [70-year-old] Lemmy [Kilmister, frontman for Motorhead], then [65-year-old] Natalie Cole , then [69-year-old David] Bowie , then [64-year-old] Mic [Gillette, renowned brass player and founding member] from Tower of Power, then [Gary Loizzo , the 70-year-old former] singer with American Breed ...... and now [Eagles guitarist Glenn] Frey [at age 67].

Wood commented, "A generation of great music is slowly being made smaller and we are feeling our age and how very blessed we are to still have our health. So many rumors swirl that we didn't know the artists were battling these terrible illnesses. May they rest in peace and you know in Rock & Roll Heaven -- there is one Hell Of A Band now!!!"

Reader Ana Jones echoed the sentiment. "The death of Glenn Frey felt like losing a close friend. The Eagles' music has been with me through many phases of my life." Us too, Ana.

Debbie Stewart noted that she was very close in age to those who left us. As an alternative medicine advocate, she wonders if any alternative therapies "were offered or tried for these guys. I am presently the healthiest I have ever been in my life," she wrote.

Reader Melinda Greer Green said the deaths were a reminder that "we are all approaching that age." 

Here's a little tribute song for what we are certain is going on.