When James Brown passed the funeral was carried on CNN. There was non-stop coverage when Michael Jackson passed, amd lots of coverage when Whitney Houston passed. both funerals were aired on tv.

With the recent passing of Prince it was non-stop coverage on CNN teh first day, and lots of coverage on MSNBC.

What Black music legend woulkd garner this time of coverage if they were to pass?

MotownSubdivision said:

Stevie Wonder

Yes!!!!!! And the sad thing about it is that he will be the last black entertainer to receive that type of media attention!

Yeah, I think Stevie is the last remaining of the world loved black music legends.
Stevie delved deep into politics with his music, which is a strong unifying factor that crosses borders and oceans.
Not many people sell out 40,000 stadiums in New Zealand.
Bob Marley. Michael Jackson...Stevie Wonder.

Prince only made it here for the first time in February.

MotownSubdivision said:

Stevie Wonder

THAT^ is the #1 answer on Family Feud!

Seriously, Stevie Wonder is definitely internationally known.

I don't want to think about this

I had no idea Chuck Berry is still alive

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Thizz said:

and Smokey...

I don't think it has anything to do with being internationally known, I think it has to do with more. I don't see no other black legend getting the type of coverage like MJ or Prince and I don't see the public reacting the same towards any other deaths. Prince and Michael are ICONS and they died young. If a Stevie Wonder were to pass away or even a Quincy Jones, it wouldn't be as "shocking" because their old. It still would be sad but it wouldn't be the same. Some people are just special and they touch people differently. Michael and Prince were unique, special and passed on way to young.

Actually it would be shocking with Stevie. He is only 8 years older than Prince and younger than Bowie. But Stevie will live to be 125.

debbiedean2 said:

MotownSubdivision said:

Stevie Wonder

Yes!!!!!! And the sad thing about it is that he will be the last black entertainer to receive that type of media attention!

We can't be so sure. When Lennon died, Prince had just made Dirty Mind. I bet the masses thought Prince would be a vulgar footnote in music history then.

My sense is that when some of today's big artists -- yes, including rappers -- pass away, there will be some outpouring of emotion and reflection.

I don't think Stevie Wonder's death, unless involving tragedy, will see the same amount
of press coverage that Whitney, MJ, and Prince received. Stevie is a clean cut dude and
so when he passes, there will be some modicum of sadness but perhaps more of a joyous
remembrance as opposed to the grief associated with the aforementioned.

This applies to any Black music legend: if they go out surrounded by and engulfed in tragedy,
then yes, there will be noted press coverage. If they pass away peacefully, then I think the
coverage will be a bit more tamed.

The artist who will be mourned to death is Celine Dion, she's somehow the most respected vocalist of our time ALL OVER THE WORLD.

Stevie's passing away will only gather attention in America, the UK, some parts of Europe and that's pretty much it honestly; He isn't this big pop star who sold out stadiums in every part of this planet.

Hate to say it, but POPULARITY = AMOUNT OF MEDIA COVERAGE POST-DEATH.

Talent doesn't add up in this formula as you see.

Shawy89 said:

Stevie's passing away will only gather attention in America, the UK, some parts of Europe and that's pretty much it honestly; He isn't this big pop star who sold out stadiums in every part of this planet.

Hate to say it, but POPULARITY = AMOUNT OF MEDIA COVERAGE POST-DEATH.

Talent doesn't add up in this formula as you see.

I agree: popularity and the nature of the entertainer's death affect the media's coverage.

I doubt Celine Dion's passing, if it occurs without tragedy, will garner much public grief
similar to what was witnessed with Whitney Houston and Prince's death. She's isolated her-
self to Vegas so she's not even meeting your own criteria!

Shawy89 said:

Stevie's passing away will only gather attention in America, the UK, some parts of Europe and that's pretty much it honestly; He isn't this big pop star who sold out stadiums in every part of this planet.

Hate to say it, but POPULARITY = AMOUNT OF MEDIA COVERAGE POST-DEATH.

Talent doesn't add up in this formula as you see.

Stevie's big in Asia and Australasia. I wouldn't be surprised if he was big in Africa too, but I don't know much about it. Although I know his music was banned in South Africa, because he supported Nelson Mandela when he was locked up. You gotta be pretty popular to get some countries government to ban you LOL!

Stevie is PRETTY DARN BIG.

Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder are certain. Their passings would garner worldwide media and tv coverage.

Some limited media IMHO would go to Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Tina Turner (but she lives in Switzerland now).

Beyonce also. Maybe some Janet Jackson coverage

Let's face it, Beyonce's untimely death would get round-the-clock, missing aircraft kind of coverage.

[Edited 4/26/16 11:02am]

Identity said:

dancerella said:

Identity said:

Let's face it, Beyonce's untimely death would get round-the-clock, missing aircraft kind of coverage.

[Edited 4/26/16 11:02am]

U got that right. It would be major drama for ever. Her little beehive would all start jumping off roofs.

The most real comment on the thread right now. The BeyHive's reaction would be utterly terrifying. I could see them saying it was a murder and then "starting a movement" and destroying whole towns. Like, I'd have to turn off my laptop and tvfor eternity, cover my windows, and be afraid to go outside if something happened to her at this point.

[Edited 4/26/16 20:32pm]

AnonymousFan said:

dancerella said:

Identity said: U got that right. It would be major drama for ever. Her little beehive would all start jumping off roofs.

The most real comment on the thread right now. The BeyHive's reaction would be utterly terrifying. I could see them saying it was a murder and then "starting a movement" and destroying whole towns. Like, I'd have to turn off my laptop and tvfor eternity, cover my windows, and be afraid to go outside if something happened to her at this point.

[Edited 4/26/16 20:32pm]

Lionel Richie would get some coverage.

No mention of Janet Jackson?

MotownSubdivision said:

Stevie Wonder

Janet Jackson, Beyounce, Bruno.

duccichucka said:

Shawy89 said:

Stevie's passing away will only gather attention in America, the UK, some parts of Europe and that's pretty much it honestly; He isn't this big pop star who sold out stadiums in every part of this planet.

Hate to say it, but POPULARITY = AMOUNT OF MEDIA COVERAGE POST-DEATH.

Talent doesn't add up in this formula as you see.

I agree: popularity and the nature of the entertainer's death affect the media's coverage.

I doubt Celine Dion's passing, if it occurs without tragedy, will garner much public grief
similar to what was witnessed with Whitney Houston and Prince's death. She's isolated her-
self to Vegas so she's not even meeting your own criteria!

I don't know why she needed to be brought up here but she's not isolated. She did a massive world tour (highest grossing ever for a female artist that isn't Madonna) after her first residency, and Rene was preparing her for another massive world tour after his death and her current residency.

Hudson said:

duccichucka said:

I agree: popularity and the nature of the entertainer's death affect the media's coverage.

I doubt Celine Dion's passing, if it occurs without tragedy, will garner much public grief
similar to what was witnessed with Whitney Houston and Prince's death. She's isolated her-
self to Vegas so she's not even meeting your own criteria!

I don't know why she needed to be brought up here but she's not isolated. She did a massive world tour (highest grossing ever for a female artist that isn't Madonna) after her first residency, and Rene was preparing her for another massive world tour after his death and her current residency.

Shawy brought her up, even though she is not Black.

Anyways, yes, Celine Dion has isolated herself to Vegas. If you want to see her, there you must
go as she hasn't mounted a "massive world tour" since 2009.