Why do we connect with celebrities’ deaths?

It’s the memory the famous people stir within us.

This question popped up when my cell phone signaled an incoming text this week. The phone is set up to receive breaking news text alerts from NBC News and from one of the TV stations where I used to work.

Chris Kelly (aka Mac Daddy) of the 1990s rap group Kriss Kross had died. They were best known for their 1992 song “Jump.”

My dance class was preparing to leave after our practice and I told everyone “Hey one of the guys from Kriss Kross died!”

Each dancer and the teacher looked at me blankly. No one had heard of Kriss Kriss. I then began to, of course, jump jump and to sing the song.

Still they gazed at me blankly.

Poor Mac Daddy. He’s dead way too young.

Within hours, coincidentally, my friend and TV news colleague Mike went on to Facebook to give what he described as a rant.
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