The Rise and Fall

Journalistic Death Coverage in Israeli Newspapers and Websites of Iconic Musicians who Died Relatively Young

Abstract

The current qualitative text analysis examines the journalistic death coverage in Israeli newspapers and websites of iconic musicians who died, committed suicide or were assassinated at a relatively young age: Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Zohar Argov and Michael Jackson. The media coverage displayed two main narratives: ‘rags to riches’ and ‘fame to tragedy’. These two narratives were manifested by the following tragic sequence: rise to fame, climax, downfall and self-reflection. In this context, reporters, newspapers, tabloids, gossip magazines, websites and official authorities were accused by the singers’ family members, relatives and commentators of invasion of privacy, nosiness, harassment and stalking. Allegedly, all of this prompted the musicians’ isolation, seclusion and addiction. Nevertheless, their tremendous contribution to the worlds of music and culture remained a consensus. Unsurprisingly, they were undisputedly portrayed as the king of rock and roll (Presley), an ambassador of peace (Lennon), the pioneer of Israeli-oriental music (Argov) and the king of pop (Jackson). Findings show how these four musicians were presented in the media as gifted, successful and ground-breaking individuals whose musical legacy would continue to influence future generations. But, at the same time, they were presented as lone stars, tragic heroes and even innocent victims who sank and drowned in the worlds of fame and glory. The discussion section delves into the distinctions between the coverage of iconic global musicians and that of an Israeli one and interprets the celebrity phenomenon, the heavy toll it may take and the complex mutual relations between the musical icon and the media.