Where were you when ???? Died?

[Nakor]

Senna - Was at the Ex Girlfriends house and they had just got sky, remember Eurosport having a chopper above the site of the crash site and it being very clear he had not survived.  I will always remember the sense of loss, I think it was the first time a non family death had ever had an impact I was about 17, me and the then misses went to the a local river, watched the Sun go down, listening to the news, seems very vivid thinking back.

Peel - This man gave me more in life then most people I have actually known, turned me on to more new (to me) music, festivals, shops, websites and information then all the books I have ever read, then all the people I have ever known.  I was at work when Mrs Kor phoned, had just learnt I had got a new job, the sun was shining and I was listening to early Gogol Bordello as played by JP.  She knew I would be devastated, and I was.  Just didn't get it, it would not sink in, don't think it has still.  The man will always be a legend in my eyes, left work, picked up the misses and drove to his local church in Bury St.  Signed the book of remembrance, left some flowers . . . . . Never forgotten.

[KeithyB]

As a total contrast to my earlier morose Lennon death post I also recall the death of Elvis just three years earlier.

My memories of that night are like something out of a situation comedy.  

I was on a family camping holiday in August 77 and was happily sleeping away one night in the family tent when I was vigorously shaken and woken up by my father. He had tears in his eyes and was shouting "wake up!!, wake up!!"

Seeing his obvious distress all sorts of thoughts went through my mind....is my mum ok?  is my sister alright?   Has the tent blown away?

Thankfully it was none of these as he managed to blurt out "Son........Elvis is dead!"

Oh Elvis I thought sleepily......oh yes isn't he that fat bloke that hasn't really had any hits since I've been interested in music but apparently was good once?

At this point I caught sight of my green LED wristwatch that showed it was about 3am!!   Despite being woken up to be informed of what was to my 13 year old mind an event of little relevance I could see my dad was looking for a response and so tried to sound sympathetic.

"Sorry to hear that, dad"  I said and rolled over with the intention of resuming my interrupted sleep.  

No such luck though as he gently shook me again and said I should get up as they were now playing Elvis songs all night on Radio Luxembourg as a tribute to the great man.  Clearly an event that was so monumental that it couldn't possibly wait until morning!  

So I then sat in the main part of the tent and had to listen to hour upon hour of Elvis songs until dawn!  Not just me and dad but also my mum and sister too......and she was only six at the time!!

If I was bemused then heaven only knows what my little sister must have made of it!  I've asked her a few times since but her mind has clearly put up some kind of defence mechanism to block it all out, as she has no recollection of the night at all!

My dad just sat there the whole time the radio was on staring blanky ahead with an occasional mumbling of "Elvis is dead!"

Even when my mum suggested that he should turn down the radio so as not to wake the rest of the field of campers all he could say was............"but Elvis is dead.....the....king........ is dead!" !  


My dad said the next day that I would remember that night for the rest of my life................well he wasn't wrong about that!!!        Bless him !

[Eyeofsauron]

I don't know if I want to post this or not. It happened a long time ago but still upsets me deeply.

Back in 1993, I heard on the radio at work of a helicopter crash at Llanberis, Snowdonia. It didn't hit home until I realised that my squadron (Bury Air Training Corps) were on summer camp (where they allow cadets to visit RAF bases for a residential week). They were based in Wales....

I phoned a friend, who was in tears, and he told me that our squadron was involved in the crash.... And then he told me who had been killed. I didn't know two of the cadets too well. Then he told me that Amanda had been killed. We were both in the same band together. I was solo trumpeter, she was a tenor drummer. The band at that time was really good. We had won several competitions, and there was a feeling of vibrant energy around the place. I can honestly say it was one of the best times of my life, playing in that band, with the characters there.

After the phone call, I quickly turned on the television. I watched North West Tonight, and saw the helicopter spiralling out of control, before crashing into the lake. The RAF crew all managed to escape, along with another cadet and bandmember, Sarah.

Still, the full impact of the situation hadn't sunk in. I was very calm.

The next day, I went into work. Evey single newspaper had the image of the helicopter hitting the water on the front page. I still tried to keep cool. I thought that if I could get down stairs and into goods inwards inspection, to be left alone, I would be ok. I didn't make it that far. One guy stopped me on my way downstairs and asked what was wrong. Then I broke down into tears.I was quickly dragged into the first aid room. I couldn't stop crying. It went on for hours. Finally, I managed to regain enough composure to go home.

The most difficult part though, was playing "Last Post" at the funerals. Being a solo trumpeter but tremedous pressure on me to get it right. In fact, I think there were five of us playing (including my dad, who taught me how to play). Amanda's funeral was the last one. It was just too much for me and I ended up splitting a few notes. I really messed it up.

Exactly one month later, at the Battle of Britain parade, they were stuck for a solo trumpeter. I was asked if I would play, even though I was officially retired from the ATC. I agreed and played. I was determined to make up for my previous attempt, and I played the best I've ever played. My Dad wasn't around at the time, but I wished he had heard it. Our bandmaster was conducting, and after I had finished, he just smiled and said "Thanks Joe"

I've never played the trumpet since.

[mex]

Kurdt Cobain, i was at work and someone told me and i replied, yeah your right?

Princess Di. what was i doing,er..................my girl friend, now my wife......i was doing her.

911 i just got off the beech and the streets were empty and bars were crowded.

Queen mum.... no idea.

 

[Tonji]

KeithyB's memories reminded me of my Elvis is Dead holiday in Norfolk. When the news broke my mother became almost hysterical, not because of her love of Elvis, but her best friend Joy, was the biggest, most obsessive Elvis fan ever, her front room was a shrine to the man....well my mum was convinced Joy would do away with herself & we all had to get back to London to save her from her inevitable fate. I can well remember my dad F'ing & blinding all the way home.

Joy, over the years recovered from the shock of her idols death, her whole house became a shrine to Elvis, & her husband left her.

[tikay]

I don't know if I want to post this or not. It happened a long time ago but still upsets me deeply.

Back in 1993, I heard on the radio at work of a helicopter crash at Llanberis, Snowdonia. It didn't hit home until I realised that my squadron (Bury Air Training Corps) were on summer camp (where they allow cadets to visit RAF bases for a residential week). They were based in Wales....

I phoned a friend, who was in tears, and he told me that our squadron was involved in the crash.... And then he told me who had been killed. I didn't know two of the cadets too well. Then he told me that Amanda had been killed. We were both in the same band together. I was solo trumpeter, she was a tenor drummer. The band at that time was really good. We had won several competitions, and there was a feeling of vibrant energy around the place. I can honestly say it was one of the best times of my life, playing in that band, with the characters there.

After the phone call, I quickly turned on the television. I watched North West Tonight, and saw the helicopter spiralling out of control, before crashing into the lake. The RAF crew all managed to escape, along with another cadet and bandmember, Sarah.

Still, the full impact of the situation hadn't sunk in. I was very calm.

The next day, I went into work. Evey single newspaper had the image of the helicopter hitting the water on the front page. I still tried to keep cool. I thought that if I could get down stairs and into goods inwards inspection, to be left alone, I would be ok. I didn't make it that far. One guy stopped me on my way downstairs and asked what was wrong. Then I broke down into tears.I was quickly dragged into the first aid room. I couldn't stop crying. It went on for hours. Finally, I managed to regain enough composure to go home.

The most difficult part though, was playing "Last Post" at the funerals. Being a solo trumpeter but tremedous pressure on me to get it right. In fact, I think there were five of us playing (including my dad, who taught me how to play). Amanda's funeral was the last one. It was just too much for me and I ended up splitting a few notes. I really messed it up.

Exactly one month later, at the Battle of Britain parade, they were stuck for a solo trumpeter. I was asked if I would play, even though I was officially retired from the ATC. I agreed and played. I was determined to make up for my previous attempt, and I played the best I've ever played. My Dad wasn't around at the time, but I wished he had heard it. Our bandmaster was conducting, and after I had finished, he just smiled and said "Thanks Joe"

I've never played the trumpet since.

What a wonderfully told, & touching story. I'm so sorry.

[Newmanseye]

Princess Di - I was working as a croupier at the time at the Stakis Chevalier Casino in Glasgow, I had just spun in the number 14 for the 5th time in a row and there was an almighty commotion in the bar area ( thats where the telly was), within seconds there was an announcement made to all guests and staff that the Princess was involved inan accident, The Blackjack tables emptied as did the roulette and most surprisingly the punto banco table was deserted and the bar area was heaving with people watching impatiently for just a little more information.

Sadly by the time my shift had ended and i got home the news confirmed that she had passed on.

9/11 - I was in the car heading to Ikea with my wife, and our oldest daughter, We were stopped at a level crossing when the news broke on Radio 1, reports were sketchy, and there was a general sickening panic about what we had heard, My wife simply said lets go home.  I turned the car around and sped of home.

No sooner had we switched on CNN when the first tower fell, The shock of that moment will stay with me forever.

7/7/2005 - We had just arrived in Las Vegas the night before, When we awoke the next morning ( the TV alarm was set )    the news channels were awash with images of devestation throughout the capital.

It sounds harsh but my immidate thoughts were for my friends and collegues  in London and I was hoping none of there were one of the unfortunate people caught up in the bombings.

[Canuck]

Diana - I was a kid and in the car with my family in the early morning hours coming back from seeing relatives who live about 4 hours away. I believe it was a Saturday night and it was around 1am or so. I also remember going to church the next morning and hearing the priest say that our prayers were with Diana and her family, and looking around to see if anyone had not known about it.

9/11 - This was scary. I lived in halls in Uni, second year and I was president of the house. There were some Americans living there and they were beside themselves (as we all were, but them a little more so). What was very scary about that day though was that I had just returned from New York about a week before where I work each summer at a kids sports camp. A girl I met there and was still 'dating' was from Australia and she was flying back to Oz on September 12th. Her flight and destinations were the exact same as the one going from NY - San Fran that was hijacked. She was going to book that flight until the last minute when I mentioned she may like to come to class with me on the Monday, the day classes began, instead of leaving the Sunday as she had intended on. Monday September 10th I walked her to the bus station and she was going to Halifax on the bus, spending Sept 11 there, and onto NY then San Fran the morning of September 12th. She was beside herself.

SwissAir Disaster - This was quite scary as it crashed just off the coast of Peggy's Cove Nova Scotia, which is about 3 hours from where I live in Sydney Nova Scotia. I remember watching the news and seeing fishing boats going through the water picking up debris and in once case seeing a fisherman holding an arm. Totally devastating.

7/7/05 - Was in NY at my sports camp and I was talking to my friend from Birmingham about London getting the Olympics as he was opening BBC.co.uk, and he just stopped talking. I looked over at the screen and couldnt believe it. It was crazy to see all the Brits calling home to get news.

[tikay]

I was in Vegas when 7/7/05 happened, and it was a bit odd for me.

I was, obviously, a bit distractedly, walking along that long corridor in the Rio, to do a 425 Interview, & then the Live Update with Jen.

I had never, at that time, had much time for Americans, I'm sorry, but that's the way it was. I was still steaming about the Gulf War, & the WMD farce, their meddling in the Middle East, I despised the Watergate crew, &, well, they were not my favourite people, wrong as that may seem, & indeed was.

I knew a lot of the American players, and that Rio coridor is a long & crowded walk, maybe 10 minutes.

The walk took me over an hour that morning, as, one after another, Americans stopped me.

"We are with you all the way buddy".

We'll get trhem for ya".

"Hope the folks back home are OK mate"

"We are in this together, don't worry, we will nail those ******'s"

I was in tears by the time I got to the end of the corridor, & since that day, my respect for the American people has been what it should always have been. Their Government, no way, never ever, but the people are, really, golden.

[stewart]

i remember 9-11,  just after id left school was playing online  cribbage not poker and it came on the news, about the first plane crash and then the 2nd one struck while they was filming live, it was extrodiary i will never forget that seeing a plane crash into a buliding in front of my eyes,  i remember phoneing a family member and they though i was takeing the piss

[Sark79]

Ayrton Senna .  I loved watching this guy and followed everything he did .  When he died I was watching the race and enjoying his battle with Schumacher.  I remember it being a strange atmosphere before the race as Ratzenberger had died in qualifying the day before. When he crashed it was obvious the accident was serious, but I didn't find out until later as I missed the later stages of the race due to a friends birthday party.  Very sad day .  His nephew Bruno Senna will be in F1 within three years, so keep a look out for him. There are some Bruno video's on youtube , he is very similar in appearance to Aryton Senna and with virtually no racing experience has come along in the last few years and is already racing at a very high level. Natural talent like his Uncle

Another racing driver that sticks in my mind was a Canadian Indy Car driver called Greg Moore. He died during a race in 1999 at only 24 years old. He was a rising star and was set to join the largest Indy Car team in the World ( Penske racing ) the following year. It was obvious the minute he crashed that he wasn't going to walk away from it.  He was so talented and many believe he would have gone onto being one of the all time greats.  There are some moving tributes to his career on youtube  .

Kurt Cobain.  I was out on my bike training and had to stop to fix a gear that had broken.  An old guy walked past and said a famous pop star had died.  All the way move I was wondering who it was and checked on BBC when I got in the house.  It was a shame, I liked their music.

River Phoenix.  He was only 23 when he died and I think I heard about it while out camping with some mates. 

[AndrewT]

Never mind all that Sark - are you coming to Luton???

[tikay]

Never mind all that Sark - are you coming to Luton???

Seconded. He HAS to come. Him, Bolt, Totalise, & The God that is Nem.

[bobby1]

I don't know if I want to post this or not. It happened a long time ago but still upsets me deeply.

Back in 1993, I heard on the radio at work of a helicopter crash at Llanberis, Snowdonia. It didn't hit home until I realised that my squadron (Bury Air Training Corps) were on summer camp (where they allow cadets to visit RAF bases for a residential week). They were based in Wales....

I phoned a friend, who was in tears, and he told me that our squadron was involved in the crash.... And then he told me who had been killed. I didn't know two of the cadets too well. Then he told me that Amanda had been killed. We were both in the same band together. I was solo trumpeter, she was a tenor drummer. The band at that time was really good. We had won several competitions, and there was a feeling of vibrant energy around the place. I can honestly say it was one of the best times of my life, playing in that band, with the characters there.

After the phone call, I quickly turned on the television. I watched North West Tonight, and saw the helicopter spiralling out of control, before crashing into the lake. The RAF crew all managed to escape, along with another cadet and bandmember, Sarah.

Still, the full impact of the situation hadn't sunk in. I was very calm.

The next day, I went into work. Evey single newspaper had the image of the helicopter hitting the water on the front page. I still tried to keep cool. I thought that if I could get down stairs and into goods inwards inspection, to be left alone, I would be ok. I didn't make it that far. One guy stopped me on my way downstairs and asked what was wrong. Then I broke down into tears.I was quickly dragged into the first aid room. I couldn't stop crying. It went on for hours. Finally, I managed to regain enough composure to go home.

The most difficult part though, was playing "Last Post" at the funerals. Being a solo trumpeter but tremedous pressure on me to get it right. In fact, I think there were five of us playing (including my dad, who taught me how to play). Amanda's funeral was the last one. It was just too much for me and I ended up splitting a few notes. I really messed it up.

Exactly one month later, at the Battle of Britain parade, they were stuck for a solo trumpeter. I was asked if I would play, even though I was officially retired from the ATC. I agreed and played. I was determined to make up for my previous attempt, and I played the best I've ever played. My Dad wasn't around at the time, but I wished he had heard it. Our bandmaster was conducting, and after I had finished, he just smiled and said "Thanks Joe"

I've never played the trumpet since.

Sir, that was very moving.

[bobby1]

I remember fetching the Sun from the letterbox as a 7 year old and my mum saying to my dad 'Elvis is dead' and they both cried.

I was never a fan of Diana and the morning she died I came home from a night at the dogs/casino and saw it on the news at about 4 am, I went upstairs and told my mum and dad and they both cried.

I am a Sheffield lad and was working in a Hills shop in the city centre on the day of the Hillsboro disaster, it was awful. At about 4.30 we stated getting loads of Liverpool fans coming into the shop clearly distressed and many in shock. We got a few requests from people asking if they could use the phone to ring their families and tell them they were ok and as the phone was one with a long cord we stretched it over the counter and one of the staff spent the rest of the evening ringing numbers and letting the people speak to their families.

Being unaware until then that this tragedy had happened it was gut wrenching to listen to every persons story of what had happened and what they had seen. Myself and the other staff were in tears and the most awful moment came when one guy was telling his wife he couldn't find his son in the ground and there he was, about 20 stone and shaking with rage and tears, he could barely speak but he finally told her he had gone to the police room and found him sitting on the floor with a flag wrapped around him.We rang the area manager and told him what was happening and he told us to make sure everybody got a cuppa and something to eat and anyone that wanted to phone home could, so we stayed open til about 9 pm that night looking after these football fans. I went home that night and just couldn't believe what I saw on TV.

9/11 I was working as a football odds compiler for Hills and it was  champions league football that night so we were bang under the cosh. Someone took a call and said a plane has crashed into a building in America and we turned on to see the 2nd plane strike. I will never ever forget those scenes of people jumping out of windows to avoid being burned to death.