Joe McAdory: Pop culture martyrs not idols, needed help

Flipping through a rack of cardboard posters at one of those large retail stores the other day, I noticed a startling pattern.

There was a poster of Elvis, hair slicked back, 1950s get-up (before the double chin), old-school microphone, etc. The King of Rock and Roll left us far too soon. What kind of impact on the music industry would Elvis have if he were alive today? He’d obviously feed off of his early success, but it would have been neat to actually see him in concert at any age.

There was a poster of Janis Joplin, beads around the neck, tongue playfully hanging out of her mouth, loose-fitting tank top, etc. I’m not sure what to make of this woman.

I continued to flip through the collection and found Jim Morrison. I’m surprised people still remember the former lead singer for The Doors.

Morrison was a shining star, and talented poet, who burned into history very quickly, a long, long time ago. Morrison’s picture was in black and white. He was shirtless with a smug look on his face. I probably wouldn’t hang this poster on my wall.

Interested in the people I kept finding, I explored the stack a bit further and found the Voodoo Child himself, Jimi Hendrix. You probably know the picture. Jimi, arguably the greatest electric guitar player in the history of the electric guitar, is gripping his instrument tight, fingers busily making string music, wearing a tie-dye shirt, bandanna draped across his Afro, eyes closed, mentally entrenched in the rhapsody he created.

Hey, Joe, where are you going with those posters in your hand? To the next fallen celebrity, please.

Lastly, I stumbled across the famous poster of John Belushi from Animal House. He’s wearing the shirt with the simple word “college” knitted on the front and has a dumbfounded look on his face. I know the feeling.

All of these people are dead.

All of these people had records of drug use, with most of their untimely, young deaths attributed to cocaine, heroin, or prescription medicine. Hendrix reportedly overdosed on heroin and died in his own vomit.

I do not understand why in American society we so often look up to people who set examples of debauchery and lead reckless lives. Their entertainment abilities can be applauded and admired over and over again through our sound systems and television sets, but people who take measures to improve society, put themselves last and become positive role models should be the ones we celebrate.

Those who turn to drugs when there is nothing else to turn to need help.

People — rich, famous, talented, athletic, etc. — sometimes feel an emptiness inside no matter who they are and will turn to anything in an attempt to fill the void in their lives.

Everyone is susceptible. Everyone has needs. Even the rich, famous and talented. How will those needs be filled?

The posters I saw that afternoon were a testament that some needs were filled the wrong way.

Joe McAdory is editorial page editor for the Opelika-Auburn News. He can be reached at 737-2549 or jmcadory@oanow.com