When Hulkamania Runs Out: Saying Goodbye to a Legend, and a Piece of Ourselves

Last night, right before bed, I heard the news—Hulk Hogan has passed away at 71, reportedly from a heart attack. There’s an old superstition that celebrity deaths come in threes, and this week sure feels like proof. First, Malcolm-Jamal Warner—just about my age, someone I watched grow up on screen. Then Ozzy Osbourne, who I wrote about in a previous post. And now, the Hulkster. These are more than headlines. These are names etched into the fabric of our lives.

When I was younger, a wise old gentleman told me, “Never put anyone on a pedestal—it just gives them farther to fall.” I didn’t fully get that until adulthood. Over time, people I once looked up to—athletes, actors, icons—showed sides of themselves that clashed with my values or just plain disappointed me. So I stopped idolizing. But childhood doesn’t care about wisdom or perspective. And like millions of other kids across the U.S., I idolized Hulk Hogan. The colors, the muscle, the mustache. The guy who got beaten down, hulked up, and came roaring back to deliver justice in spandex.

Hulk Hogan was probably the first wrestler to ever grace the cover of Sports Illustrated back in the '80s, and I held on to that issue for years. Whether he was in the ring or in a cameo somewhere on the internet, his presence was always felt. Sure, there were controversies. People had their opinions about who he was outside the ring—and I get that. But I can’t deny the entertainment, the energy, the feeling of being part of something bigger that he gave us. As a kid, there was something comforting about knowing Hulk Hogan was out there, fighting the bad guys, pointing that iconic finger of his.

There was always this hope in the back of every wrestling fan’s mind that he’d pop up again in the WWE—maybe just to smack a heel around and remind us that good guys still win. But that won’t happen now. And that weird feeling in my chest this morning? That’s not just grief for a person. It’s grief for an era. For the younger version of me who needed heroes in Technicolor. For a simpler time when the battle lines were clear, the crowd always cheered, and our heroes always got back up.

When Legends Die: Why the Death of Icons Hits So Hard (Even If You Weren’t a Superfan)

What is it about icons dying that really makes you take pause?

I’m talking about when truly famous people pass away. Whether you liked them or not, whether you were a die-hard fan or barely followed them—they were just always there. And then suddenly, they’re not. And somehow, that does something to you.

The first time I really felt it was when Michael Jackson died.

It’s not that I idolized him. Sure, I played the heck out of his music as a kid—starting around age 10 and into the ’90s—but I wasn’t obsessed. Still, I remember the exact moment I found out he was gone. I was in the break room at work, and one of the TVs was tuned to the news. They were covering it live as they removed him from his home. It hit harder than I expected.

I think it’s because Michael was always part of the background noise of life. In the tabloids, in the news, on the radio—always there. His music was tied to a thousand memories. And when someone like that dies, it’s like a piece of your past gets taken with them.

Then came July 22nd, 2025—Ozzy Osbourne passed away peacefully, surrounded by family.

Again, not someone I was crazy about musically. A few songs here and there I liked, but I never bought an album. Still, his passing hit me in that same strange, personal way. Ozzy was always around. Whether it was headlines about biting the head off a bat or his iconic, gravel-voiced mumbling, he was just... there. Larger than life. Untouchable. Immortal, even.

And then there was The Osbournes—that wild, over-the-top reality show that everyone was hooked on when it first aired. It might’ve been one of the first reality shows centered around a family, and it was nothing like the overly polished, scripted junk we get now. It gave us a raw, chaotic, and often hilarious peek behind the curtain at the real life of the Prince of Darkness and his family dynamic. It made him feel human.

And maybe that’s what it all comes down to.

These people—these legends—they become background characters in our stories. Constant. Familiar. Sometimes comforting. When they pass, it rattles something inside us. It reminds us that even the rich, the outrageous, the unforgettable… are not immune to time.

It makes you take pause.

Because someone who seemed so big, so untouchable, is now gone.

And you’re still here.

Still waking up, going to work, doing the everyday things.

And maybe that realization is what truly hits the hardest.

My Cheeseburger in Paradise. A tribute to Jimmy Buffett

After Jimmy Buffett's passing last week, I began thinking about his influence on my philosophy and dreams, one of which was relocating to Florida. Embarrassingly, I realized that in the last six years, I had only spent one measly day of leisure on my patio listening to Jimmy Buffett music. 

Outdoor living like this is exactly what I used to dream of back when I lived in Colorado. Many a cold winter evening whilst donning one of my Hawaiian shirts and playing Jimmy Buffet tunes, would I dream about being able to comfortably grill year round in flip flops. I was disgusted with myself and set out to change this, starting with the weekend. I hit the store and stocked up on hamburger fixings and of course lots of Landshark Lager.

That being said, I'm happy to say I had a wonderful Saturday at home spent with my bride. I grilled, swam, threw back more than a few Landshark Lagers, listened to Jimmy Buffett music, and enjoyed a cheeseburger in paradise. The day turned out more wonderful than I ever imagined.

 

My Cheeseburger in Paradise..

(Not too particular not too precise)

So as you can see, I grilled and enjoyed my 'Cheeseburger in Paradise' as a tribute of sorts to Jimmy Buffett. I crafted my cheeseburger just like Jimmy liked his as well, with Muenster cheese, lettuce, tomato, Heinz 57, and an onion slice. French fried potatoes, a big Kosher pickle, and ice cold beer were the perfect accompaniments. 

These flip flops and I have covered a lot of ground in the last decade

As my bride and I repeatedly moved to and fro from the pool to our patio chairs, we took time to really listen to the lyrics in Jimmy Buffet's songs. Some made us flat out laugh and some made us really ponder what life is truly about. I must admit that his newest song only released a day ago from his forthcoming album, brought a tear to my eye. The song is called 'Bubbles Up' and I absolutely love it.  Here's a link to the video in case you haven't heard it yet..

The emotion I felt while listening to this song was not because it carries a sad or melancholy message. On the contrary, it's inspiring and is meant to pull you out of a funk and realize there is hope, people who love you, and that there are good things in life to look forward to. 

What got to me personally, is that Jimmy wrote this song and planned on releasing it soon, inevitably knowing what direction his health was going. What an incredible Man. He still wanted to bring peace and comfort to folks, when he had every right to retire and simply focus on himself and his family during his last days. Pondering this humbled me and made me realize my problems are pretty insignificant compared to many other folks.

10 years ago..
when my flip flops were brand new
Both of us were a lot less weathered

The loss of Jimmy Buffett was like a punch to the gut this week. I must say however that listening to his songs for hours on end, reminiscing about seeing him in concert and looking back on the many memories we have from his music, was like medicine for our souls.

I don't know what the loss of this icon will mean for Parrot Head Nation. I do have a sneaking suspicion we will hear new music from him for years to come. I really hope his fanbase as well as his empire continues to grow. Will we see special tribute concerts, meetups, fan fests and events? I certainly hope so. I believe his legacy is in good hands with his family. 

There's enough good stuff Jimmy created and crafted for us to last a lifetime. The concepts and escapism he opened our minds to is priceless. I'm sure there will be more for us to experience, and I will anxiously await to see what that is.

Visit Margaritaville Online

Rest in Peace Jimmy Buffet

If it suddenly ended tomorrow, I'd somehow adjust to the fall. Good times and riches and Son-of-a-bitches, I've seen more than I can recall.

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes
by Jimmy Buffett

Jimmy Buffet

1949 - 2023

Jimmy Buffett passed away on September 1st, 2023. I wanted to post something right away, but his death took me the better part of this week to wrap my head around. It's always a strange feeling when a musical artist who's always been around for as long as you remember suddenly passes away. When you are a fan of the artist and hold an immense amount of respect for them, it definitely feels like there's a small part of yourself that's ceased to exist as well.

In the 70s, I remember my Dad sweeping his barber shop between appointments singing 'Cheeseburger in Paradise' and 'Margaritaville'. While it was not cool to like the same music your folks listened to, I always loved those songs unapologetically. 

In the 90s, I would work in my auto reconditioning shop singing along with Buffett's latest hit 'Fruitcakes'. 

In the 2000's, my co-workers on the factory production line and I would sing along and throw around the phrase "It's 5 O'Clock somewhere" as a small act of defiance to The Man. In the 2010's, 'Knee Deep' by Buffett and the Zac Brown Band got a crazy amount of play on my MP3 player.

By my 40s, I had compiled a massive playlist of Jimmy Buffett tunes. I loved listening to his music while walking or riding my beach cruiser by the lake. His music was also my soundtrack for many an afternoon of grilling and enjoying Landshark beer in my backyard. On our yearly family road trips to Florida, I would pop in the Jimmy Buffet CDs as we crossed over the Florida state line.

Many simply know about Jimmy Buffett from his music and maybe his restaurants, but he was what I consider to be a modern day 'Renaissance Man'. Check out a few of his pastimes..

Singer, songwriter, performer
Author
Pilot
Sailor
Surfer
Activist
Entrepreneur

I included entrepreneur on this list, because this man built an entire empire off of his name and a lifestyle. Resorts, restaurants, hotels, beer, tequila, food, and endless amounts of merch will make sure his grandkids will be able to chillax and follow their folly for decades to come. 

Buffett's legion of fans are called "Parrot Heads". Their devotion is comparable to Deadheads in many ways. Parrot Heads are folks who totally embrace the laid back, happy go lucky, beach loving lifestyle that Jimmy Buffet lived and breathed. Parrot Heads love tiki bars, boat drinks, tropical attire, and for the most part are sociable, accepting and positive people. Watch some Parrot Head tailgating parties on YouTube to get a feel for how dedicated these fans are.

What's more, Parrot Head Nation continued to grow with every passing year. People get older and as they approach middle age, often search for some sort of break or relief from the rat race that is life. That was the case with me at least. I'm not a full on Parrot Head mind you, but I do try to embrace the philosophy and attitude as much as I can. This week has brought me to the realization that maybe I should make a concerted effort to do so more.

Ever since moving to Florida, I had hopes of catching another one of his performances, as he often did spur of the moment concerts here. It wasn't meant to be however, and that is really wearing on me as I write this. He crafted a form of escapism that immensely helped me through some rough patches in my life. When I actually began listening to his lyrics, it very much helped me to realize life isn't is bad as I thought it to be, and enjoying the little things in the moment can truly bring you peace and clarity. 

This weekend I plan on grilling and enjoying a cheeseburger in the paradise that is my backyard. I even plan on crafting mine the same way Jimmy liked to enjoy his. And I quote:

Cheeseburger in paradise

Medium rare with Muenster'd be nice

Heaven on earth with an onion slice

I'm just a cheeseburger in paradise

I like mine with lettuce and tomato

Heinz 57 and french-fried potatoes

Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer

Well, good god Almighty, which way do I steer?

For my cheeseburger in paradise

Makin' the best of every virtue and vice

Worth every damn bit of sacrifice

To get a cheeseburger in paradise

In closing, I apologize if this article seemed a bit scattered. There were so many thoughts and feelings racing through my mind this week, I had a hard time reeling them all in and organizing them. Rest in peace Jimmy. You've earned that license to chill.

Visit Jimmy Buffett.com

Visit Save the Manatee
Founded by Jimmy Buffett in 1981

That time Gomez Addams sold Mission Tortillas

There are so many advertising slogans from the 70s through the 90s that are permanently burned into my data banks. One such tagline was at the end of a Mission Tortilla commercial, when the voice over actor simply utters the words 'Mission Tortillas' before the screen faded to black. I know it's just the brand name of a mass produced tortilla, but the person who uttered that brand name is the reason it stuck with me.

That voice over actor was no other than John Astin aka.. Gomez Addams! It always impressed me how he spoke that phrase with perfect inflection on the Spanish accents. He rolled his 'R' and pronounced the double L's perfectly. I remember seeing these commercials around 1990, and the voice was undoubtedly Astin's. 

Apparently, Astin started out as a voice over actor, and was a renowned voice-artist throughout his career. He lent his voice to series like Justice League, The Wild Thornberrys, Pinky and the Brain and Bonkers just to name a few.

I did a little research and couldn't find if Astin was indeed fluent is Spanish, but learned he did star in a 1972 Spanish language film called 'Un Secuestro de locura'. While Google and YouTube generally turn out wonderful results in regards to 80s and 90s TV commercials, I have not been able to track down a Mission Tortilla commercial as of yet, that Astin has voiced. If you happen to run across some please let me know! And.. if I do locate one, I will most definitely post it here.

Remembering Lyle Alzado

One of my favorite cards in my sports card collection is a 1972 Lyle Alzado Rookie card. He was my favorite Denver Broncos player as a kid in the '70s and even when he started playing for our sworn enemies the L.A. Raiders, I still followed his football career closely with great interest. 

Back in '82 or '83 in a game against the Jets, Alzado 'helped' a player on the opposing team take his helmet off, and threw it at him. This led to a new NFL rule nicknamed the 'Lyle Alzado Rule' which banned the use of a helmet as a weapon. A rule which has since been used to severely punish those who have broken it.

Lyle Alzado was fascinating to me as a kid, and still is as an adult. He was at the heart of the Denver Broncos 'Orange Crush' defense that dominated the sport for a good stretch of the 70s. 

An absolute monster on the football field, he was one of the most feared players in the NFL at the time. It seemed the guy was always in the news, even after retiring from football. 

Heck.. the guy even fought Mohammad Ali for an exhibition match in Denver back in 1979. I remember riding my bike on that hot summer day, desperately wishing I was at Mile High Stadium watching that fight. It was a lackluster fight for sure, and it was obvious Ali was holding back, but it's still an interesting event and has its place in history. Alzado even considered getting into boxing for awhile afterward. Every Ali, Alzado, or boxing fan should be able to say they saw that fight, so here it is..

Alzado even landed his own sitcom back in the 80s called 'Learning the Ropes'. The premise was that of a single father, high School teacher and vice principal, who moonlighted as a professional wrestler. You can see the intro to the series below..

Alzado was everywhere back in the day! 'The Super Mario Bros Super Show',  'Ernest Goes to Camp' starring roles in his own movies, and many more. Even when he started suffering from brain cancer, he came out actively speaking against steroid use. He would most likely still be active in pop culture today if he hadn't passed away in 1992, just two years after his final attempt to come back to football in 1990.

Alzado was a talent that knew how to self promote, and grabbed every opportunity that came his way. He was not scared to try new things and see how far he could push himself. He definitely made his mark in many ways, and is gone but most definitely not forgotten. 

Lynda Carter Digs Shakey's Pizza

To get your Monday started on a good note..  Here's an old picture of Lynda Carter wearing a Shakey's Tee circa late 70s / early 80s.  Ah.. two of my first loves. Wonder Woman and Pizza!

I've got to say.. I would definitely buy a T-shirt emblazoned with this image on it!

Anniversary of Annette Funicello's Passing

I heard the news six years ago today, that Annette Funicello had passed away.  She had lost her long battle with multiple sclerosis, which I vividly remember her first announcing back in 1992.  Even though Annette Funicello was a star of the Baby Boomer generation, it certainly didn't mean that I.. a Generation X-er, wasn't just as enthralled with her.  Even though I was a child of the 70s and 80s, I was very much a lifelong fan.

I vividly remember going to my grandparents house after school back in the early 70s, flipping on the TV, and watching old reruns of The Mickey Mouse Club.  Annette was always my favorite Mouseketeer.  There was just something about her that seemed comforting, relaxing, and real.

She came across as so sincere in her acting, that it actually felt as if she was speaking directly to me.  I was a huge fan of Disney's Zorro, and a two part episode Starring Funicello became one of my favorites as a kid.

Fast forward to my preteen years of the early 80s.  Many a Saturday afternoon was spent in front of the TV watching Monster movies, when somewhere around summer 1982.. I discovered surf and beach party films.  When I saw the movie 'Beach Party' starring Annette and Frankie Avalon, Annette once again caught my eye (albeit for totally different reasons than when I was six years old).

'Beach Party' got me hooked on the campy 60s surf flicks like 'Beach Blanket Bingo' and 'Bikini Beach'.  Those movies sure showed plenty of skin, but were wholesome enough to sit down with Mom to watch, and watch she did.

Whenever I was watching surf movies like this, my Mom would sit down and spend the entire time reminiscing about her youth.  She would tell me about how she would go hang out with friends at the beach as a teenager.  She would explain slang and vernacular that I wasn't familiar with.  She would also laugh at the hairstyles, clothes, music, and dance that she herself was in the thick of during the 60s.  I cherish those times, as it was at that point of my life that I realized my Mother was once someone else other than "Mom".  It made her more human to me, and from that point on I related to her much easier than ever before. 

Through the 80s and 90s, I remember seeing Annette everywhere on television.  She was an incredibly popular spokesperson for 'Skippy' peanut butter, she would often be seen at Disney events and specials, and I recall on more than one occasion seeing her at Mousketeer reunions.  I specifically remember folks getting excited or fondly smiling and reminiscing when she appeared on television programming.  The mere sight of her would almost always garner responses from my parents like "Hey look it's Annette!"  It was always obvious to me that she had quite an effect on many folks besides myself.

Annette Funicello had that "special something" that very few actors have.  She could sing, dance, and act, but above all that, she was endearing.  Countless folks fell under her spell, and she is ingrained in pop culture and Americana as a result.  She will continue to be missed, but not forgotten.  Rest in Peace Annette.