If you're just criticizing the cliche use of phrases like "taken before his time" or "died too young", because they can applied to virtually any obituary (and beg the question of when was the "right" or "too late" time to die), then I concur. Though I don't see the point in getting wrapped in all these philosophical notions like fate and predetermination.

I agree that many people waste their time on mourning the deaths of celebrities and blow their actual care for that said individual(s) way out of proportion.

And of course there are many detestable, despicable wastes of existence who will NEVER get any of my sympathies when they're dead. I'll never, for a second, mourn people who have done extremely terrible and screwed-up things throughout their lives to others and/or themselves. That just seems asinine.

But.....

I don't agree that one should refrain from expressing their concerns or sympathies to friends/acquaintances/colleagues/etc. who have lost people in their lives that were decent human beings that showed consideration, compassion, loyalty.....only because he or she didn't know them.

Life guarantees NOTHING. But the universe isn't out to say who's next on the list to die, and when the appropriate time is. Predetermination of life and it's duration isn't a logical concept; if that were the case, nobody would probably even give a fighting chance to live another day to see what mysteries lie ahead in the future, no matter how close or far it may be.

Point taken.

I think some people have died before their time, even celebrities.

I lamented not hearing new songs on Freddie Mercury's voice. I would have enjoyed more shows with the Crocodile Hunter.

And I would definitely love to read a couple more books by Anton LaVey.

Frank Zappa comes to mind. I think George Carlin should have gotten a few more years too.

Schubert wasn't the only composer to leave behind an unfinished symphony.

On the other hand, my paternal grandmother hung on for years babbling incoherently, unable to recognize anybody around her.

To me it's obvious that if nature has it's checks and balances that ensures that people die when it's their time, then we may need to send in the auditors and look at who is doctoring the books

Bravo!

Let's just throw the 6th Satanic Statement right out of the window.

As admirable as their works are, I'd hardly call Zappa and Carlin examples of entertainers who "died before their time". They both left behind a HUGE back catalog of recordings, writings and interviews spanning several decades. They both received awards while they were alive. They both influenced two generations of entertainers while they were still alive.

On the other hand, for every Zappa or Carlin, there are hundreds of other entertainers who only released a handful of professional recordings (if even that), and more importantly seemed like they were evolving on their way to developing their own Magnum Opus, but died before really achieving it.

My reason for naming Zappa was that he was only in his fifties when he died, so he could in theory have had many productive years still. It would have been interesting to hear his take on the political correctness of today.

With Carlin I'd have liked him to live long enough to receive the Mark Twain prize that he got posthumously.

But you are correct in that they are not good examples of "dying before their time", they are more examples that people sometimes die even though they haven't outlived their usefulness.

For me, “Lovecraft” is a name that comes to mind. If he had stayed alive longer, he might have, at the very least, enjoyed the fruits of his work and who knows what else he might have done if he had been able to live to an old age.

Mentioning Lovecraft made me think of Robert E. Howard too, but since his death was suicide I guess one can say that he chose his own time.

I'd have to agree with the sentiments regarding Lovecaft. I would love to read more stories written by an author as talented as he was. In addition, I refuse to believe that "it was time" for people like Cliff Burton or Dimebag Darrell to die. They could have had much longer careers - hell, if Dimebag hadn't been shot, Pantera might have one day reformed.

A few days ago the drummer for Avenged Sevenfold also died, and he was only in his mid-twenties. I'm not a very big A7X fan, but I did feel a pang of sadness when I read about his death.

I often think of this,exact same thing.
Superjoint Ritual is a nice band,but all too in the shadow of Pantera.
When people ask me of "going to heaven and Hell" I often say,"Who wants to sit around in heaven with a bunch of cheesy elevator music?Pantera will be on the main stage in Hell!"

Reminds me of the late great Biggie when he said this:

"It don't make sense, goin' to heaven wit the goodie-goodies
Dressed in white, I like black Tims and black hoodies
God will probably have me on some real strict shit
No sleepin' all day, no gettin my dick licked"