WTF 2016?

OK, I know death is part of life. I respect the fact that everyone will eventually die. In some cases I hope it happens quicker than others even. But the rush of celebrities to the grave in 2016 is simply appalling.
It is now the end of April and I am still reeling from the deaths of Lemmy and David Bowie. More so for Bowie because he was so important to both my wife and I. Lemmy was a far out old speed freak who lived life on his own terms. With the exception of his chemical problems, he is definitely a role model.But his appeal was limited to true believers in Rock Gods.

Bowie on the other hand was not so much an entertainer as he was a force of nature. Even his poppiest of songs gives you something to think about. He was the Man Who Fell to Earth, Ziggy Stardust, the Thin White Duke, and basically the face of British music since the early 70s.
What makes his passing easier is how well he prepared for it. He spent his 18 moths on earth preparing a farewell package for his fans. Blackstar is an amazing album and fits nicely into Bowie's conceptual continuity [to steal a concept from Zappa]. One thing I don't get is why he was never knighted. I realize he was never as big a queen as Sir Reginald, but he was a chameleon who always stayed one step ahead of the trends instead of locking himself in to one persona. Anyway, here's the list of those that I'm aware of:

Lemmy
     [2015, but I was still reeling from that when word of Bowie's passing came my way]
David Bowie
    See above
Dale Griffin [Mott the Hoople]
     Bowie wrote this 'All the Young Dudes' for this band
Glenn Frey [The Eagles]
     Yeah, yeah...not a big fan but I can still show respect for his achievements
Signe Anderson [Jefferson Airplane]
     She was female lead before they replaced her with Grace Slick. Not sure if I ever actually heard           her sing
Paul Kantner [Jefferson Airplane]
   Just found about Paul while I was checking my list. He was always my favorite member of the            band. He just looked so cool.
Maurice White [Earth, Wind & Fire]
    Always loved EWF.
Dan Hicks [Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks]
    Don't know much about him, always liked the band name.
Denise Matthews [Vanity]
    Never had much use for Vanity, Wonder how Nikki Sixx took it.
Sonny James ["Young Love"]
     One of the country artists I listened to when I was a little kid
Lennie Baker [Sha-Na-Na]
     The lead vocalist on 'Blue Moon.'
Sir George Martin
      The fifth Beatle... big frowny face
Keith Emerson [Emerson, Lake & Palmer]
    This was a heartbreaker, I never got to see ELP.
Gogi Grant ["The Wayward Wind"]
     Another song from my youth.
Frank Sinatra, Junior
     Not really familiar with Jr.
Andy 'Thunderclap' Newman
     'Something in the air' is as relevant today as it was back then.
Merle Haggard ['Okie from Muskogee"]
    I was never much of a Merle fan. My dad knew him from Bakersfield and had nothing good to say      about him.
Dennis Davis [David Bowie's drummer]
    Just sad.
Prince
    well that just sucks! He was just starting to become relevant again.

I am so tired of everyone dying. Bowie and Lemmy were prepared - both released albums near their time. Lemmy toured right up til he couldn't anymore. Bowie has 'Lazarus,' a stage production of what is apparently a sequel of 'The Man Who Fell To Earth.' Bowie's death actually made me hope their is some form of afterlife. It would be such a waste if his creative energy is just lost. I know, I know 'energy can neither be created nor destroyed only transformed.' That is not helpful when I want more Bowie songs.
Maybe it is selfish of me -- but I want more. I never got to see Motorhead or ELP and now I never will. For years I have been trying to talk musician friends into picking up where Keith Emerson left off and rock up some classical arrangements. Now maybe I can get them interested as sort of a tribute project.
oh well...enough whining for today.