Patrick Swayze has had the time of his life

Patrick Swayze died last Monday, Sept. 14 in Los Angeles. He was 57. He spent the last 20 months battling pancreatic cancer. He wanted so badly to beat the disease that he refused to take painkillers even while hard at work on the TV series The Beast. Fans all over the world mourn this loss.

Swayze was part of the original Brat Pack. That was how they dubbed the young actors equated with the arrival of a new era in Hollywood during the ‘90s. He was in such memorable youth films as Youngblood with Rob Lowe, Red Dawn with Charlie Sheen and The Outsiders with Tom Cruise. Many also doubtless recall his amazing performance in Roadhouse and in To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything Julie Newmar.

But the iconic Swayze the public will always remember may be found in two beautiful love stories made doubly memorable with their enduring theme songs. These are Dirty Dancing from 1987 with the Academy Award-winning duet, I’ve Had The Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes and Ghost which featured Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers.

The summer romance Dirty Dancing is about a young, sheltered girl who falls for a dance instructor. Swayze was just magnificent in the part and his moves set off the dirty dancing craze. To this day, there are many who dream of dancing to the tune of I’ve Had the Time of My Life, making that long jump and being caught in the arms of Swayze or at least, somebody like him. Incidentally, Swayze also sang and grooved an enchanting solo to She’s Like The Wind, a song which he also wrote in the picture.

The other movie is Ghost from 1990 where he played Demi Moore’s ghost-husband. Not much singing or dancing in this one. He just gracefully passed through walls and doors and into medium Whoopi Goldberg. What made the film famous was this love scene before a muddy potter’s wheel with Unchained Melody playing in the background.

Unchained Melody dates back to the ‘40s and had been recorded by so many artists from Roy Hamilton to Elvis Presley when it was used in Ghost. But thanks to Patrick and Demi, the Righteous Brothers version became a hit again.

Michael Jackson was one of the greatest dancers of all time. But he and a lot of others never had Swayze’s youthful bravado and sexuality. I do not think Zac Efron will ever get it. In fact the closest I can think of was Kevin Bacon in Footloose and he has also put his dancing shoes in storage. This is just too bad and makes you wonder why people have to age, get sick and die.

Kanye’s disgusting manners

Speaking of dying, that was quite a heartfelt tribute Madonna paid to Michael Jackson at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in NY last Sunday. Michael’s little sister Janet Jackson was fantastic in her own tribute. She certainly proved nobody can sing or dance like a Jackson except a Jackson.

It is just too bad though nobody seems to be talking about Michael or Janet or Madonna at the VMA. And it is all because Kanye West chose to spoil all the fun by showing off his disgusting manners. West rudely interrupted Best Female Video winner Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech to declare that “Beyoncé has one of the best videos of all time.”

The backlash from everywhere was instantaneous, the most vocal coming from other entertainers. West’s behavior was compared to “crushing a kitten” and there are now calls for a boycott on anything Kanye. I hope MTV and other shows take the call to heart. Awards are celebrations meant to honor achievements. Nobody, and that includes home viewers, wants their enjoyment spoiled by uncouth behavior even by a guest.

Beyoncé who won the Video of the Year Moonman for Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) saved a bit of the night for the 19-year-old Taylor. Beyoncé gave a short speech and then called Swift to the stage to say her bit. That was a very classy gesture on Mrs. Jay-Z’s part.

The winners of the 2009 MTV VMA:

Video of the Year: Beyoncé, Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

Male Video: T.I. featuring Rihanna, Live Your Life

Female Video: Taylor Swift, You Belong With Me

New Artist: Lady Gaga, Poker Face

Pop Video: Britney Spears, Womanizer

Rock Video: Green Day, 21 Guns

Hip-Hop Video: Eminem, We Made You.