There was no internet back then.
As for the celeb worship, you haven't seen the scenes from Detroit - it's enough to make one gag. Please, I don't mean to be rude or contrary, but why would someone feel such an overwhelming need to be at a specific spot?
Edit: Of course it is celeb worship. There were two 50 year old local men whose obits were in our local paper the other day. No one is wailing on a street corner - laying wreaths and flowers and toys on their front lawns.
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