Some “Game of Thrones” fans apparently got more than a little bit confused this week when news of the fifth Beatle, George Martin, passing away hit the headlines.
Not seeing that the “R.R.” initials were missing in the dailies, some fans expressed their grief on social media at the death of the author of the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series on which the HBO show “Game of Thrones” is based.
Many shared that they had a mini heart attack or full-on panic on Twitter when they first read “George Martin” had passed. Some even expressed their mixed emotions of being sad that their favorite author had died, but also angry that he had not finished writing “Winds of Winter” or the next books to conclude the decades-long book series, which the television show has already overtaken.
- When the sun has set, no candle can replace it. #GeorgeRRMartin
— Ifrah Waqar (@IfrahWaqar) February 29, 2016
Jesus I thought George RR Martin died for a second — Mike Markovich (@followmarko) February 29, 2016
Just saw that the musician George Martin had died. Thought it was George RR Martin at first and thought, OMG HE WILL NEVER FINISH THE BOOKS.
— Leta Blake (@LetaBlake) March 9, 2016
But George R.R. Martin himself took time off his trusty typewriter to appease his fans' confusion, announcing on his personal blog that the rumors of his death “have been greatly exaggerated.”
“It was Sir George Martin, of Beatles fame, who has passed away. Not me ... As for me, I am still here, still writing, still editing, still going to movies and reading books, and I expect to hang around for quite a while yet, thank you very much,” he wrote in an entry titled "Not Dead Yet."
So fans of “Game of Thrones” and “A Song of Ice and Fire” can breathe a collective sigh of relief. The 67-year-old George R.R. Martin is still alive and well and busy working on his books, where he will no doubt delight in killing off more beloved characters just like Eddard Stark, Khal Drogo, Catelyn Stark, Lady Ygritte, and not-so-beloved folks like King Joffrey and Viserys.
All men must die, but for the time being, it is not yet George R.R. Martin's time. Meanwhile, we join the busy author in honoring the contributions of George Martin to the world of music via his work with The Beatles.
