Icons of the 20th Century

[Scheherazade]

The Beatles have beaten jazz star Louis Armstrong and TV actress Lucille Ball to be named icons of the century by readers of US magazine Variety. It named the Liverpool band "the sole group who has most shaped the face of modern-day showbusiness".

The magazine ranked 100 iconic entertainment figures from the last 100 years, with industry figures drawing up a shortlist that readers voted on.

'What a Wonderful World' singer Armstrong came second, with Ball in third place.

Among the criteria for choosing "icons" were their commercial and creative impact, number of imitators, enduring appeal and whether they appeared on T-shirts.

ICONS OF THE CENTURY

1. The Beatles
2. Louis Armstrong
3. Lucille Ball
4. Humphrey Bogart
5. Marlon Brando
6. Charlie Chaplin
7. James Dean
8. Marilyn Monroe
9. Mickey Mouse
10. Elvis Presley

Source: Variety magazine

The list aimed to represent every side of showbusiness, including actors, directors, screenwriters, musicians, TV presenters, animals, comedians and even cartoon characters.

However, its top 10 was dominated by Hollywood and music stars.

Despite the constant popularity of the late singer's work, Elvis Presley appeared in 10th place, below Marilyn Monroe and Mickey Mouse.

Among other names on the list were US TV host Johnny Carson, singer Johnny Cash and canine star Lassie.

Variety conducted the poll to mark its 100th anniversary. It did not reveal how many votes were cast.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4344910.stm


Do you agree with the list? If not, who do you think is the icon of the 20th century? Please nominate only one name!

[B-Mental]

I think you could put either Muhammed Ali on the list or Mother Teresa, to go with one name is so difficult. I would have to go with Muhammed Ali as Mother Teresa probably isn't on any shirts, nor did she represent showbusiness. I've seen shirts on Ali, heard songs about or referencing him, seen movies, watched him on TV, and read numerous books and magazine articles. He is quoted frequently, and his image was and still is recognisable around the world.

[baddad]

The man who wrote everything. Bob Dylan.

[subterranean]

We nominate names..so what? We make our own poll and decide who's the icon of the 20th century according to OnLit forum members?

I suppose we often disagree with such polls..I remember reading a poll result, about the best band ever by some brittish mag (or something like that). Though I totally have no problem with the winner (radiohead :) )..I don't understand how bands like coldpay overrulled bands like the smiths or the pixies....But as it was a poll, I didn't find it surprising, since maybe most of the voters were peeps from today's generation (grew up in 80s, 90's).

Ok, we have Mr. Dylan...So I'll nominate Pete Towshend..

[Scheherazade]

Among the criteria for choosing "icons" were their commercial and creative impact, number of imitators, enduring appeal and whether they appeared on T-shirts. Wondering if Che Guevara is the person whose face appeared most on T-shirts and his appeal seems to be only growing by day:

http://www.salondeartedigital.com/images/Che%20Guevara%20(Andy%20Warhol).jpg

[B-Mental]

Hey Scher, cool pictures of Carlos Santana!!!

[Scheherazade]

http://forums.emuparadise.org/smilies/yeldizzy.gif




__________________

[papayahed]

Wondering if Che Guevara is the person whose face appeared most on T-shirts and his appeal seems to be only growing by day:




I have never understood the appeal of Che. I've read his biography and can't figure out the appeal, sure there was that one coup but it was followed by several unsuccessful attempts. and don't get me started on the Motorcycle diaries.

[Nightshade]

Its the picture thats the appeal I think not the story just his face in that particular picture.

hummm charlie chapline??

[subterranean]

I suppose Che represent that spirit that the youngsters have (trying to have)..as I think most of his fans are young guns...

[subterranean]

Who's charlie chapline ;)


Its the picture thats the appeal I think not the story just his face in that particular picture.

hummm charlie chapline??

[Bongitybongbong]

Bob Marley, he's just amazing.

[Jay]

I suppose Che represent that spirit that the youngsters have (trying to have)..as I think most of his fans are young guns...
Who are the 'young guns'? :confused:

[Nightshade]

Who's charlie chapline ;)
I plead dyslexia! Ive spelt it wrong havent I??
humm the short "movies" guy ..had lots of wives took to the stage at 5 brother was a mucian??
"all you I need to make a movie is a banana peel and a prety woman"??

[Jay]

imho it's pretty obvious who 'charlie chapline' is, me thinks Sub were doing the 'let's tease you some' thing, I wouldn't worry :)

[Ess]

johnyy depp has to be in the list. i think he is the most talented actor of all times. and patrick swayze too. but if i made a list, micheal jackson would top it followed closely by-maybe even rivalled by, i aint sure-roger federer. they are legends

[Logos]

johnyy depp..

Johnny Depp? he's a good looking guy but terrible actor IMO. He `over-acts'. Like especially in Fear and Loathing. Nevermind it was a bad screenwrite but he ruined anything left of the movie after that.

[Ess]

Johnny Depp? he's a good looking guy but terrible actor IMO. He `over-acts'. Like especially in Fear and Loathing. Nevermind it was a back screenwrite but he ruined anything left of the movie after that.
oh no no no! i couldnt disagree more. i know he is attractive but looks have never marred my judgment before. i think he is brilliant. he gets totally into character. in 'pirates of the carribean' he was brilliant. i havent watched what you've mentioned but i'll give you the benefit of doubt and watch it. but remember, even the greatest sometimes muck things up

[Mark F.]

If you like Depp, check out some of his more interesting works such Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, Dead Man and Ed Wood.

As far as cinema goes Chaplin would have to be the icon of the century as an actor, a director, composer and writer the man's a genius. And he was also the first shoot a movie against the rise of Hitler. He was truly a great man who always sought for the independence of his art.

I'd also go with Bob Dylan cause he wrote such wonderful music.

As this is showbusiness I'll stop there but otherwise I'd go on and on with Hemingway, Waits...

[Nightshade]

Johnny Depp I never seem to be able to escape that guy!!!http://www.websmileys.com/sm/crazy/146.gif
ok thats not the rolling eyes meant :rolleyes:
but depp an icon actually maybe but... nahhhh!
Ive asked my sister and she says aerosmith acdc pink flloyd lead zepplin by the saound of it this list is going to go on to list everyone she likes

Armstrong: simply for the words "one small step for man..."
Einstine: comeon who doesnt recognise him??
wait do they count
I suppose Dianna she was marketable wasnt she?

:D

[Wendigo_49]

I would have to say Einstein.

[Scheherazade]

Among the criteria for choosing "icons" were their commercial and creative impact, number of imitators, enduring appeal and whether they appeared on T-shirts. Here is the criteria the survey was based on (according to the article).

[A Hard Rain]

um... the man who wrote everything. Bob Dylan.

I would like to see Einstein there, but this is cultural icons, and while its too bad, science, while it used to have more clout than now, it still never held the masses.

[Nightshade]

Here is the criteria the survey was based on (according to the article).
winnie the pooh!!
and sadly Hitler!
hey he is an icon wa on lots of things and everyone knows who he is hes marketable nowadays as a spoof figure and there is the swatsika that is now associated with him

[Mark F.]

Poor swastika, it used to be the symbol of Carlsberg beer, well that and the sun for the Hindus I think.

[Niamh]

What the...???? Why isnt Mother Terese on that list????!!!!

[papayahed]

Those icons seem kinda tired. I wonder the age group of people voting.

[kilted exile]

I think overall British icon may be Churchill.

[AuntShecky]

I wish that the word "icon" and "iconic," so overused lately by the media, were banished from the language!