Would some of our cultural icons be as famous as they are if they didn't die before their time? (deaths, revolution)
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Elvis - Yes he changed the face of music at the time, but is his death what makes him so appealing this day and age. Would people still be flocking to Graceland if he was still alove?
Nirvana (Kurt Cobain) - Music is still played on mainstream radio. Some of the only mainstream grunge from the 90's that is still popular today. Would Nirvana still be relevant if people were not fascinated by his death?
Sublime - Lead singer died at the height of popularity. Would they still be relevant today if he was still alive?
What makes an untimely death so appealing?
Any other examples where this is the case?
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MODERATOR NOTE: While these examples are only in the music industry for this thread the topic can include debate based on other industries such entertainment, literacy, politics, military, religion, etc.
Last edited by Oldhag1; 02-13-2015 at 07:21 PM..
Reason: Added moderator note, changed title
Pardon me, but all the examples you cited were singers/entertainers. Their untimely deaths caused a brief, but short-lived, ripple in the ocean of mankind's existence. Kurt Colbain's suicide, though regretful and immediately painful to his admirers/fans/followers, was but a drop in the bucket compared to the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. They were inconsequential when compared to the deaths of Mohandas Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.
So, and again with all due respect, Whisky-Tango-Foxtrot? If you don't already know what this means, you may wish to look it up.
Pardon me, but all the examples you cited were singers/entertainers. Their untimely deaths caused a brief, but short-lived, ripple in the ocean of mankind's existence. Kurt Colbain's suicide, though regretful and immediately painful to his admirers/fans/followers, was but a drop in the bucket compared to the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. They were inconsequential when compared to the deaths of Mohandas Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.
So, and again with all due respect, Whisky-Tango-Foxtrot? If you don't already know what this means, you may wish to look it up.
Why would I mention any of your examples? The people you mentioned left a mark on history. I was trying to show how death propelled the people I mentioned to a level of popularity they would not have attained while alive
Elvis - Yes he changed the face of music at the time, but is his death what makes him so appealing this day and age. Would people still be flocking to Graceland if he was still alove?
Nirvana (Kurt Cobain) - Music is still played on mainstream radio. Some of the only mainstream grunge from the 90's that is still popular today. Would Nirvana still be relevant if people were not fascinated by his death?
Sublime - Lead singer died at the height of popularity. Would they still be relevant today if he was still alive?
What makes an untimely death so appealing?
Any other examples where this is the case?
Interesting question and if we only restrict the field to music here's my 2 cents.
Elvis isn't a good example, because while he did pass at a young age he did record an enormous amount of music across various genres and people won't think "what if?" Perhaps he could have recorded some heavy metal music that would've been interesting, but what else could he have done?
In the cases of Cobain and Nowell they didn't live long enough and didn't get the chance to record a lot so people will always be asking "what if?" Which is why IMO people are fascinated with them.
Ultimate example of "what if" would be Jimi Hendrix. Imagine if he was alive today? What would he have accomplished? Would he have changed music completely ?
Last edited by MrGompers; 02-13-2015 at 05:11 PM..
I think of JFK and his legacy. I don't think he would be remembered as fondly by people if had lived. Personally, he seems to have been sort of a creep. Politically, he would have encountered less popular decisions. I think he would have been considered more 'meh' or even disliked like some of the presidents that came after him.
Some say it is better to burn out then fade away and I agree for some entertainers. When they die before their time it helps the legend to grow.
I wonder if Kurt Cobain was still alive if he would have finally washed his hair and tossed that old cardigan to step away from the grunge look. Would he still be making music?
I think of JFK and his legacy. I don't think he would be remembered as fondly by people if had lived. Personally, he seems to have been sort of a creep. Politically, he would have encountered less popular decisions. I think he would have been considered more 'meh' or even disliked like some of the presidents that came after him.
I agree, if JFK finished out his presidency, he may not have been the icon he is today. His transgressions may have come to light.
True icon will always be legendary. For example, Vincent Van Gogh who revolutionized art with his post-Impressionist landscapes. His style mixed with ancient Japanese minimalism, his art has a balance of order and chaos. His style is breathtakingly beautiful.
James Dean, the ultimate reluctant rebel, the perfect boy next door mixed with sexiness.
Elvis, as stated doesn't belong on this list list as he was well established across the board in music. He may have even been on his way down but he would still be popular!
Now Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin. again, My opinion but they sucked. I don't see any talent. Couldn't play, couldn't sing. Truly awful music. Jimmy Hendrix. Not much different. Couldn't sing worth crap. So he played a guitar differently while all strung out? Doesn't make him special. and Sublime? Who? I actually had a casette and it wasn't that bad but nothing special or no reason for them to be popular. Just another rock/rap/latin blend.
JFK? I think, and I may be wrong as he was before my time, but I think his popularity is because of the Cuban Missile Crisis and how close we were to nuclear war. Then he was assassinated while he was on top. Did he do anything else?
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