BY MIKEY MIGO
Over the past two weeks, I've been covering the topic of "glam" in music. It got me to think about the most over the top performers and just the musicians who owned the music scene. You know, like true rockstars. I'm talking about the musicians who are on the cover of every magazine, every time you turn on the radio, and basically just iconic.
You hear every music fan talk up their specific era. My grandparents talked up Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and other legends. My parents talked up The Beatles, The Doors, Hendrix, and Motown. I have younger aunts and uncles who still go crazy for bands like Van Halen, U2, Motley Crue, Run DMC, and the bands who owned the 80s. I have older cousins who were old enough to enjoy Nirvana, Metallica, Public Enemy, and the rest of the early to mid 90's mega bands.
Obviously in this day and age you don't have to be an "icon" to be a successful musician. You can easily make a nice income, build a great fan base, and make an impact in some people's lives. A career like that is nothing to belittle and should be respected. In this column we're going to look a little deeper and into the musicians with just that little bit more.
I'm going to get a little Charles Dickens on your asses and present you all with some of the ghosts of iconic "rockstardom."
GHOSTS OF ICONIC ROCKSTAR PAST
You know their music. It's timeless and probably on most of your ipod devices. Of course we must talk about Elvis, Frank Sinatra, The Jackson 5, The Doors, Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Queen, and so many more. You know they're legends, so we can skip over these.
From the 1980's, we have Van Halen, Motley Crue, and Guns and Roses all still holding on trying to recreate the magic they had in their prime. I won't talk smack about them trying to capture lightning in a bottle twice because they each in their own way helped shape the history of music.
In the late 80's and early 90's we got a slew of hip hop acts that made their way to the forefront. If Run DMC pushed their way through the barrier, then NWA plowed it down. Then in the 90's we had Tupac and Biggie dominating the scene. We'd still be marveled by their music if it weren't for the deaths involved with each act.
Probably the most notable musician death of the 90's had to be Kurt Cobain of Nirvana. Call it "grunge music" or "alternative", Nirvana was probably the biggest band to break in the 90's. Their music is known by everyone and still relevant today. There's always that horrible argument that if he'd of lived Nirvana wouldn't have been so "iconic". For those people I say listen to the music, take it all in, and realize the errors of your ways.
GHOSTS OF ICONIC ROCKSTAR PRESENT
We have some icons among us right now. There are well established current and future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, legends, and future legends putting out great albums and putting on great live shows.
The Rolling Stones won't stop touring, The Police are back, and Genesis pseudo-reunions keep popping up. There is a demand for their music and it's awesome they continue to give the fans what they want. As they do this, they expose their talents to new generations and this process continues.
Hip Hop pioneers Public Enemy continue to release new albums but sadly more times than not they've been going unnoticed. I've heard a few of the more recent albums and it's a shame they fall under the radar so much. Regardless, their legacy is cemented.
While he may be making more movies than albums lately, to not mention David Bowie would be punishable upon death in some countries. David Bowie put out album after album in the 70's and 80's. So many that you'd think his fame (pun sorta intended) would of burnt out, but that's not the case. I cross my fingers for a new release soon.
Long time legends like U2, Ozzy Osbourne, Prince, and Aerosmith are still putting out quality and impactful albums. Ozzy's new album and especially the new single is the best work he's done in years. Prince is Prince. There's nothing more to say. Aerosmith is due a new album and I'm sure when it comes out it'll have something special about it. U2 never lets us down. "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" was a great album and it's been said there's plenty more to come. I'd be lying if I said I'm not excited about that.
You might not realize it, but the 90's produced a great class of icons. Some are right under your nose and you'd never really think about it. Bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, and even Metallica made huge waves in the 90's, but are still kicking today and putting out Number One albums and hit radio singles. Now with Rage Against the Machine reuniting it's inevitable that they'll realize their best work comes when working as a unit.
Then there's the "wildcards" so to speak with Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, and Tool. To say these four acts haven't impacted music would be obscene. Outside of Manson, it's safe to say that these bands will put out great albums every few years and reclaim their thrones whenever they please. Manson's album lineage seems to be a bit spottier, but even his "not so good" albums get people talking and rebuilds the Goth kid army with each release.
Out there in the hip hop world are the likes of Jay Z, Eminem, and Ludacris. Each of these three rappers has broken into the mainstream via other means of entertainment. Be it movies, TV appearances, or even owning part of a NBA franchise; they've gotten through the barrier. They not only broke through it, but have taken their music with them.
GHOSTS OF ICONIC ROCKSTAR FUTURE
The music media is trying to push Fall Out Boy down our throats, but they are far from being "iconic". Same can be said for any of the emo-related bands. Other than that, we have very few valid prospects.
The first one that comes to mind is The White Stripes. Jack and Meg White keep getting progressively bigger with each new album. I live in the Chicagoland area so I got to hear the entire new album recently. It is a great album and gets them that much closer.
Another would be Justin Timberlake. He's loved by everyone and only seems to be building in stature. His R&B/Pop style generally is a genre that people turn their noses up towards, but he breaks through that barrier and is accepted on talent and likeability.
There are also the likes of John Mayer, Coldplay, Maroon 5, and Incubus that are close to being on the level. There are quite a few acts out there with three or four albums that could very well be on "the verge".
Then of course, there's whatever you're into at the moment. If the next few albums of that band progressively builds their stature and makes an impact in the music world then they too could be the next iconic band.
I look around and I try to figure out who is the future "icon" or "icons" of music that we all get the pleasure of sharing our air with. This depresses me because in general the new music scene is mundane, everything blends together, and there is not much that stands out. Sadly, that spreads across all genres right now.
Which bands and musicians do you currently see that could break out and become an future rock icon?
I just ask to explain your thoughts and opinions without the normal "I can't believe you forgot XXX!". It's not like I'm doing it on purpose and only going by what I'm more accustomed to.
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