I've come to this quandary before. Maybe someone can give better examples than the ones I will share today.
About a year ago I took my son to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. I decided to make a pit stop in downtown Nashville, Tennessee first to eat at a restaurant that used to be in my hometown in Michigan. Gibson Guitars moved it down there and put it in the tourist area of downtown. It has since been closed, but the conversation my son and I had on the way open thoughts about something far greater in music.
We turned the corner and saw Johnny Cash's restaurant. Immediately my kid started a diatribe about how he hoped he wasn't going to hear Johnny Cash's music as we walked around. Lets not mention the fact we are in the middle of Music City USA and most like were going to hear that such genre but I quickly derailed his train of thought. What came to me was, yes, the Man in Black's main genre was country, however, I knew his work transcended beyond that. His influence is huge, international even. He was just generalizing and I corrected him. Later I forced him to listen to "Ring of Fire" and "A Boy Named Sue" and he did admit, he was corrected. But it made me think something deeper than this. We've lost Mr. Cash over a decade ago, however, his music and his influence still inspire, revere, haunt, and captivate us now. Yes, even the American Recordings, because it is easy to say when Johnny Cash performed a song he made it his. Few performers can do that. So it is easy to say, when we speak of him it is not "Johnny Cash was" but "Johnny Cash is" ?
This is what I ask of you. Add to this list because I am hard pressed to make it complete. Of course this is just "music." Nothing else in entertainment but "music." I also omitted Classical because a lot of that music has, of course, transcended over many centuries and can tell you a story without words. That's an art form that is hard to master.
So I started with...
Johnny Cash
"A Boy Named Sue," "I Walk the Line," "Ring of Fire," "Folsom Prison Blues" just to start. Even had his own TV show. Even the American Recordings from where I listen to his renditions of "Personal Jesus" and "Hurt" constantly. I could go on, but I began this entry with Mr. Cash so I move on.
Elvis Presley
His music spans from the fifties to the eighties though he past on in the late seventies, I doubt many cannot think of Rock 'n' Roll and Rockabilly without talking about the King. Starred in many movies, still has legions of fans, his home is a shrine that attracts millions of visitors per year and has conspiracy theories about his death. Even was a voluntary DEA officer just because he wanted the badge, that takes balls. Not only a huge discography but a legend just as huge, Elvis most definitely still "is."
Frank Sinatra
The Chairman of the Board succeeded twice. A lot of kids can learn a thing or two from this man. As a singer he was on top of the world as one of the best crooners but his popularity took a nose dive. He rebounded through his acting which eventually led to the Rat Pack. I understand that maybe his style could be stuck in a certain time period, but you can still take down the fedora, dust it off, put it on and waltz to "The Lady is a Champ" or "New York, New York." I still find myself singing at the top of my lungs when "I Gotta be Me" comes on my MP3 player in the car. "Send in the Clowns" I could go on and on... He did it his own way, love him or hate him, that's why Francis Albert Sinatra "Is."
Jimi Hendrix
Even if you were able to "beat" him, you could never copy him and definitely NEVER eclipse him. An analogy I can give to Hendrix's guitar artistry is that to Hunter S. Thompson's literary style "Gonzo." He's the only one... and nobody else can ever take it over. "All Along the Watchtower" is a huge example of an artist make someone else's song their own with their unique style. The thing with Jimi is I always find myself going back and listening to his music only to get something new out of it. Whether it was a sound, a note, words, or a vibe, I never get the exact same feeling for his recordings. Anyone could match is guitar work note for note but you can never capture his essence. Lets not forget "Purple Haze" and "Foxy Lady," obviously. I am sure other people can add examples here, but I'm sure it's easy to say Hendrix "is."
Michael Jackson
I may be reaching here, but here me out. Well, not really hear me out, just read one word: "Thriller." I still have that cassette tape, I still listen to the title track religiously on Halloween (It's a staple) and to be honest, I can't find a bad track on the album. Yes, he got "eccentric." To be honest I would love to have my own amusement park and have a pet monkey. Plus there was a statue of him in Prague. "Bad" is good, "Dirty Diana" is good, "Black and White" is good, "Leave me Alone" is good... so on and so on. I remember when he grabbed the world by storm and really didn't let go. I almost agree with Harlan Ellison when he said "Michael Jackson is the greatest entertainer of our time." He's one of the greatest... but Michael Jackson still "is."
Janis Joplin
This is a somewhat harder choice. I don't want people coming down and yelling all 27 club members should be included with this list just because Janis is on it. She is an icon of rock. There's no denying it. "Piece of your Heart" with Big Brother and the Holding Company and "Me and Bobby McGee" released posthumously, eerie makes you feel like she's still there. The impression she left on the few recordings there are around is so strong it nails you in the heart and knocks you to your knees if you are not careful. That's why Janis "is."
Freddie Mercury
Okay, I'll admit I'm being sentimental. I've always been a huge fan, so maybe it's giving me kaleidoscope eyes but when you watch past performances you have to admit you wish you were there. I got to see their Live Aid performance on television... not at Wembley (Still was great) and he created until he passed on. Granted, the man had fame himself, but he, like many before and quite possibly many after, created something that made him live forever. The previous people did on this list, so did Freddie Mercury. He is also the reason why I wish to create something that becomes famous in my writing. I just hope not infamous. Two examples; "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We are the Champions." These songs will live on forever and are two examples of many why Freddie Mercury "is."
Les Paul
Someone who I follow on twitter would never let me hear the end of it if I didn't mention this legend. I have seen performances of this man many times including one live. He possessed two of the fastest hands on the strings of the guitar I doubt anyone can copy now. Those who have never seen one of Les Paul's performances go look on YouTube at the very least. It will blow your mind. His guitar play seemed very simple and clear yet masterfully complex at the same time. The very reason to this day Gibson's iconic guitar is called the Les Paul and Les Paul just simply "is."
Now, you guys have got to think of others. There must be more. Especially women. I can't just have one woman on this immortal list. I must be missing someone. If you do chime in with one please be nice about it. Don't be hatin' and I will give it equal respect on not being hatin' back.
Now....
I am currently reading Galactic Energies by Luca Rossi. Now the author writes under the "Erotic" genre however there are enough sci fi and thriller elements in this book that it's erotic nature does not make it a distraction. Rather, it has been working well with the story's plot; I cannot put this book down. I will go as far as it is raw and elegant at the same time. Aged 18 plus though, but it's really good.
And...
K.M. Weiland has a free short story when you join her mailing list. I highly recommend it. It will encourage you to check out her other stuff.
Well I guess that's it for this time.
ttfn
