John Lennon Oct 9,1940 - Dec 8,1980

[Ford Prefect]

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[Devils'Advocate]

We take the cultural icons of today and throw them under a train. Not that the icons of the 70s were not thrown under a train (Lennon - Ballad of John & Yoko; Dylan - Get Stoned), but there was a huge segment of the population that held them up as idols.

There are a few musicians whom have tried to be activists (Geldof, Bono, Stipe) but even they are getting haggard. I can't think of a single artist today who would come close to being a "cultural icon" that is making an impact like John Lennon did. Maybe if there was, the U.S. would be out of Iraq by now. There were so many musicians that built their legend out of Vietnam, but nobody today wants to risk their monetary standing by putting forth controversial ideas. (I'm not about to put "Dixie Chicks" in the category of 'icon')

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

... I can't think of a single artist today who would come close to being a "cultural icon" that is making an impact like John Lennon did. Maybe if there was, the U.S. would be out of Iraq by now. There were so many musicians that built their legend out of Vietnam, but nobody today wants to risk their monetary standing by putting forth controversial ideas. (I'm not about to put "Dixie Chicks" in the category of 'icon')

Steve Earle isn't a cultural icon of the magnitude that Lennon was, but he has held a consistent and steadfast stance against the Bush administration, and it has no doubt cost him monetarily. He comes to mind as one artist who deserves some recognition for his activism. His lack of stature in the public consciousness has handicapped him from being able to accomplish things the way Lennon did, but it hasn't been his lack of conviction or fortitude.

[flames85]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Nothing to apologize about..i thinks its just the way it goes. Eventually new generations create their own icons. I wonder who some icons will be from more recent pop culture.

i think your absoluetly right.

[FlamesAddiction]

A few weeks ago, I took out from the library a documentary called; "The U.S. vs. John Lennon". It's a really good look into the life of John Lennon for people like me who were too young to really know what was going on.

All that stuff about the deportation hearings and how the U.S. government considered him a dangerous person because of his peace activism... just crazy.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0478049/