Legends of Music

[the revolution]

apart from michael jackson (and we all know he's a legend) who else do you think has made a huge influence on music. :)

[Wayne]

I created a similar topic to this before, in another forum. And this is what I had to say:

Discounting producers and behind the scenes figures, who is the most important figure in music, and why?

By this, I don't just mean who has contributed the most to music. I mean who's influence transcends music and goes into society; who's influence is still being felt today. Its not just about record sales - its a combination of everything

Some potential contenders:

- Elvis Presley: active career lasted less than 20 years, yet his label is still releasing his compilations 30 years after his death. What better validation can you get of this man's cultural importance and popularity? Album sales, single sales add up to over 350m, and he's topped the charts around the world more than any other soloist

- The Beatles: active career of less than a decade, yet in that time they made arguably the most long-lasting and enduring impact on music ever. 30 years after they split, their compilation One was released and it went onto sell over 30m copies. They are the biggest-selling act since 1991 in the USA, despite not releasing any new music. They are the #2/3 international albums act in the world of the last 20 years (behind Celine Dion and potentially Mariah Carey). Their importance is made more poignant maybe by the success that Paul McCartney continues to have with his multi-million $ deals/tours. If, no let me re-phrase that to when Paul decides to give the go ahead that makes their music available digitally, their sales will explode once again - could we see an all-Beatles top 40 in the UK? For the record, this band is by far the #1 selling act in music history, with total sales exceeding 500m units

- Michael Jackson: the King-of-Pop and man who's name has been thrown about a lot recently. He's undisputably the king of success when it comes to pop music, and his solo career sales are over 300m (400m if you include the Jackson 5 reportoire). His death has made him arguably more popular than when he was alive, and he continues to sell millions of records around the world. His influence stretches beyond the boundaries of music, perhaps better than anyone else's, which means he deserves added credit.

- Frank Sinatra: Before Elvis, was this man. An undisputed icon of US culture - to understand just how big he is, you need to have a sound knowledge of his life. He played to hundreds of thousands of people in single shows across Latin and North America, and his recorded record sales cross 200m - an ASTOUNDING total for a man who was at his most active in the 50's-70's and has had few compilations received (compared to Elvis). He reportedly had connections to the Mafia too!

- Madonna: quite simply put, she is the most-successful female recording artist of all time with record sales of over 300m. She defined the MTV era along with her male equivalent Michael Jackson, and she is now widenly known as the Queen of Pop. She has also impacted society as greatly as she has music, and she has even delved into films. She defines controversy and has courted since her 1983/4 debut. She is the closest thing we have to female pop royalty to many people

Other potentials...

-Bing Crosby

- Elton John

- Queen

- U2

- Aretha Franklin

- Bob Marley

- Kurt Cobain

[britneyfan09]

BRITNEY SPEARS
:D

[Gillyberto]

BRITNEY SPEARS
MARIAH CAREY
:D

[Wayne]

IMO, it goes like this:

The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra & now Michael Jackson

___+++++___

Madonna, U2, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Tina Turner, Cher, Cyndi Lauper (maybe Cliff Richard, although he is more regional) - acts of that nature

After this, it becomes cloudy. I think successful arguments could possibly be made for the likes of Britney Spears though!

[stevyy]

a legend is somebody whos success will live on after the artists death and who as had a real impact on his time..

I think legendary status could only be given to dead artists or artists that have retired or artists that have changed their genre so much that you consider him/her with it.

[PhoenixBloom]

BRITNEY SPEARS
:D

:lol: That makes me chuckle, it's like me saying Paris Hilton is a legend! :o

[the revolution]

a legend is somebody whos success will live on after the artists death and who as had a real impact on his time..

I think legendary status could only be given to dead artists or artists that have retired or artists that have changed their genre so much that you consider him/her with it.


lol sorry guys. looks like britney and mariah don't count.

still not really sure if i'd call madonna a legend

[Wayne]

Definitions:

so celebrated as to having taken on the nature of a legend

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&sa ... n&ct=title (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&safe=off&defl=en&q=define:legendary&ei=3SWTSqyRDNefjAfJmbDgDQ&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title)

A legend is a trailblazer; an icon of a respective genre, or someone who's name is synonymous with greatness, and who's name will live on well beyond their success. I think there should be no doubt about Madonna's status as one! :o

[James]

ohhhhh it's all subjective.

To one person an artist could have had a major impact on their life and they will live on to them long after they die, that same artist to another person could have had ZERO impact on them.

There is no question that Madonna has had a massive impact on the world of pop music and pop culture and to most people interested in pop will be considered a legend. However to someone who only listens to classical music and doesn't buy into pop.......... no legend. Again only listens to Gospel music, Heavy Metal......... no legend.

You can make an argument for loads of artists Mariah, Whitney, Britney, Aretha etc etc etc. It's all gonna depend on who you talk to.

Ask my friends.... they think I am a total Legend.... j/k 8-)

[Wayne]

:lol:

Yes that's fair enough. But someone like Madonna isn't just a legend confined to pop - ala Celine, Mariah - she's a feminist legend; a landmark cultural icon, and arguably the most famous female in the world. She was one of the main protagonists that helped break down the barriers that helped all females that followed forge a successful career in music. For her musical achievements alone, she should be considered legendary. I don't think its fair to utilise the cross-genre argument, as most people are aware of how iconic she is. Fair enough, when it comes to Celine/Mariah/Britney/Whitney etc, but some stars are above all of this!

[James]

:lol:

Yes that's fair enough. But someone like Madonna isn't just a legend confined to pop - ala Celine, Mariah - she's a feminist legend; a landmark cultural icon, and arguably the most famous female in the world. She was one of the main protagonists that helped break down the barriers that helped all females that followed forge a successful career in music. For her musical achievements alone, she should be considered legendary. I don't think its fair to utilise the cross-genre argument, as most people are aware of how iconic she is. Fair enough, when it comes to Celine/Mariah/Britney/Whitney etc, but some stars are above all of this!

James sits down and considers himself well and truly TOLD

:lol:

[Tusenslemarais]

HEY guys did you know there was a special award given to Legend, called... Legend Award :lol:
Only a few people received it, Elton John, Diana Ross, Luciano Pavarotti, Ray Charles... and Celine Dion :D

And about my sources... euhmm damn let me search :? HAHA here is a page :D http://socialitelife.celebuzz.com/archi ... legend.php (http://socialitelife.celebuzz.com/archive/2007/11/05/celine_dion_is_a_legend.php)

Seriously, let me be annoying with Celine, but appart from My heart will go on, she will be remembered as «a top recording artist in recognition of their global success and outstanding contribution to the music industry», a pop/love balads singer icon forever, PLUS her accomplishment in Las Vegas, where she changed the face of the music industry by singing 5 years 5 nights a week in the Ceasar`s Palace, built only for her.
Of course, the amazing things she did and the hundreds awards she won could fill up pages here, but I`ll stop here to save you from it :oops: :lol:

Oh I just saw in another source, Whitney Houston is said to be owner of this award too :? anywayXD lol

[Wayne]

Celine Dion is the latest to receive the Legend Award at the World Music Awards, joining the ranks of Luciano Pavarotti, Ray Charles, Elton John and Diana Ross, among others.

The award, presented at a gala in Monte Carlo Sunday night, honours "a top recording artist in recognition of their global success and outstanding contribution to the music industry."

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story ... 5e&k=20045 (http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=90da7aa0-f97e-4bc1-9985-1fb521cf0d5e&k=20045)

Barry White, Elton John, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, David Bowie, Lionel Richie, The Bee Gees, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Michael Jackson, Prince, Mariah Carey, Carlos Santana, Deep Purple, Mary J. Blige, Status Quo, Gloria Gaynor, Bon Jovi, Janet Jackson, Cher, Ringo Starr, Ray Charles, Julio Iglesias, Tony Bennett, Chaka Khan, George Benson, Cliff Richard, Celine Dion, LA Reid, Beyoncé

I think some of those winners (i.e. Beyonce, Chaka, Placido Domingo, Gloria Gaynor) are not quite there yet, but whatever! :P

[AyuM]

1) MJ (tie)
2) The Beatles (tie)
3) Elvis
4) Madonna
5) Frank Sinatra

8-)

[Baditude]

I could spend the next 2 weeks naming all the music legends in the world.

[Amy.]

BRITNEY SPEARS
:D

:lol: That makes me chuckle, it's like me saying Paris Hilton is a legend! :o
Dont EVER compare

[AyuM]

BRITNEY SPEARS
:D

:lol: That makes me chuckle, it's like me saying Paris Hilton is a legend! :o
Dont EVER compare
NEVER EVER!!

:angry: :angry: :angry:

;)

[craigb09]

Luther Vandross

[stevyy]

Luther Vandross

yeah 100% of of the most talented and nicest singers ever.