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Original poster

Which historical figure dead or alive has left the biggest impact on pop culture?

175 replies

RoyKent · 21/08/2022 18:44

Following watching Elvis and being curious over the origin of "Elvis has left the building" my sister and I were discussing if Elvis was/is the most famous person to have ever lived. Does anyone else have a cultural footprint that comes close?
I contenders for second might include The Beatles (Lennon in particular), Marilyn Monroe and maybe Marlon Brando but I still feel none of these have the same global and timeless impact.
Would love to know others' thoughts!

OP posts:
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5
80sMum · 21/08/2022 20:13

My votes go to Karl Benz (inventor of the motor car) and Tim Berners Lee (inventor of the worldwide web). They have both been pretty influential in changing popular culture around the world.

Justjoinedforthis · 21/08/2022 20:18

Slightly off topic, but I had once thought briefly one of Michael Jackson's kids was biologically with Lisa Marie Presley (his wife) and became slightly obsessed with the fact that a kid could have Michael Jackson as a dad and Elvis as a grandad! But alas was not to be.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 21/08/2022 20:19

I came on to say Tim Berners-Lee. His contribution is often glossed over, I suspect largely because he is a very nice, unassuming gentleman is really quite uncomfortable with his significance in the modern world being pointed out.

DownNative · 21/08/2022 20:28

OP was asking "if Elvis was/is the most famous person to have ever lived" (he's not) and "Does anyone else have a cultural footprint that comes close?".

Tim Berners-Lee wouldn't be in this kind of discussion, but he absolutely would be in terms of inventions that revolutionised daily life.

In the most famous celebrity stakes, it would be Michael Jackson. From child star to adult star.

In terms of cultural footprint from celebrities, it would again be Michael Jackson.

ItsAlwaysThere · 21/08/2022 20:31

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 21/08/2022 20:19

I came on to say Tim Berners-Lee. His contribution is often glossed over, I suspect largely because he is a very nice, unassuming gentleman is really quite uncomfortable with his significance in the modern world being pointed out.

I was going to say the same.

dropthevipers · 21/08/2022 20:34

Micheal Faraday, without whom no one would be reading this.

thefirstmrsrochester · 21/08/2022 20:36

Prince

HorseInTheHouse · 21/08/2022 20:36

My first thought was Shakespeare, but yes probably Jesus and Mohammed.

Obviously not a 20th century musician.

LadyKenya · 21/08/2022 20:37

DownNative · 21/08/2022 20:12

Michael Jackson, unquestionably, has a bigger, more global impact on pop culture than Elvis did.

Not surprising considering Michael Jackson sold more records including in markets Elvis didn't from North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. The fact his tours are still amongst the biggest ever is testament to his popularity.

The Moonwalk, glove, hat and socks as well as toe stand is as famous as Coca-Cola. African tribes were even pictured mourning his death wearing his hat and glove - they knew Jackson, but not Elvis.

When he died in 2009, Google crashed because it thought it was under attack by the huge numbers of people searching his name. Approximately 1 billion people around the world tuned in to watch his public memorial service.

His influence is still seen in the modern music industry today and you still see him set as the standard to strive towards which we see when anyone comes close or equals it.

You don't become as massive as Michael Jackson without being the best seller. Bowie, Mercury and so on don't come close to Michael's impact on popular culture.

Thriller is still part of Halloween to this day.

I knew he was huge, but google crashing. Wow.

goshy · 21/08/2022 20:37

Micheal Jackson.

LadyKenya · 21/08/2022 20:38

An inventions thread would be good as well. I might start one.😄

lljkk · 21/08/2022 20:38

Shakespeare, obviously. His output was pop culture in its day.
Cervantes if you're Hispanic.

Dolly Parton, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby are worthy nominees.

MiniDinosaur · 21/08/2022 20:39

I stayed with a local family in a developing country in the mid 90s. They had zero awareness of UK culture (pre access to internet) other than Michael Jackson and the Beatles song Hey Jude. It was a humbling and eye opening week. I’m voting Michael Jackson.

Antarcticant · 21/08/2022 20:39

John Logie Baird (inventor of television)

PlanetNormal · 21/08/2022 20:39

Whatever you think of her or her family, Kris Jenner definitely deserves a mention. She and her daughters were the first to monetise social media at scale and, in doing so, created a new industry : Influencing. So much of today’s Instagram & tick tok driven celebrity culture is following the Kardashians’ lead.

goshy · 21/08/2022 20:39

Steve Jobs

Florenz · 21/08/2022 20:42

Henry Ford.

Lululemonade38 · 21/08/2022 21:15

Bob Marley, I've seen his imagery in various forms across the globe. For many people across the world, the genre of reggae equals Bob Marley and considering he's from a tiny island compared to many countries thats pretty impactful.

echt · 21/08/2022 21:48

I'm not getting how either Jesus or Mohammed had significant, never mind the biggest, influence on pop culture.

The Beatles - and I don't even like them
David Bowie
Prince

ThanksAntsThants · 21/08/2022 21:53

The queen

Surtsey · 21/08/2022 21:54

Andy Warhol

Fucket · 21/08/2022 21:57

Madonna

BobMortimersPocketMeat · 21/08/2022 21:57

All the known and unknown artists who created early blues music, from which all pop and rock descends.

DownNative · 21/08/2022 21:59

LadyKenya · 21/08/2022 20:37

I knew he was huge, but google crashing. Wow.

Show quote history

Yeah, and not just Google either.

Safe to say Michael Jackson is the biggest star and most famous celebrity ever.

Which historical figure dead or alive has left the biggest impact on pop culture?
Which historical figure dead or alive has left the biggest impact on pop culture?
Which historical figure dead or alive has left the biggest impact on pop culture?
hugoagogo · 21/08/2022 22:01

Keats?
I definitely think romanticism has had an incredibly long lasting effect on the way Europeans view the world.

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