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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:
Thread gallery
5
Appalonia · 22/08/2022 08:34

In terms of pop music and the prevalence of electronic music, Giorgio Moroder, Kraftwerk and Gary Numan have had a massive impact, 'I Feel Love', still sounds modern today.

TopGolfer · 22/08/2022 08:51

Martin Luther king.

Checkitoutnow · 22/08/2022 08:52

TopGolfer · 22/08/2022 08:51

Martin Luther king.

Or what about Martin Luther?

DownNative · 22/08/2022 09:11

Bruce Lee is a worthy mention for his huge influence in portraying Asians on screen by Asians in Hollywood, especially in a time if blatant racism.

Enter The Dragon is legendary in pop culture and Lee is arguably the biggest influence on many who pursue martial arts. He went against Elder Chinese teachers who didn't want Westerners to learn Chinese martial arts. All those schools in the West today? Thank Lee.

Bruce is still a big influence in the area of healthy living and keeping fit. He showed what was possible and changed people's perceptions of Asians in the process.

The Dragon was a force of nature.

PleaseStopExplaining · 22/08/2022 09:14

JK Rowling

DownNative · 22/08/2022 09:18

DorritLittle · 22/08/2022 08:30

I define influencing pop culture as causing a global change in music, fashion, film etc tastes. Every artist has influences, but not all iconic artists propelled a change in the entire look and feel of a time like Elvis did and The Beatles did.

Elvis was huge for the Beatles, and his music and look defined the 50s, the Beatles' hair was styled like his until about 1961. But they then morphed into something completely different with their own sound and look (and hairstyle!) which can be heard and seen in bands even now. They pretty much invented the concept of a band, before it was always a pretty singer and a backing group.

I agree with Bowie, Michael Jackson and Madonna (who definitely influenced fashion and attitudes) but I personally think their direct influence on pop culture was a bit more diluted than TB and Elvis. Just because of how much was going on by then. (Folk, electronica, etc).

Hip Hop changed music too. I don't know the genre well enough to pinpoint one artist.

I think you can argue Madonna and Bowie's influence was diluted, but not Michael Jackson whose influence can still be seen in newer acts today. BTS is a good example as was Justin Timberlake and many before him. The Weekend is another influenced by MJ as is Bruno Mars and Beyoncé.

Michael's biggest impact is clearly in revolutionising the use of music videos as a short film art form with the likes of Thriller, Smooth Criminal and SCREAM being huge influences on those after them.

Only Elvis, the Beatles and Michael Jackson have had a mania named after them. They are rightly regarded as the holy trinity of pop culture influence. Arguably, the Kings in their respective eras.

Checkitoutnow · 22/08/2022 09:23

PleaseStopExplaining · 22/08/2022 09:14

JK Rowling

Really?

DorritLittle · 22/08/2022 09:25

DownNative · 22/08/2022 09:18

I think you can argue Madonna and Bowie's influence was diluted, but not Michael Jackson whose influence can still be seen in newer acts today. BTS is a good example as was Justin Timberlake and many before him. The Weekend is another influenced by MJ as is Bruno Mars and Beyoncé.

Michael's biggest impact is clearly in revolutionising the use of music videos as a short film art form with the likes of Thriller, Smooth Criminal and SCREAM being huge influences on those after them.

Only Elvis, the Beatles and Michael Jackson have had a mania named after them. They are rightly regarded as the holy trinity of pop culture influence. Arguably, the Kings in their respective eras.

Show quote history

Yes I agree, I am wrong about MJs influence being diluted. Just been reading about it. I hadn't really taken on board how much his music, influence, videos dance style and look influenced that which followed it. Fascinating.

TitaniasAss · 22/08/2022 09:29

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.

But it's not 'unquestionably' is it. It's just your and many others take on it. I wonder what would have happened to Google if it had been around in 1977 when Elvis died? It's not really comparative. I don't know if you remember when Elvis died but it was one of those 'I remember where I was' moments (likewise with MJ). I wasn't a particular fan but I remember the absolute lasting grief around at the time and that was before the hysteria of social media etc. I was obsessed with Michael Jackson in the 80s, but I think Elvis changed everything for artists in terms of, well, just about everything. But that's, like you, just my opinion.

TitaniasAss · 22/08/2022 09:30

PleaseStopExplaining · 22/08/2022 09:14

JK Rowling

Yep, absolutely agree with this.

SapphireSeptember · 22/08/2022 09:30

Yes to JK Rowling, Shakespeare and Jesus, (how many phrases do we use from Shakespeare and the Bible in our modern everyday language?) I also listen to a lot of music with Christian imagery. JK Rowling inspired a whole generation to read. Dolly Parton is in the same vein because of her drive to give books to kids who might not be able to afford them.

Aesop, the Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault and Hans Christian Andersen, because of their fables and fairy tales. How many films and musicals are there of fairy tales? Books written from a different perspective? There's loads!

DelilahWhy · 22/08/2022 09:31

When he died in 2009

Bloody hell, was it 2009? Such a long time ago!

DorritLittle · 22/08/2022 09:32

Totally agree with JK Rowling.

DSGR · 22/08/2022 09:33

Elvis

halfsiesonapotnoodle · 22/08/2022 09:38

Yes, MJ was amazing.

JamTuesday · 22/08/2022 09:40

Sigmund Freud?

TheRealShedSadie · 22/08/2022 09:47

The queen. Queen Victoria. Also probably Queen Elizabeth II

The way the western world is viewed is largely down to these women.

LadyKenya · 22/08/2022 09:53

DownNative · 22/08/2022 09:11

Bruce Lee is a worthy mention for his huge influence in portraying Asians on screen by Asians in Hollywood, especially in a time if blatant racism.

Enter The Dragon is legendary in pop culture and Lee is arguably the biggest influence on many who pursue martial arts. He went against Elder Chinese teachers who didn't want Westerners to learn Chinese martial arts. All those schools in the West today? Thank Lee.

Bruce is still a big influence in the area of healthy living and keeping fit. He showed what was possible and changed people's perceptions of Asians in the process.

The Dragon was a force of nature.

So true. Bruce lee's legacy has been enduring. What he managed to achieve in his short life was groundbreaking.

Clawdy · 22/08/2022 09:57

Has to be Elvis.

curiousitygotthebetterofme · 22/08/2022 09:59

Elvis
Michael Jackson
Diana, Princess of Wales
Amy Winehouse
Kirsty MacColl

DownNative · 22/08/2022 10:48

TitaniasAss · 22/08/2022 09:29

But it's not 'unquestionably' is it. It's just your and many others take on it. I wonder what would have happened to Google if it had been around in 1977 when Elvis died? It's not really comparative. I don't know if you remember when Elvis died but it was one of those 'I remember where I was' moments (likewise with MJ). I wasn't a particular fan but I remember the absolute lasting grief around at the time and that was before the hysteria of social media etc. I was obsessed with Michael Jackson in the 80s, but I think Elvis changed everything for artists in terms of, well, just about everything. But that's, like you, just my opinion.

Show quote history

Michael Jackson dominated in markets Elvis just didn't and well before the Internet as well. MJ features in the all time best selling albums list in the United States and UK which were the biggest markets for Elvis. Yet Elvis isn't in either list Top 10.

Thriller was obviously huge and cemented Jackson's impact on pop culture. Bad further strengthened it.

The fact that remote tribes in Africa have heard of Michael Jackson, but not Elvis says a lot there. Elvis is predominantly popular in North America and Europe. MJ is still massive across all continents except Antarctica. Achieved with a handful of adult solo albums which is nothing short of incredible.

Elvis really didn't change everything for artists. A lot of things, sure, but not everything. Given his astounding success, we'll continue to see Michael Jackson's influence for decades, especially in the area of music videos and dance performances. Young people will always gravitate towards dance and Michael's was simply timeless taking in a bit of everything with his own style.

But take nothing from Elvis as he is part of the Holy Trinity with the Beatles and Michael Jackson. He is behind the Beatles and MJ - the numbers speak for themselves as well.

Kanaloa · 22/08/2022 11:09

Checkitoutnow · 22/08/2022 09:23

Really?

Show quote history

You don’t think the Potter books and films and the mania surrounding them had an impact on pop culture? They were universally huge.

DownNative · 22/08/2022 11:30

DorritLittle · 22/08/2022 09:25

Yes I agree, I am wrong about MJs influence being diluted. Just been reading about it. I hadn't really taken on board how much his music, influence, videos dance style and look influenced that which followed it. Fascinating.

Show quote history

Indeed!

It's incredible you can still see his influence on the catwalk - Balmain clothing is a really good example! The example here is from Balmain's tribute collection, but there's other examples online.

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?
Sux2buthen · 22/08/2022 11:37

NWA

TitaniasAss · 22/08/2022 11:44

DownNative · 22/08/2022 10:48

Michael Jackson dominated in markets Elvis just didn't and well before the Internet as well. MJ features in the all time best selling albums list in the United States and UK which were the biggest markets for Elvis. Yet Elvis isn't in either list Top 10.

Thriller was obviously huge and cemented Jackson's impact on pop culture. Bad further strengthened it.

The fact that remote tribes in Africa have heard of Michael Jackson, but not Elvis says a lot there. Elvis is predominantly popular in North America and Europe. MJ is still massive across all continents except Antarctica. Achieved with a handful of adult solo albums which is nothing short of incredible.

Elvis really didn't change everything for artists. A lot of things, sure, but not everything. Given his astounding success, we'll continue to see Michael Jackson's influence for decades, especially in the area of music videos and dance performances. Young people will always gravitate towards dance and Michael's was simply timeless taking in a bit of everything with his own style.

But take nothing from Elvis as he is part of the Holy Trinity with the Beatles and Michael Jackson. He is behind the Beatles and MJ - the numbers speak for themselves as well.

Show quote history

I get you're obviously a huge MJ fan and that's lovely.