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

[RoyKent]

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!

I agree, I don't know anyone who doesn't, it was talked about a lot at the time. The MJ fanatics on this thread will be after you for that though. He could do no wrong for some. Even sleeping in the same bed as children who were not his own.

I see no hero worship of anybody on here. Lots of people have been mentioned. You do not mention hero worship of anybody else. Why is that?

I would say that they do not.

Elvis' reach is quite incredible considering he never toured outside USA, no internet etc.

Lemmy, Bon Scott and the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM), got bands and artists on TOTP at least.

Maybe read the thread.

I have. You have not answered the question have you? Why does it matter to you?

Who from the 20th/early 21st century will still be remembered and talked hundreds of years in the future? Maybe Disney. Tim Berners-Lee, maybe not as a memorable name but the invention of the Internet will probably be as talked about as the invention of the light bulb. I'm not sure how many of the music artists will be remembered by name but elements of their music will probably continue to have an impact.

😂 I really don't have to 'answer' your question. I'm giving an opinion, I'm not here for an online bun fight with some Michael Jackson fanatic.

No you do not, you are right. You are not right to call me a fanatic though.

Agreed, and like TitaniasAss I don't know of anybody who doesn't believe the allegations were grounded in truth. However it would seem that people are prepared to turn a blind eye because he was talented. I was once a fan (attempted to see him at Wembley in the 90's - he was a no show) but the allegations have put me off, because I believe that he was abused and in turn became an abuser. Maybe there really is 'no such thing as bad publicity' if his streaming revenues went up after the documentaries were shown.
Anyway we're derailing the thread and I am not going to engage further with his super fans.

Nice to hear your husband’s opinion, but it’s not about who was the best singer - that’s not what the op’s asking. It’s who had an impact on pop culture. The ‘boy band’ model that is so long enduring was hugely influenced by The Beatles. The idea of boy bands making movies, the matching outfits, the song writing, has influenced and impacted pop culture. Regardless of whether your husband thinks they’re overrated, they have had a massive massive impact on pop culture.

This!

It's got to be Pete Burns.

@Appalonia thanks. I didn't see your thread otherwise I would definitely have commented (maybe) I take it you're a Prince fan?

Person with the biggest cultural or historical impact. Hmmm,

Genghis Khan. Or Adam.

Apart from the fact that people do talk about The Beatles 50 years on, the thread isn't about successful singers (but they were a successful band whatever your husband thinks).

I've just thought of Tim Burton. His brand of spooky gets dragged out every Halloween!

Michael J. Fox

Loving all the Bowie nominations. Has to be him for me as well, no contest.

They share the spotlight with Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky, Tim Cook and Oprah Winfrey, Kris Jenner, and Vladimir Putin. Two BU alums were named to this year's Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People 2022, a list populated by many household names and more than a few less-famous influencers.

anonigviewer
bingenerator

Olivia Newton John's "Physical" 1981 video had a massive impact on pop culture for the rest of the 80's winning her the grammy award for video of the year. The single was the best selling single of the 80s and stayed at number 1 for 10 weeks!

"Pop music became more dance-centric, and choreography became commonplace in almost every music video."

www.smoothradio.com/artists/olivia-newton-john/physical-video-workout-fitness-trend/

I'm going to mention someone almost none of you will have ever heard of, but you will all recognise his work when you hear it...

James Jamerson.

Look him up.

I will admit not having read the full thread but the answer is Henry Ford.

Prince.

He may not have had the massive sales of MJ, but he was responsible for so many hits released by other artists. He was a prolific writer and producer, you constantly hear his songs on the radio though most people don't without even realise.

He wrote:
I feel for you - Chaka Khan
Manic Monday - the Bangles
Nothing compares to you - Sinead O'Connor
How come you don't call me any more - Alicia Keys
A love bizarre - Sheila E
Sugar walls - Sheena Easton

To name a few.