Analogy of Contemporary Icons

Analogy of Contemporary Icons

            Elvis Presley is one of the post popular music icons in the world. Known as the King of Rock and Roll, he became a music icon in the mid 50’s and maintained status until his death August 16, 1977, he was 42 years old. Elvis is also famous for the hip gyration, which banned him from being televised below the waist of many variety shows. With the aid of Presley, rock “n” roll became extremely popular in America. He married Pricilla Beaulieu and became the father of Lisa Marie Presley in 1968. The couple divorced in 1973 that added to a mound of problems including prescription drug addiction, which eventually caused his death. 

 

        Michael Jackson, dubbed the King of Pop, started his career as a child. He was the lead singer of the popular 70’s group The Jackson 5. He later became internationally famous as a solo pop phenomenon. Michael achieved Top 40 singles form November 6, 1971, to January 1, 2011. The longest span of singles recorded which earned him many Guinness World Records titles. In August of 1994, he married the King of Pop’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley. The marriage ended in 1996. Michael had two children through artificial insemination with new wife, Debbie Rowe. The couple divorced in 1999. A third child was born through artificial insemination with an unidentified surrogate. On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson died from cardiac arrest at his residence in Los Angeles.

       Aretha Franklin started her singing career as a gospel singer. She was born March 25, 1942, the fourth child to a Baptist preacher. Considered a child prodigy, by fourteen, she had recorded tracts at her father’s church. By the time she was 15 she had become a mother, two years later, her second child was born. Aretha signed with Columbia records, and won eight Grammy awards for Best R&B Female Vocal Performance, eight years in a row; this earned her the title “The Queen of Soul.” Aretha Franklin was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award at the Grammy's in 1994. Since then, she has become the topic of documentaries and tributes of honor and R-E-S-P-E-C-T (a very popular song sung by Aretha, which people know and understand today.)

 

       I chose these icons because of their royal representation of different genres of music. I am sure most of my classmates have heard the music of all three performers or at least have heard a song or two. Although two icons have passed on from this life, all three will always be historical figures in music.

References:

Bio. True Story. (n.d.). Aretha Franklin Biography. Retrieved April 9, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/print/profile/aretha-franklin-9301157

Bio. True Story. (n.d.). Elvis Presley Biography. Retrieved April 9, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/print/profile/elvis-presley-9446466

Bio.True Story. (n.d.). Michael Jackson Biography. Retrieved April 9, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/print/profile/michael-jackson-38211