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Post by al on Jun 26, 2019 10:41:04 GMT 10
Inspired by both the Beatles thread and the anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death, I want to pose the question that many are often hesitant to ask: Are actors/musicians ever remembered more favorably because they have passed away (or perhaps their group has broken up)?
In particular reference to Michael Jackson, as I believe @slowpoke had said, there were many supposed huge fans popping out of the woodwork after his death. While he certainly had an extensive music catalog, it was almost as if his controversies had been forgotten. I remember similar with Amy Winehouse, where she was being toted as icon, when previously her drug use and eccentric appearance were often topics of conversation.
Sometimes I wonder in cases like the Beatles or even Elvis Presley if they would be seen as legendary as they are if they had gotten a longer run. Sure a certain status level would still be there, but maybe tragedies help propel it sometimes.
Thoughts? Are there any artists you don’t think would be as revered if they were not “gone too soon”?
SharksFan99 likes this
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Post by SharksFan99 on Jun 26, 2019 23:49:51 GMT 10
In most cases, yes. I've always been conflicted as to whether I believe the level of praise an artist receives after death has far greater positive or negative affects. On one hand, it can introduce younger generations of music listeners to an artist's music and help keep their legacy alive, but as with the case of Michael Jackson, it can also mean that they are more vulnerable to getting their name/image tarnished.
I'm of the belief that Nirvana wouldn't be as revered today if Kurt Cobain hadn't taken his own life back in 1994. They would still be critically acclaimed for their role in the emergence of the Seattle scene and the quality material that they put out, but would teens be wearing Nirvana t-shirts today or worshiping Kurt as a martyr figure? Probably not. I actually feel sorry for Kurt that this has happened to Nirvana, because he was known to have hated the level of fame that Nirvana experienced after the success of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and now that fame has only dramatically increased since his passing.
In regards to The Beatles, I don't think their "legend" status would be any different today if all four members were still alive and the band broke up at the same time. If their career continued on for another 5+ years, however, then I think there would be a real possibility that they wouldn't be as revered as what they are otherwise. It's hard to say though. Regardless of the circumstances, I believe they would still be regarded as one of the best bands of all time.
Elvis Presley is definitely another good example as well.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2019 0:28:12 GMT 10
I do think so. Recently, it almost happened with XXXTentacion too. He's still controversial, but I don't remember him being considered anything close to legendary by anybody before his death. Now if we can get the "Avril died in 2005 and was replaced by a body double" conspiracy off the ground, maybe Avril can have legend status too. 
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Post by Qwerty on Jun 28, 2019 18:48:27 GMT 10
I'm of the belief that Nirvana wouldn't be as revered today if Kurt Cobain hadn't taken his own life back in 1994. They would still be critically acclaimed for their role in the emergence of the Seattle scene and the quality material that they put out, but would teens be wearing Nirvana t-shirts today or worshiping Kurt as a martyr figure? Probably not. I actually feel sorry for Kurt that this has happened to Nirvana, because he was known to have hated the level of fame that Nirvana experienced after the success of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and now that fame has only dramatically increased since his passing. Yep, would agree with this. It was casual day at school today and I saw two students (around 15-16 years old) wearing Nirvana shirts. It did surprise me, as I didn't think that many my age would know of Nirvana.
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Post by SharksFan99 on Jun 28, 2019 19:07:58 GMT 10
Yep, would agree with this. It was casual day at school today and I saw two students (around 15-16 years old) wearing Nirvana shirts. It did surprise me, as I didn't think that many my age would know of Nirvana. It's a shame to hear that Nirvana t-shirts are still an "in thing". I can actually remember seeing a couple of kids at my high school wearing Nirvana t-shirts during our Athletics Carnival a few years ago. You know, it actually annoys me seeing people wearing Nirvana t-shirts as if they were a fashion item, because it's obvious that they know next to nothing about the band themselves. Talk about exploiting a band's legacy. Many of them most likely only know "Smells Like Teen Spirit" at best, but even that's probably being a bit generous...
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Post by Qwerty on Jun 28, 2019 19:45:15 GMT 10
Yep, would agree with this. It was casual day at school today and I saw two students (around 15-16 years old) wearing Nirvana shirts. It did surprise me, as I didn't think that many my age would know of Nirvana. It's a shame to hear that Nirvana t-shirts are still an "in thing". I can actually remember seeing a couple of kids at my high school wearing Nirvana t-shirts during our Athletics Carnival a few years ago. You know, it actually annoys me seeing people wearing Nirvana t-shirts as if they were a fashion item, because it's obvious that they know next to nothing about the band themselves. Talk about exploiting a band's legacy. Many of them most likely only know "Smells Like Teen Spirit" at best, but even that's probably being a bit generous... I was going to mention this in the original post, I resisted the urge to ask one of the students wearing a Nirvana shirt to name another Nirvana song other than Smells Like Teen Spirit. Didn't want to risk making a fool of myself in case they said another song!
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Post by SharksFan99 on Jun 28, 2019 20:59:19 GMT 10
I was going to mention this in the original post, I resisted the urge to ask one of the students wearing a Nirvana shirt to name another Nirvana song other than Smells Like Teen Spirit. Didn't want to risk making a fool of myself in case they said another song! Lol. Maybe there would be an extremely slim chance that they might have known "Come As You Are", but nine times out of ten, i'm sure most of those type of people couldn't name another song. 
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2019 20:40:46 GMT 10
Maybe if Carly Rae Jepsen was murdered in a gang war people might give ha the respect she deserves.
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Post by SharksFan99 on Jul 4, 2019 18:58:14 GMT 10
Maybe if Carly Rae Jepsen was murdered in a gang war people might give ha the respect she deserves. I know you're only joking, but if the unthinkable were to actually happen, most people would still only remember her for releasing "Call Me Maybe". She will always be defined by that song. The only thing that could change that is if she somehow managed to achieve another chart-topping worldwide hit, but pigs will start to fly before that happens. 
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