Icon is a term that can be applied to people and things rather easily, but when it comes down to it, only special people and things are truly iconic. I'm talking about someone who changes the face of music, or turns the sports world on it's head. This brings me to my first example of an icon: Michael Jordan. He is an icon in every sense of the word, and he's only in his forties. He singlehandedly changed the game of basketball and his name and face became synonymous with the game he dominated throughout the late eighties and nineties. Who hasn't seen the ubiquitous Air Jordan symbol? His achievements on the court spawned an entire generation of players to pick up a basketball and attempt his high-flying feats. He has moved from the basketball court to the realm of revered athlete. A collector's card from his rookie year in the NBA fetches north of $1,500!
Objects can also attain icon status, as evidenced by the adoring masses of Chevrolet's Corvette. The Corvette was first manufactured in 1953 and has long been a symbol of American pride. While competitors are charging hundreds of thousands of dollars, the Corvette is available for a fraction of the cost with just as much power. The Corvette's icon status is evidenced by the many classic car enthusiasts who devote countless hours and retirement dollars restoring and displaying their cars. Even non-enthusiasts can spot a corvette with it's long hood, aggressive stance, and menacing growl. It is also a symbol of cool and one that will not go away any time soon (provided Chevy stays in business). I, for one, look forward to my retirement in Florida so I can wax my '66 'Vette in the driveway before cruising the strip!
Music has long been a breeding grounds for icons; from Elvis to The Beatles to Madonna and beyond. The constant exposure via radio, internet, iTunes, albums, concerts and more increase the public's awareness of musicians like never before. One musician who stands out from the crowd is the deceased Kurt Cobain. He did not invent the music form known as grunge, but he did become the face of the grunge movement in early '90s Seattle. He was and probably still is reluctant about his stardom, but there is no denying his icon status. Until his suicide in 1994, no one's star burned brighter than Cobain's. He is, in addition to being an icon, a cautionary tale for those who might want to follow in his footsteps. Pain from a previous life cannot be cured with money, drugs, or booze. Cobain's case makes a compelling argument against a music industry that seems to constantly feed on the young and talented musicians who help line the pockets of top executives. Many of the names are already in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame: Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Keith Moon, John Bonham, Shannon Hoon, Sid Vicious, Duane Allman, Jeff Buckley, and Jerry Garcia, just to name a few. Kurt Cobain and Nirvana's sound have defined an entire generation and paved the way for many musicians to follow.
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