Though we have a large litho of Miles Davisin the parlour, the Dudeling is probably going to grow up with a substantial reverence for Garcia. But overall, my vote goes for Marley. Not just for the musical impact, but PR-wise; Elvis fans are a shrinking group in general, Marley never went through a fat Vegas period, most images of him are iconic (and a new cache has recently been uncovered), and his appeal is broader.
Hmm… I’ll buy your breakdown of the Elvis fanatics and the Marley idolizers… but I’ve never seen any indication that MJ was much of a gay icon.
Hmm. Why only male figures on the list? Is there something about a masculine musician that draws this sort of thing?
Kate Bush fans can be pretty serious, but I don’t think it’ll reach that point.
Some people seem to obsess a bit over Janis Joplin, but I don’t think I’ve even heard any of her music.
There are just more male musicians—therefore, more candidates. And a tragic death really helps. I picked Elvis–it’s the whole later part of his life that was tragic. Bob Marley’s a close second, with a big international following. Lennon? He’d find being a religious icon really annoying–so he gets some votes, too. (Monotheism is* so* dull.)
But there are still some of us who keep a candle burning for Lady Day.
Elvis. You don’t see Jerry Garcia sightings or stories about John Lennon alive and hiding away of hundreds of Jimi Hendrix impersonators. Michael Jackson may eventually catch up, but he has a long way to go.
For some reason, Chuck, this statement made me realize that the demographic that holds Elvis to such high standards, the people that have Elvis sightings, middle aged southern ladies with black velvet posters of the King in their bathroom are probably much more religious to begin with then the fan base of the other people listed.
I’m not sure why that’s important, but for some reason I don’t see other people, as a whole, getting quite so fanatic over a single artist.
But considering the way the title of the thread is written (Religious Icon), there’s probably something to be said about it.
I chose Elvis, but my first thought was Jeff Healey.
About 5 yrs ago, I was going to Toronto a few times a year and everytime I went, I made sure I went to “his bar” on Thursday nights.
Now, see, I know quite a few queens who worship his dancing, voice, and music, while at the same time making hilariously offensive jokes about his purported predilection for little boys. And we’re talking post-OD, too.
When I was in Jamaica, it seemed like the guy’s name was TheLegendBobMarley. So I’d vote for him.
Yeah, that’s what I’m saying. I know people across all age ranges and races and so on who love the guy’s music and dancing. But the majority are always eager to joke about the skin lightening, the plastic surgery, and everything else. That, to me, is different than what the OP is asking for; that sort of religious devotion to an artist that makes one ignore all the bad stuff and only focus on the best of their music. That’s something I associate more with John Lennon. There are plenty of die-hard fans, and they ignore any negative aspect of his personality to focus on his ‘greatness’.
I’m 33 (voted for the King FWIW) and I’ve always found Nirvana EXTREMELY overrated! IMO, they’re a “one hit wonder”.
I didn’t see anything limiting the question to the US or the West, so it has to be Bob Marley.
I’ve heard of shrines to Bob in Thailand and Nepal and Mozambique, along with places you’d expect like the Caribbean and Ethiopia.
Can’t say I’ve encountered that here or in Nepal, but I wouldn’t be surprised. Still, it would be for only the very, very small Rasta subset of the population and nothing major like the David Beckham shrine here in Bangkok.
Go with the King. As Mojo Nixon sang we are all moving towards elvis-ness because Elvis was the perfect being. But it’s not evolution, it’s Elvislution.
Even though I’m a Nirvana fan. It’s Elvis no question about it. Although Kurt is the biggest money making dead celebrity last I heard. Although that might change with MJ passing.
Here in New Zealand Bob Marley is treated pretty much as a prophet by a fairly considerable number of people (particularly but not exclusively Maori).
I just remembered Thailand’s own Elvis impersonator. He’s been performing for decades I believe, unless a younger guy has picked up the torch. YouTube video here.
Ron Nasty. Initially believed to have said that the Rutles were bigger than God, though it turned out he was in fact comparing them with Rod (Stewart).
Kidding aside, I agree that Jim Morrison deserves a place on the list.
I hate Jim Morrison and the doors, but that’s the first name I thought of when I saw this poll.