# The Top 25 Pop Icons **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 23, 2003, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-25-pop-icons/190463 "2003-07-23T19:12:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-25-pop-icons/190463/41 "2003-07-28T22:03:13Z")
Hey. Knucklehead. Cut it out. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-25-pop-icons/190463/42 "2003-07-29T00:02:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by allout50 \* > **I think that the current top, number one, pop/hip-hop icon is mary j blige. She has always put down sicc beats but her new cd easily puts her at number one.** _Well_. I must say, Ruth Etting and Judy Garland also put down sicc beats. ---
**Author:** ![allout50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@allout50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/allout50)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-25-pop-icons/190463/43 "2003-07-30T19:10:02Z")
Those artists aren’t even in the same category or age bracket as mary j. When I say sicc beats i mean current, hip-hop, engaging, fast paced music. Mary J’s new albums got that and thats why she puts down sicc beats ---
**Author:** ![Wumpus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8c91f0/32.png) [@Wumpus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wumpus)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-25-pop-icons/190463/44 "2003-07-30T19:21:17Z")
Oooh! A wise guy! [Sits down to watch the show.] ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-25-pop-icons/190463/45 "2003-07-30T19:30:01Z")
Well, in her day, Ruth Etting’s beats were exceedingly sicc. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-25-pop-icons/190463/46 "2003-07-30T19:46:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wumpus \* > \*\*Regardless of how well-known her name is, Lewinsky’s contribution to pop culture is zero. She’s just a punchline to other people’s jokes. She’s as important to pop culture as, say, Wilbur Mills or Lorena Bobbit. (And if you’re saying, “Who are Wilbur Mills and Lorena Bobbit?” that’s the point.) \*\* In all fairness, neither of these people caused a presidential impeachment. Like her or not, her name is forever in the history books. I think that is a good standard. Historical staying power. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-25-pop-icons/190463/47 "2003-07-30T20:58:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wumpus \* > \*\*(And if you’re saying, “Who are Wilbur Mills and Lorena Bobbit?” that’s the point.) \*\* Now, now, don’t mock Wilbur Mills! During the 1960’s and 1970’s, he was one of the most important men in Washington, and (probably) had a greater affect on your lives than half this list combined. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2003, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-25-pop-icons/190463/48 "2003-07-30T21:13:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\* > Princess Diana > \*\* Why? What in the world did she produce for the popular culture? I find her one of the most overrated figures of the last 20 years. Moreoever, her iconic status won’t last for very long, and if you don’t believe me, go ask about Consuelo, Duchess of Marlbourough, or the Duchess of Windsor. The positions may be iconic, but the people certainly aren’t. ---
**Author:** ![allout50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@allout50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/allout50)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-25-pop-icons/190463/49 "2003-08-01T18:50:04Z")
i’m not saying that Ruth Etting wasn’t the big craze in her time but i’m talking about the current time and mary j blige, who i’m sure sings very different than Ruth Etting. Mary J is a pop icon for the current culture ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2003, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-25-pop-icons/190463/50 "2003-08-02T01:49:41Z")
Granted. But you can’t deny that Lillian Russell was mad ghetto fab. ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2003, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-25-pop-icons/190463/51 "2003-08-02T03:00:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*Granted. But you can’t deny that Lillian Russell was mad ghetto fab. \*\* Naw, all her grooves were ripped off of the Notorious VIC (a.k.a. Vicky Biggs, a.k.a. Herby the Love-Bug, a.k.a Victor Herbert). 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-top-25-pop-icons/190463.md?page=2)