# What "famous people" are you surprised other people haven't heard of? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 26, 2024, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817 "2024-07-26T14:54:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/41 "2024-07-26T18:18:44Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I teach high school. > > Yes, they are. I teach middle school. And of course they are idiots in many ways, but no more or less than we were. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/42 "2024-07-26T18:21:10Z")
I’m 77 and know the name John Prine but I would not have been able to recall any songs. Looking at his hits it seems “Illegal Smile” is what I recall. ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/43 "2024-07-26T18:30:33Z")
Here are some others… > **[Actresses Who Married Country Singers](https://hollywoodlife.com/web-stories/actresses-who-married-country-singers/)** > > Actresses Who Married Country Singers: Nicole Kidman & More A-List Stars Who Married Country Music Superstars ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/44 "2024-07-26T18:35:06Z")
I used\* to watch the Celebrity Apprentice and they had Lil’ Jon as a great player on the show and also one of the winners, Trace Adkins. I liked both of them on the show well enough, but had never heard of them in my life and also have never heard much of them since the show. \*Wife and I both regret ever watching anything with Trump. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/45 "2024-07-26T18:37:35Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > So - who else joins **Procrustus** in never having heard of TY or KC? FTR I know Brooks, Yearwood, but not Chesney. I’m not a country listener though. I know Prine well and would be surprised that people gathering to play bluegrass would notLike @veryfrank I know him first from Cowboy Junkies and also Bonnie Raitt then from there in his own right. But there a few people listed in this thread I don’t know; I guess we all have gaps. Years ago I worked with a few people that didn’t know Led Zeppelin or Stairway to Heaven. Maybe they would have recognized it if I played it. > [@Dinsdale](#): > > (Turns out I was confusing them with some other country stars. I was thinking of 2 who are married to each other. Faith Hill and Tim McGraw? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/46 "2024-07-26T19:19:53Z")
I put John Prine in the same category as Ry Cooder. Very talented musicians known more by other musicians than fans. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/47 "2024-07-26T20:02:53Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > And of course they are idiots in many ways, but no more or less than we were. Exactly. And we are idiots (collectively.) ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/48 "2024-07-26T20:17:46Z")
> [@CaveMike](#): > > Faith Hill and Tim McGraw? I’m sure that was the couple. > [@kayaker](#): > > I put John Prine in the same category as Ry Cooder. Very talented musicians known more by other musicians than fans. I dunno. I think JP has FAR more name recognition that RC. I was pretty crazy into music when in college, and think I had a grand total of one RC album. Tho, of course, I knew he played with everybody. Pretty confidant most of the respondents to this thread could recite any number of lines from JP lyrics, but how many even know RC wrote Little Sister? Just thought of another. When my wife was in violin making school about 10 years ago, she took cello lessons from a cellist who was a pro performer/teacher, plays regularly in the puts of musicals. When my wife made an offhand reference to Pink Floyd, he claimed to have never heard of them (let alone, which one’s Pink), or Dark Side of the Moon, OR seen the DSOTM cover art. I really find that one hard to believe from a guy who is currently somewhere between 60-75. > [@CaveMike](#): > > I know Prine well and would be surprised that people gathering to play bluegrass would not In case this was aimed at me, this quartet plays classical music. 2 violins, viola, and string bass (instead of cello). I play bluegrass and oldtime in various other groups, and my wife and I have modestly exposed the 2d fiddle and violist to some VERY traditional fiddle tunes. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/49 "2024-07-26T20:30:59Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I dunno. I think JP has FAR more name recognition that RC. But among professional musicians, Cooder is well known/revered. I’ve been to a few concerts of varying genres, where Cooder music played before the show. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/50 "2024-07-26T20:43:05Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > In case this was aimed at me, this quartet plays classical music. 2 violins, viola, and string bass (instead of cello). I play bluegrass and oldtime in various other groups, and my wife and I have modestly exposed the 2d fiddle and violist to some VERY traditional fiddle tunes. Not aimed; I just didn’t read your OP carefully. I know you play bluegrass and assumed that was what you guys were gathered to do. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/51 "2024-07-26T21:14:44Z")
I even know that The Great Kamala’s real name was James Harris. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/52 "2024-07-26T21:23:19Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I could pull up names from Bobo Brazil, Dick the Bruiser, up through Hulk Hogan and beyond, but never heard of your Kamala. There was a magazine that had Kamala with Hulk Hogan’s head on a spear on the cover. He started in Memphis, worked mostly in the South for a while, and moved to WWF. I’ve seen John Prine live a couple of times, and play a few of his songs. When it comes to popular culture music, pro wrestling, and baseball are my strengths. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/53 "2024-07-26T21:54:05Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > but how many even know RC wrote Little Sister? The Elvis Presley song? I think not. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/54 "2024-07-26T21:58:54Z")
The weird part is Kamala the wrestler died the same week Biden announced Kamala Harris was his Vice President pick. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/55 "2024-07-26T22:12:19Z")
There can be only one. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/56 "2024-07-26T22:17:35Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I dunno. I think JP has FAR more name recognition that RC. Quite possibly so. But not in my corner of the universe 🙂. I have/had a couple of Ry Cooder albums (I’m partial to the live Show Time) and have been well aware of his session and soundtrack work for decades (have/had a number of other albums he played on). But John Prine who? Just goes to show it is easy to miss even substantial names. Art knowledge is pretty idiosyncratic. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/57 "2024-07-26T22:19:33Z")
On a podcast an older guy had never heard of Pancho Villa before and he lived in Arizona. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/58 "2024-07-26T22:58:13Z")
> [@Jaycat.again](#): > > The Elvis Presley song? I think not. You are rright, man. Stupid me, allowing my thoughts to be reworked by one album I owned a long time ago. Embarrassment. > [@CaveMike](#): > > Not aimed; Didn’t mean “aim” like I took any offense. Shoulda said directed. > [@kayaker](#): > > But among professional musicians, Cooder is well known/revered. No disagreement here. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/59 "2024-07-26T23:09:25Z")
Well, you probably wouldn’t know Ry Cooder if you’re a Pinkerton Man. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@epbrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817/60 "2024-07-26T23:11:58Z")
Snake Plissken. Most people think he’s dead. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-people-are-you-surprised-other-people-havent-heard-of/1004817.md?page=4)