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What Entertainer (singer, actor, author, or?) do you think had the greatest impact on american culture in the twentieth century?
That's a great question. And I have a trick answer for you: Ronald Reagan. He was an actor, and he did have a tremendous impact on the '80s and thereafter when he became president.Perhaps a less tricky answer would be someone like Cecil B. Demil. He probably was responsible for ushering in the mega-Hollywood blockbuster with movies like The Ten Commandments. From what I understand, he used thousands of extras in that movie and the set was pretty extravagent. Of course the movie blockbuster eventually came to be the norm in Hollywood, and many movies have gone on to influence and shape popular culture as we know it. I imagine that movies have also inspired many people along the way, for good or for bad.
In music I would have to say Elvis made the biggest impact. Movies, thats tough. John Waynes portrayal of the tough guy changed things a bit. Sam Peckinpah (along with Segio Leone) Brought the gritty western and the anti hero to the fore front.
In music I would have to say Elvis made the biggest impact.?
REALLY-At the end of the day Elvis was just a performer (admittedly a very good one), but the same could be said of Sinatra or Armstromg or Crosby. He mostly performed work created for him by other people. So is this truely cultural or just Entertainment for the popular market?I'll bet THAT gets me some Hate mail in return? ? 😛
REALLY-At the end of the day Elvis was just a performer (admittedly a very good one), but the same could be said of Sinatra or Armstromg or Crosby. He mostly performed work created for him by other people. So is this truely cultural or just Entertainment for the popular market?I'll bet THAT gets me some Hate mail in return? ? 😛
Ask anyone today who Elvis is and the vast majority will know. Louis Armstrong? not as many, Sinatra, might come close, but in the end they all wanted what Elvis had (performers and fans alike) he had an impact on America that no one else had, and we know this because long after the others have faded, his name still draws attention. I would add another that comes close and thats the Beatles.
Elvis is also quite popular in Japan. Ask the Japanese PM – he went with Bush to Graceland in his visit a couple of weeks ago. But Elvis' legacy after his death might have eclipsed his legacy during his lifetime.
? But Elvis' legacy after his death might have eclipsed his legacy during his lifetime.
True. It seems his legend is bigger then his life.
Who knows how many people's legends have grown after the fact? Elvis, perhaps Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., perhaps Reagan…..it's probably harder to determine the accuracy of legends of historical figures. How about George Washington? How was he perceived during his life? Abraham Lincoln? Interesting questions to figure out.
How was he perceived during his life?? Abraham Lincoln?? Interesting questions to figure out.
Lincoln was not well liked in the north or south. The only reason he was elected at all, especielly the second time was because the democrats kept splitting on who they wanted to run against him. Many called him the 'great ape'.
