ICON ANALYSIS

The three contemporary icons I have chosen to write on are Elvis Aaron Presley, Bob Marley and Muhammed Ali. All these people are universal icons. Elvis Presley falls under the rock and roll category in the music industry. Bob Marley was a reggae musician, while Muhammed Ali was a boxer and was very successful during his time. All the three icons named have either made their marks in history as well as influence on people.

Elvis Aaron Presley was born in 1935 and was known to be first musical megastar of the rock and roll era until his premature death, according to NNB website. At the early stages in life, Presley started singing in a Pentecostal church in Mississippi-Alabama. At early as ten years of age, Elvis Presley received a second prize award at a Fair and Dairy Show. As time went on, Presley became exposed to different forms of opportunities to build on his talent. NNB website reports, Presley increased in popularity and he had positive response with each release that came out. Presley had international recognition due to his talent and fame. He changed the style of music and culture during his time. Presley music had influence on people as well as his style of dance, clothing and attitude was seen as embodiments of rock and roll (2011). This really represents icon in popular culture.

            Bob Marley was Singer, musician, songwriter born on February 6, 1945, in Jamaica (2011). Bob Marley helped introduce reggae music to the world and remains one of its most beloved artists to this day. He sold over 20 million records and in 1994 and Marley is still popular after his death more than 25 years (Marley, 2011). According to newser website, a first Bob Marley statue in Europe was mounted in a small village in Serbia as a symbol of peace to Balkans. This portrays how iconic Bob Marley is in popular culture.

            Muhammed Ali is one of greatest boxers ever. He was born as Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. on January 17, 1942 but later changed his name. Muhammad Ali was boastful and he symbolized the black pride.  "I'm not the greatest; I'm the double greatest. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round. ”says Ali. He had his own style and his career really progressed.

 Based on his commitment to boxing, he won the World Heavyweight Boxing championship three times as well as the North American Boxing Federation championship and an Olympic gold medal (2011). Despite the disability, he remains a beloved and active public figure. Muhammed Ali is a universal icon in the pop culture world.

            In conclusion, all these three icons have had impact on the pop culture world and are very symbolic.

References

Elvis Presley. (2011). Retrieved on June 8, 2011 from http://www.nndb.com/people/363/000024291/

Kilbey, J. (2011). Serbs erect bob Marley peace statue. Retrieved from on June 8, 2011

Marley, R. (2011). Bob Marley biography. Retrieved on June 8, 2011 from http://www.biography.com/articles/Bob-Marley-9399524?part=3

Muhammad Ali biography. (2011). Retrieved on June 8, 2011 from http://www.biographyonline.net/sport/muhammad_ali.html