David Bowie

As soon as I read the opening post this is the man that came to mind a true icon. Bowie was an icon because he wasn't a safe artist he didn't have a distinctive sound he was always changing his music style and his image. If you did a survey on who your favourite artists were influenced by Bowie would be high on the list he as influential and innoventive as it gets and im honestly shocked he hasn't been mentioned yet.
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?im...26tbs%3Disch:1

That certainly is a suprise.... no one mentioned Bowie, that's quite amiss! He has to possibly be the BIGGEST icon of 1970's rock of the more imaginitive / progressive persuasion... he kinda sold out a bit in the eighties, though he did make some pretty vital pop music, only to return to his more creative / interesting mode as an artist... still creating today, he truly has proven himself a long time stayer.

Definite Icon.

The windows media player symbol is most definitely a musical icon...

Bolan > Bowie.

To an extent yes but I can't really choose. The way I see it Bolan was better at glam(and folk) but Bowie was better in general because of his experimenting across differant genres. But who knows if Bolan hadn't died so young he could have been yards better.

People who hold that against Bolan in the Bowie vs Bolan debate are a bit silly. Like you said Bolan didn't have the chance to do what Bowie did.

But they're both seen as pioneers of Glam rock, and I believe Bolan does it much better. But then again I've never been big on Bowie..

Hmmmmm, it's possible we could have all become equally sick of Bolan if he reached Bowie levels of popularity / exposure...

I don't think people's personal dislike of bowie excludes his status as an icon, though. Clearly he is very well known and identified with glam rock and seventies music in general... the same way not liking McDonalds doesn't exclude them from being synonymous with junkfood.

I never said I disliked Bowie? Unless you're just speaking in general. I just never really rated Aladdin Sane but it was more of a 'each to your own' type opinion.

I always felt Bolan had that something about him, more so than Bowie.

Oh it was just a general comment, I wasn't pointing the finger at you or anything. My main point was that Icons are icons regardless of whether they'e liked by everyone, or even whether they're original.... they just become synonymous with certain things.

Ah right yeah I get you, I don't think anyone would argue that Bowie wasn't an icon, he had a massive following and obviously inspired lots of future bands.

I just never really liked him.