Em. Dressed as an icon should dress.
By EM RUSCIANO
When I was still deep in the bowels of school holidays and having made all the nature tables any one human can possibly make, I decided to get some documentaries into my children’s lives.
I love a good doco, don’t you? We watched “Being Elmo” and a Cirque du Soleil behind the scenes, but the topic that really captured my girls’ attention, was Freddie Mercury.
Yes, I know, not your standard subject for children. But the minute he busted out onto the stage, resplendent in a white unitard, he had them. They were absolutely mesmerised.
His voice, musicality and showmanship was not like anything they’d seen before. The Queen back catalogue is now on high rotation and shower time involves a great deal of “THUNDERBOLTS AND LIGHTENING VERY VERY FRIGHTENING” action.
I had a think about why Freddie had such an impact on them. Now, there is certainly the factor of my love for him. I wear unitards on a regular basis (see above) and have always ranted about his genius but I’m not sure they pay that much attention to me.
But you see, compared to the main players in their young musical worlds, Freddie is a bloody stand out.
The current day pop landscape is full of technologically suped up wannabes, who are out before they’re truly in. Songs have had the soul auto-tuned out of then and there is so much choice and product flooding the market place that it’s hard to know where to start.
Freddie Mercury.
I personally blame Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas for this turn of events… From Pitt Bull to Flo Rider and back around to Ke$ha (she lost me at the dollar sign and the public urinating) there isn’t a great deal for a kid with a shred of musicality to hook into.
Being a child of the late 80s early 90s, my musical heroes were as you’d expect – Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince. I also listened to a lot of Stevie Wonder, David Bowie and Pearl Jam.
I had a mild interest in New Kids on the Block and a brief fling with Nirvana in my wine coloured Poppy lipstick, doc martins phase but it was Whit, Jacko, Madge and Prince who adorned my walls and whose cassettes were played until the ribbons frayed.
I also fashioned much of my hair and clothing choices on all of them. Some would argue that I still do.
My kids also love those artists, as I have forced them on them from a very young age. Truth be told, my kids have the musical tastes of a 30-year-old African gay man (the is what I truly am on the inside) but nothing that they have discovered on their own as of yet.
And I think that gaining musical independence from your parents is a big moment. An important one.
Her Icon-Ness, Madonna.
The day I broke free from Rod Stewart, The Eagles and Lionel Ritchie was a momentous one indeed.
It happened quite young for me. In 1986, I was 6-years-old and a little album called Whispering Jack came into my life.
I saved up my pocket money and bought the album, it had the words printed on the sleeve so I could belt out every song with confidence.
John Farnham was not as flashy as my big four but he gave me my independence.
And while I know that there are a great many talented up and coming artists today – I ask this: Who among them is going to have the commitment, talent and luck to break through and take it to the next level?
Yes, I’m aware I sound like a reality TV show voice over but this is a serious question. Who will be this generation’s musical icons? Who will adorn their walls, who will they rush out to buy Smash Hits for? (Does Smash Hits still exist?)
I close with a plea: Calling all potential icons, we need you!
The next generation of music enthusiasts desperately need someone to believe in. Someone to teach them about the importance of independent thinking, musicianship, killer shoulder pads and rad dance moves.
We are so ready for you.
Em’s thoughts on possible ‘Icon’ contenders.
Lady Gaga.
Lady Gaga: I thought GaGa was a serious contestant in the icon category – but it all got a bit much for my 6-year-old, when I had to explain the concept of alien re-birthing, giant eggs and thirteen minute film clips involving bathtubs and leather.
I still hold hope for Gaga. I like that she truly has a crack at being an individual. I think she has the most potential to be an Icon – if Madonna doesn’t have her taken care of first. Potential Icon rating: 4.5/5
Justin Timberlake: I was afraid we’d seen the last of J.T. until gloriously just last month, he released his first single in 6 years. I love him, hard. I have faith he will be remembered for generations to come. Seriously. What? Oh come on, as if you don’t love him?! Secretly. Potential Icon rating: 4/5
Beyonce
Beyonce: Beyonce is talented and probably as close as my girls have got to having someone they admire but I’m not sure she has a strong enough identity. You wouldn’t look at an outfit or hear a song and say “that is so Beyonce” as you would with Prince, Michael or Madonna. Potential Icon rating: 4/5
Britney Spears: Oh Brit. What happened darling? What? I’m just so sorry. I fall into a pit of sadness whenever I think of her. I hope that one day she finds happiness and a decent foundation garment. Potential Icon rating: 1/5
Bruno Mars: I had almost written this soft crooner off, until I saw him on Saturday Night Live. He truly is a triple threat: can dance, can sing, can act. He is supremely talented and once he stops trying to be the next Michael Jackson and settles into himself, I think we may be onto a winner here. Potential Icon rating: 3.5/5
Justin Bieber.
Justin Bieber: Look, he wouldn’t be my first choice but dude can sing and obviously has a vision and is bloody determined to achieve it. Conviction is a good quality in a potential icon. So I will sit back and watch the Biebs to see what comes next. Potential Icon rating: 3.5/5
Kanye West: If he can find a way to stop alienating everyone, then Kanye will be unstoppable. I like his unapologetic self confidence, his ability to surround himself with the most talented people and his choice in footwear. Potential Icon rating: 4/5
Special Mention: Maklemore- Watch this space my friends. Here is a rapper with a positive message, killer hooks and has never once called a woman the B word in any of his songs. His rhymes cover marriage equality, consumerism, recovering from addiction and heartbreak. Get around it.
Em Rusciano is the host of Mamamia Today on Austereo (which you should be tuning into at 3pm every weekday on the Today Network) and regularly appears on Network Ten’s ’The Project’. You should follow her on Twitter here and take a look at her website here. You can listen to podcasts of Mamamia today here.
Who were your music icons when you were growing up? Which current popular music stars will be remembered in 20 years time?
Comments
34 Comments so far
Em… i hear you! i think the idea of an icon as such is someone who will be around for a long time.
for the record….i had the first issues of smash hits with Kylie M on the front and 2 badges for my denim jacket!!!
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We named our dog after Freddie Mercury…and our bubs (currently in utero) has already been exposed to Mr Farenheit – the best Queen song ever! As for new icons, I agree with Macklemore, I heart his rhymes and Same Love makes me cry every time (I am hormonal) but I fear too many are trying so hard to be “different” they all end up being the same. Although I do love me some Beyonce…bring back Destiny’s Child!
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Hello…JLo??
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You spelt Flo Rida and Macklemore wrong.
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As a big Triple J fan, I think my future kids will probably miss out on my generation’s “icons” and be subjected to the “alternative” music of today.
It’s a shame some of the best talent is still relatively under wraps – minus Gotye and Kimbra of course! Finally other people know some of the artists I talk about!
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Triple J was the breeding ground for many a good act back in the 90s and up to the mid 2000s but I think they sort of lost their way.
They still have some really great underground stuff, but nothing that compares to the period of 1994 through to 2005 for me.
Of course, that is just my opinion and I’m getting old (14 months until I’m 40) so… Shut up me,
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First cassette I ever bought was New Kids on the Block’s Hangin Tough.
I still have it!!!
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Sorry Em, Icons should wear pants
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Gwen Stefani is my icon. If I have one at the stupid age of 42 (although she’s the same age as me!).
I did Olivia Newton-John and Madonna…and then there was a looong dearth of female icons in the 90s until Gwen hit the scene. Love her creativity, integrity and all ’round coolness
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That’s a rather pathetic modern list isn’t it…ha. Oh dear.
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Fact – MJ, Prince and Madonna were all born in 1958. I think that’s pretty cool.
And I loved Prince, liked Madonna and couldn’t stand MJ
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I’m afraid there will never be another performer who mesmerises quite like Freddie Mercury.
I had an old Queen cd going in the car the other day and my boys have been getting an education. I have been watching all the docos on the ABC to get my fix of Queen’s amazing talent.
I would like to see an artist write their own songs and lyrics from their own heart, that is what a true icon is, true to their self and unique.
None of this perfectly styled, American plastic pop with songs written by a couple of dudes in a swedish sound studio.
Icons of the now possibly could include Pink. As she is a phenomenal performer.
Icons of my youth? MJ, Elton John, Billy Joel, ABBA, Mads, Queen, Metallica, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Bon Jovi, The Beatles….. and Elvis.
The new breed don’t have the tenacity to hold our attention for more than a few years before fading away.
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Speaking of Thunder and lightning, very very frightening, that’s how I think of you. Intimidating. And today’s photo makes it worse than usual. Fully recognise that this says more about me than you!
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We are more of a rock family than a pop family so we don’t really listen to any of the above. However, my kids love Coldplay and I’m happy with that. Their songs are catchy and I don’t have to constantly skip through them since they don’t have any inappropriate content. When they are a bit older we will give them free reign to listen to our extensive Pearl Jam catalogue.
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I am looking for something musically to get really excited about too. Something that my girls can be included in.
I listened to many things growing up, things from just about every genre.
Today MS music just feel less….original.
Everything is put through the style and marketing machine. Which I think adds a lot to many, but takes away from many others.
Not a fan of Auto Tune…it is killing music. So very overdone now.
I wasn’t a big follower of tunes that made the top 10 lists though.
My girls don’t get a lot of contact with video hits or rage etc so they learn what they like from friends as well as what I expose them to. As a 10 and 6 yo they currenlty like Florence Welch, Kimbra, Script, Ellie Goulding, Pink, Kate Miller-Heidke, One Direction ( a bit), Killers, Metric.
I must be the only person in the world who wasn’t a huge fan of Michael Jackson.
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Have you watched Katy Perrys movie: Part of me? Shes dresses up in crazy costumes and dances around the stage with a cat? Although shes a bit sexual sometimes, and shes a bit of a sooky la la, shes never said horrible things about people or done anything malicious like lady gaga.
I also think beyonce is a bit too sexual, but I have a lot of respect for her.
JT is pretty cool though – not that Im into his music at all. Respect.
Kids I babysit love Michael Jackson – Im buying the 5 year old the MJ wii game for his bday!
Better than “sexy and i know it” which the entire (catholic) school is obsessed with. the boys from k-6 stand there pelvic thrusting as hard as they possibly can for the entire song. Its feral.
I grew up with a mixture. Spice girls/BS boys from friends. Led Zep/sex pistols from Mum. Lil Kim/tupac from older sister. Pearl Jam/Nirvana from older brother. Beach boys/general pop from dad.
I now love mostly alternative music, classic grungy stuff, a few pop singers (mostly adele). Just expose your kids to heaps and they will pick up bits & pieces.
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What about Pink? She knows who she is, rocks it out and seems pretty level headed overall? Although I might add my 7yo is obsessed with Tayloir Swift and I am nore than happy for her to listen to her music knowing she is not going to be listening to weird and colourful lyrics that require careful explaining!
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Lady gaga is not admirable. Dont encourage your children to admire her. Just look at the awful things she has said and done. Horrible.
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Growing up, our house was filled with John Farnham, the BeeGees, Meatloaf, Robbie Williams and Savage Garden as we did housework every weekend.
I was the only 7 year old at my school into Shania Twain (that was the year COME ON OVER came out). My first 2 singles I ever owned were Britney Spear’s “Baby one more time” and Celine Dion’s “My heart will go on.” (Again, this was 1997, and I was born in 1990).
I listened to Shania, Britney, Faith Hill, Leann Rimes. And then I fell in love with Delta when Innocent Eyes came out, and I still love her 11 years later.
I’m also loving Pink, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and musical theatre.
Delta’s been my icon since I was 12.
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My brother loved Queen as we were growing up. So I loved Queen too. Freddie is an epic performer; a true master of singing, strutting and captivating. I’m hoping my boy likes queen too. I keep playing him Coldplay, both digitally and performing on the piano. I’m probably turning him off it though.
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I once heard someone describe rap music as nursery rhymes with attitude and some modern music as chewing gum for the ears.Maybe it reflects the fact that Maybe we dont sit down and actually listen to music.Technology has enabled is to access music so easily.However, the quality of downloaded music is more like I guess a fast food experience
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What about Pink?! She is the first one I thought of. A strong woman with a great message, and she can sing a bit!
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Agreed, shes strong, independent, and interesting! if you look at her concerts she does wear crazy stuff AND does crazy stuff like acrobatics.
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I just went throuh my 12 year old daughters ipod and there is quite a different selection of music on it. Everything from The Beatles, Pink Floyd and ACDC to Taylor Swift,Miley Cyrus, Lady GaGa, Powderfinger and Birds Of Tokyo.
A couple of weeks ago I made them listed to David Bowie everytime we were in the car.
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Love her music, hate her, but I have to agree that Beyonce is probably the most iconic of those listed above. Lady Gaga is my favourite, though, but she seems to have plateued in recent years.
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My daughter was watching play school this morning and they had the teds big and little at microphones dressed as rock stars and the name of the band was “backseat boys” – hilarious – I’m hoping my daughter likes the “backseat boys” for a few more years.
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Beyonce’s definitely strong enough.
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Who needs new icons? My kids have been obsessed about Michael Jackson since an older aunt introduced his video clips. Next came the Wii Michael Jackson dance game, then before you know it my son snaps up glittered black jackets and black pants with glitter strips down the side.( k- mart – girls).
Now half the school loves him and every play date involves thriller and sparkles.
Who needs new icons when the old are still brilliant?
Slightly worrying my 5 year old wants to be Michael and asked to change his birthday to his.
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The music is dead. How many times must we listen to yet another person playing Mozart/Beethoven etc? Nothing happens musically any longer. New musical horizons are needed, not icons. My 20 year old son wants to go and see Neil Young and Crazy Horse, who are absolutely icons still today. I say to him why do you want to go see 70 year old dudes playing heavy metal with exquisite harmonies? He hasn’t got an answer, because there isn’t one. Former icons will remain until new breakthroughs occur musically. The music is dead until then. Wannabees on X Factor etc. are all that we have and they have nothing, absolutely nothing to contribute. The next step forward in the evolution of the music, as far as I can tell, is spontaneous improvisation. Few have the talent or ability.
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This is just one opinion, I think amazing music is being made these days you just have to find it! You make your statement as if it is fact, it’s not, it’s just opinion.
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No new innovatove music? Have you been living in your back catalogue? What about todays multi Grammy Award winner Goyte?? One of many talented innovators out there in many different musical genres. I love music from my past but wont close myself off from possible gems in the future – if you do you are missing out! And BTW there has been manufactured dross in every musical era – it just that we dont tend to notice as it is not replayed today! Go check out any op shop music section or old eps of countdown and youll see what i mean.
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As I read the article, I thought all the pre-requisites of an icon truly described Lady Gaga. I’m a huge fan, she’s supremely talented but I can understand she’s not always appropriate for the kiddies, however being a teacher I know lots of little girls who can’t stop singing her songs!
Was so happy to see JT at number 2! He is my ultimate icon! The FutureSexLoveSounds tour is still the best thing I’ve ever seen, can’t wait for a new tour! JT and Lady Gaga all the way!
I also agree Beyonce doesn’t have enough identity, her new tour/album is called Mrs Carter… :s
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I haven’t been fortunate to see JT perform live, but FutureSexLoveSounds is definitely the best album going ’round.
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I grew up with the Beatles the Bee Gees and still can’tgo past most 70s music so thanks mum! Currently I am still loving Kelly Clarkson!
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