People Who Lived The Dream

[WinterlessIceness]

I've been thinking lately about folks who ever made any influence on me, heroes or just those with a career only one of the millions get a change to have, and I've stopped at some point to figure out who of them have been the most successful. Like, most-most-most successful, something you'd rather read about in a novel then meet in reality. So I thought I'd start a topic on this, to check how picky I am! lol

Anyway,

Elvis Presley - actually, is it me or he indeed was the first musical icon, ever? I can't think of anyone else prior to him to hit such a level, both as a musician and personality. And can't really think of that many who stepped on the stage after him either

Jimi Hendrix - to me his live performance at Woodstock is almost literaly the explanation of the saying "living a dream". And I'm not even into his music - it doesn't alter the fact he was the very first guitar superhero, and he was totally aware of that.

Boris Vallejo - what does it take for a guy from Peru to become one the most re-printed artists ever? Nothing - just come over to NY, finish the art academy and here we go - in a few years like half of all fanatasy books started to go out with his artworks as a cover. But apart from that.. what actually makes me super jealous of him, in a good way, is the fact he did met the woman of his dream, who seems to be everything he wanted to find in his partner. You just need to see all those paintings he made of her or all the paitings they did together to get this. They've been together for like years and still can't get enough of each other.

Arnold Schwarzenegger - I confess I had to google his surname to spell it right . But with all seriousness - IMO there hasn't been a person with a more brilliant and stainless career, again - ever. He went for bodybuilding - he got 7 Mr Olimpia titles, in a raw, year by year. He went to Hollywood - he starred probably the most recognisable movie character in the whole history of filmmaking. He went into politics and got the chair from his very first attempt, at looks like he's holding it pretty tight. I can only stay thrilled about what this man is still capable of.

Zakk Wylde - that's not even a question - to front one of the brightest character in musical industry, take over Randy's and Jack Lee's role at the age of NINETEEN and in the Eighties - I can clearly see him creaming his pants with the excitement! Plus he was able to stand the ground during Ozzy's silence in the 90-ies and not only remain in music business - his BLS has the most fast-growing fanbase in the modern metal. Most loyal as well. And another thing - I don't get how more capable and versatile he can be with his stuff - 12 albums in 10 years, rock to blues, country to uber-heavy-metal..wow.

David Beckham - the most successful football player, I think the youngest captain of his country, the first Englishmen to enter FIFA Hall of Fame, the most photographed face in the world sport, and don't make me even get started on his wife !

Avril Lavigne - now, say what you want about her music. But I'll just say this - there never was a seventeen year old girl who would have a diamond album as a very first release. Never. As well as a 17-year-old teenager who would sell out arenas all over the planet. This might not be quite a positive fact, but non of female artists ever had such an army of avril-clones and clones-of-avril clones, but hence she did alter her style just after she realised what wave of wannabies she created. All in all. She had a great voice and she wanted to sing. She got way more than that - when a person is chosen to represent her country in the Olympic games - that's just beyond any comments.


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And I think that's it for me. I could think of more and more names (Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney, Harrison Ford, EVH, Stephen King etc) - for me they still lack something. Just my opinion though!

And do not kill me for the mention of Canadian singer either!!

[billy007]

As much as I admire ELVIS and love his music, I could never put him on such a list. The Colonel had such tight reins on his life that I think it got to the point where E just couldn't enjoy being himself. He had all these people around him, and not a one of them did anything to stop him from destroying himself.

Jimi - another who died young of drugs - no thanks.

You should've stuck with your gut and gone with Paul McCartney. All Macca did was be an integral part of the biggest band ever, then once that period of his life was over he continued to have success, and he got to work side by side with his wife, he's richer than you or I could ever dream of and he's still well loved. Sure he's had a few bumps in the road - I don't think he was ready for the Beatles to break up when they did, he hasn't always been the critics' darling, he wasn't able to outbid Michael Jackson for the Beatles' catalogue, Linda died, Heather divorced him - but still, all in all - he doesn't have much room to complain!

Bono's got the life, too. Very successful rock band, been with his childhood sweetheart for 25 years or so, seen it all, done it all - maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but I don't see him in a situation where he kills himself with excess. I would put Larry Mullen in the same category to a lesser degree. Edge not so much as he's been divorced too many times and I think it's he right now that's dealing with a family illness that caused them to cancel part of their tour this summer. Adam Clayton, hard to tell, but I think the party boy does all right!

I was thinking Harrison Ford, but he dumped his wife for Calista Flockhart. Having a hard time thinking of someone in Hollywood who's had success and hasn't let it destroy them. Then I'd like to think of someone like Michael J. Fox who has done all the right things but has - what is it - Hodgkins?

I thought Beckham played soccer? I'd put Nomar Garciaparra's wife up against David B.'s pop-tart any day of the week.

[Rick S]

avril lavigne is a pre packaged design crap.

she didnt create a new fasion trend , her stylist did.

[BREW CREW]

Don't forget that a lot of musicians become more popular after they die. I wasn't around too much when Hendrix and Elvis where alive, but I think they became more popular after they died. Not quite the dream I would want to live.

Good idea for a thread, it's tough to pick out who I think is living the dream that I would want. Maybe the 400 million dollar lottery winners that are splitting the money. That is pretty cool and lucky and they do not have to deal with the media too much longer.

[lal5150]

i think of elvis as a singer, not a musician. i believe sinatra ,springsteen belong on that list . they both have the power to make you feel the emotions of their music. ex;

sinatra ;it was a very good year and even my way.

springsteen; any song will do . tunnel of love or brillant disguise . tell me that aint a man unsure about love.

[WinterlessIceness]

avril lavigne is a pre packaged design crap.

she didnt create a new fasion trend , her stylist did.

Fuck Off

Don't forget that a lot of musicians become more popular after they die. I wasn't around too much when Hendrix and Elvis where alive, but I think they became more popular after they died. Not quite the dream I would want to live.

I think they both seen the wave their influence on the music caused. I agree with your first point though - that's why I didn't include J.R.R.Tolkien in my list, because his works really got popular way after his death. I wonder what dude would say if he knew his book would be named as the best creation in literature of the whole XXth century!

[ZachenFoot]

Mish, I agree with your list. Yes, even Avril. But I will agree with Billy as to why Elvis Presley doesn't belong on that list.

Jimi Hendrix will always go down as the greatest guitarist in the history of rock. While I strongly disagree with that, most general music fans would say that. He revolutionized music a few years before he died with "Are You Experienced?" and had a good few years to bask in that success. I would say he became more popular after his death, but I still believe he was larger than life when he was alive. My folks tell me this stuff, since they grew up with it.

I'd substitute Zakk Wylde with Eddie Van Halen, putting all Van Halen fan bias aside. He wasted his five year limit of Guitar Player of the Year awards...in his first five years in music. While many argue that Hackett was the first to publically use hammer-ons in his playing, EVH was the one who got everyone into it. Ya gotta admit, the sound of rock music was never the same once VH released their first album. I'm sure with all those platinum albums he has, he's set for life. He'll easily go down as one of the most innovative and amazing players to ever play a guitar. In fact, he established that before he was 35 years old. Easily.

If I could replace Elvis Presley with one man, it would be Bruce Springsteen. The guy is one of the most well known figures around music, whether it be rock or anything else. He's sold millions of albums. Hell, if he was willing to release and tour with a song full of Pete Seegar stuff, he must be loaded! In all seriousness, Born to Run came out, what, three years after his debut? And that was, IMO, his most memorable release yet. One of the biggest names in music still to this day.

Avril Lavigne is agreeable simply because 17 year old GUYS can't experience the fame she did. While I haven't heard a thing from her in a couple years, she was livin' it up before! Easily the youngest success I've seen in my life.

Great thread, Mish. And I will agree on Schwarzenegger and Beckham as well. I ALMOST said Phil Collins, but then all of his affairs came to mind...how many times has this guy been married?

[lal5150]

hugh hefner is living the dream...................

[Rick S]

[QUOTE=WinterlessIceness]Fuck Off




ouch......arent we touchy? classy comeback. guess i hit a nerve.

[LLFHS]

Every time Avril Levieign is mentioned on the Links......God kills a kitten.

[OLO]

I got to agree with the Avril comments. She has had some success but so have a shit load of other teenie boppers. If she is still rocking and selling out arena's in 15 years that will be a accomplishment. To add her to the same list as Elvis and Jimi is blasphemy.

[janthraxx]

People who lived the dream? David Aimes.

[Greenpaw]

I gotta agree with Hefner. The dude is living the dream and then some.


Really ANYONE who is honestly happy, doing what they love to do and making a comfortable salary doing it, is living the dream.

[Axxman300]

The only famous guy on my list that most of you would know is Joe Montana . Great football player, won three Super Bowls and so on. When it came time to hang up the uniform for the last time he did so with class and never looked back. Today he runs his own winery and drives his sons to football practice. He isn't on every football show and he doesn't do all that many endorsements. He played, was one of the best ever and the stepped aside and let the new guys soak up the sun. Considering that he could rake in the big bucks by pimping himself left and right and he doesn't makes him that much cooler.

[Rick S]

Every time Avril Levieign is mentioned on the Links......God kills a kitten.

see dude , we ll at least we ll always agree avril sucks ............. sucks hard , as in no atmosphere vacume of outerspace sucks , as in the gravitational pull of an imploding sun sucks , like a starving hooker with 20 sailors on shore leave sucks, like the hand things batman uses to climb buildings suction cups sucks ..............you get the idea.