Friday, March 23, 2007

Select the Best Pop Icons

Okay, all you serious arm-chair critics, prepare to roll up your sleeves and get-out your score cards to vote on Pop-Cultures favorite Icon. Now's your chance to be heard. During the past generation there has been tons of big stars on the horizon with many newcomers having come-and-gone. But now it's your turn to sit in the talent scout's chair and pretend to be acid-tongued Simon Cowell. There's no rules in this poll whereas it's easy to play along and anyone can participate. Just scroll downward, give it deep thought and cast your vote for a winner. (double-click on photos for movement)

Here we have the ever-loving Austin Powers who is also known as the International Man of Mystery. Plus Mr. Shagadelic himself has a twin brother better known worldwide as the disrespected Doctor Evil. In Mike Myers' hit movie series he portrays Austin Powers as a Hippy detective from the 60's who uses obscure expressions and out-of-date clothing to reflect a James Bond character. Oh, did I mention his unusually bad teeth and exaggerated chest hair.

Saturday Night Live's Will Ferrell performs in a fictional sketch about Blue Oyster Cult's song "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" where gold record producer Bruce Dickinson, played by Christopher Walken, is supposed to be the "cock of the walk" and in high standing in the music industry. As the story unfolds, Dickinson walks into the recording studio after the band's first take and says, "I could have used a little more cowbell" and passionately suggests to "really explore the studio space this time." Then Dickinson demands the catchphrase that creates a national phenomenon, "More Cowbell."

Now let's move away from the tounge-in-cheek humor and get serious for a moment and discuss one of Rock's best performers that has been around since dirt. I'm speaking of old' Slowhand himself. Eric Clapton's reign has spanned over five decades and with currently no end in sight. He's brought us so much great music and taught us a thing-or-two about rebounding from both personal and career set backs. Plus he still makes great records. Handsome devil!


Many of today's music fans are too young and not familiar with the legendary, The Big "O." Let me explain; The ever-soulful Otis Redding helped put STAX Records on the international map as he headlined the STAX-VOLT Concert Tour of Europe with the backing of Booker T. & The MG's as his stage band. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1968 and performing at The Monterey Music Festival, Otis Redding became a big hit with his show-stopping tune of "Try A Little Tenderness." As a suggestion, if you don't have any of his music in your library, I highly recommend a Otis Redding Baptism.

If ever there was a performer that oozed sex-appeal and cockyness, it was Led Zeppelin's front man Robert Plant. Often on stage he would match Jimmy Page's guitar notes by mimicking every note lick-per-lick. With a voice like that, Robert Plant was in a league of his own. Plant was known for prancing around the stage like a dog-in-heat and once admitted he desired to have sex with every woman in the first two rows of his concert. And you know what, I don't doubt that he wouldn't do it.

Okay, now it's time to turn-in your ballots and select a Pop Icon winner. You can choose anybody, old or new, male or female. Who will it be? Britney Spears? Al Gore? Paris Hilton? Go for it!

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Movie Posters and Book Covers from Hell

Can you imagine what great artist like Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh or Picasso would think if they were subjected to the artwork from recent movie posters and book covers? What would movie producer Cecil B. DeMills or writer Ernst Hemingway think of our taste? Today's Pop Culture has cultivated so much sophistication and urbane taste in which to be proud. Cough! Cough!




Okay, go ahead and laugh and make fun of this editorial entry. Just remember, this posting took weeks of research to prepare. After all, look at it this way, at least this blog doesn't have any pop-up advertisements or preach a political agenda.