Gibbs Hog Heaven Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 I'm thinking that if I were to pick a musical icon for the US, it would be The Beach Boys. Love them and I can't wait for the new film on Brian's life to be released in 10 days, and there are others you could say like Cash; but Springsteen just personifies 'proper' America to me more than anyone through his words. Shrugs. Hail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 12th Commandment Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 It encompassed so much more than a hockey game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgold Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 The problem with iconic is that they are the iconic! Everyone knows them... so, the D-Day kiss, the Apollo Moon Landing are gonna be snatched up really quick. I thought I'd go another way. The construction of Mt. Rushmore. Truly an incredible effort of engineering, artistry, and the sweat and skill of hundreds of Americans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted July 1, 2015 Author Share Posted July 1, 2015 My comment about the Beach Boys has made me think some. Do you pick an icon that "best represents the US"? Or which "represents the best of the US"? The Beach Boys are who I WISH represented America. But I wonder if the icon which ACTUALLY represents America is Donald Trump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosher Ham Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Glad you reconsidered that. Besides Springsteen is more of an icon and iconic than the Beach Boys. It certainly isn't Donald Trump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sacks 'n' Stuff Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 John Wayne. If it has to be musical, Johnny Cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Bay Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 For me it has always been the Skyscraper Lunch photo taken during the Depression: That is one of the most terrifying photos... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted July 1, 2015 Author Share Posted July 1, 2015 So pick out a picture of The Duke that BEST represents the US. That's part of the challenge. (And the fun). Narrowing down the short list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momma There Goes That Man Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 I don't think Springsteen is more iconic than the BB. Maybe to those that grew up during his prime and were fans but he doesn't move the needle today. The Beach Boys are still well known and iconic even to a younger generation Edit: I don't like Springsteen though so I'm probably not being fair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tshile Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 That is one of the most terrifying photos... I get sick just looking at it... the idea of eating lunch like that seems unreal, almost like it's a fake photo. but it's not. ... i still feel sick... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosher Ham Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 I don't like Springsteen either. I am thinking globally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major Harris Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Burg you ever been to mt. Rushmore? One of the few I've had the pleasure of visiting. The museum they have is nice. It really gets in to the process of the making of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 12th Commandment Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 The Beach Boys are who I WISH represented America. I have to put my picture of the Miracle on Ice in this same light. At thirteen it was the first time I can truly remember being proud to be an American in a semi-grown up way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoony Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 I wish there were some good pictures of the American Frontier. I think that sums up the American spirit more than anything. A willingness and an ability to explore, adapt, and overcome, often at great peril. It wasn't the Spanish or the French who could make things work on the American continent. It was the Americans. That spirit continues to this day with the exploration of Space, the taming of rogue countries, etc. So, in lieu of a good frontier picture, I'll go with this. An American ready to fight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgold Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Burg you ever been to mt. Rushmore? One of the few I've had the pleasure of visiting. The museum they have is nice. It tacky gets in to the process of the making of it Never have actually. Want to. Just from photos or film images it always blows me away. Stirs patriotism, evokes pride, inspires me because of its skill and ingenuity. Just a masterwork in all ways. I was thinking of the Hoover Dam (which I have been to also) I guess probably embedded in those stories is also the difficulties, injuries, and deaths that come with a great fete... which is also part of an iconic American story. All of them, include struggle and some tragedy mixed in with the triumph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 12th Commandment Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 I was thinking of the Hoover Dam (which I have been to also) I guess probably embedded in those stories is also the difficulties, injuries, and deaths that come with a great fete... which is also part of an iconic American story. All of them, include struggle and some tragedy mixed in with the triumph. Makes me think of Waylon Jennings' line from Highwayman. I was a dam builder across the river deep and wide Where steel and water did collide A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound But I am still around..I'll always be around..and around and around and around and around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lombardi's_kid_brother Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 My comment about the Beach Boys has made me think some. Do you pick an icon that "best represents the US"? Or which "represents the best of the US"? The Beach Boys are who I WISH represented America. But I wonder if the icon which ACTUALLY represents America is Donald Trump. Did someone say Beach Boys?!?!?!?!?!?!? I have 15 paragraphs on Dennis Wilson that I'm sure everyone is very eager to read. Allow me to prepare myself emotionally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmer17 Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Did someone say Beach Boys?!?!?!?!?!?!? I have 15 paragraphs on Dennis Wilson that I'm sure everyone is very eager to read. Allow me to prepare myself emotionally. Patiently waiting............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 I wish there were some good pictures of the American Frontier. I think that sums up the American spirit more than anything. Well, here's one (not what you were thinking of, I'm sure) I encountered on my recent trip to Colorado...men standing on and by a huge pile of buffalo bones resulting from the slaughter of millions of bison: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PleaseBlitz Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 This is not an iconic photo, but it is one that, I think, represents the US better than pretty much anything. Every country has had wars where they raised flags over formerly enemy soil. A lot of countries have had terrorist attacks. This is a portrait of John Rockefeller. He started from nothing, his father was an alcoholic conman people called "Devil Bill." John began his career as a bookkeeper at 16. Because he worked really hard, had some luck, was pretty smart, and also somewhat ruthless, he eventually became the richest man in the history of humans (adjusted for inflation). The United States is pretty much the only country that that could happen in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actualone Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bliz Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 I considered the picture of Nixon meets Elvis, just because I like it for being so strange and unlikely. But not really an iconic photo representing the US. And then I considered the picture of the firefighter carrying the dead or dying toddler following Oklahoma City. Maybe the most powerful picture I've ever seen. Still a punch to the gut every time I see it. It works for this topic on a certain level, and maybe you can't really represent the US without allowing for pain. But the tragedy of it overwhelms me too much. The dominant feeling should be one of optimism and hope for the future. So I picked this. Immigrants arriving at Ellis Island in 1922. Their faces say it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbear Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 We are a country of racism. Yet some still have the strength of character to stand in opposition to the prejudice that would define them. The best do so defending the rights of those who would belittle them. "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.:" -Evelyn Beatrice Hall (I know I am quoting a Brit, but Freedom of Speech is an American Ideal) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 I have given this a lot of thought, and it's a little tricky to find something that exemplifies America.. So i went with this. this is the best of us. All of us,, humanity as a whole, and if we believe that the ideal of America is exceptional, than I feel a photo that represents not just us, but the pinnacle of human achievement is what sums us up. ~Bang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momma There Goes That Man Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Unless you believe it was fake in which case, that photo may still accurately Describe humanity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.