Hello. A pop icon is a celebrity whose fame in pop culture constitutes a defining characteristic of a given society or era. Although there is no single definitive test for establishing "pop icon" status, such status is usually associated with elements such as longevity, ubiquity, and distinction. Moreover, "pop icon" status is distinguishable from other kinds of notoriety outside of popular culture, such as with historic figures. Recently we have lost three people who, in my estimation have more than reached pop icon status. One left us due to old age, one from a dastardly illness and one suddenly by cardiac arrest.
Pop icons become a part of many people's lives and they seem to be as embedded in our routines as a morning cup of coffee or the commute to work or school. Even though most of us never meet a particular icon we feel the loss as though they were one of us, because they are. Whether it be the voice we heard every night announcing a talk show host, the poster that adorned our wall for years or an album that we played incessantly and continually over the years, these pop icons have left an indelible mark on us. My prayers go out to family, friends and fans of these human beings because no matter how brightly their star shone the loss is still devastating.
Life can change in a heartbeat so please make the best of each day that we are given. You can be an angel, a thriller and the best sidekick a friend could ever have. That is your choice. Make good ones.
"If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with." Michael Jackson
