We all have our own personal images of what a rockstar is. We have our stereotypes of what they look like, how they talk, how they act, and what values they hold. Even though the stars people worship seems to change with the seasons, these fans of our rock stars seem to have certain things in common that continue from generation to generation. The fans form cult like followings, and in the case of many musicians, the fans authenticate legendary status to some musicians after death. In extream cases fans even refuse to admit to the death of there beloved stars, such is the case with Elvis and 2pac. Many people will say that this phenomonon of rock stars and their fans started with Elvis Presly or Chuck Berry. After watching the film in class about Charlie Parker, it seems clear that he was the first American rock star. What does it take to become an authenticated rock star legend? Why would one put Charlie Parker into the catagorie of one? Perhaps the best logic is to compare him with other legends and see what they had in common. Lets take the personas of Jimmy Hendricks, Bob Marley, and for the sake of affirmaitve action Kurt Cobain. To anyone who follows popular music and its culture, there are a few immeadiate facts that jump out about these people. One of the fist is that they are all dead! However the important fact is not so much that they died, but more how they lived lives which lead to their early deaths. All three of these people encompassed the rebelious personality of the rock stars. Even after their deaths, they continued to be a public icon of living the free life. This can be proven by a walk through any music store today, as you will see T-shirts glorifying these lost stars. It seems Parkers tragic end to a short, yet succesful music career is the beginning of a 20th century pop music trend. The legends and stories of his rebelious life continues to grow just as like other modern martyrs of musical stardo...
