Living ICONS
Do you watch the Culture Show on BBC2?
I thought not. You’re probably at a posh dinner party or a riotous piss up on a Saturday night.
Last Saturday, Lady Heather’s (soon to be) ex husband was talking a load of old shite about 'Ecce Cor Meum' to Lauren Laverne (The thinking person’s Sarah Cox). During the chat it turns out that Paul had just remembered the sainted Linda!
Now, everyone has/had their favourite Beatle - I fell madly in love with George Harrison in 1963. He was my perfect man - shy, witty, thin, curmudgeonly and with lovely floppy hair.
I respected John and warmed to Ringo - especially after Thomas the Tank.
But I couldn’t love Paul. He tried too hard to please.
Lauren was trying to persuade us (unconvincingly) to vote for Paul as ‘Best British Living Icon’. NO!
But hard bitten as I am - one thing did soften my heart to old Paul.
He hasn’t had a facelift.
He looked like a little white prune with a small furry rodent on his head.
Remember - Money can’t buy you
Anyway - Who do you fancy for Best British Cultural Icon?
Here’s the list:
David ATTENBOROUGH
Alan BENNETT
David BOWIE
Kate BUSH
Michael CAINE
Stephen FRY
Paul MCCARTNEY
MORRISSEY
Kate MOSS
Vivienne WESTWOOD
How can I choose between Bennett and Bowie?
Of course it has to be Bowie.
You can vote over here ….and don’t forget to tell me who you chose.
KAZ
posted by KAZ at 8:51 am
28 Comments:
Hmmm, strangely I think Macca is just about the only one it shouldn't be (hang on, except for Kate Moss whose name must have included by mistake). John was always my Beatle with Ringo second, George third. As you say Paul always tries too hard (though apparently not at marriage).
Spooky... "Hey Jude" has just come on my iTunes random selection. Tough, you're still not getting my vote Paul.
It has to be an eccentric doesn't it?
So then for me it's between Bowie, Fry and Bush. Kate is so wonderfully hatstand, Stephen terrbly English, and David just Bowie.
I'll think more on this and get back to you (and the poll).
George Harrison was the Beatle I liked most - quiet, dark, not as obvious as John and Paul, and more complicated than Ringo.
Voted for Stephen Fry - intelligent, knowledgeable, and very amusing, and open and accepting of his faults.
Nic: I adored Kate Bush but,like Twiggy and her M&S cardi, she's gone a bit *non hatstand* these days.
Stephen Fry - hmmm - yes, but I find his BAFTA intros are funny, but a bit long winded.
Stitch: Spot on about George.
See above re Mr. Fry - he doesn't do it for me like Alan Bennett.
Fry...Attenborough...Fry...Attenborough...
I'll have to go for Fry. Laughter is far more important to me. Though both hold my attention like no other.
Can't stand the rest (like Bowie's music though).
Where is Sir Michael Jagger, Lord of Dartford?
Who let Kate Moss into the house?
I'm entering a protest vote for Richard Thompson, quirky guitar genius from Fairport Convention to the present day.
But where is Chantelle from Big Brother?
David Attenborough would get my vote.
Could we collectively group the Monty Python troupe as an icon even though one member is deceased and another is American?
John Lennon was my favourite Beatle. Cheeky, witty, creative, outspoken. Sexy.
Sl: You are sooo hard to please.
Murph: Do you mean the Dartford Warbler?
Sorry - that’s the short list.
Daft innit?
Heather: I think persons wearing green eyeshadow were banned from the contest.
mj: Michael Palin is certainly a National Treasure.
I never think of Gilliam as a Python - though I admit his cartoons provided some of my favourite moments.
I'm with SL here
Fry or Attenborough stand out for me
Can't choose between them, though
Attenborough by Miles
anx: It's really interesting to find other folk's favourites. Somehow the word ICON suggests 'visual' to me - hence Bowie - but it doesn't really explain Alan Bennett does it?
Pete: Sounds like a good book title - of possible a jaaazz album.
...Macca he's done nothing since he did that bag pipe thing -with wings.
Best British Cultural Icon "of Today" has to be Kate Moss. Although is it just me but isn't she's rather craftily fashioning her career on that of Marianne Faithful?
I'm going to vote for BUSH, because of WOW!
OK I'm down to two now. I've eliminated Bowie for living in Switzerland. I hate Switzerland and I think our cultural icon should at least live here.
Can't decide between Bush and Fry yet.
I'll be back.
Hi Senor:
'At the age of 37,
she realised she'd never ride
through Paris in a sports car,
with the warm wind in her hair'
How old is Kate Moss?
BUSH? For an awful moment I thought you were referring to George W.
Nic: I see you are not a person to make snap decisions.
I totally agree re Switzerland and not living here.
So Alan Bennett qualifies.... even though he's from Yorkshire.
I think Bowie's too well loved abroad to be a British icon.
It's between Alan Bennett and Jeremy Clarkson for me. Whaddya mean there's no Clarkson?
Geoff: Surely you jest!
Or was it something in the Belgian lager?
I'm so glad I'm not Alan's only supporter.
Sorry Kaz, it was the mention of sports cars and warm wind in the hair.
Geoff:
You must have been looking at it through the 'Eyes of Lucy Jordan'.
I feel pressurised now this no longer your top post!
So, whilst I think Stephen Fry would probably make a better job of it I'm going to vote for Kate Bush as I'm sure she could do hatstand again if here nation called.
Nic: Yeah - so pleased with your decision.
She's beautiful , talented and innovative.
And I don't think she's been influenced by the *cult of celebrity*
Funny (and nice) that a light hearted post like this can give me so much food for thought.
I'm glad this isn't your top post anymore so no one will read this.. but it HAS to be McCartney.
Living. English. Icon.
It's not about who you'd rather have tea with (Bennett) or be stuck in a lift with (er...Bennett)or worthiness (Attenborough)or clever-cleverness (Fry) it's about instantly knowing who they are and what they did.
Maybe it *should* be Ringo, for the Thomas the Tank Engine double whammy? (how much MORE English can you get??) but he's not shortlisted is he?
Beth: Trust me - I won't say a word.
I thought the same about Bowie but the mention of Switzerland disturbed me.
Still - he's the one I voted for and you aren't allowed a second choice.
I still think the visual element is vital. I wouldn't rule out Kate Moss
I voted for Michael Caine. Because I loved him in the Ipcress Files and Get Carter.
That's great Lubin - I was quite depressed by the devotion to Fry and Attenborough.
I've liked him in 'Hannah and her Sisters' and 'The Weatherman'.
It has to be Alan Bennett.
This shouldn't be a poll of who you like the most but an objective attempt to establish who is iconic.
That's like - who, even though you don't have a mad crush on them, do you consider to worthy of respect and widely recognised.
It's a shame they missed out the Three Dames, Judi, Helen and Maggie.
A tryptich (sp?) beats an icon any day.
And certainly more worthy than Kate Moss
Gert: Yes to Alan - no to the dames - wonderful actresses - but not a lot more.
so down to Macca, Morrissey and Attenborough.
go David
My David was fourth.
I missed it last night, but I believe Stuart and 'our Bill' had a punch up.
Post a Comment
<< Home