HUMN240 Popular Culture

Heroes are described as a person who demonstrates heroic qualities such as courage, selflessness, loyalty, determination, valor, bravery or other qualities. Heroes are a concept that have been around for thousands of years and are based on an ideal that people strive towards. Heroes also have a fatal flaw that could result in their demise. The cult of celebrity is a term for those who become famous without any particular reason.
Heroes are not often thought of as a part of popular music. But popular music has heroes of a different sort. The musical world has heroes that have helped in shaping the world of music to become what it is today. The music industry would not be the same without such musicians as the Beatles, Elton John, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga. These musicians and so many more have changed the world of music into what it is today. Without their influence the world of music would be something else entirely and for that they can be lauded as possessing a heroic quality.
The cult of the celebrity is the concept that people can become famous despite the fact that they are not worthy of it or have done nothing to invoke this fame. This cult of celebrity is evident through Reality Shows such as the Jersey Shore. The characters on this show have become famous simply by being themselves on television. This happens with musicians as well. The public is willing to follow their every move despite the fact that they are merely musicians and have no real claim to fame other than that. Musicians are subject to this same cult like worship in that people will give anything to follow their every move.

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