ELVIS AND MARILYN AS ICONS
by eddie on Jun.15, 2011, under E
Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe both came to public prominence back in the middle of the 20th Century. They burst into mainstream consciousness during that period following World War II. So why after more than sixty years are we still fascinated by the lives of these two individuals when others have long since fallen by the wayside.
Both Elvis and Marilyn came from meager beginnings; Elvis born in a shotgun shack in Tupelo, Mississippi and Marilyn who spent the majority of her childhood in foster homes. They each struggled through poverty with dreams of a better life. Neither were suited to an academic lifestyle, but both possessed innate talent and the raw makings of charismatic personalities. Their careers had their beginnings in the post-war years when Americans were experiencing prosperity and a renewed positive outlook as they ventured into the second half of the century. Each respectively became part of the vanguard that personified the movement representing youthful aspirations at that time. Their good looks and charm won them countless fans the world over. Those fans emulated their idols look and style that forever changed the world.
Elvis and Marilyn both died prematurely yet in the decades since their passing multitudes remain captivated by Norma Jean and Elvis Aaron. Here we are all these years later with the more senior members of society remembering their first hand experiences with Elvis and Marilyn and those much younger feeling they missed out on something epic. All however longing for whatever it first was that these two talented icons of a simpler time brought to us…and trying , in this complex digital world, to recapture a bit of the energy and good feelings they represent!