How The 80s Icons Influenced Us

Let us first have a quick English lesson. The word icon originally meant a picture, image or other representation. It can also mean in the more modern context, a symbol that stands for a file in a computer. For instance, you could have a picture of a flower that if clicked will open a certain program. It can also mean a resemblance or analogy of an object. For decades, adoring fans have made their favorite films star or sports celebrity their icons, especially the 80s icons.

An icon lives a life much like a fish would in a fishbowl. They are constantly in the news and are bombarded with questions and annoying flashlights- the paparazzi are everywhere scrutinizing their every breath. It is their sense of fashion, their mannerisms, and their philanthropy that makes them shine their light in our world. We want to identify with them and want to wear the same clothes and look the same and some people go to great lengths to achieve this.

The 80′s were a fun filled decade. It was a time of fashion experiments and extremes. It was a time where disco beats were in every home and in every car. Who can forget David Bowie with his outrageous make up and extreme costumes singing “with your long blonde hair and your eyes of blue, the only thing I ever got from you was sorrow”.

Of course, one icon who stands out a mile is Madonna. She epitomizes success, fame and fortune. She shocked us with her coned boobs, and lulled us in Don’t cry for me Argentina. Many young girls identified with her hit record; Papa don’t Preach and found solace in the thought that maybe their icon was going through the same problems they were.

When it comes to outright fame and making bold statements, nobody could beat Ozzy Osbourne, alias Price of Darkness. We all know that these superstars are in it for the attention and they do many things like eating bats on stage or having multiple sex partners or taking drugs as publicity stunts.

Nevertheless, deep down they are normal people who have the same stresses and pressures as many of us. His band made some great music, which is undeniable, and they took everything they possibly could from the eighties. Kelly Osbourne has also become an icon among her peers and is systematically working on her slice of fame.

Then there are those iconic movies, which made the eighties come alive. The actors were already icons in their own rights, like for instance the best movie in 1985 – Out of Africa. Meryl Streep dazzled us playing a farm owner under the great blue sky and wide open spaces of Africa. She single handily brought Africa into our homes like never before. Lets us also not forget about Sissy Spacek in her 1980 movie – Coal Miner’s Daughter. Her brilliant acting made a huge impression on us and she received an Oscar for best actress that year.

To savor the best for last is in this instance an understatement. No one can ever forget the most loved person in the 80′s and beyond. His name is none other than Michael Jordan the undeniable hero of basketball. He burst onto the scene making basketball so popular that it is now seen as the ultimate sport in many teenagers’ minds. He became America’s most beloved superstar and one of the 80s icons whose fame will live on forever.