With the passage of Katherine Hepburn and Bob Hope in recent weeks, my wife and I were wondering how many real "stars" are still with us and when they pass on, will we look at those coming up behind them as possessing the same intangiable combination of talent, achievement and staying power to truly merit "legendary" status.

We thought about who might qualify as "Living Legends" in a world where Britney, Beyonce and J-Lo are the "big names" in movies, television and music.

Here's some of the aging stars we came up with:

Marlon Brando/Paul Newman/Robert Redford/Ray Charles/Aretha Franklin/Charlton Heston/Kirk Douglas/Johnny Cash/Loretta Lynn/Elizabeth Taylor/James Brown/Chuck Berry/Paul McCartney/Mick Jagger/Keith Richards/Lena Horne/Carol Burnett/Dick Van Dyke/Mary Tyler Moore to name just a few.

We couldn't decide on some other well known names. Is Mickey Rooney a legend? Rodney Dangerfield?
Tony Curtis? Little Richard? Jerry Lewis? Ossie Davis? There's a difference between being old and being a true giant in your chosen field. But one person's superstar is another person's talentless hack?

What about a Warren Beatty or a Al Pacino? Where does a Barbara Streisand, Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Pete Townshend or Quincy Jones fit?

I'd like to know what some of your choices are for "Living Legends" that will someday get the kind of fond rememberances that Bob Hope and Katherine Hepburn did.

BB King, king of the blues.

He's brought the blues to dozens of countries around the world.

He may not always be in the public spotlight, but he is certainly a living legend.

Mike

To add to your list (all I can think of at the moment):

Ann Miller - dancer, singer, actress - starred in one of my favorite movie-musicals "On the Town" - I don't know about current staying power, but she was certainly huge in her day/genre.

Julia Child - I'd say she's a household name in her "art"...don't know if she qualifies in this list since she's not a performing artist, but a "star" nonetheless

Artie Shaw - clarinet player and "big band"/orchestra leader

Definitely would add Ossie Davis, Mickey Rooney, Richard Pryor, Rodney Dangerfield (though I'm not particularly fond of him, he'd a legend), Quincy Jones, Little Richard, & Jerry Lewis from the "maybe" list (not sure about Tony Curtis, but probably would add him too). The others are "too young" right now.

AND ----> *Carroll Spinney (AKA Big Bird) - I just had to add him because I love muppets and the guy who does Big Bird is beyond cool!

I would add the names Bob Dylan, Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Bill Cosby, and Clint Eastwood.

Well, you know who I'm going to add......

I would add Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, the best rock guitarists alive.

Madonna is the first person that comes to mind.

The world of Jazz will lose a great man when he dies


I'm a big Clint Eastwood fan & he is so huge that he will also be missed

Jazz?

I was thinking maybe we could add Johnny Carson to list also. AND - while I can't personally stand his music, a lot love him and everyone knows him - Bruce Springstien.

Maybe in 30 years if he's still around and musically prominent. I think he's still too young to be described as a living legend though.

Sidney Poitier for sure. Shirley McLain, Tina Turner, Bill Cosby, Robert DeNiro?
I tend to think of Legends as people who will also be missed for good works or being well loved other than just professional, except musicians who already have huge influence just by the medium, like Eric Clapton.

Etta James

He is one of the very few, if not only musicians that have been inducted TWICE into the Rock and Roll hall of fame (I honestly can't think of the others, maybe Paul McCarntey). He was also the YOUNGEST inducted. That alone, along with the COUNTLESS awards, accolades, record sales and his Guinness Book entries makes him MORE than qualified as a living legend.
He is also UNQUESTIONABLY one of the biggest influences in pop music and the music video genre.

Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Eric Clapton (3 times), Jimmy Page, Neil Young, and Stephen Stills. There may be more, but that's just off the top of my head.

Very true. Look at WHO you just mentioned. If Michael Jackson is in the same category as them, then he definitely is a legend! You just proved my point! Thanks!