Posted on 04/04/2014 4:06:58 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Who are the REAL kings (and queens) of cool? National Portrait Gallery runs exhibition of the 100 coolest Americans, Elvis, Frank Sinatra and Debbie Harry
Years after they first made their mark Steve McQueen, Frank Sinatra, Madonna and Blondie are all still hip enough to have earned a place in the top 100 coolest Americans.
The 'American Cool' exhibit is currently on show at the National Portrait Gallery, in Washington, D.C. America, until 7 September.
Included in the exhibit are the likes of jazz musicians such as Miles Davis and Billie Holiday, actors such as Johnny Depp, and singers such as Elvis Presley and Debbie Harry.
The term 'cool' originated in the United States in the early 1940s when legendary jazz saxophonist Lester Young brought the central African American concept into the modern vernacular.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Definitely Steve McQueen. I helped move the National Motorcycle Museum a few years ago. Getting to handle some of his toys, including his old ratty Indian chopper, was the high point for me.
Should be removed for suicide (most uncool thing to do): Ernest Hemingway, Kurt Cobain
Should be removed for self-destructive behavior (tantamount to suicide): Hank Williams, Elvis, Jimi Hendrix
Should be removed just on general principles: Madonna, Jim Brown, Angela Davis, Prince, Susan Sarandon, Faye Dunaway, Malcolm X, Carlos Santana, Patti Smith, Susan Sontag, Hunter S Thompson
Being killed makes you cool? Questionable sympathy votes: Selena Tupac Shakur
Who?? : Cool and the Counterculture, Afrika Bambaataa, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Willie “The Lion” Smith, Joan Didion
Surprised Missing: Jim Morrison
Missing: Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Jimmy Durante, Bob Hope, Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima, Johnny Carson, John Lee Hooker, Ringo (hey, he was just along for the ride)
Good call, on Cab Calloway
What in the world was going on there?
Very quiet and serene backstage (charged a dollar for an autograph), but man, when he got on stage, he lit it up! And he was probably late 70s or early 80s at the time.
Way 2 meny kneegrows
Whut about surfers, the Kingston Trio, racing drivers, astronauts, Donald Bren, car customizers, etc.?
Totally agree!
‘Cool’ as in the old definition: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Robert Mitchum, Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood, Lee Marvin.....and I’m sure a couple of others who have slipped the old mellon.
Definitely ‘My Old School’ cool!!!
Mike Love? Not cool.
John Travolta...really?
He’s always seemed like a chubby dork to me.
Willie “The Lion” Smith was excellent.
I agree on Lee Marvin, for sure. And you are right, the meaning of “cool” has changed dramatically over the years. In his day, Perry Como was considered cool, as in relaxed and unflappable, but now cool means “hip” and Como was not “hip” by today’s standard.
I agree with that.
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