So the guy's a PETA nut and getting a little long in the tooth (unlike most of his contemporaries, who are taking dirt baths).
But to deny the man as a music icon most likely without peer (living, at least) is ridiculous.
It's like saying, "what's the big deal with Babe Ruth and Ted Williams? We've got Paul Konerko!!!" (with all apologies to the Konerko family...I'm sure he's real good).