Relating the Theories of Popular Culture to the Untimely Death of Celebrities due to drug interactions and lifestyles that have spiraled out of control

Through this exploration of popular theories and practice of popular culture, I was able to easy recognize the relation to my topic, the untimely deaths of celebrities due to drug interactions and lifestyles that have spiraled out of control.  Such theories as beliefs and myths, heroes and settings, as well as rituals and beliefs help to form opinions and cultural aspects that society has found to be the norm.  While such societal pressures and stigmas contribute to popular culture of today, attaching theories to these topics help us to better understand its reasoning.  That is why I have chosen to share how these theories relate to my topic as I have addressed, as well as my analysis, and opinion on how I personally view the topic based upon my analysis. 

            As I began to uncover the depths of such a topic, I found that while one might believe that the rituals and stereotypes found in celebrity status would seem to be the most profound; such theories as beliefs and myths also play a major role in the dysfunction of lifestyles that are created in such a lavish practices.  While celebrities begin to experience the craze of stardom, many are overwhelmed and often micro-managed, even at times taking on the hero persona to fans and millions of followers around the world.  The lives they lead are no longer secret as technology has gone viral, and the settings they are placed within begin to be masked by cameras and fences, leading many to suffer from issues that only few can understand. 

            In analysis of such applications of practice, I noticed trends; not only in my topic of exploration but also in many other areas of structured popular culture.  While I was able to apply these theories to my topic, I began to recognize such theories in all aspects of music, media, and sports, just to name a few!  They all formulate the process of what society will accept and do.  While we may recognize the erratic behavior of celebrities, we as a society form opinions, stigmas, stereotypes, beliefs, and even myths to explain it while displacing the need for further interaction.  This is because we have accepted it as societal norm. 

            In conclusion, these theories have shaped my beliefs and ultimately my analysis has led me to the conclusion that each interaction within the realm of celebrity status contributes to their demise if not controlled properly.  The culture in which we live has shaped itself through preconceived beliefs and myths that have evolved over time, limiting societal interaction.  Furthermore, the spiraling effect will continue until popular culture evolves once again into another facet of exploration.  The deaths of many of the greats give us something to reflect upon.  How and why are these values accepted and viewed as mainstream media rather than a critical call for action?  This too is yet another topic, as the world and I continue to shape cultural views as we evolve.  

Analyzing Formulas from Theories

            When using the formulas that we have derived from all our theories toward my topic of the demise of pop icons, it is important to see what theories seem to apply to my topic, how these theories describe, analyze or evaluate the topic, and what insights is to be gained from applying these theories.  Through identifying these theories we are able to get a better understanding behind the madness we see portrayed as well as greater knowledge as to why these such incidents occur.  I will attempt to answer these questions while trying to describe my topic of research, the demise of pop icons.

            There are many theories that go along with such a topic; obviously, there are beliefs, myths, heroes, settings, rituals, and stereotypes that accompany such a topic of discussion.  How could the demise of pop icons go without such myths, rituals, and stereotypes?  These are the most prevalent theories, while all are possibilities these are seen the most.  They easily describe the topic at hand, as myths of pop deaths are reported almost as soon as they happen, as well s stereotypes.  The rituals come into play once the myth evolves in how the demise took place.

            When we are able to apply these theories to the topic, formulas for transitioning and reasoning are able to become more visible.  Somehow, we are able to grasp the concept better, as if rationalizing it.  These formulas take this process us through, as we identify and place ourselves in the position, even if for short moments, we realize how and why such tragedies can happen.  Such rationalizing formulas give root to popular culture realism and make it more evitable to see the formulas behind such theories. 

Analysis on the Journal Article How the Beatles Destroyed Rock "N" Roll

            In the article, How the Beatles Destroyed Rock “N” Roll:  An Alternate History of American Popular Music, Elijah Wald gives his depictions of a music genre changed through heavily influence from the British rock sensation.  While it is unclear as to why Wald feels the Beatles revolutionized this change in contemporary Rock “N” Roll of the time, he depicts the changes quite well in his full text rendition of the era.  He begins by taking the reader through the birth of rock, and how it drastically went from Buddy Holly and Elvis, to the structured sound of group influx and Beatle Mania.

            While Wald never fully engulfs us in his thoughts on how he feels that Beatles destroyed Rock “N” Roll, it is quite ironic how differently rock was transcended at this time in history.  It gives us great insight into the movement and theory of change, as we clearly see the transition between styles of music of the time.  Bands such as the Beatles began to cross boundaries with their music and the world took notice.  It was at this time that Wald feels rock n roll was changed forever. 

            Wald also goes into great depth as to where he believed true rock n roll derived from, in which he states was white men transitioning the black man’s music, and eventually vice versa.  The influence of musical exchange evoked a fire in the genres of music.  Wald finishes by stating that these influences where further brought on by the Beatles and their sound evoking rhythm.

            Personally, I do not agree with Wald, as musical of the 50s quickly took on new direction as the times and culture shifted to more mainstream middle class influences.  I cannot quite wrap my head around the idea that this one “British invasion,” transformed rock as we knew it.  While they were defiantly a formidable force and a breath of fresh air to the times, they only further exceeded what other artist of the times were already doing, opening up the doors for music never quite felt before. 

            The importance of bringing such material to light is to see the different cultural and societal perspectives on the situations surrounding musical discrepancies.  As we are all entitled to our thoughts and opinions it is necessary to view such music depictions with an open mind and unbiased perspective.  While I do not agree with Elijah Wald that the Beatles destroyed rock and roll, I do find his comments to be objective.  The Beatles did change music history, however to say that they destroyed rock is by no means true to fact.   

  

The Heroes and the Cult of the Celebrity found in The Demise of Pop Icons

Closely tied to the status of being a “Pop Icon,” the cult of celebrity phenomenon is almost always in existence.  This is especially true when we are discussing such demise of icons.  Through the test of time, celebrities and icons have shared the limelight with what society and culture deem heroic.  However, these two theories defiantly can be distinguished in different manners.  Celebrity status has often led stars to act out in ways that the public views as absurd.  Living lavishly on life through outrageous acts that only fuels societies desire to form obsessions with the expectations that we have witnessed in such stars as Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston; both of whom met their demise way too early. 

What is important to analyze however is how intertwined the terms hero and celebrity have become.  While the public views celebrities as icons, they too expect a level of heroism from them as well.  Celebrities are seen as icons, giving many societal members something to aspire for.  Therefore, it is easy to see where the term hero comes into play.  While there is no single act of valor from the celebrity they are still viewed as vibrant force that is looked up to for guidance, this is especially true of the younger generation. 

            Though examining these theories and directly relating them to the demise of pop icons, we can begin to form opinions on how these stars lives began to spiral out of control and how the pressure eventually lead to untimely deaths as their reputation superseded their desire and will to continue meeting the standards set for them.  The lesson taken from such theories is that celebrity status does not and will not ever constitute that of a hero when it comes to celebrity demise.  Instead, such demise gives us knowledge into how such stigma can influence one’s own life to where their own hero is gone; at which time their will to achieve higher status leads to their own eventual death.  

The Rituals and Stereotypes portrayed in the Demise of Pop Icons

When examining rituals and stereotypes found in the demise of pop icons, there are many to consider.  This is especially true of the icons of Woodstock, as the outdoor music festival still carries many stigmas today.  The era of the time brought about its own rituals as the hippy generation took on great formation, so did their lifestyles and beliefs.  A culture rich in love and poor in restraint; the days of Woodstock rocked the world in many formations.  Culturally significant are the rituals brought about by the movement.  In an effort to reinvent peace, the hippy subculture took on great root in many rituals of the time.  Through drugs and music, society of the day found many formations of rituals backed by even more formidable stereotypes of just who the hippies where. 

                Rituals of the time was extensive drug used fueled by rock and roll and the overwhelming sustainability of love.  These rituals helped form what Woodstock stood for, and thus empowering the movement which took on great stereotypical views.  Such theories of the time helped shape societies view of the subculture.   What the hippies stood for inevitably took on greater meaning as many pop icons begin to see their fate, as lives begin to change and be lost in the evolution.  

                               

                As much as we learn from these theories it is also important to understand that the views placed upon the movement of the time changed significantly throughout the years.  What once was viewed as a peace movement was ultimately deemed to be taboo as light was given to the values of the culture.  Great insight can be given through viewing such a topic via the theories studied.  Rituals evoked emotion that fueled stereotypes of the time and the era will always be marked by such scrutiny and Woodstock will always have different meanings to different societal views.