I would like to start off first by saying that the OP was not trying necessarily to compare Gaga to MJ. The question was whether or not we think another icon can come along. Gaga was a for instance.
To actually answer the original question, yes it is possible another icon can come along. The person with the right amount of talent, the right amount of backing, the right set of circumstances, the right time, place, and the right amount of mass appeal to elevate them. And let's not forget they will actually need to make timeless music. I think it will be very unrealistic to say MJ will be the last icon. I know that times have changed very much and for a quality individual to come out and actually break through will be very difficult- if they have a crack in the ship it will sink -But records are made to be broken.
The way people even view celebrities as disposible and momentary will especially work against a person trying to be commercial successful. Trying to not pander to that kind of thinking. But I think it could happen at some point in time. Mj is one of the last living and will be in a class by himself for a long time. But forever... ?
Most excellent points. But because admittedly I am not totally objective, I do think MJ is the last talent to reach his kind of status to the masses. I specify the masses versus the industry, because the music industry pundits still do not give him the props they give the Beatles or Elvis. But for international humongous mass appeal, ranging from Africa to China, I have come to believe Michael is the last one to reach
HIS heights.
I didn't always believe that. Susan Boyle and Justin Bieber made me realize that the internet actually makes it easier to get the kind of exposure that can lead to super stardom. And that's why I think MJ will be the last icon of his level. It's easier to become a star, so the compelling drive to be more doesn't necessarily exist or has to.
By the time of Motown 25 and Thriller, MJ had been honing his craft successfully for nearly 20 years. He already had a massive fan base prior to those two momentous events. The fan base exploded after them, and continued to grow in the 90's. That gave him four decades and generations of mass appeal. His immense talent opened the door for him, but his drive and specific circumstances such as race and discrimination, drove him to be better than all the rest.
Even IF Bieber had absolutely everthing going for him in the talent department that MJ had, would he be as driven as MJ? Does he feel the need to create the best selling album or single of all time. He doesn't have to. Michael felt that need. It began with his taskmaster of a father who beat him if he did not perfect every note and step, and coupled with a discriminating society that initially denied him access to a music television channel, even after already gaining major success.
Times are indeed different and the circumstances that compelled MJ to succeed beyond all boundaries don't exist anymore. And like you said, celebrities are readily disposable these days. To have 40 years of longevity, be only 50, sell out 800,000 tickets in a matter of hours was historic and this is 2010. I really do believe MJ was the last of his kind. Sure, there will be superstars, but I don't think there will be anyone with fans from 8 to 80 years old across the planet as MJ had.
