With a power-couple quality likened to that of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, albeit a touch more grunge, next up, we have Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, with their little love Frances Bean Cobain. They were the King and Queen of the 90s, with their faces plastered on every wall, up until Kurt Cobain’s death in 1994. Joining the famous ’27 Club,’ Kurt Cobain sadly passed away after taking his own life.
A tumultuous relationship that was heavily covered by the media saw a more reclusive Cobain check into rehabilitation facilities more than a few times, often being reported by his wife as someone who could harm himself. Despite his untimely death, the 27-year-old’s music is still played today. His daughter Frances continues down the creative path, as a visual artist and model, with looks that bear a striking resemblance to her famous parents. Now, that’s a legacy.
‘I Have A Dream' 1963
Easily one of the twentieth century’s most influential and revered speakers, here we see the iconic Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his equally iconic ‘I Have A Dream’ speech. Delivered in 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the eloquent young orator told the world of his dream, inspiring and empowering generations to come.
This speech touched hearts across the country, both black and white. His struggle against segregation and activism for peace were rewarded; in 1964, King won the Nobel Peace Prize for combating inequality through nonviolent resistance. Whilst he was barely 40 years old when he was tragically assassinated, he is still remembered today as an influential figure who changed the course of history.
Shia LaBeouf
Now this image sits outside our twentieth-century photographs, but it still makes the list for its powerful cultural statement. Shia LaBeouf used his celebrity status to deliver more powerful messages. After acting for a few years and growing wiser, he became bolder and more peculiar with his public appearances. At a movie premiere in 2014, LaBeouf rocked up wearing a paper bag over his head.
On the bag was a very clear message: “I am not famous anymore,” all written in upper case letters. Not sure if he’s loopy or not, but one thing’s clear: Hollywood clearly got to him. In a way, it shows that actors and actresses, despite awards and appearing in films, have an expiry date, a time when they’re “not hot” or “not celebrated.” He might not be so famous anymore, but hey, at least he’s received a few hefty paychecks to enjoy his “infamous-ness” comfortably.
Beatlemania!
Arguably the most iconic rock band in history, The Beatles formed in Liverpool in 1960. After four years of jammin’ and rock and rolling,’ the band of four took the international stages by storm. The “Fab Four” were trailblazers, helping pop music evolve and grow, incorporating unconventional recording techniques and some experimental music styles. This photo of them in their youth really takes us back to the swinging 60s.
Their fresh-faced boyishness and catchy melodies shot them to international fame, taking their Please Please Me tour throughout Europe. Selling a mind-blowing 800 million albums worldwide, it’s no wonder they were included in Time magazine’s list of the 20th century’s 100 most influential people. But looking back here, these young kids would’ve just been there for the ride with no real idea of what was to come.
Arnold Schwarzenegger in NYC, 1968
For the Eddie Murphy fans out there, this was certainly Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Coming to America moment, as the “Austrian Oak” touched down on U.S. soil for the very first time in 1968. The professional bodybuilder-turned-action movie star was an overnight sensation in the U.S. Below; he appears rather goofy dancing to the sounds of disco in a New York dance club.
Schwarzenegger immigrated to the United States after becoming the youngest bodybuilder to ever win the Mr. Universe title. But it seems that after winning the competition, Arnold had his sights set on the flashing lights of Hollywood. It didn’t take long for him to find success since he was truly one-of-a-kind. Little did he know that one day he would be known as the “Governator” of California.