Who Are the REAL Kings (and Queens) of Cool? Exhibition of 100 Coolest Americans

Daily Mail ^ | 31 March 2014 | Jill Reilly

[Steve_Seattle]

Steve Allen
Jack Palance
George Burns
George Gobel
Audrey Meadows

Showing my age. On the other hand, in this Age of Cool, few seem to actually be cool according to my understanding of the term. For example, I think Obama is very uncool. We live in an age of excess, and to me "excess" is the opposite of cool; it is trying too hard, which is very uncool. Nor do I equate being cool with being blasé or aloof or anti-establishment.

[nickcarraway]

Did you ever see the video of The Doors, probably from a TV show, where Krieger has a black eye?

[Steve_Seattle]

"Did you ever see the video of The Doors, probably from a TV show, where Krieger has a black eye?"

No. Possibly from a scuffle with Morrison?

[Yaelle]

Your definition of cool is one I could get behind. Those people are so attractive — to everyone. Regardless of sex . Regardless of looks! I fell in love with James Woods from the first role I saw him in for those reasons. It could have been a one dimensional role but he made that character come alive with complex emotions and motivations. He hasn’t disappointed me since, either. My grandmother had people of all genders falling for her - in her 80s. Young neighbors in her building just thought she was the bees’ knees. I really like the way you defined it.

[Michael.SF.]

Regarding Jim Morrison; I was not saying I thought he should be on the list, I meant that I was surprised that the ones who formulated the list did not have him on there. (If they did I would have put him the same classification as the other OD's)

Regarding Carl Perkins; He was a gentlemen whom I had the pleasure meeting and also watching him, Joe Ely and Delbert McClinton at an after hours jam session in Dallas (Nick's on Greenville). Sun was coming up on one heck of a night as everyone left.

[Steve_Seattle]

There is a great DVD of Carl Perkins, recorded about 1985, with Ringo, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and others. Excerpts are on YouTube. Sorry about the misunderstanding re JM.

[Steve_Seattle]

"I fell in love with James Woods from the first role I saw him in for those reasons."

Coincidentally, I recently saw a VERY young James Woods on a "Rockford Files" DVD I purchased.

[dfwgator]

James Woods was great in Holocaust, he and Meryl Streep had great chemistry, and I had assumed the two were dating each other at the time...turns out Meryl was dating the late John Cazale.

[Third Person]

Countdown to Ecstasy is a great rock guitar album. One of my favorites. Skunk!

[smalltownslick]

I like your definition, too. And your choices. Steve Allen oh yeah!

Roy Orbison - even though he’s my all time favorite singer, he didn’t immediately come to my mind. But really, here’s a guy with such an amazing voice (and incredible writing)- and he just stood there, hardly moved, barely even opened his mouth, and all that awesomeness just flowed out of him.

Carl Perkins an excellent choice, too. He was surprising, the first time you saw him. Laid back, effortless, mesmerizing and you couldn’t even figure out exactly why.

In that same vein, I’m surprised Patsy Cline hasn’t been mentioned. Stunning voice that has captured generations that came after her, did things her own way, and had that same, almost casual delivery that seemed so “cool.” I have become quite fascinated by early videos of her, before she was even famous, and she had that amazing presence even then.

I saw the photo someone posted of B.B. King, but I would argue Bobby Blue Bland was the cool one. He epitomized col to me.

[smalltownslick]

Is there one of his first Austin City Limits appearance? That’s the one that captured me.

[Michael.SF.]

I will check out the DVD of Carl Perkins, thanks.

No big deal on Morrison; I lost track of the original title and incorrectly added "Ringo"!

[pallmallman]

Amen brotha!!

[pallmallman]

True

[untenured]

Joe DiMaggio then, Derek Jeter now.