Well...good ol' Cliff departed from this world a tad too early, and they still keep going. Whether you (royal you, just in case) consider that Cliff's departure meant that Metallica got a dump in quality is left to your consideration; however, they're pretty much a legend on their own right.Originally Posted by Kisuke
One idea I don't like, and for several reasons, is Lady Gaga. I haven't heard her, and for good reasons, I won't (I don't like pop very much, if at all). However, she's trying to follow the steps of someone who's pretty much right now destined (if not seeking for) timelessness, and that's Madonna. That focus on merchandising over music is what will make her timeless, not her actual talent (and any scandal she provokes, which I'll presume will be many considering how she's known because of scandals, much like every Hollywood star at the moment).
Given their own brand of social activism, I'd say bands of the degree of U2. It's pretty difficult not to hear a U2 song and claim it's not from them without first saying "hey, that voice sounds like Bono!". Any band, or even a simple singer, that gets to hang on the activism bus will probably endure. Right now, they're probably going the route of timelessness.
Another kind of musician that might be also destined for timelessness is the kind that can do well either alone or with a band. The kind of musician such as Sting, Phil Collins or heck, even Ozzy Osbourne. Sting combines a slight degree of activism with memorable songs, both as part of The Police as well as alone. (Plus, King of Pain. Awesome.) Phil is, I'd say, a different kind of Sting; famous while with Genesis, still popular on its own. However, he's been a bit absent recently. And Ozzy...well, there's no other reason (aside from the members, of course) why Black Sabbath is considered one of the defining bands of the 80's.
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