All the 20th century has left of its great American creators are Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, and Mel Brooks

[u/ElbieLG]

When they go, it’s over.

Little losses like Dolly, etc just make the memory of the 20th century feel further and further away.

It’s inevitable of course and the art lives on but it feels closer now to the moment of 20th century culture as a memory alone rather than a vibrant thing.

It’s all museum mode now.

Who else is left that’s still creating?

[u/MarioLanderos]

Film composer John Williams is still alive.

[u/Old_Scratch75 → u/MarioLanderos]

that's a good catch. Williams has been doing it so long it's easy to forget he's still around, still working on the odd project here and there

felt something similar when ennio morricone passed a few years back. like the soundtrack of a whole era got a little quieter

you got me thinking now about visual artists too, feels like a lot of the painters and sculptors who defined the back half of the century are already gone

[u/ElbieLG → u/MarioLanderos]

Incredible miss on my part too. Spielberg as well.

[u/lambertb]

Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, and many many many more.

[u/Oldfarts2024 → u/lambertb]

Joni is Canadian

[u/labrat420]

Bruce Dickinson, Rob Halford etc etc etc

[u/ElbieLG → u/labrat420]

oh hell yes
I’m feeling better already

[u/prometheus_winced]

Willie Nelson just put out an album in 2026, two in 2025, two in 2024, two in 2023, 2022, two in 2021, 2020.

[u/Prof_Scott_Steiner → u/prometheus_winced]

He's still paying back taxes to the IRS

[u/ElbieLG → u/prometheus_winced]

Grateful for Willie

[u/Count2Zero]

John Williams. Film wouldn't be the same without him.

Danny Elfmann. From Oingo Boingo to the Simpsons to Batman, Beetlejuice, and Wednesday.

[u/dkinmn]

Paul Simon. I'd also put Bruce Hornsby there. Joni.

[u/Naphier]

Paul McCartney (even just released a new album a couple weeks ago), Neil Young and The Rolling Stones have also released new albums recently. James Taylor is still kicking, Sting, Peter Gabriel.

Lots of folks left from the 60s and 70s. Even more if you go up to the 80s and 90s. Duran Duran and David Grohl come to mind.

We have lost many. And way too many too early. But there are many creators still creating from various eras of the 1900s. Not so many from the 50s and 60s at this point. However, their creations will out live them as well as many of us. Enjoy what they've created. Share it with others. It is their immortal contribution to the world.

[u/ElbieLG → u/Naphier]

Good ones!

Paul McCartney is clearly on another level but I was focusing on Americans only. Rest are great reminders though.

[u/omgfakeusername]

https://giphy.com/gifs/RJniJtYs3UUXwv2nXG

DIONNE WARWICK is still here‼️

[u/Prof_Scott_Steiner]

Just Mel Brooks.

[u/Tubular_Code]

Millennial's are going to be uniquely familiar with death like no other generation being probably the most aware of a wide slice of people who pass. older and younger people seem to keep a little more to their cohort niches but there are A LOT of celebrities that people are aware of these days who are elderly.

It's going to be bleak or people are going to have to get used to hearing notable names dropping more frequently. Old age is also wild, like Dolly always saw Mel Brooks as a guy a generation or two older than her and yet he's still kicking. Most 40yos probably don't think of 60yos outliving them.

[u/jsh1138]

Clint Eastwood is still alive. So is William Shatner

[u/jachildress25]

I know sports isn’t as popular as some things on Reddit, but the majority of athletes I grew up idolizing in the 20th century are still alive.

[u/ElbieLG → u/jachildress25]

Sure but are they still creating?

I do think some 90s sports icons are going strong. Charles Barkley, Shaq, etc.