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Teen icon of the millennium?


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 11/26/2007

With all the glitz and glam that brought Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Daughtry and even Celine Dion to the stage at this month's American Music Awards, it was hard not to see that the biggest star there was Miley Cyrus.

Cyrus, 15, is the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus and star of the Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana" TV show. By now, the nation knows that the star can snag thousands of dollars for a single concert ticket.

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When it comes to young girls, Cyrus has edged out superstars of the decade such as Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and the troubled Britney Spears in popularity. Cyrus' alter ego, Hannah Montana, and the "Best of Both Worlds" tour comes to Gwinnett Arena in Duluth on Wednesday. As metro Atlanta prepares to host the teen idol, we look at some of the world's other idols through the decades.

1960s

Idol of the times: The Beatles

They had mop-top haircuts, wore dark suits and changed a generation. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison set off the early 1960s with "I Wanna Be Your Man" and "A Hard Day's Night." In 1967, the "Fab Four" released the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and the hit "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds." The week of April 4, 1964, the Beatles held the top five singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

• Where are they now? McCartney, 65, and Starr, 67, the surviving Beatles, are frequently on talk or music shows. John Lennon was killed by a disturbed fan outside his New York City apartment building in 1980. George Harrison died of cancer in 2001.

1970s

Idol of the times: The Jackson Five

Fans from the Jackson Five era can spout memories of young Michael Jackson on TV variety shows. Flanked by his big brothers, Michael would spin around to sing grown-up songs like "I Want You Back" and "The Love You Save." In 1972, fans had a preview of Michael's solo career when he sang the cult classic tune "Ben" for the thriller film by the same name. The theme song became a hit.

• Where are they now? The Jackson Five — Jackie, 56; Tito, 53; Jermaine, 52; Marlon, 50; and Michael, 49 — evolved into the Jacksons. They tour occasionally. Michael went on to become a worldwide entertainer known as the "King of Pop."

1980s

Idol of the times: Madonna

She ushered in her own brand of fashion and pop with "Lucky Star" in 1983. She wore lace midriff tops, with skirts over short leggings, bulky bracelets and short lace gloves with cutout fingertips. Then came the corsets. Her hit "Like a Virgin" was released in 1984. By 1989, Madonna had outraged critics with her "Like a Prayer" video that featured a burning cross and Jesus Christ as an African-American.

• Where is she now? Madonna, 49, married and a mother of three, lives in London and continues to make music and headlines.

1990s

Idol of the times: Ricky Martin

He was a youngster with the Puerto Rican boy band Menudo. He grew up to play a bartender on the soap opera "General Hospital" and became a heartthrob with his hit "Livin' La Vida Loca." Teenage girls wanted to see him dance to "Shake Your Bon-Bon" and serenade the tune "She's All I Ever Had." Then came his single "She Bangs" in 2000.

• Where is he now? Martin, 36, recently completed the "Ricky Martin Black and White Tour." And earlier this month he garnered two Latin Grammy Awards for his long-form music video "MTV Unplugged" and male pop vocal album.

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