Lasting Legacies: How Social Media Keeps the Voices of a Generation Alive
Published on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 at 7:39 p.m.
By Victoria Donato.
For most music lovers worldwide, social media offers an intimate, timely and easily accessible gateway into the lives of their idols. Fans are constantly rewatching stories, replaying videos and refreshing feeds, eager for the joy that comes from glimpses into their beloved musicians’ lives.
As someone who grew up in the digital age, I am grateful to be an avid music lover with instant access to the artists I admire. Social media allows me to keep up with them firsthand, often making me feel personally connected.
But there’s something particularly meaningful about following my favorite bands on social media — especially those with members who have passed away. Through these online platforms, we can still feel connected to these artists, who may actually hold an even deeper place in our hearts.
In the past, when a musician or band member passed away, all that was left was their music. While there’s a unique beauty in that alone, social media today ensures their legacies remain very much alive.
The grunge movement is the musical era that seemed to fade with the close of the 1990s, taking many of its iconic frontmen along with it. However, thanks to their active social media accounts and of course their iconic records, the era is seemingly alive and well.
Chris Cornell, legendary frontman for Soundgarden and Audioslave, has social media accounts managed by his wife, Vicky Cornell, who regularly features heartfelt posts celebrating his legacy, from milestones like the “Like A Stone” music video reaching a billion YouTube streams to birthdays and Father’s Days. Vicky’s captions read as if she is speaking directly to him, and fans flood the comments, sharing how deeply they still miss him.
On Nov. 5, a resurfaced video of Cornell promoting the 1992 “Rock the Vote” campaign was posted in anticipation of this year’s presidential election. The video is brief but direct, reminding viewers that if you are over 18, you are eligible and encouraged to vote. Although the video is short and from decades ago, it successfully acts as an initiative that remains highly relevant today.
Scott Weiland, best known as lead vocalist for Stone Temple Pilots, has an Instagram presence much like Cornell’s. However, STP still tours and produces records with lead singer Jeff Gutt taking Weiland’s place.
Weiland’s social page acts as a memory box portraying his many accomplishments leading up to his death in 2015. A recent post on his account celebrates the 25th anniversary of the band’s fourth studio album, “No. 4,” which was released in October of 1999.
The majority of Weiland’s posts include sentimental photographs and concert clips of him performing with the band, reinforcing that although he is replaced on stage today, his legacy as a classic frontman will certainly never be forgotten.
Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain is arguably one of the most well-known grunge frontmen. He is known for not only his unique vocal and guitar styles, but also his expressive artwork. For Cobain, social media not only acts as an outlet that shares nostalgic photographs, but his feed more frequently appears as a museum showcasing his recognizable artwork.
However, it is not only Cobain’s work that is sprawled across his accounts. What is unique about his honorary social presence are the fan artwork posts. When scrolling through his Instagram profile, hundreds of various drawings and paintings paying homage to him are displayed.
Fan appreciation being reinstated even far after Cobain’s death sets his legacy apart from others.
These are just a few of the 90s frontmen whose public perceptions remain stable through time, thanks to their honorary digital presences. While we may never witness these iconic performers commanding the stage in person again, social media allows us to feel their pulses and legacies from afar.
