As the entertainment world moves deeper into the 21st century, the presence of a handful of extraordinary performers continues to serve as living proof that creativity doesn’t retire, passion doesn’t dim, and a true artist’s spark outlives every passing decade. These icons — some nearing or surpassing 100 years old — stand as bridges between eras, connecting the dawn of Hollywood and the golden age of music to the streaming-driven generation of today. Their lives are living archives, filled with stories, achievements, and experiences that no museum or documentary could match. And in 2025, the world remains grateful for the light they continue to give.
At the forefront is Elizabeth Waldo, born in 1918, whose legacy is unlike any other in modern music history. A violinist, composer, and passionate ethnomusicologist, she devoted her life to preserving indigenous music long before cultural preservation became a global priority. Her research, rooted in deep respect for the communities she studied, has influenced decades of scholars, performers, and teachers. Waldo showed that music isn’t just entertainment — it’s heritage, identity, memory. Even now, her work resonates in classrooms, cultural centers, and among young musicians hungry to understand the origin of the sounds they play.
Continue reading next page…