The year 2016 has so far witnessed the death of three musical greats: Prince, David Bowie and Merle Haggard. When Haggard died, National Public Radio felt comfortable announcing "Country Music Legend and Icon, Dies at 79." Those two terms are often considered interchangeable, but are they? Is there a difference?

Many entertainers have been labeled icons — Britney Spears is a prime example. But the three musicians who just passed seem to be in a different realm. Not just their artistic genius unites them. It's the fact that our culture — and our world — are different because they existed.

An icon can show us who we are. But a legend shows us who we could be.