James Dean was a moviestar in the 50s, but he acctually recorded some tracks where he played bongos :)
I'll try to wright a little recap of his life:
He stared in only 3 hollywood movies, "East of Eden", "Rebel whitouth a cause" and "Giant". He also loved fast cars and won a couple of races before he died 24 years old. When "Rebel without a cause" came out in 1954 every teenager identified themself with Jimmy, cuz he plays a new kid in town, trying to make frriends and find love. It was also pretty much James Dean who got people into using t-shirts, before that people wore those really old clothes you see in black and white movies. At one time he sat in a chair in the middle of a street in new york, holding up the traffic just to se how people reacted and supprise them.
He was the Brad Pitt/David Beckham looking guy of that time so every girl was in love with him.
He died before the shooting of "Giant" was finished and on the opening night Warnerbrothers selebrated with the biggest movie premier of all time.
I don't really know how to explain the essence? of James Dean in english, but this was a hell of a dude who lived a hell of a life. Just go rent "rebel whitouth a cause" and tell me what you think.