Elvis Presley vs. Michael Jackson vs the Beatles.

Goodbook

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If lennon was saying they invented a new religion, well, it was a passing fad.
after all the beatles didn't even stay together.

When the generation who liked the beatles when they first came out dies out, I don't think they will be much influence. Their songs aren't scripture.
 
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JackKerouac

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I think the difference between the Beatles and Elvis, as far as their impact on what came after is concerned, is the difference between influence and innovation. They both clearly influenced most everything that came after them; but the Beatles are the only one of the two who could be considered really innovative.

Sure, Elvis and Sam Phillips did something new(ish) which was largely responsible for his huge success. He mixed black music with Gospel music and it worked. But the thing is, that's not even something that can be solely contributed to him. There were certainly others doing the same, some before he did it. But the reason he got the airplay and the sales is because he was white. So, really, the only thing he did that was different, as far as the music is concerned, is to be the first white guy to perform that style of music. That certainly made it easier to sell that style to white kids in the 50's. Yeah, he was certainly a showman, but I'll take music over show any day. And as far as his voice, he was a good singer, but nowhere near being a great singer.

And then there is the Beatles. No band or musician has shown the innovation they have...ever. The music, the production, the recording techniques...The Beatles and George Martin actually created new sounds out of nothing. There is no way, regardless of how much you stretch it, you could say that either Elvis or Michael Jackson came anywhere close to that kind of innovation. Sure they had some songs that you could call silly, I guess. But with their extensive catalog, they get to do that. Even the songs that were mentioned by the OP ("Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite", "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds", "Yellow Submarine") are far more complex than he seems to think they are, particularly when heard in the context of the album sides on which they're found. Honestly, I can't take seriously anyone who would suggest that the music of Elvis, regardless of how good it might be, could approach the sophistication and musicality of the Beatles. Elvis did dabble in a few different genres, certainly more than MJ, but I don't think he approached the stylistic diversity displayed if you listen to the entire Beatles catalog.

Other tidbits about the Beatles worth pointing out in light of some other comments in this thread:

1. I think Goodbook is probably the only person I've ever encountered to believes the Beatles couldn't sing. Seriously?!? Listen again, my friend. Paul and John (especially Paul) have two of the best rock voices of their era. Keep in mind that, just because Elvis sang gospel and they didn't, doesn't make him the better singer. Pau McCartney still has pipes.
2. As someone else has already pointed out, the Beatles (Lennon in particular) never believed they wer greater than Jesus. It was an off the cuff comment from John that had some real truth to it, but was misunderstood and misinterpreted. In fact, he was devastated in the crazy aftermath of that comment and upset because he didn't want people to believe he believed what so many were claiming he meant. He was genuinely sorry and quickly clarified what he was saying.
3. So the Beatles's songs won't last and be remembered beyond their generation because they're not Scripture? First of all, tell that to my 11-year old nephew who likes the Beatles. When you consider songs that are part of the nebulous "great American songbook", you will not find any song written by or made popular by Elvis or MJ. You will find many songs written by the Beatles. Elvis will always be known for his persona and legend. I can guarantee you that our great-grandchildren will be living in a world in which the Beatles are still being played and appreciated.

Yeah, I like the Beatles a bit. ;)

My ranking:

1. The Beatles
11. Michael Jackson
111. Elvis
 
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Citanul

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The Bible is way more popular than the piddling Beatles albums over all time.

Maybe, but Lennon was speaking at a specific point in the 60s. I've got no way of knowing if it indeed was the case, but if more people of a certain demographic were attending a Beatles concert than going to church, or buying their albums instead of a Bible, then to some degree at least they were more popular.
 
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Citanul

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1. I think Goodbook is probably the only person I've ever encountered to believes the Beatles couldn't sing. Seriously?!? Listen again, my friend. Paul and John (especially Paul) have two of the best rock voices of their era. Keep in mind that, just because Elvis sang gospel and they didn't, doesn't make him the better singer. Pau McCartney still has pipes.

That comment puzzled me too. How can a band noted for their vocal harmonies not be able to sing? :scratch:
 
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Goodbook

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Well, maybe I got different standards on singing. They could chant..but..i personally think they wasted their talent...people who covered their songs could sing way better.

The everley brothers had a sound that they copied..but the beatles couldnt match the harmonies.
I cant think of any song the beatles did where I thought wow great voice. The focus is on the rhythms, or the lyrics.
 
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Goodbook

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Well, maybe I got different standards on singing. They could chant..but..i personally think they wasted their talent...people who covered their songs could sing way better.

The everley brothers had a sound that they copied..but the beatles couldnt match the harmonies.
I cant think of any song the beatles did where I thought wow great voice. The focus is on the rhythms, or the lyrics.
 
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Goodbook

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I think ABBA were incredibly creative and popular. It might have been pure pop but it stood the test of time, and sheer exuberance. They also did serious songs about loss, and whimsical ones, so I would say they were diverse.
As well as the Carpenters of course, for sheer timeless musicality.

But i think each band or artist becomes an artist because of their unique talents. Its not really right to compare them and pit them againist each other. Its like saying well, he was good at this but sucked at that, when, of course you not gonna be great at everything.

I guess it depends on what appeals to you about a specific artist. For me, its singing.
 
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Citanul

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But i think each band or artist becomes an artist because of their unique talents. Its not really right to compare them and pit them againist each other.

We've disagreed on some things in this thread, but I would agree with you on this. Especially with the comparison here, where we're looking at a singer from the 50s, a band from the 60s and a singer from the 80s, all of whom were operating in different musical landscapes, where it was different things were required.

What would perhaps be a more interesting and valid comparison would be to compare each of those to their contemporaries. So for example, Elvis vs Johnny Cash vs Jerry Lee Lewis; The Beatles vs The Rolling Stones vs The Who vs The Kings; Michael Jackson vs Prince.
 
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Goodbook

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I just read a book about Elvis written by his secretary..he had many to answer his fan mail and deal with his accounts etc.

He was so famous that he couldnt live a normal life which was a bit sad. Although he wasnt an ordinary person in any sense of the word.
What strikes me is how dedicated his fans were. I dont know about the other artists but I think his appeal was magnetic. Like husbands would be jealous if their wives liked elvis.

His daughter was thoroughly spoiled. He would buy cars, jewellery, houses for people, even if he hadnt met you before...he was a lavish spender and generous to a fault. But many i think took advantage. Also, priscilla didnt stay married to him cos his buddies (dubbed the memphis mafia) were always hanging around. Hard to be married to a man with an entourage.
 
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I definitely like The Beatles best of the three. They made the best albums of them by far and are at least as influential as Elvis.

Elvis and MJ are pretty close. I think I listen to MJ a little more than Elvis so I'll put him second.
 
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Goodbook

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Elvis was prescribed lots of different drugs, and he couldn't sleep, was in pain, was obese.
MJs addiction was different. But I suppose both ended the same, dying from the effects of a destructive lifestyle. you can watch Autopsy, last hours if you want to know more, you can't really argue with the facts of an autopsy.
 
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Dave-W

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I don't think Elvis was a drug addict.
In 1970 and '72 I was in attendance at the Stamps-Blackwood School of Music which was held then in Waxahachi TX. The Stamps Quartet were teachers there and in 70 had just come off the road backing up Elvis. Donnie Sumner (taught music theory) verified that Elvis took a LOT of prescription pain killers and sleeping pills.
 
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Goodbook

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Just commenting, the beatles did not seem to become addicted to any drugs in the way mj and elvis were. I may be wrong though. But the british in general believe everything in moderation.
I think they were into recreational drugs rather than prescription ones and did not become dependent. I think was lsd and pot.
Elvis and mj were very anti drugs.
Mj was a vegetarian even, but that wasnt good for him either cos later he became athritic, i think that can be a result of not eating enough fat. Elvis was opposite. He loved things deep fried.
 
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Sammy-San

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In 1970 and '72 I was in attendance at the Stamps-Blackwood School of Music which was held then in Waxahachi TX. The Stamps Quartet were teachers there and in 70 had just come off the road backing up Elvis. Donnie Sumner (taught music theory) verified that Elvis took a LOT of prescription pain killers and sleeping pills.

Do you know him personally?
 
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Dave-W

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Do you know him personally?
Elvis? Or Donnie Sumner?

Elvis - no.

Sumner - I did back in the early 1970s.
He may still remember me - as "Mr Dotted Whole Notes" That was his nickname for me.
 
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