Elvis Presley vs. Michael Jackson vs the Beatles.

Albion · Oct 7, 2015

Superhero Sam said:
What do you mean by that? He had one of the best voices in music history.

Probably just a personal preference. I don't consider that voice to be "one of the best voices in music history." Not by a longshot.

Sammy-San · Oct 7, 2015

Albion said:
Probably just a personal preference. I don't consider that voice to be "one of the best voices in music history." Not by a longshot.

I know people who think Freddy Mercury and Robert Plant sing better than Michael Jackson. Do you agree?

Albion · Oct 7, 2015

Superhero Sam said:
I know people who think Freddy Mercury and Robert Plant sing better than Michael Jackson. Do you agree?

I am not sure what I think about that suggestion. I do believe that there have been many singers with a better voice than MJ's thin, almost shrill voice...although in the clutch it's a personal decision.

Sammy-San · Oct 7, 2015

Albion said:
I'd agree (if I'm remembering the right time period). I didn't care for him at all in the "itchin' like a man on a fuzzy tree" era.

Then why do you think Elvis is iconic for what he did in the 50s? People often compare him to James Dean and Marilyn Monroe, despite the fact they had little-nothing in common.

Albion said:
His singing "abilities" were certainly nothing that would make him the best pop singer in history or anything close to it. He had an interesting voice. But his style, look, dancing, etc....all of that was what made him special.

Elvis had some of that, and the Beatles, well, pretty conventional weren't they? His singing and their styling and creativity were what were their strengths.

You don't think Elvis's style and look made him special? Then why do most Elvis impersonators dress in jumpsuits?

Dave-W · Oct 8, 2015

Superhero Sam said:
What do you mean "he came back in 1968"? He was still making music in the 60s-like Viva Las Vegas.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_(1968_TV_program)

Elvis, starring Elvis Presley, is United States television special that aired on December 3, 1968 on the NBC television network. The special is commonly referred to as the '68 Comeback Special, because of subsequent developments in Presley's career. It was directed by Steve Binder and produced by Binder and Bones Howe. Music from the special was released before the broadcast, on the album Elvis (NBC TV Special).

Despite huge success in both his music and acting careers following his release from the army in 1960, Presley's career had declined steadily in the years leading up to 1968.[2] The music scene had changed dramatically since his last U.S. #1 single in 1962, and Presley was in no doubt that bands such as the Beatles, and the British Invasion in general, were leading "the swinging sixties".[3]

Partly due to the repetitive scripts and laughable song choices, as well as the general feeling that he was "uncool", Presley's films had been making less money with each release and he was tiring of Hollywood.[3] Colonel Tom Parker, Presley's manager, had found it increasingly difficult to secure the usual $1,000,000 fee for a Presley film,[2] and had no alternative than to take a different approach. Parker negotiated a deal with NBC for $1,250,000 to finance both a television special and a film (1969's Change of Habit)

Albion · Oct 8, 2015

Superhero Sam said:
Then why do you think Elvis is iconic for what he did in the 50s?

I don't remember saying that he was. I said he is undoubtedly the king, had a great voice, and that I preferred his work during the later period that you described yourself.

You don't think Elvis's style and look made him special? Then why do most Elvis impersonators dress in jumpsuits?

I think these things added to his appeal, but I don't think they were the main thing as they were for MJ.

Dave-W · Oct 8, 2015

Superhero Sam said:
You don't think Elvis's style and look made him special? Then why do most Elvis impersonators dress in jumpsuits?

Love this commercial with the Elvis impersonators:

Albion · Oct 8, 2015

What was that movie with Kurt Russell--Three thousand miles to Graceland? I really liked the Elvis themes in that one!

Sammy-San · Oct 8, 2015

Albion said:
I am not sure what I think about that suggestion. I do believe that there have been many singers with a better voice than MJ's thin, almost shrill voice...although in the clutch it's a personal decision.

Who are some examples? I personally think Lana Del Rey has a better voice. Not to go off topic, but I think she's the best female singer and one of the few pop singers today that is good.

Dave-W · Oct 9, 2015

Superhero Sam said:
I know people who think Freddy Mercury and Robert Plant sing better than Michael Jackson.

Well - since Mercury is dead he is not singing in the present tense at all anymore. But he did have a good voice - probably with some classical training. (MJ did not have that)

Plant - don't get me started. I blame him for almost all hard rock and metal singers being counter tenors. (or castratos)

Sammy-San · Oct 9, 2015

DaveW-Ohev said:
Well - since Mercury is dead he is not singing in the present tense at all anymore. But he did have a good voice - probably with some classical training. (MJ did not have that)

Plant - don't get me started. I blame him for almost all hard rock and metal singers being counter tenors. (or castratos)

What are you implying about Plant's singing ability? I don't really think he sounds feminine.

Sammy-San · Oct 9, 2015

Albion said:
I don't remember saying that he was. I said he is undoubtedly the king, had a great voice, and that I preferred his work during the later period that you described yourself.

I think these things added to his appeal, but I don't think they were the main thing as they were for MJ.

Why don't you think MJ's singing was the main thing that appealed to people? Michael Jackson fans think he was one of the best singers ever.

Citanul · Oct 10, 2015

Superhero Sam said:
Why don't you think MJ's singing was the main thing that appealed to people? Michael Jackson fans think he was one of the best singers ever.

Well, his fans obviously would. But I suppose the question is whether they're referring to him just in terms of vocal ability or if singer in this context means performer/entertainer, in which case it's definitely reasonable to regard him as one of the best ever.

Sammy-San · Oct 12, 2015

Goodbook said:
Addict, abuser, same thing, different perspective. I would say he had a chemical dependency.

Why do you believe Elvis had a chemical dependency? I did some research about Elvis recently, and I read that his entourage exaggerated a lot of things about him and his drug use.

Sammy-San · Oct 13, 2015

DaveW-Ohev said:
Rock - (with out the "roll") was not around when Elvis first came on the scene and then faded. It WAS around when he came back in 1968. But after that comeback, all of his songs were either pop or country. I am unaware of anything he did that would be straight rock.

Isn't Suspicious Minds a rock song? I mean it's pop rock, but the part of the song is the guitar riffs and drum beat.

Dave-W · Oct 13, 2015

Superhero Sam said:
Isn't Suspicious Minds a rock song? I mean it's pop rock, but the part of the song is the guitar riffs and drum beat.

Since it is primarily vocal, I have to classify it as pop. To be rock, hard rock or metal it has to have the guitar chordal structure or hook as primary.

At least that is how I differentiate it.

Sammy-San · Oct 13, 2015

DaveW-Ohev said:
Since it is primarily vocal, I have to classify it as pop. To be rock, hard rock or metal it has to have the guitar chordal structure or hook as primary.

At least that is how I differentiate it.

Can't you at least say that it's pop rock?

Dave-W · Oct 13, 2015

Superhero Sam said:
Can't you at least say that it's pop rock?

I would say the WHO were pop rock. Alice Cooper was pop rock.

I do not think Suspicious Minds was as rocky as those groups.

Sammy-San · Nov 15, 2015

markb77 said:
Interesting idea for a thread. As for Elvis and the Beatles, there is no way to overstate the influence that they had on the popular music which followed them. In fact, I doubt the Beatles could have ever existed had Elvis not happened when he did. As far as MJ, I don't believe his music was as big an influence as Beatles and Big E. Jackson did however blaze trails in other ways, such as developing music videos into mini-movies, and bringing choreography and dance back into the forefront. His performance on the Motown 25 (or whatever anniversary it was) special was arguably the single greatest performance of the rock era, and sealed his "King of Pop" label for the remainder of his short life. My personal ranking of the would be:
Beatles (mainly because by the time I started buying my own music, Elvis was on the decline)
Elvis
MJ
Again, thanks for the thread.

Are you referring to decline in popularity, or are you referring to his cheesy music that he made throughout most of the 1960s?

patrick jane · Nov 15, 2015

Superhero Sam said:
Are you referring to decline in popularity, or are you referring to his cheesy music that he made throughout most of the 1960s?

I used to think Elvis was the most popular when I was a kid in the 70s. I argued with my older cousin because he said the Beatles. Now I strongly believe the Beatles are the most influential musical artists in history. What Michael Jackson did was done through Motown and other venues. The Beatles stand out more, IMO.

Elvis Presley vs. Michael Jackson vs the Beatles.

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