Michael Jackson 2nd after the Beatles; Elvis Presley 3rd that’s reality
Filed under: Music, News | By: Daniel
Posted on: December 18, 2007 | 185 Comments
When it comes to Pop and Rock n Roll, you do not get much bigger than the names of Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and The Beatles but few music goers agree on the biggest of them all.
I have heard a few music fans claim that Michael Jackson is second after The Beatles and Elvis Presley would make third. Is this really reality?
One such fan going by the name of “illmatic” makes this claim below in response to “Michael Jackson King Of Pop vs. Elvis Presley King Of Rock” but how true is it.
I can’t believe all the bull that was written in all these comments. I am seriously flabbergasted. Well for one, in response to the person above me, Michael Jackson never whined that he should be called the King of Pop. He never even proclaimed him self as such, it was a title from the fans and his friends.
Elvis fans still think he really sold 1 billion records> If that were true, why isn’t he the number one artist dominate in all the lists? I haven’t seen his name in the Guinness Worlds Records, have you? Thats cause he’s not, sorry bb. Michael is #2 right after the Beatles, Elvis is #3. Let me come out and just bring everyone up to reality — “Before anyone did anything, Elvis did everything” IS BULL. Elvis one of a kind? Perhaps a caricature of many “kinds”. Elvis and the people behind him stole the image, mannerisms, and styles of other artist. Most of Elvis’ music wasn’t even written by him, and the songwriter who did write them died broke.
And that songwriter was Otis Blackwell, one the greatest American songwriters ever wrote Elvis biggest hits (Don’t Be Cruel, All Shook Up, Return to Sender). Not only did he write them - Elvis copied the arrangement, the style, the vocal mannerisms, and claimed he co-wrote the songs along with Blackwell (at least Elvis’ name was on the record as co-writer).
In truth it was Blackwell’s influence that helped put Elvis on the top of the R&B and pop charts (at the same time) yet Elvis never bothered to even meet him. Unfortunately for Blackwell - sold Elvis’ biggest hits for $25 each. He was the ’soul’ of Elvis Presley - and no one ever heard of him, and he died penniless in 2002. Blackwell also wrote “Fever”, “Great Balls of Fire” (Jerry Lee Lewis’ signature tune), “Breathless”, “Let’s Talk About Us” (two more Jerry Lee Lewis hits).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otis_Blackwell
Blackwell (nor his family) ever saw a penny of the publishing royalties that helped build his empire; and that Elvis’ wife Priscilla and daughter Lisa Marie Presley are reaping the benefits from to this day. No one would of signed her a record deal if she wasn’t the daughter of The King, nor would her homely looking daughter Riley would become a model if The King wasn’t her grandfather. Luckily for her, she still has a hint of the Elvis resemblance in her face.
Why do you think Colonel Parker (his manager) made sure Elvis’ name was on the records as co-writer? Publishing rights. And publishing rights mean big money $$$. Little Richard was cheated out of a lot of royalties on most of his work. Remember Michael Jackson’s wonderful gesture to Little Richard? He bought the publishing rights to his music and GAVE it to him. It made Little Richard cry tears of joy. That is something to be respected.
Elvis was and is a media creation, and his image and life, has been white washed greatly sense his death. People have been brainwashed, by constant talk of his supposed “greatness”. Today Elvis’ legacy is little more than a pop cultural reference. His face is on mugs, stuffed pigs are made in his image, and various other commercial junk. That is all Elvis deserves, and nothing more. They continually throw him up, in response to the greatness of others, but there is absolutely no comparison. This is not about Elvis, but about a system that attempted to bury the legacy of many artists, and continues, to attempt to pump up something, that never was in the first place.
Michael Jackson was THE innovator by far, and although he was inspired by others (Elvis NOT being one of them, but I’ll get into that later) he didn’t totally take on their image, and make a career off it like Elvis Presley did. So there is no comparison. What did Elvis innovate, other than putting an “acceptable” face on the work of other artists? He was a created talented, a singing puppet, and is severely overrated. He did not invent anything, everything he “did” was already done and better. All of his peers Jackie Wilson, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown and so on are vastly superior.
It was never my intention to come here and bash Elvis Presley. But when I read the laughable comments I really feel compelled to give a virtual slap to people who seemingly haven’t had a clue on what they are articulating (or trying to). Elvis Presley was talented in the same way Justin Timberlake is “talented”. Almost like a modern day equivalent, I wonder how Timberlake would of weathered without his black producers and song writers like Pharrell Williams and Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley for example?
1. The majority if not all of Michael Jackson’s classic songs were written, produced and composed by himself. He is not just a “Pop” artist. In fact, that is laughable. In his adolescence, he was on Motown records (with his brothers) singing unmistakable soul/funk music. In his adult solo career, his debut album ‘Off the Wall’ was disco/funk as well. His music did not generally did not be referred to as “Pop” until ‘Thriller’ although he still covers many genres throughout his career. To make the point this Presley sung this and that [style] is ridiculous, as if Jackson did not himself. ‘Dangerous’ for example was a notable New Jack Swing themed album, but with elements of rock (Slash from Guns and Roses working with Jackson on two tracks) as ‘Thriller’. Eddie Van Halen’s famous solo in ‘Beat It’ was composed by Jackson. To turn a blind eye or ignore to all of the versatility Jackson possesses in music is laughable.
2. Michael Jackson was never influenced by Elvis Presley, or had “took” some of his “dance moves” as someone tried their hardest to insinuate. Why not? Because Elvis Presley didn’t have any to speak of. Michael Jackson was influenced by cats like Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr., all of Elvis’ peers whom HE copied off of. So if you think ‘even Jacko copied some Elvis moves’ I assure you, and I don’t mean to disappoint but, a move was watered down from the Elvis filter that was again, originated from a true trendsetter like Brown. Speaking of the Godfather of Soul, Jackson has spoken of him fondly for decades and Mr. Brown has acknowledged him (and Prince) many a times.
3. Actually, this number isn’t really a point I’m just still laughing at people who think Elvis is original.
4. Michael Jackson has a phenomenal voice, he very underrated as a singer. Unique, rich and lovely when you used to sing live in his prime. He had a voice on him even in his adolescence. What Jackson possesses is a rare talent, and has been exuded since practically his birth. Now, admittedly I skimmed through yet another comment that may have you believe that Michael Jackson of all people relied on stage tricks to impress audiences. LOL! Right. Jackson is typically by himself when solo [or accompanied by his brothers in a group of his siblings] with the band. That is all.
Highly practiced dance moves. If that was said to imply that they were to be regarded as “mechanical” that couldn’t be any more wrong. Jackson has a natural talent for dance (and music in general) as well as his brothers, who self taught the instruments they played. In their Motown audition, the Jackson 5 performed ‘I Got That Feeling’ by James Brown and blew Berry Gordy, Diana Ross and the Motown family away and were signed. If you mean he was highly practiced as in hard working? HELL YES. Far from a negative thing. He has been doing this since he was 5 and hasn’t looked back since.
5. Neither Presley or Jackson had any sense of style. Though both have recognizable, iconic and ’signature’ wardrobe.
6. Elvis obviously held what the ideal handsome Caucasian man of his time generation was considered, as Marilyn Monroe did, blonde, even though she herself was truly your Norma Jean; a cute girl with red-brownish hair. Both had their nose reshaped (in both accounts, unnecessary like all of whom go under the knife) where as Elizabeth Taylor held a more natural beauty, although both women were gorgeous. So while I agree that Elvis was good looking and “sexy” I would not go crazy over him either.
When speaking about sex appeal and attraction regarding Michael Jackson it seems unfathomably, for most people if not all no longer associate those words and attributes with Jackson since the 80s (and slightly in the early 90s). I will disregard the way he looks now, given that he has modified his natural looks and ruined his face. Michael Jackson used to be a gorgeous looking man. He was very slim and soft spoken, which is not looked upon as desirable since they are not typical masculine traits, but thats what many young girls and women found him alluring at the time (watch The Making of Thriller ‘the fans’ segment to see what I’m talking about!). He had caramel brown skin, beautiful brown eyes, a nose that need not been modified, at least not approximately 7 times over, the most beautiful smile (that his sister Janet Jackson too has) and even had a jheri curl that was tolerable.
7. In his prime, during tours like “Destiny” “Triumph” “Victory” “Bad” and “Dangerous” he sang live, his vocals rich and clear, he danced with as much energy as his mentor James Brown, fluidity in his smooths dance steps moves that not Elvis or anyone to this day cannot touch as a performer — and he did this all without sounding off key, a single crack or maybe out of breath by the second verse. I have not seen Elvis live, so I won’t comment by default since that is not fair.
Don’t believe me on Jackson? The greats certainly do.
Fred Astaire and Jackson, 1984
Jackson dedicated his autobiography ‘Moonwalk’ in 1988 to Astaire.
“Oh, God! That boy moves in a very exceptional way. That’s the greatest dancer of the century”.
“I didn’t want to leave this world without knowing who my descendant was. Thank you Michael!”
- Fred Astaire.
Fred Astaire, one of the greatest dancers of all time how much merit and honor. The day after Jackson’s legendary Motown 25 performance when he performed ‘Billie Jean’ for the first time, Astaire phoned him, informed him he had not only taped the show but watched it twice that morning, and he was a HELL of a dancer!
“The only male singer who I’ve seen besides myself and who’s better than me - that is Michael Jackson.”
- Frank Sinatra
Sinatra and Jackson in 1984
Jackson impersonating Sinatra at a very young age, during a skit with Diana Ross in 1969.
Jackson performs ‘Get Happy’ at The Jacksons Variety Show (1977).
watch the video here
The Jackson 5 audition for Motown and perform ‘I Got That Feeling’
watch the video here
And with that, I am finally finished. I hope you learned a few things!
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My Comment is for the page creator, who should delete these pages, or should just stop believing on a troll who is talking with racist bull**** lies. If i am telling this to “illmatic, My comment:-
Michael jackson is self claimed King of Pop, I have even heard that he was jealous of Elvis Presley that’s why he started claiming his own a king of pop. Jackson even said on Elvis that “They called Elvis the king, why not me?”, Means jackson is claiming himself a “King”! HE even wrote in his disc that “For my promotion, call me “king of pop”, i want a lot of money”
There are thousands of websites who calls Michael jackson a “self-styled king of pop”, Search it if you don’t believe.
But Elvis?? OH! He never called himself a king of rock, he even called to Fats dominos a “Real King Of Rock n Roll” behind media.
Elvis has sold 2 billion records actually In the book called “In search of Elvis” from 1995 it’s written that his sales are 2 billion by some estimates, And he was included in guinness book 2 times:-
Once in 1970’s guinness book, it is written that Elvis sold 1 billion records.
Once in 1983’s guinness book, it is written that Elvis sold 1.3 billion records.
Even beatles sold 1.3 billion records by 2005.
Elvis never copied anyone, Tell me at least one if you are not insane, because no one can name whom he had copied, so they says that he copied blacks. In fact he opened door for blacks.
And i can easily say whom your michael wacko jacko has ripped off, he/she has ripped off everything from :-
Elvis Presley(by dance moves)
Fred astaire(by dance moves, by cloths)
James Brown(by dance moves, shouts and bit of singing)
Sammy davis jr.(by dance moves, by cloths)
On Michael jackson, You talk about INNOVATOR? Innovator means who innovates anything, creates anything.. What Jackson has done??? Just pop? If we do some justice, than Elvis Presley, Rolling Stones, beatles, tom jones, engelbert humperdinck has made pop beats much better and years before Michael jackson.
Also michael jackson has influenced no body! If you are going to tell that Chris brown, Usher, 2 or 3 more, than hear, Michael jackson is not biggest influence of any body!
You said :-
“Most of Elvis’ music wasn’t even written by him, and the songwriter who did write them died broke. And that songwriter was Otis Blackwell, one the greatest American songwriters ever wrote Elvis biggest hits (Don’t Be Cruel, All Shook Up, Return to Sender). Not only did he write them - Elvis copied the arrangement, the style, the vocal mannerisms, and claimed he co-wrote the songs along with Blackwell (at least Elvis’ name was on the record as co-writer).”
OH!!! Only That one songwriter died a loser, it means Elvis was responsible?? that otis blackwell has also worked with many other artists, the other biggest name is james brown, why you don’t go and tell this made-up **** to james brown community???
Also tell how did Elvis copied “the arrangement, the style, the vocal mannerisms”??
Elvis has payed him that much money, how much it was essential and legal according to its agreement. And when Otis black well never claimed that Elvis didn’t wrote song for having “co-writer” credit, How can you claim??? Why don’t you go and claim this about michael jackson who has really stole the credit of over 29 songs, and put “co-writing” credit.
You said:-
“What did Elvis innovate, other than putting an “acceptable” face on the work of other artists? He was a created talented, a singing puppet, and is severely overrated. He did not invent anything, everything he “did” was already done and better. All of his peers Jackie Wilson, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown and so on are vastly superior.”
Tells how much sick piece of trash illmatic is.. Elvis and a singing puppet?? OH? he is greatest singer voted in “Q magazine” and he can play guitar, piano, drums, bass in real! He is musician. Elvis has invented Rockabilly, country rock, and that everything what he had done.
Little Richard first record is from november 1955 called “tutti frutti”, Chuck Berry first record is from july 1955 called “maybellene”, Jimi Hendrix first record “hey joe” is from 1966 and jimi hendrix was blues rock psychedelic rock, jimi hendrix has to do nothing with Elvis type music. James Brown first record is from 1956 called “Please Please Please”
Where Elvis has released many many records before them all.. First record of Elvis is “That’s all right”&”Blue moon of kentucky” from 19 july 1954. What are highly considered as first Rock n Roll. That’s Why Elvis did everything before anyone did, Basically these all artist were Elvis followers.
You said:-
“Actually, this number isn’t really a point I’m just still laughing at people who think Elvis is original.”
Nope, you should cry.. Elvis is most original.. Unlike that michael jackson who plagiarizes others and shows like his favorite spot is Court.
“So if you think ‘even Jacko copied some Elvis moves’ I assure you, and I don’t mean to disappoint but, a move was watered down from the Elvis filter that was again, originated from a true trendsetter like Brown.”
James brown is after Elvis in dance, Elvis had danced first time in the movie Jailhouse rock(1957), James brown danced for first time in Tami show on 1964.
So of course James Brown has copied Elvis, Because James Brown said:- “I wasn’t a fan, i was his brother.”
“Michael Jackson has a phenomenal voice, he very underrated as a singer. Unique, rich and lovely when you used to sing live in his prime. He had a voice on him even in his adolescence. What Jackson possesses is a rare talent, and has been exuded since practically his birth. Now, admittedly I skimmed through yet another comment that may have you believe that Michael Jackson of all people relied on stage tricks to impress audiences. LOL! Right. Jackson is typically by himself when solo [or accompanied by his brothers in a group of his siblings] with the band. That is all.”
Michael jackson has no vocal skills actually, just a silly little girl voice what’s irritating!
“Elvis was and is a media creation, and his image and life, has been white washed greatly sense his death. People have been brainwashed, by constant talk of his supposed “greatness”. Today Elvis’ legacy is little more than a pop cultural reference. His face is on mugs, stuffed pigs are made in his image, and various other commercial junk. That is all Elvis deserves, and nothing more. They continually throw him up, in response to the greatness of others, but there is absolutely no comparison. This is not about Elvis, but about a system that attempted to bury the legacy of many artists, and continues, to attempt to pump up something, that never was in the first place.”
Elvis’ estate earned $52 million this year.. He is earning more than Michael jackson every
year..
And the system is not blind, check yourself first.. Elvis has not only took everything from blacks.. His influence was more of whites, Like he was influenced by Jimmie rodgers, bob wills, ernest tubb, mario lanza too.. Not just blues He had fusion of christian hymns, country, hillbilly music too.
So calling that Elvis took from blacks is like showing jealousy about his talent and being racist.
See what Black legends has said about Elvis:-
Little Richard :- “He was an integrator, Elvis was a blessing. They wouldn’t let black music through. He opened the door for black music.”
“Elvis was God-given. There’s no explanation. A messiah comes around every few thousand years, and Elvis was it this time.”
Chuck Berry :- “Blacks didn’t have the air–waves Elvis had. He delivered what he obtained beautifully.”
“Describe Elvis Presley? He was the greatest who ever was, is, or will ever be.”
James Brown :- “I wasn’t just a fan, I was his brother. He said I was good and I said he was good; we never argued about that. Elvis was a hard worker, dedicated, and God loved him. Last time I saw him was at Graceland, We sang ‘Old Blind Barnabus’ together, a gospel song. I love him and hope to see him in heaven. There’ll never be another like that soul brother.”
“Some people say Elvis stole black music. Those people are fools, Elvis gave black people a voice.” (CONCENTRATE ON THIS)
Issac Hayes :- “Elvis was a giant and influenced everyone in the business.”
B.B. King :- “His phraseology, his way of looking at a song, was as unique as Sinatra’s … Had Elvis lived, there would have been no end to his inventiveness.”
Al Green :- “Elvis had an influence on everybody with his musical approach. He broke the ice for all of us.”
———-
At the last of my comment i want to tell that there are 1000s of artists/bands who are better than michael jackson, because they can sing or play or write or has some originality.
Elvis never wrote much, but at least he can Sing and play great! Elvis has played Guitar, piano, drums, bass in records and also behind the audience. What michael jackson can’t do, Michael jackson can’t play anything! If he can than why there is no photo or video what shows michael jackson is playing instrument. So michael isn’t a part of any music discussion.
I hear this whining about elvis all the time……’he never wrote a song so how could he be a great artist?” Neither did Frank Sinatra, i suppose you thought he wasn’t legitimate either? what about Bob dylan, he couldn’t sing and played the guitar like a beginner, is he a myth because in reality his ‘performance’ skills were a joke? No!
Elvis ’stole the black mans music’? This is one of the great misdirections in music history. Elvis liked Blues and Gospel, but he also liked COUNTRY, yes the dreaded white devil music. so he took a bit from evryone and used it. Ever heard Thorntons original of Hound Dog? sounds nothing like Elvis’ version, he made it his own, and it changed CULTURE.
As for MJ, he ripped off Jackie Wilson and James Brown. Do you know what Jackie said about Elvis?
‘A lot of people have accused Elvis of stealing the black man’s music, when in fact, almost every black solo entertainer copied his stage mannerisms from Elvis’.
Whoops full circle.
michael jackson is the greatest singer of all time!!!!!!! he knew dance he had creativity and he was cool michael jackson still better than the beattles and elvis presley too! michael jackson we live 4ever xoxo
Yeah but MJ OWNS the Beatles!