Elvis, was he the best????

[thesurfer]

Friend brought this up, started a big debate, told them id take it to the forum i belong to, Get some real music lovers thoughts on this, What say you all???

[nooshinjohn]

I am not much of an Elvis fan, but on many levels, the answer would be that he is in the top ten for sure. As far as being an inspiration to others, every rocker that came up behind him wanted to BE Elvis, including John Lennon.(imho, the greatest)

[Danny Tse]

Was he the best? Absolutely not.

However, his influence on popular music is unquestioned. I believe it was John Lennon who said, "Before Elvis, there was nothing."

[steveinaz]

Definitely legendary, but I've never been a fan.

[Toolfan66]

Was he the best? Absolutely not.

However, his influence on popular music is unquestioned. I believe it was John Lennon who said, "Before Elvis, there was nothing."

Agreed!!!! I would also add that he might be the first to crossover genres of music and be successful doing so..

[Keiko]

The best? Might be subjective to some. I have a staple of faves, but wouldn't say anyone or any one band is. Elvis definitely made an impact tho and I like his music. Grew up listening to his stuff.

[jmwest1970]

He's definitely one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. I am a fan, but I wouldn't consider him as the best. I'd say top 20 in my book.

[PolkClyde]

Well,Elvis is the best to a lot of people,I like Elvis. his movies and his music. There were a rivalry, between James Brown the King of soul and Elvis the king of rock n Roll, back in the day. There also, was a "rumor" that came out in the Black Community, that Elvis said,the only thing a black person could do for him, is to shine his shoes.. Although, I heard that all the time growing up,I never cease to listen to his music.I'm a person that always maintain my individuality.I don't follow something because it's popular ,I make up my own mine. I have a lot of respect for Mr. Presley and will always like his concerts(I have a tape called, this is Elvis,love it).My co-workers are surprise at all the variety of music that I have,being a James Brown fanatic.When they come to my house, I play what they like,not what I like. They bought me a coffee cup that says "I FEEL GOOD" that was very kind of them to do that for me.I'm proud to say, Mr. James Brown is my best artist.

[danger boy]

maybe the best of his era.. the 50's... beyond that.. the Beatles were the best.

[TECHNOKID]

maybe the best of his era.. the 50's... beyond that.. the Beatles were the best.

That I have to agree with.

As pointed out earlier, "the best" is very subjective. Elvis also had movies playing for his fame. One thing I can say for sure many artists that came after him don't come any close to his level. However, many good ones also came afterward but "the best" would be depending on one's personal liking. Again, to each one their own.

[shack]

No .

[dorokusai]

Elvis is way overrated.

[TECHNOKID]

Elvis is way overrated.

Surely because there is a lot more women on this planet than men, right?

[kappclark]

Elvis is way overrated.

Beach boys - 36 Top 40 hits

Beatles - 52 Top 40 Hits

Four Tops - 24 Top 40 Hits

Aretha Franklin - 35 Top 40 Hits

Madonna - 40 Top 40 hits



Elvis Presley -- 114 Top 40 Hits

over 2 times the Beatles !! That says something, doesn't it ?? I am not a big Elvis fan, but he is the king in this regard !

[Bababouey]

Elvis was a great interpreter of songs..he was not and never will be The King Of Rock and Roll.
I save that title for Chuck Berry.

[PolkClyde]

Beach boys - 36 Top 40 hits

Beatles - 52 Top 40 Hits

Four Tops - 24 Top 40 Hits

Aretha Franklin - 35 Top 40 Hits

Madonna - 40 Top 40 hits



Elvis Presley -- 114 Top 40 Hits

over 2 times the Beatles !! That says something, doesn't it ?? I am not a big Elvis fan, but he is the king in this regard !

James Brown had over 100 charted singles and 44 top forty songs beginning with "Think" in 1960 and ending with "Living in America" in 1986. but, without significant"Top 40 airplay". The records sold extremely well, only because of the strength of "SALES" in the Black community,on the RnB charts. He never had a number 1 pop hit,due to lack of top 40 airplay,(they wouldn't play his records on pop radio), but over 17 number 1 RnB hit songs.Most people know,"I feel Good and Papa's got a brand new bag".Although,he created his own sound "funk", Again, Lack of top 40 airplay, hurt him.

[dorokusai]

Beach boys - 36 Top 40 hits

Beatles - 52 Top 40 Hits

Four Tops - 24 Top 40 Hits

Aretha Franklin - 35 Top 40 Hits

Madonna - 40 Top 40 hits



Elvis Presley -- 114 Top 40 Hits

over 2 times the Beatles !! That says something, doesn't it ?? I am not a big Elvis fan, but he is the king in this regard !

I'm not really into Top40 music so the list is meaningless to me.

[Ron-P]

Elvis is way overrated.

As are The Beatles, The Who, Grateful Dead, Led Zep, Rolling Stones, Metallica, etc...the list goes well beyond just Elvis.

And to answer the question, no, he wasn't.

[danger boy]

Lady Gaga is the king

and Elton John is the Queen! :tongue:

[Toolfan66]

Lady Gaga is the king

and Elton John is the Queen! :tongue:

Haha!!! Agreed!!! And I like them both better then Elvis.

[headrott]

I wouldn't say "the best" or my favorite. He was extremely talented in many ways (except as a song writer). I think his Sun Sessions recordings are phenominal though! Take a listen to his version of "Blue Moon" on the Sun Sessions! The mood is just amazing.

Greg

[nap]

Echo the comments of The Best being highly subjective. It boils down to a matter of taste. He is top five in my opinion. He paved the way for everyone else. In that regard I would have to say he beats whoever comes in second place.

[George Grand]

Elvis? Yes. The best clown I ever saw.

[inspiredsports]

Friend brought this up, started a big debate, told them id take it to the forum i belong to, Get some real music lovers thoughts on this, What say you all???

Was Elvis the best? I agree with those who say, "No".

[mrbiron]

Elvis was the Justin Bieber of the 50's

[Keiko]

Look! There goes nap. Yo, King!!!

[PolkClyde]

elvis? Yes. The best clown i ever saw.

wow, george

[bikerboy]

Elvis was great in the early days but failed to make great music later on in his life. Ray Charles made great music all of his life. James Brown did the same. It would have been interesting to have seen Elvis, James and Ray in an Idol sing off. But in the 50s that wouldn't have happened since a black singer and a white singer would never have been in the same venue. If James or Ray had the support of the white controlled radio stations record sales would have been very different.

[thesurfer]

After some research, i found presley to be the Best, in regards of million selling singles, Million selling albums, The best, acording to the RIAA, If the riaa, counted presleys million selling singles, along with his albums, he would easily overtake everyone in that regard, Why they dont count all certfied formats, is beyond me, Id put him in my top 5, with Led Zeppelin on top,

[mrbigbluelight]

Lady Gaga is the king
and Elton John is the Queen! :tongue:

Elvis? Yes. The best clown I ever saw.

You know .... I'm having a hard time deciding which of these two statements made me laugh harder.

Elvis wasn't the best, but he was .... significant.
His Gospel music was, btw, pretty impressive.