Jimmy Rabbitte: Elvis is not soul. Jimmy Rabbitte, Sr.: Elvis is God! Jimmy Rabbitte: I never pictured God with a fat gut and corset singing "My Way" at Caesar's Palace.
Elvis' pipes/reach >>>>>>> Jessica Simpson's Elvis' live performances >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Jessica's Elvis' energy/passion in singing>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Jessica's Elvis as an entertainer>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Jessica Elvis' gospels >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Jessica's christian pop Elvis' dancing >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> jessica's not to mention, charisma, captivation. hate to break it to ya.. but writing songs, isn't a prerequisite towards judging the extent of talent of a "singer".. or performer..it's a plus.. Elvis was extremely talented.. to put him in the same context of a Jessica Simpson.. the amount of musical idiocy... is indescrible..
I agree: Elvis made it okay for white people to listen to black peoples' music. Chuck Berry and Little Richard created rock n roll, and Elvis brought it to the masses. If nothing else, he had the courage to stand up to insurmountable odds and bring something to the people that a bunch of bigoted BS previously wouldn't allow. And THAT, sir, is why he is truly great. Long live the King!
too bad the media and many others will tell you that he did invent it, and was the best at it. and he wasn't. there are A LOT of better rock and roll pioneers than elvis.
Please name A LOT then. And don't mention guys who came after Elvis like Little Richard, Jerry Lee, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Chuck Berry or Buddy Holly. They would never enjoyed such success without Elvis. The only one that I can think of is Bill Haley, and the guy who influenced Elvis the most, Otis Blackwell (though few had ever heard of him at the time). I think you are thinking of Pat Boone.
I voted Perkins because like many others I believe he is the most rockabilly on the poll. We could have included Ronnie Dawson, Buddy Holly, Bill Haley, and a whole list of others. But the most badass of them all was probably Johnny Cash, he did have some Rockabilly, but wasn't as Rockabilly. Merle is a badass as well. Elvis certainly wasn't the first. He isn't even my favorite, but he did have style, and he brought that style to the music he did. He deserves some credit.
Some of the people you mentioned came before Elvis, but didn't acheive success before Elvis. Carl Perkins, however, came first and had both rock and country #1's with Blue Suede Shoes before Elvis did.
Elvis released "That's all right" in July of 1954. Little Richard started recording for Specialty Records in 1955. Chuck Berry started recording for Chess records in 1955. Jerry Lee Lewis walked into Sun studio in 1956. Carl Perkins recorded "Blue Suede Shoes" in 1955. Elvis was the catalyst for the success of all of these guys. None of them were recording in the style that they would make famous before they heard Elvis.
they had performed for years before getting record deals, the success of elvis is what got them deals and made them famous. but they were still out there making great music before elvis.
Agreed 110% The slight edge goes to Waylon, more of a badass IMHO....... plus he could actually sing. Although Cash did way more for music, I personally like Waylon's stuff a lot more. Not to mention Waylon and I share the same last name.
This just isn't true. Yes Little Richard played several years before his hits on Specialty but he was a smooth jazz/ slow blues crooner. They style he made famous was cultivated at Specialty from 1955-57. THere's no doubt Little Richard was a pioneer of rock and roll, but he still finishes second to Elvis. Chuck Berry had never recorded as a solo artist before he went to Chess in 1955. Again, he was one of the most influential guitarists of the rock and roll era, but it was post-Elvis. None of the artists in this poll influenced Elvis. Every artist in this poll was influenced by Elvis. His style was a combination of the country, gospel, and blues that he loved. "That's all Right" was a singular recording, nothing before it could have predicted the sound. His career had ups and downs and plenty of embarassing moments, but there is no doubt that he was there at the beginning.
Elton John never wrote a single song in his life to my knowledge, and look at him, he is huge. Elvis was the ****, all these men were the ****, and we will never have a pioneering effort in music like this again, music now a days just blows!
This thread is awesome! I'm taking a rock n' roll course right now and everything said and everyone mentioned has been discussed. I've got a listening quiz Tuesday with everyone previously mentioned with the edition to Big Joe Turner, Little Richard, Woody Guthrie, and the Everly Brothers. Now what about Alan Freed? (My vote goes to Bill Haley btw, but from what I gather, Gene Vincent was somewhat of an outlaw)
elvis didnt write any of his songs. he's still a badass though. if you dont think he was the ultimate showman than check out aloha from hawaii, which is one of the great concert films of all time.
he doesnt write lyrics, but he writes his own music. i would say merle haggard is the greatest rockabilly outlaw. he actually did time in prison for armed robbery before becoming famous. he was a country guy, but alot of his music had a more rockabilly vibe to it. but if porkin' your 13 year old cousin makes you an outlaw than i guess id have to give it up for jerry lee.
