Robbie Fulks: Michael Jackson "better than Elvis"

I think Elvis was better than Michael Jackson. So I didn't bother reading the article. It's not an intellectual thing where you can give reasons why one is better than the other. It's intangible. It's something you feel.

Elvis music style came straight from African Americans at a time when rock and roll was considered to be satanic. Michael is a WORLD WIDE phenomenon! He was a TRENDSETTER, and a humanitarian. If Elvis lived longer he would have been eventually faded.

"Elvis stole from the black man" is such a tired white liberal cliche. If Elvis were an alleged child molesterfrom the east coast white liberals would love him. It pisses them off that there were pretty little thigns waiting for The King down in the jungle room. And don't give me that shit that "Scilla" was 13 when he met her. It was a different time and a different culture. I love everything about Elvis--Clambake, Suspicious Minds, Burnin' Love,Don't Cry Daddy. And oh yeah--The Rolling Stones weren't influenced by the black man's music at all. If these anti-Elvis, anti-South child molester sympathizers had their way the only thing white people would ever listen to was Pat Boone.

saying that Elvis stole from the blacks is racist, it implies that one group can only do one type of thing, Elvis had a tremendous amount of respect for African Americans and probably did a ton to help them up in a time when. Both Elvis and Michael were innovators at their peak. I think Jackson will be our generations Elvis, though i see no followers

Not quite 20 years, but there is nothing even resembling a dud in the bunch:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Marley_and_The_Wailers_discography

First thing first, I liked elvis, but he was a the michael for whites. Blacks had been hearing that type of music in the jook joints long before elvis, which is where elvis said he got the sound. Elvis was protested against because whites said he was playing N music and moved like a N. You can reseach the fact that rock and roll was called N music. Heart Break Hotel is a Blues song. So i understand when whites sat elvis was better a white person that can perform like a black person, back in those days was like mana from heaven. All white singers copied black artist (fact). Chubby checker gave whites there first real dance (the Twist). Michael wrote and produced, Elvis did not,Micheal created moves Elvis copied, just becuase white had not seen it before does not mean that it was not happening and elvis says that's where he got it from. So don't make yourself feel better by bringing up the bad about Michael to justify saying Elvis was better.

"Not That" Bill Wyman argues that Elvis is better than Michael:

What Presley invented with his voice was something that, in a sociological sense, was the internet of its time—by which I mean that it carried in it the seeds of its own revolution, and grew in power in the face of opposition. It did it by being so right—with the clarity of its conception and the audacity of its idea: Bringing those musics, and cultures, together. I think we can agree the rock era’s effect on society was definitive.

Wyman goes on to dismiss Jackson's achievements as "merely...commercial." Not sure I buy that. Surely, Jackson had a huge impact on cultural segregation in America. Not just via MTV, but come on: Thiller won over my Aunt Bonnie!

I sometimes even wonder if we'd have the president we have in the White House today had it not been for Michael Jackson... That might be taking it a bit far, but you know: butterfly effect, etc. Who knows?

Michael Jackson is way better than Elvis case closed.

Hell yea michael was bigger than elvis everybody knows that. Elvis was big in america michael was a world wide phenomenon. YOu can go to the smallest island tuck away in the darkest corner of earth and ask any inhabitants who michale jackson is and they would know. Asia , europe , india ,the middle east united states, latin america he recieve maguines book of world records for being the most famous man alive. And most number 1 hits period. He has the biggest selling abulm of all time and biggest selling tour of all time. He outsold ELVIS I think that sums it up. And thats the FACTS!!!!

elvis paved the way for all singers no matter what kind ofsong you sang.he went through embarassment on T V.he was and still is the undisputed king.he could sing and dance.and did not sleep with little boys in the bed with him.

Michael Jackson is waaaaaaaaaay and I do mean waaaaaaaaay better than elvis!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michael Jackson was truly better than Elvis. Sure you have to give Elvis his credit when it comes to how popular he was BUT so was Michael Jackson..and still is. Elvis didnt write his own music, Michael did. Elvis didnt have to go through all the nonsense rumers that Michael had to go through. Even though people tried to bring down Michael Jackson he still remained strong, and kept giving..yup i said it GIVING! MJ gave to countless charities and not to mention hade one of his own. Everywhere Michael performed he left it as a better place..how? Because instead of his taking his resting time, he went to foster cares, and struggling towns to help in anyway he could. So Elvis will be rememberd for his music, but Michael Jackson will be rememberd for his music AND him being a GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN:)

Ok, I will put it like this. I had this arguement a long time ago with some of my white friends. You know it kills me, that the white people I have seen that say Elvis is better than Michael is just thinking with their hearts and not their minds. To me, Elvis couldn't sing. Listen to his voice, it sounds stupid. I mean really. The only thing I can give Elvis credit for is bringing rock n roll, the way white people singing, to the forfront of where it is today. Even though black people came up with the music first. If you think that I am racist, well then think again. Trust me on this, do your research. I gurantee somebody ignorant on here will have something vulgar and stupid to say. But hey, that's what I expect. Especially in the type of world we live in today. Pure evil seems like. Michael Jackson CRUSHES! Elvis. It's not even a comparison. Michael can really sing, and nobody touches Mike in dancing. Nobody! I have not seen anybody like Mike with that much talent and coordination before ever! Michael writes his own music and at times produces it too. Then just for the icing on the cake, hit is a great humanitarian. Do I need to say more. I really can, but for any of you nay sayers that have any smarts at all, then you should all ready know about the all time selling albums, tours,etc...I watch on tv this Elvis/Michael thing that they are doing now and I lmao! They try to make Elvis look good by saying that his music reach across the world like Michael did. That is a straight lie! My wife is from Kenya, and she told me that she had never heard of Elvis until she came to this country. Wow...But you can ask anybody around the world who Michael Jackson was, and I bet you they can tell you. Well anyway, I've proved my point. Let the hating begin... Lol.... Boy these people kill me. Lol!

yo, Rekus-go to any carnival and see which tent has the longest line...yeah, that's right-the freak show. It's like comparing Barry Bonds to Babe Ruth-sure, Bonds has more taters, but the Babe gets all the legend status. If you want to be objective, which I don't think you do, tell us something you don't like about Mike.

Hey dude, you really don't want to get into that with me. Trust me. You have no argument.

As a matter of fact, Nate dog, if you can tell me anything that Elvis can do better than Mike, I will be the bigger man and mature man and agree with you. Honestly tell me. Come on. Because to be honest with you, I am not going to get into no argument. I have seen how all these types of boards can get. I have been there before, and I am not going to waste my time. The proof is there. So, tell me what you go, so I can see if I can't be objective. Man please..

And one more thing, Michael has way more legend status. Look that up. If there is anything that I don't like about Mike, is that he didn't stay black. Humm.. Let me see if you can be objective. I don't think that you can. Go ahead....

Saying Elvis was not a world wide phenomena is just ignorant. Elvis did it without videos, without the internet. Look at his freaking Aloha From Hawaii concert. How many countries did that air in in 1973? I'll tell you. 40 across asia and Europe. Elvis was also a humanitarian. He gave away so much money, bought cars for people he didn't know (white and black),tossed jewelry and diamond studded capes and belts to the audience, and also supported oodles of charities and he refused to write it off his taxes because he said it wasn't giving. The Aloha concert, Elvis didnt even take any pay. All that went to a charity. All the people that came to that concert were required to do was to pay what they could afford. How much of that do you see go on in recent memory? Michael Jackson was a better musician than Elvis and a better dancer. But by God, Elvis shouldn't (and won't be) dismissed. He kicked the door down for the acceptance of black music. Michael kicked the door down for the acceptance of black artists. Elvis and Michael are forever linked in an odd way and at different ends of the spectrum. it is almost like seeing the beginning and the end of a rainbow. There won't be another like either one, nor should there be. The defined it all. I loved Elvis. I Loved Michael.

In 1985 when Michael Jackson was on top of the world Paul Westerberg wrote,"Elvis in the ground there ain't no beer tonight." He didn't write,"Elvis in the ground, Michael Jackson is here to take his place."

I never heard of MJ eating a pound of bacon at a sitting,so the big E's got him there....don't get me wrong, I don't dislike the guy-his work stands with the best. But some of it was boring and pretentious, too. Bad was, well, bad. Putting on a leather jacket doesn't make you bad.(Selling a kilo of toot to a fed and getting away with it-that's bad) I felt the same way when I heard Houses of the Holy, too-you can't make a crap recording and expect it to be accepted as holy writ.
Jackson's life and career was managed from the time he was 5 years old. I think he never developed the ability to make decisions for himself, and this led him to depend on others who
might not have had his best interests at heart. He and Elvis ended up the same way-aging megalomaniacs addicted to spotlights and painkillers.

how could you mention m jackson in the same sentence with elvis. elvis was the best singer of the 20th century. he also had many more number 1s than jackson. you had 15 years of nothing from mike. oh yeah was that mike in black leather in 68
i dont think so. plus mike had a girlie voive. elvis could hit a note listen to triligy you idiots! elvis also liked like a man. mike looked like a chick or a queer.

jackson world wide/ what!
elvis was all over the world and in the army. can you imagine jackson in the army? my god that could never happen
rhe guy was a fruitcake'

other atists better than jackson

elton john
all 3 out of four beatles
stones
plant and page
the who
billy preston
eric clapton
santana
frank sinatra
elvis
simon and garfunkal
ccr
and about 20 others not listed
the black people are trying to find someone to make their idol. hes not the one.

i couldnt stand the guy or the j five. i thought they sucked and they were behind the times.

jesus tom jones was even better

I don't believe anyone can "steal" music. It is shared back and forth and yes sometimes copied, unfairly at times. I feel Elvis gets a bad rap sometimes, so here is one of my favorite quotes from the one and only Jackie Wilson:
"A lot of people have accused Elvis of stealing the black man's music, when in fact almost every black solo performer copied his moves from Elvis". This quote from Jackie, who acknowledged a debt to EP, illustrates the point- that music and dance are passed back and forth. Another example: Ray Charles was very influenced by country music, the Grand Ole Opry is what he heard on the radio. Michael was very talented. It is arguable though that he was a "better" singer than Elvis, who is much better than some people realize (listen to Elvis Sun Sessions). BTW Elvis was as influenced by Dean Martin as he was by the wonderful Gospel, Blues and R&B he grew up around and absorbed. When James Brown died there was a wonderful article on him in Rolling Stone, which detailed his relationship w/(and respect for)Elvis. If Jackie and James respected his talents, I think that speaks volumes.

This world is pathetic
No one can touch or come close to Elvis Presley he was an artist and he din't need nothing to sing right no need to adjust his voice with gadget he could sing anything he want from rock blues country jazz you name it he could do it all alone.
1 am not saying that Michael was not good he was probably one of the greatest artist the world evec see but he is no Elvis Presley no baby and never will!

Ofcourse Elvis... There is a book called elvis jesus and coca cola these are the biggest 3 names.Elvis is known by his first name only. ELV1S wab the first and MJ copied Elvis a lot. Moonwalk
?MJ said he got it from a child he saw on the street.Another thing is as Madonna said: Elvis is God... :p 1.8 billion records and countless awards over 730 songs and most of all A SINCERE man to his fans. always. MJ was always hiding himself a lot Elvis never ignored any fan. To me they are both legends but ELVIS is the first for all dance stuff and popular music.

Are you people serious??? Of all the great musicians out there we choose to compare Michael Jackson with Elvis?? that is the purest form of disrespect, it downgrades the legacy Jackson left. Elvis had mostly a white fanbase. While michael jackso had white, black, asian, spanish, austrailian, etc. ANd thats a fact. More people came to MJ's concerts than Elvis. Mike changed the world more than elvis. case closed.
hint: thriller biggest selling album of all time

beatles beat out all!!!!

What are guys serious?
Elvis Presley is the best sellling and most influential recording artist in the history of popular music.
Not to mention that he also had a glorious and the most versitile of all voices, and was the most charismatic of all performers.
These are current and historical facts and no amount of hype and ignorance on the developement of popular music can change that.

This is stupid compairing apples and oranges, people have there own favuoites which is based on the meaning they get from songs and artists music.

I don't mind stating that MJ wins for me by a mile, but the butterfly effect is interesting. Would MJ be the artist his was without Elvis? interesting question. The only way I can judge fairly breaking it down. Singing - MJ wins but tastes have changed.
Dancing - MJ was magical.
Videos - MJ but Elvis didn't make any . . he might have been great at it. As a Musician - MJ wrote, produced, played instruments on albums (Piano and guitar on History) don't know much about Elvis in this context other than he didn't write is music. Live - MJ your eyes are glued to him his feet and hands / movements are so perfect sometimes you forget its live, Elvis had famous hips but it doesn't take a genius to do what he did in reality. Impact - Both broke boundaries would give that to Elvis because I think he did more for black music than most people are prepared to admit intentional or not. Imagery - MJ there are so many famous pic of MJ such as moonwalking on his toes etc but that comes with the music video and media, Elvis had a few such as that white jump suit etc.
Records - Tie, MJ had loads, Elvis had loads that's because they were both greats.

Overall MJ but not because any of the above analysis but just based on the fact that I grew up on MJ and have a lot of happy memories of listening to his music, if I was 30 years older it might be different.

Elvis was the king, michael jackson attempted to steal his name, married his daughter, and more or less copied his death, elvis' legacy will live on well past michael jacksons

Some of David's comments 22/11/09 are not supportable, eg,suggesting that MJ was a better singer that Elvis is astonishing and perhaps suggests that David is not familiar with Elvis catalogue. The range and vocalisation of Elvis is unmatchable, someting recognised by most critics.
None the less I give David full credit for his reasoned tone and for trying to be fair. It is actually very difficult for fans of one artist to give excessive credit to other artists.

"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."

~ Jackie Wilson

"Describe Elvis Presley? He was the greatest who ever was, is, or ever will be."

~ Chuck Berry

"Elvis was God-given, there's no other explanation. A Messiah comes around every few thousand years, and Elvis was it this time."

~ Little Richard

"Some people say Elvis stole Black music. Those people are fools, Elvis gave Black people a voice."

~ James Brown

Wow! First time I'm reading comments with much bullshits! That's impressing! Why black americans are so racist? What is your problem with Elvis? I'm from a little country from Asia and Elvis is God there! Why these lies that Elvis was known only in America? Keep your bullshits for you! Michael is worldwilde too but he's known as any other big star and nothing else (Madonna, Elton John, ...)! Being racist in 2009 is a shame! Elvis is known as the KING on the entire planet (not only in America!!!). I'm 31 and have at least 50 of his cd's, AND I LIVE IN ASIA !!! The King's voice in the 70's has reached the perfection and no other artist can come close (even the king of the playback MJ!)

First of all michael jackson was waaaaay better then elvis lets just get that straight because unlike elvis michael could actully sing and he came up with his own stuff and didnt get it from anywhere else like elvis did and michael was way more famous elvis was only known in the u.s (barley) but michael jackson was known WORLDWIDE i repeat WORLDWIDE and he gave money to alot of charities he was very charitable to poor villages and he even had his own charity and thriller was the BIGGEST selling album OF ALL TIME michael sold trillions of albums that elvis couldnt even catch up to also michael jackson wrote his own songs and produced and he didnt get dance moves from anyone you think he got it from ok? elvis was just a copier with a horrible voice and everyone needs to get that through their heads ok?????

I repeat, I'm from Asia and we were all wrong about white americans. They are not racists, the racists are black americans. White medias did everything to help MJ to be a star but you are still stupid recists! White medias did all they possible to kill Elvis in the 50's but no way, Elvis kicked their ass because he was the KING.

Other point, MJ couldn't sing (playbacks), MJ couldn't compose (doesn't play any instrument), he's just an excellent dancer. And MJ is WORLWIDE as Madonna is nothing more! Elvis is WORLDWIDE King! You can explose, but this will not change. In Asia or Europe when media talk about Elvis they say "The King". You are so racist that you can't even accept the truth! With your little brain, you must find a black artist (no talented, pedophile, strange, ...) to put him before Elvis ! What a baby brain!

Elvis is not a playback King !

"On January 14, 1973, Elvis Presley performed 'What Now My Love' before a live audience of 1 billion people, as part of his satellite show, 'Aloha from Hawaii', which was beamed to 43 countries via INTELSAT. According to vocal coaches, and experts, Presley reached a full three octave range, at the song's conclusion."

my god elvis is by far and away the greatest force in the history of music !!! nothing and nobody can touch this man/legend !!! he affected mankind in a way that cannot be measured !! truly a gift from god !!

I believe that as a singer/enertainer that Elvis was the best there ever was.He could sing anything from from gospel to ballad to up tempo songs,and had a tremendous vocal range.The real test of time will be this.In 33 years from now will Jackson be as popular as Elvis is today.

Elvis was a great entertainer but his music catalog wasn't that original and he benefited from an American culture that wasn't fully accepting of blacks at the time. Jackson is better. He could dance circles around Elvis. Elvis is also an overrated singer. Now I give him all the credit for bringing rock to the masses and for ushering in a new era but sorry, Jackson was the better talent. And don't use the "genre excuse". Off the Wall is completely different from Thriller.

Oh and Jackson was making #1 hits when he was a kid. Elvis, uhhh no. Elvis could never pull off Thriller. That dance routine is legendary, more than anything Elvis did.

He may've molested kids (which is false IMO, greedy parents) but Elvis died a fat loser if we want to use that argument. He couldn't even perform in his forties he was so out of shape and unhealthy. Jackson was near performing at age 50 until he died. He's the better talent, more original and at the VERY least a far far superior dancer.

"Elvis overrated singer"? If you understand something about music then listen to "What now my love" live in 1973. For information, this is REALLY live and not playback like used to do the "king" of pop by insulting his fans! But no matter, his fans are so stupid ...

"The King couldn't even perform in his forties"? Then listen to "Unchained melody" in 1977, even unhealthy, his God given operatic voice was alaways there! Oh again! That's not a playback !!!

Conclusion about MJ, the man never played any instrument live (but he can write music! Something wrong here !!!), the man had a tiny voice (like a 5 year's old small girl), he was a good dancer, that's all. I will not say he was overrated because he will dissapear in few years...

I am so sad, MJ died on my birthday and i had a mj style bday party! Not one person came coz they were to sad. Anyways as for MJ and EP, MJ was the KING of Pop,Rock,and Soul(a.k.a The King) EP was the King of Rock n Roll until after he died which I was heart broken as well! Here are some categories I made of music!

Singing: TIE! BOTH ROCKED AT SINGING!
Dancing: MJ ALL THE WAY, EP dance moves: Moving Pelvis MJ dance moves: Moonwalk,AirWalk, Front slide, Spinning,Jumping, He heing(lol), Twirling, Pelvic Thrusting, Break Dancing.......the list goes on
Entertainment: TIE! Everyone LOVED when elvis even talked but everyone will scream(in a very good way) when MJ even entered the room!
Looks: TIE! Both looked amazing at the start of there careers but Elvis got fat,drug addicted, and drunk but MJ had vitilgo(skin disease and his skin changed into something weird and he had bad plastic surgery on his nose.

Points MJ: 1 EP:0 They both rocked in there own ways but 45 years of a music career for MJ and only 23 years of a music career for EP shows who the king is! R.I.P Michael Joseph Jackson August 29 1958- June 25th 2009
R.I.P Elvis Aaron Presley January 8 1935- August 16 1977