Elvis Presley Comparison Essay
Elvis Presley and The Beatles are two of the most famous music icons in American history. Although they both rose to fame ten years apart, both made marks in the world of music, and both made marks in the world of new music. Who was better though? For years it’s been ongoing argument-was Elvis Presley, King of Rock n’ Roll better? Or were The Beatles better? Elvis Presley began singing when he was only a young child, but didn’t get his first guitar until his 11th birthday, in 1946. After he graduated in 1953, he began to pursue his dream and cut his first demo record at what would later become known as Sun Studio. Elvis’ first number one single was “Heartbreak Hotel,” as well as his first number one album, Elvis Presley. The Beatles became The Beatles in 1960, when they officially became a band. The band consisted of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. John Lennon formed the band, after briefly being in a band “The Quarry Men,” in high school. After hearing young Paul McCartney play guitar, Lennon asked McCartney if he wanted to start a band. Lennon
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said “It become the most popular band in the world.” McCartney said yes, and thus the Lennon-McCartney duo happened. Eight months later, Paul wanted to recruit someone else, and he had a suggestion. George Harrison, a wizard on the guitar, joined. John was hesitant letting George join at such a young age, but two weeks before his 15th birthday, George Harrison officially became the third member of the band. Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr) become the fourth and final member of the band after The Beatles first drummer, Pete Best, was replaced. The Beatles first number one single was “Please Please Me,” which was recorded in a twelve hour session and released March 1963, thus jumpstarting their career. Some of Elvis Presleys most famous songs were “Jailhouse Rock,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Don’t be Cruel,” “Burning Love,” and “Viva Las Vegas.” Although they were all sung by Elvis, he did not write any of them. Jailhouse Rock was written by Jerry Leiber, Heartbreak Hotel was written by Tommy Durden and Mae Boren Axton, Don’t be Cruel was written by Otis Blackwell, Burning Love was written by Dennis Linde, and Viva Las Vegas was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. Some of The Beatles most famous songs were “Hey Jude,” “A Day in the Life,” “Let it Be,” and “Yesterday.” All four songs were written and composed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Some have dubbed John Lennon and Paul McCartney as the greatest songwriting duo ever. George Harrison started out slow, but eventually become one of the best songwriters as well. Elvis Presley was known for a lot of things-songwriting and composing his music was not one of them. Elvis Presley was mostly influenced by African American music, and a few White singers as well.
Even though several African American singers had some number one single hits, it was during a time when segregation and discrimination was legal and still very much around, especially in the south. Regardless, Elvis never failed to cite his debt to their music. He was influenced by singers like Nat King Cole, Chuck Berry, B.B King, Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, Ivory Joe Hunter, and Fats Domino. When they were younger, the four Beatles members were all followers of British Rock n’ Rollers, notably Cliff Richard and The Shadows. However, many of the band’s influences were of American Origin. It’s been told that Chuck Berry was perhaps the “most fundamental progenitor of the Beatles’ sound.” The Beatles were also influenced by singers such as Billy Cochran, Carl Perkins, and some early Motown
artists. It depends on your definition of “better.” Many people will say that The Beatles were much better than Elvis, and that Elvis just ripped off other artists. Others, such as myself, will say that while The Beatles may be more respected in the aspect of writing and composing most of their own music, Elvis Presley didn’t need a band to be good. He could take command of the stage far better than The Beatles, he had a presence very few could match. In addition, some say they have more respect for Elvis than The Beatles, because he took a leave in his singing career to join the U.S Army Reserve for six years. When he came back to his singing career, he was still just as good, he could still take command of a stage just as well. In the end, who was better comes down to who and how you’re influenced and/or inspired, and in your taste of music.
said “It become the most popular band in the world.” McCartney said yes, and thus the Lennon-McCartney duo happened. Eight months later, Paul wanted to recruit someone else, and he had a suggestion. George Harrison, a wizard on the guitar, joined. John was hesitant letting George join at such a young age, but two weeks before his 15th birthday, George Harrison officially became the third member of the band. Richard Starkey (Ringo Starr) become the fourth and final member of the band after The Beatles first drummer, Pete Best, was replaced. The Beatles first number one single was “Please Please Me,” which was recorded in a twelve hour session and released March 1963, thus jumpstarting their career. Some of Elvis Presleys most famous songs were “Jailhouse Rock,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Don’t be Cruel,” “Burning Love,” and “Viva Las Vegas.” Although they were all sung by Elvis, he did not write any of them. Jailhouse Rock was written by Jerry Leiber, Heartbreak Hotel was written by Tommy Durden and Mae Boren Axton, Don’t be Cruel was written by Otis Blackwell, Burning Love was written by Dennis Linde, and Viva Las Vegas was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. Some of The Beatles most famous songs were “Hey Jude,” “A Day in the Life,” “Let it Be,” and “Yesterday.” All four songs were written and composed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Some have dubbed John Lennon and Paul McCartney as the greatest songwriting duo ever. George Harrison started out slow, but eventually become one of the best songwriters as well. Elvis Presley was known for a lot of things-songwriting and composing his music was not one of them. Elvis Presley was mostly influenced by African American music, and a few White singers as well.
Even though several African American singers had some number one single hits, it was during a time when segregation and discrimination was legal and still very much around, especially in the south. Regardless, Elvis never failed to cite his debt to their music. He was influenced by singers like Nat King Cole, Chuck Berry, B.B King, Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, Ivory Joe Hunter, and Fats Domino. When they were younger, the four Beatles members were all followers of British Rock n’ Rollers, notably Cliff Richard and The Shadows. However, many of the band’s influences were of American Origin. It’s been told that Chuck Berry was perhaps the “most fundamental progenitor of the Beatles’ sound.” The Beatles were also influenced by singers such as Billy Cochran, Carl Perkins, and some early Motown
artists. It depends on your definition of “better.” Many people will say that The Beatles were much better than Elvis, and that Elvis just ripped off other artists. Others, such as myself, will say that while The Beatles may be more respected in the aspect of writing and composing most of their own music, Elvis Presley didn’t need a band to be good. He could take command of the stage far better than The Beatles, he had a presence very few could match. In addition, some say they have more respect for Elvis than The Beatles, because he took a leave in his singing career to join the U.S Army Reserve for six years. When he came back to his singing career, he was still just as good, he could still take command of a stage just as well. In the end, who was better comes down to who and how you’re influenced and/or inspired, and in your taste of music.