Elvis to lose the # 1 spot forever...

[Unchained Melody]

Picked up from a conversation on BBC 1 television
earlier today... Before the end of this year, MJ will
have taken over the all time bestselling artist spot
from Elvis, with The Beatles still at # 2. Their
upcoming mono / stereo sets are exspected to sell
many millions of copies. And with no big sales for
Elvis product ( it's gettin' less and less....) he
will drop to 3rd place. End of an era. He held the
# 1 spot for a long, long time.... But all good things
come to an end. Worse things happen in life.

Source - TALLHAIR2from FECC!

[EnigmaticSun]

It doesn't mean anything. There are complete musical ¡d¡ots around selling millions of records. I bet some of Elvis' best recordings barely sold (I don't mean Hound Dog); Elvis is rather an exception to the rule, not being an insult to music while selling all right.

I could care less..! Anyway, start flaming! :D

[KPM]

Picked up from a conversation on BBC 1 television
earlier today... Before the end of this year, MJ will
have taken over the all time bestselling artist spot
from Elvis, with The Beatles still at # 2. Their
upcoming mono / stereo sets are exspected to sell
many millions of copies. And with no big sales for
Elvis product ( it's gettin' less and less....) he
will drop to 3rd place. End of an era. He held the
# 1 spot for a long, long time.... But all good things
come to an end. Worse things happen in life.

Source - TALLHAIR2from FECC!
Could be-but I think I'll wait until its provable fact to downgrade Elvis to #3.
MJ sales will certainly be better counted today than the haphazard methods of 1977 after Elvis passed, RCA contracted several other record companies to press Elvis product and his sales were worldwide and vast-but the total is still a mystery.

[Brian]

Picked up from a conversation on BBC 1 television
earlier today... Before the end of this year, MJ will
have taken over the all time bestselling artist spot
from Elvis, with The Beatles still at # 2. Their
upcoming mono / stereo sets are exspected to sell
many millions of copies. And with no big sales for
Elvis product ( it's gettin' less and less....) he
will drop to 3rd place. End of an era. He held the
# 1 spot for a long, long time.... But all good things
come to an end. Worse things happen in life.

Source - TALLHAIR2from FECC!

Are you referring to the RIAA official certified album sales?

If that's what you are talking about you have nothing to worry about
Elvis is at 119 million while the Beales are at 170 million
Jackson has only 61 million sold or certified according to the RIAA so to overtake Elvis and the Beatles he would have to sell a lot of albums and have them properly documented then request sales update awards from the RIAA.
Jackson doesn't have a huge body of work as a solo artist and many people already have Thriller.
Jackson only has 6 studio albums and a couple of greatest hit packages.

[italianfan]

I hate to say it, but i think this could be the case. MJ will have such a boost in sales this year, probs a couple of number ones etc. its also likely that MJ will be the highest earning celeb this and perhaps next year. Beatles may have increased sales but not by a significant amount, and im certain theyll be no new number ones.

Perhaps though, because of this new competition, EPE will step up its game and give the fans some really good releases that will chart well.

[rocknroll]

There has been much better accountability for record sales during the MJ era then there ever was for Elvis. I believe we will never know who has sold the most. Really, when all is said and done, Elvis will always be one of the biggest selling artists of all time, as will the Beatles, MJ, etc. All could be interchangeable at number one.

I know one thing, MJ has a long ways to go to catch Elvis. I believe the media, who just a few days ago considered MJ a crazy child molester, will now, without any investigation of the facts, raise MJ to the number one spot on the greatness spectrum.

We are already seeing the seeds sowed. Almost every comment on MJ lauds him as a performer that changed culture and integrated black music into the mainstream. What they forget is Elvis did it 30 years before MJs peak.

Elvis Presley will always be greater than Michael Jackson....period. He laid it on the line when it wasn't a popular thing to do and plowed the way for all the greats after him. MJ took a solo career and defined the MTV generation....which is over. Obviously he is/was hugely popular, and because of the greater saturation of electronic visibility his death will probably draw more attention than when Elvis died as there were only the 3 networks to report it. But it will be close, and it really shouldn't be as MJ has all the technological advantages.

Remember, Elvis will always be the one who was first, and is the ONLY person, still to this day, whose first name is know in all four corners of the world.

[KPM]

Are you referring to the RIAA official certified album sales?

If that's what you are talking about you have nothing to worry about
Elvis is at 119 million while the Beales are at 170 million
Jackson has only 61 million sold or certified according to the RIAA so to overtake Elvis and the Beatles he would have to sell a lot of albums and have them properly documented then request sales update awards from the RIAA.
Jackson doesn't have a huge body of work as a solo artist and many people already have Thriller.
Jackson only has 6 studio albums and a couple of greatest hit packages.
I think he is talking on a global sales basis-RIAA only certifies sales in the US.
Global sales are harder to keep accurate track of (but compared to the 50s and into the late 80s-today its much easier with computers)
Globally Elvis and the Beatles are both in the billion sales ballpark-for all singles, albums, cds total.
In the US Garth Brooks is the biggest solo seller once again for "certified album" sales. If all Elvis's uncertified sales were included he would have a much much higher US total but the RIAA does not count any sales if it does not meet their criteria for certification. (even if an album reaches 499,999 in sales until it reaches the 500,000 point the sales does not count) Elvis a few years back had 456 total album releases since 1956 in the US alone.
Worldwide the total releases and reissues has to be huge-plus Elvis had so many more single hits which are part of his world sales.

[donaldmccurry.63]

love your comments rock and roll best i've read on here all day

[Brian]

I think he is talking on a global sales basis-RIAA only certifies sales in the US.
Global sales are harder to keep accurate track of (but compared to the 50s and into the late 80s-today its much easier with computers)
Globally Elvis and the Beatles are both in the billion sales ballpark-for all singles, albums, cds total.
In the US Garth Brooks is the biggest solo seller once again for "certified album" sales. If all Elvis's uncertified sales were included he would have a much much higher US total but the RIAA does not count any sales if it does not meet their criteria for certification. (even if an album reaches 499,999 in sales until it reaches the 500,000 point the sales does not count) Elvis a few years back had 456 total album releases since 1956 in the US alone.
Worldwide the total releases and reissues has to be huge-plus Elvis had so many more single hits which are part of his world sales.

oh those worldwide sales are just guesses anyway

I don't believe Elvis or the Beatles have sold a billion records worldwide and don't believe the 750 million that they were saying Michael Jackson sold on the news a couple of days ago.
I do believe both Elvis and the Beatles have sold the most records in history though.

Michael Jackson will no doubt see a spike in his record sales for a few months but don't think it will be enough to surpass Elvis his label and his people will probably say that he has but I won't believe it.
Woldwide sales are not accurately documented anyway and no one can say for certain how many records an artist has sold or who has sold the most.
I bet money Michael Jackson's people will come out and say in 6 months that he is now the biggest sellling artist of all time worldwide but they will be lying.

[italianfan]

Something has to be said, if Elvis does remain at number 1 it will say alot about Elvis' legacy. Isnt it true that in 1977 people believed after a few years everyone would have forgot Elvis? and look now.

And just because MJ might take #1 doesnt mean Elvis wont still have fans, and to me thats all that counts; enjoying Elvis' music. He'll always be up there because fans will still be buying records.

[KPM]

oh those worldwide sales are just guesses anyway

I don't believe Elvis or the Beatles have sold a billion records worldwide and don't believe the 750 million that they were saying Michael Jackson sold on the news a couple of days ago.
I do believe both Elvis and the Beatles have sold the most records in history though.

Michael Jackson will no doubt see a spike in his record sales for a few months but don't think it will be enough to surpass Elvis his label and his people will probably say that he has but I won't believe it.
Woldwide sales are not accurately documented anyway and no one can say for certain how many records an artist has sold or who has sold the most.
I bet money Michael Jackson's people will come out and say in 6 months that he is now the biggest sellling artist of all time worldwide but they will be lying.
I did not believe it when RCA first began saying Elvis had sold a billion in 1982-but Brian I do believe it now i 2009 if you go by singles, albums.. all units sold worldwide since 1954.
Great article which is well researched and is updated pretty often as new info comes to light.
http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/for_the_billionth_and_the_last_time_faq.shtml
As far as MJ people making the claim of best selling artist worldwide-they have been doing that for the last 10 years-even though his RIAA audited US sales are just 61 million albums. The US sales give some clue as to worldwide sales
A few years back MJs management made a claim of "Thriller" having sold 104 million worldwide-they used Guiness as a source-that has not held true. The 2009 Guinness says worldwide "Thriller" based on Sony and RIAA estimates has sold around 55 million worldwide. So the Jackson camp has been making the claim of best selling worldwide artist for a long time.

[Brian]

I did not believe it when RCA first began saying Elvis had sold a billion in 1982-but Brian I do believe it now i 2009 if you go by singles, albums.. all units sold worldwide since 1954.
Great article which is well researched and is updated pretty often as new info comes to light.
http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/for_the_billionth_and_the_last_time_faq.shtml
As far as MJ people making the claim of best selling artist worldwide-they have been doing that for the last 10 years-even though his RIAA sales are just 61 million.
A few years back MJs management made a claim of "Thriller" having sold 104 million worldwide-they used Guiness as a source-that has not held true. The 2009 Guinness says worldwide "Thriller" based on Sony and RIAA estimates has sold around 55 million worldwide. So the Jackson camp has been making the claim of best selling worldwide artist for a long time.

I've read the article before I still don't believe it.

I would guess if you added everything singles, albums, extended plays since 1954 worldwide you'd get about 500 million.
A billion record is just so much.

[KPM]

I've read the article before I still don't believe it.

I would guess if you added everything singles, albums, extended plays since 1954 worldwide you'd get about 500 million.
A billion record is just so much.
Well we will have to disagree on it-as I said it seemed way too high in 1982-but 27 years later I do not have any doubt on it.

[molokai123]

There has been much better accountability for record sales during the MJ era then there ever was for Elvis. I believe we will never know who has sold the most. Really, when all is said and done, Elvis will always be one of the biggest selling artists of all time, as will the Beatles, MJ, etc. All could be interchangeable at number one.

I know one thing, MJ has a long ways to go to catch Elvis. I believe the media, who just a few days ago considered MJ a crazy child molester, will now, without any investigation of the facts, raise MJ to the number one spot on the greatness spectrum.

We are already seeing the seeds sowed. Almost every comment on MJ lauds him as a performer that changed culture and integrated black music into the mainstream. What they forget is Elvis did it 30 years before MJs peak.




Elvis Presley will always be greater than Michael Jackson....period. He laid it on the line when it wasn't a popular thing to do and plowed the way for all the greats after him. MJ took a solo career and defined the MTV generation....which is over. Obviously he is/was hugely popular, and because of the greater saturation of electronic visibility his death will probably draw more attention than when Elvis died as there were only the 3 networks to report it. But it will be close, and it really shouldn't be as MJ has all the technological advantages.

Remember, Elvis will always be the one who was first, and is the ONLY person, still to this day, whose first name is know in all four corners of the world.
(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y):notworthy:notworthy :notworthy

[molokai123]

I

Perhaps though, because of this new competition, EPE will step up its game and give the fans some really good releases that will chart well.

that would be great,but EPE is to busy pumping out Elvis car shades and talking bottle cap openers! But we can alll hope that EPE and sony will get off their @$$e$$,and start doing good things with Elvis body of work!

[italianfan]

EPE have lost its way i feel. But its not like EPE have to make something out of nothing. There are hundreds of Elvis songs that with the right promotion can do well on an album. The thing is how long can they milk hound dog, suspicious minds etc? Great songs but no one wants to keep on buying albums with the same songs.

[molokai123]

EPE have lost its way i feel. But its not like EPE have to make something out of nothing. There are hundreds of Elvis songs that with the right promotion can do well on an album. The thing is how long can they milk hound dog, suspicious minds etc? Great songs but no one wants to keep on buying albums with the same songs.

man ur hitting on the nose, great post my friend,(y)(y)(y)

[italianfan]

Thanks molokai, i just want Elvis to stay at the top for as long as possible, us Elvis fans are very protective of him :lmfao:(y)

[KPM]

EPE have lost its way i feel. But its not like EPE have to make something out of nothing. There are hundreds of Elvis songs that with the right promotion can do well on an album. The thing is how long can they milk hound dog, suspicious minds etc? Great songs but no one wants to keep on buying albums with the same songs.
EPE has no say at all on music-they can not force or rule out any promotion which Sony wants to undertake with Elvis's songs. Sony owns all the music-they own the pre 73 catalogue totally. Sony decides, and EPE can only follow the lead of their direction-when it comes to the music end. I'm sure they work together on promotions-but Sony decides what comes out and how it comes out.

[molokai123]

EPE has no say at all on music-they can not force or rule out any promotion which Sony wants to undertake with Elvis's songs. Sony owns all the music-they own the pre 73 catalogue totally. Sony decides, and EPE can only follow the lead of their direction-when it comes to the music end. I'm sure they work together on promotions-but Sony decides what comes out and how it comes out.

very good point i forgot about that detail about sony,:doh::bangin: well like i said we can all hope and dream that sumthing good gets done with Elvis great body of work:lol:

[rocknroll]

Also don't forget, MJ had a 40 year, continuous, career while alive, Elvis only half of that. With Elvis, certainly he sold quite a few records in the few years after his death, but his record company put everything in neutral and pretty much mismanaged his catelog in the '80's. Taken with the 1960's, when for 8 of those years Elvis was as close to retired from music making as you can get, and you have, overall, a productive career of about 25 years in which he accomplished all he did.

[epmoodyblue]

couldint care. lesshttp://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/selenauno/th_blahh.gif elvis will remain forever the greatest performer that ever lived(y):notworthy the first.. better than all the rest

[shelley.m.]

Elvis will always be number 1 no matter what.

[Tommy]

...and a hundred years from now................

[italianfan]

...and a hundred years from now................
amen to that!

[molokai123]

...and a hundred years from now................

yup(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[shelley.m.]

...and a hundred years from now................

Well said,Tommy.(y)

[4THEHEART]

the place Elvis had in people's heart and in history,has nothing to do with numbers,votes,charts or such nonsense.Not an ounce of love he won was a forced thing,it was all natural by his unique soul.There's no meaning to compare Elvis with any kind of entertainer but some people will go on hoping and trying forever.

[Wendy56]

I believe Michael Jackson deserves one of those first 3 places... :notworthy He made SO MUCH for music too.

[Unchained Melody]

Of course Elvis will always be number one to us Elvis fans, I strongly believe that as all of you do.(y)

[elvislady]

I believe Michael Jackson deserves one of those first 3 places... :notworthy He made SO MUCH for music too.

(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)
elvislady

[Brian]

no way Jackson is going to be the #1 selling artist of all time

He only had 9 solo albums and 4 of them were in the 70's when he was with Motown before he became a huge album selling artist.

In order to have reached the 750 million mark people are saying he would have to sell 75 million copies worldwide of all of his albums
The only album of his close to that is Thriller with 20 million sales in the U.S. and 54 million total worldwide.
54 million is still a quite a ways from 75 million

It will never happen but of course like I said his label and his people will come out in the next few months and say Michael Jackson has sold the most records in history and he has outsold both Elvis and Beatles by far. blah blah blah.

[ricardo b. prospero]

I sincerely believe the issue on who has sold more records and who currently occupies the number one spot does not matter that much if you believe and respect Elvis. Elvis has left nothing to prove after reaching the zenith of his career. Time will best decide the greatness and value of a particular singer and without doubt Elvis once again proves his staying power 30 years after his death. I may not live to see the day perhaps MJ surpassed Elvis legacy which I doubt will ever happen. Fans will make the difference for sure and again Elvis I believe enjoys a significant advantage over MJ. It is what you believe that counts. I don't feel bothered or insecured if ever MJ gain more over Elvis, the fact he has been the constant barometer for the success of other performers makes me even proud of being a fan and that need no more explanation my friends.

[TotallyInsane]

If I were a betting woman (oh yeah, I am)....I wouldn't put any money down on this prediction. Yeah, sure the sales of the MJ stuff will rise over the next few months but it will not last.
Another thing, I'm amazed at the difference I've seen between Vernon and Joe after losing their sons. Joe seems to be taking all this a whole lot better than poor Vernon did. I'm really feeling sorry Michael about now - seems his father could be worse than I thought.

[LISY]

There has been much better accountability for record sales during the MJ era then there ever was for Elvis. I believe we will never know who has sold the most. Really, when all is said and done, Elvis will always be one of the biggest selling artists of all time, as will the Beatles, MJ, etc. All could be interchangeable at number one.

I know one thing, MJ has a long ways to go to catch Elvis. I believe the media, who just a few days ago considered MJ a crazy child molester, will now, without any investigation of the facts, raise MJ to the number one spot on the greatness spectrum.

We are already seeing the seeds sowed. Almost every comment on MJ lauds him as a performer that changed culture and integrated black music into the mainstream. What they forget is Elvis did it 30 years before MJs peak.

Elvis Presley will always be greater than Michael Jackson....period. He laid it on the line when it wasn't a popular thing to do and plowed the way for all the greats after him. MJ took a solo career and defined the MTV generation....which is over. Obviously he is/was hugely popular, and because of the greater saturation of electronic visibility his death will probably draw more attention than when Elvis died as there were only the 3 networks to report it. But it will be close, and it really shouldn't be as MJ has all the technological advantages.

Remember, Elvis will always be the one who was first, and is the ONLY person, still to this day, whose first name is know in all four corners of the world.
Well said......There is no competition.....;)...Elvis always wanted to be No 1 in the hearts of his fans and that hasn't and never will change, , no one can ever take that place:D

[debtdbruno]

Also don't forget, MJ had a 40 year, continuous, career while alive, Elvis only half of that. With Elvis, certainly he sold quite a few records in the few years after his death, but his record company put everything in neutral and pretty much mismanaged his catelog in the '80's. Taken with the 1960's, when for 8 of those years Elvis was as close to retired from music making as you can get, and you have, overall, a productive career of about 25 years in which he accomplished all he did.


(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[jeanelvisgirl]

Not in my opinion he won't...which is all that matters to me.....

Michael's fans put him at Number one....Beatles Fans put them at Number one.....Johnny Cash fans put him at Number one......and on and on....rightly so......it doesn't matter .... we all have our favourites ..... Elvis is Number one in my heart - that's all that matters to me.

[Pacerstar]

I don't think that Elvis' movie years can totally be discounted from his productive years.
Elvis put out some good music during his movie years, too.

[Pacerstar]

the place Elvis had in people's heart and in history,has nothing to do with numbers,votes,charts or such nonsense.Not an ounce of love he won was a forced thing,it was all natural by his unique soul.There's no meaning to compare Elvis with any kind of entertainer but some people will go on hoping and trying forever.

Very well said. I totally agree!(y)

[waymore44]

I'm just not worried about this at all. Who has the better legacy? The worst thing anybody can say about Elvis is he cheated on his wife, took some drugs, got fat and died in the bathroom. All of this stuff I'm talking about was just kind of discovered right at the end or after he died.

MJ has a legacy of being a child molester (true or untrue), and just a complete freak weirdo.

As long as Elvis is #1 to us, that's all that matters.

[Hominuk]

I don't know about y'all, but in the past 20 years NO ONE I KNOW has ever put on a MJ cd at parties, gatherings, etc., but Elvis is ALWAYS played at some point....

[Unchained Melody]

I don't know about y'all, but in the past 20 years NO ONE I KNOW has ever put on a MJ cd at parties, gatherings, etc., but Elvis is ALWAYS played at some point....

I'm sorry but atleast where I am from you are way more likely to hear MJ played at a party then Elvis..thats sad, but true. Not sad that MJ is being played but because young people would tolerate MJ more than Elvis.:hmm:
Michael was more modern to young people today, even though most will just remember all the crazy events that occured in his last years!

[STUD]

It's funny, cuz on June 24 (day before MJ died), you may have been laughed at for buying a MJ cd, what with his weirdness and all. His career was practically over and the music world had long since passed him by. Radio stations rarely played his music anymore, at least where I live. Now he dies and everyone's his biggest fan.

I guess the same thing happened with Elvis in '77. The music world had passed him by. Then he died and was the most popular star in the world - again.

[Getlo]

IF this happens, then the blame (if that's the word) must rest equally between BMG and EPE. Admittedly, there's not a huge amount left in the vaults, save for those interminable and ever-more-boring soudnboard releases. But still, more promotion and better product is needed.

MJ's death has seen a spike in the interest in Elvis as well. The Elvis Australia website is reporting a 300% spike in hits since MJ died.

And besides, the biggest-selling artist of all time ... may not have even been born yet.

[Nicole Presley]

Picked up from a conversation on BBC 1 television
earlier today... Before the end of this year, MJ will
have taken over the all time bestselling artist spot
from Elvis, with The Beatles still at # 2. Their
upcoming mono / stereo sets are exspected to sell
many millions of copies. And with no big sales for
Elvis product ( it's gettin' less and less....) he
will drop to 3rd place. End of an era. He held the
# 1 spot for a long, long time.... But all good things
come to an end. Worse things happen in life.

Source - TALLHAIR2from FECC!

Why don´t we just all run to the stores and buy all Elvis CDs we can get, even if we already have one so we have it twice, just to prove that Elvis is the best singer of all time and no one else!!! :!:
I will do that as soon as I get some money. I will buy all Elvis CDs I can find. Even if I already have the songs on the CD. Do you think that will help?
I don´t anyone to think anyone else would be better than Elvis.
If there a way that we can still help Elvis to be the one with the best sold albums? We can´t let this all happen. We have to help Elvis. Or in a few years no one will want to know about Elvis anymore. I don´t want that to happen!!! So who else will help? I will even buy the CDs I already have 3 times again. I won´t let this happen.

[Albert]

Picked up from a conversation on BBC 1 television
earlier today... Before the end of this year, MJ will
have taken over the all time bestselling artist spot
from Elvis, with The Beatles still at # 2. Their
upcoming mono / stereo sets are exspected to sell
many millions of copies. And with no big sales for
Elvis product ( it's gettin' less and less....) he
will drop to 3rd place. End of an era. He held the
# 1 spot for a long, long time.... But all good things
come to an end. Worse things happen in life.

Source - TALLHAIR2from FECC!
I was already thinking about that happening. It's a **** shame!

But all thanks, but no thanks go to the *****s at RCA/BMG/Sony who always, ALWAYS want to play save and cater the non-Elvisfans with only those risk-free compilations. Always with those same pictures used on the front.

If they want to sell more than they do know, they have to understand that that's only possible with a new approach: use the post 1968 Elvis. That era is closest to modern popmusic.

Use extremely popular music games like Guitar Hero and RockBand to give the non-Elvisfans funky, 'unknown' Elvis songs to play along.

The last big hits ELvis had were remixes of little known songs. No, JXL and that other DJ didn't want to use songs like Hound Dog or Jailhouse Rock to remix (that would be the lame RCA/BMG way to do it). THey rather use those gems. And they were right: it exposed a different Elvis to the crowd. One that we, the fans, already knew about of course.

[TotallyInsane]

I'm sorry but atleast where I am from you are way more likely to hear MJ played at a party then Elvis..thats sad, but true. Not sad that MJ is being played but because young people would tolerate MJ more than Elvis.:hmm:
Michael was more modern to young people today, even though most will just remember all the crazy events that occured in his last years!

I think you young people are about to see how we Elvis fans have felt for the past 32 years!

[KPM]

I'm sorry but atleast where I am from you are way more likely to hear MJ played at a party then Elvis..thats sad, but true. Not sad that MJ is being played but because young people would tolerate MJ more than Elvis.:hmm:
Michael was more modern to young people today, even though most will just remember all the crazy events that occured in his last years!
Well I can honestly say thats subjective:
what ages are at your parties
what type parties
what music (live bands, or DJs)
At the few parties I have been to in the last few years I heard Elvis played but NO MJ-I went to a New Years Party a couple years ago and the band played a couple Elvis no MJ.
At a wedding reception for my cousins 22 year old daughters marriage the DJ played Love Me Tender, Can't Help Falling in Love, Jailhouse Rock ,Burning Love and the remix ALLC. no MJ.
I can tell you the young people loved dancing to Burning Love, Jailhouse Rock and ALLC-I would say they were the real fun moments on the dance floor for them by observing. (but they also by that time had imbibed many drinks and that may have helped:D)

[sasha]

I'm not concerned about this either.
This is something that happens when a death occurs.
It too shall pass.

Because the younger generation still want to go to Graceland, see all things Elvis; ones that were not even born in 1977 nor even saw Elvis, will pass his music and their love of him on to the next generations to come.

I'll just let the media create all their hype and spin. {they need the money};)
Give it two years at the most. IMO,Elvis is the one that changed music and everyone knows it.
Plus, he has the better voice and songs.

[epmoodyblue]

I'm not concerned about this either.
This is something that happens when a death occurs.
It too shall pass.

Because the younger generation still want to go to Graceland, see all things Elvis; ones that were not even born in 1977 nor even saw Elvis, will pass his music and their love of him on to the next generations to come.

I'll just let the media create all their hype and spin. {they need the money};)
Give it two years at the most. IMO,Elvis is the one that changed music and everyone knows it.
Plus, he has the better voice and songs.yep(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/selenauno/smiley-gen101.gif

[john carpenter]

couldint care. lesshttp://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e160/selenauno/th_blahh.gif elvis will remain forever the greatest performer that ever lived(y):notworthy the first.. better than all the rest Amen Brother..preach on!(y):lmfao::king:

[utmom2008]

Elvis Presley will always be greater than Michael Jackson....period. He laid it on the line when it wasn't a popular thing to do and plowed the way for all the greats after him. MJ took a solo career and defined the MTV generation....which is over. Obviously he is/was hugely popular, and because of the greater saturation of electronic visibility his death will probably draw more attention than when Elvis died as there were only the 3 networks to report it. But it will be close, and it really shouldn't be as MJ has all the technological advantages.

Remember, Elvis will always be the one who was first, and is the ONLY person, still to this day, whose first name is know in all four corners of the world.

Outstanding!! (y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[utmom2008]

Why don´t we just all run to the stores and buy all Elvis CDs we can get, even if we already have one so we have it twice, just to prove that Elvis is the best singer of all time and no one else!!! :!:
I will do that as soon as I get some money. I will buy all Elvis CDs I can find. Even if I already have the songs on the CD. Do you think that will help?
I don´t anyone to think anyone else would be better than Elvis.
If there a way that we can still help Elvis to be the one with the best sold albums? We can´t let this all happen. We have to help Elvis. Or in a few years no one will want to know about Elvis anymore. I don´t want that to happen!!! So who else will help? I will even buy the CDs I already have 3 times again. I won´t let this happen.

Obviously you have more money to spend than some of the rest of us! I'm not going to lose any sleep over this, numbers can always be juggled. I know how I feel about Elvis and that's what's important to me at the end of the day. :blush:(y)

[utmom2008]

I don't know about y'all, but in the past 20 years NO ONE I KNOW has ever put on a MJ cd at parties, gatherings, etc., but Elvis is ALWAYS played at some point....

I have to disagree with this. About once a year our Country Club has a big party with a professional DJ. For the first hour or so he plays "easy listening" type music, but there comes a time where he dims the lights and starts with "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough". The dance floor fills up quickly.:blush::blink::blink:

[elvislady]

I don't know about y'all, but in the past 20 years NO ONE I KNOW has ever put on a MJ cd at parties, gatherings, etc., but Elvis is ALWAYS played at some point....

I dont know what parties you attend... tupperware maybe..:D
elvislady

[Brian]

I've got to disagree with all the people that are saying record sales don't matter they do.

think about it if Elvis wasn't as popular or didn't have as many hits and the record sales that he has the public perception of him would be very different.

Elvis had 112 #1 hits worldwide and many more top 10 and top 20 hits
114 top forty hits in the U.S.

If he didn't have as many hit songs and albums things would be different

Say Elvis only had 12 hits or so like the other rock n' roll pioneers
He'd be remembered just for being a rock n' roll pioneer like Little Richard or Chuck Berry and not for being this hugely popular icon of popular music.
The man with far more hit records than anyone in history he wouldn't be anymore.

If Michael Jackson had never come out with Thriller or if it had been less successful he'd be remembered like Donny Osmond.
It would be like ex child star of the Jackson 5 has died at 50.

After all what is Michael Jackson without Thriller on his resume.

Singers and bands are always bragging about how many records they've sold it's like a measurement of greatness to them.

In the music business the most important things are how many records have you sold, How many hits do you have and How much money your tour made last year.

Say what you will about Michael Jackson but he and his people understood the importance of record sales.
Because these figures will go down in the history books.

[utmom2008]

I dont know what parties you attend... tupperware maybe..:D
elvislady

:lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao: :lmfao:

[KPM]

I've got to disagree with all the people that are saying record sales don't matter they do.

think about it if Elvis wasn't as popular or didn't have as many hits and the record sales that he has the public perception of him would be very different.

Elvis had 112 #1 hits worldwide and many more top 10 and top 20 hits
114 top forty hits in the U.S.

If he didn't have as many hit songs and albums things would be different

Say Elvis only had 12 hits or so like the other rock n' roll pioneers
He'd be remembered just for being a rock n' roll pioneer like Little Richard or Chuck Berry and not for being this hugely popular icon of popular music.
The man with far more hit records than anyone in history he wouldn't be anymore.

If Michael Jackson had never come out with Thriller or if it had been less successful he'd be remembered like Donny Osmond.
It would be like ex child star of the Jackson 5 has died at 50.

After all what is Michael Jackson without Thriller on his resume.

Singers and bands are always bragging about how many records they've sold it's like a measurement of greatness to them.

In the music business the most important things are how many records have you sold, How many hits do you have and How much money your tour made last year.

Say what you will about Michael Jackson but he and his people understood the importance of record sales.
Because these figures will go down in the history books.
Boy is that true Jackson and his managent for a few years have claimed "Thriller" has sold 104 million in the world since it came out-they have sited Sony and Guiness as sources.............
bu...t the 2009 Guiness says that Sony and RIAA estimate that world sales for "Thriller" are now at 55 million-and Guiness goes on to say that unsubstantiated claims by Jacksons management say that it has 104 million worldwide. Funny.

[molokai123]

Obviously you have more money to spend than some of the rest of us! I'm not going to lose any sleep over this, numbers can always be juggled. I know how I feel about Elvis and that's what's important to me at the end of the day. :blush:(y)

gotta agree with you there(y):notworthy

[KPM]

If Elvis is knocked off the top spot in worldwide sales-it will still be debateable.

[cbg84]

I would say that Elvis will lose the number one spot or at least not forever. Personally I think that still Elvis is way more popular that Michael Jackson and always will be.

[TotallyInsane]

He may lose the #1 spot but it will be very temporary! Michael Jackson fans will not spend the kind of money that the Elvis fans have spent through the years - dead or alive.

[Teddy]

It will definitely be interesting to see how Michael Jackson 'works' as a posthumous success.

For instance, I think Elvis, as an icon, is woven into the fabric of American culture in a way which appeals to residents and non-residents of the United States alike. It's almost as if the existence of the country alone is enough to sustain his memory.
Because Michael Jackson isn't anchored to the earth in such an obvious way, in fact his image and music seemed to come almost literally from out of this world, it's difficult to imagine where he figures in our future. His life barely resembled a human phenomenon, never mind an American one.
Maybe that will ultimately be the key to his longevity- who knows?

[ManyMoons]

Maybe it's time to move out of the top spot. Personally, I hope he keeps it. Time to move on.

[utmom2008]

It will definitely be interesting to see how Michael Jackson 'works' as a posthumous success.

For instance, I think Elvis, as an icon, is woven into the fabric of American culture in a way which appeals to residents and non-residents of the United States alike. It's almost as if the existence of the country alone is enough to sustain his memory.
Because Michael Jackson isn't anchored to the earth in such an obvious way, in fact his image and music seemed to come almost literally from out of this world, it's difficult to imagine where he figures in our future. His life barely resembled a human phenomenon, never mind an American one.
Maybe that will ultimately be the key to his longevity- who knows?

Great post Sir Bear. http://smiley.net.ru/chakin008.gif (http://smiley.net.ru/chakin1.htm)

[Teddy]

Great post Sir Bear. http://smiley.net.ru/chakin008.gif (http://smiley.net.ru/chakin1.htm)

Thanks http://smiley.net.ru/lovflo356.gif (http://smiley.net.ru/lovflo11.htm)

[midnight]

It will definitely be interesting to see how Michael Jackson 'works' as a posthumous success.

For instance, I think Elvis, as an icon, is woven into the fabric of American culture in a way which appeals to residents and non-residents of the United States alike. It's almost as if the existence of the country alone is enough to sustain his memory.
Because Michael Jackson isn't anchored to the earth in such an obvious way, in fact his image and music seemed to come almost literally from out of this world, it's difficult to imagine where he figures in our future. His life barely resembled a human phenomenon, never mind an American one.
Maybe that will ultimately be the key to his longevity- who knows?

(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[debtdbruno]

Great post Teddy

Deb

[medleyofcostumes]

#1 Spot to whom? What are the criteria? As I said in another post a couple of months ago, the best is subjective - there is no definite #1 in anything.

Longetivity can be a criteria, but if this is the case, we must wait some 300 years since classical music from that time has a niche even today.

My final point - it is a pity that many great artists (#1 or not) in the music, film or other industries do not have the capability to live with success without falling victims of their own success. They have access to anything, any professional help of any kind, still their lives fall apart.

That really makes me angry!!!

[john carpenter]

Obviously you have more money to spend than some of the rest of us! I'm not going to lose any sleep over this, numbers can always be juggled. I know how I feel about Elvis and that's what's important to me at the end of the day. :blush:(y) Another true post Rosanne(y) and a great one i might add!

[TCE]

It's foolish and unfair to compair MJ with Elvis. How can they do that? Elvis was 42 when he died and MJ 50. So MJ had more time. If Elvis had lived until his 50th. I bet he'd still be nr. 1. Furthermore Elvis music is timeless, MJ's isn't. It's just a period. Third: Elvis music was in a time that they just performed (without any big show arrangements like fireworks etc.) So the youngsters may find Elvis dull in there eyes. Nowadays most artist have complete spectacular shows. (In my eyes it has nothing to do with performing.) 4th. : Elvis was a natural talent , MJ was created. (He even had a voice coach! Be honest, a true artist doesn't need something like that.) In my opinion MJ had a voice that wasn't spectacular. Just a voice like many other singers while Elvis's voice was one of a kind. He was one of a few that could sing 6 ranges. Most is 8. So who is the best. For me it will always be Elvis.


Christel (TCE)

[Teddy]

Elvis was 42 when he died and MJ 50. So MJ had more time.

Funnily enough, Michael didn't do anything with that extra time. He has been largely inert, artistically, for the entire 8 year duration since he was 42.
His profile was only maintained by the trial, the now-legendary Martin Bashir documentary and his financial catastrophes.

[Pacerstar]

It's foolish and unfair to compair MJ with Elvis. How can they do that? Elvis was 42 when he died and MJ 50. So MJ had more time. If Elvis had lived until his 50th. I bet he'd still be nr. 1. Furthermore Elvis music is timeless, MJ's isn't. It's just a period. Third: Elvis music was in a time that they just performed (without any big show arrangements like fireworks etc.) So the youngsters may find Elvis dull in there eyes. Nowadays most artist have complete spectacular shows. (In my eyes it has nothing to do with performing.) 4th. : Elvis was a natural talent , MJ was created. (He even had a voice coach! Be honest, a true artist doesn't need something like that.) In my opinion MJ had a voice that wasn't spectacular. Just a voice like many other singers while Elvis's voice was one of a kind. He was one of a few that could sing 6 ranges. Most is 8. So who is the best. For me it will always be Elvis.


Christel (TCE)
I agree with what you say. Thank you for saying it so eloquently! Mj is one
of many and Elvis was One, period!(y)(y)(y)

[molokai123]

another interesting article i read on EIN



Parallels in lives, deaths of Michael Jackson and Elvis - But Presley's path was Trailblazing:

MEMPHIS - The death hadn't even been confirmed, the body not yet cold, before the comparisons were being made.

The passing of Michael Jackson on Thursday afternoon re-ignited the occasional debate between the King of Pop and Elvis Presley, "The King" of rock and roll.

In the hours after Jackson's passing, Canadian songbird Celine Dion claimed it felt "like when (President John) Kennedy died, when Elvis Presley died. We are not only talking about a talented person dying, it's an amazing loss."

The articles analyzing the similarities between Jackson and Presley have been ubiquitous and inevitable over the last 72 hours. Even Billboard magazine editorial director Bill Werde declared, "The world just lost the biggest pop star in history, no matter how you cut it."



Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, but his personal life may haunt his legacy.


But is there really a case to be made that Jackson's and Presley's places in the pantheon of popular culture were as similar as some suggest?

Certainly, parallels between the two do exist. Both were born poor and became massive music icons on a global scale (though Jackson may have the slight advantage there as Presley never performed outside of North America.) Each sold hundreds of millions of records and reached unimaginable levels of fame and wealth before experiencing rapid personal and professional descents (and, of course, there's the matter of Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie, who was married briefly to Jackson in the mid-'90s)

"Like Elvis, Jackson unified black and white listeners, and made startlingly important, memorable, and era-defining music," says writer and music historian Alanna Nash, author of several Elvis books, including a groundbreaking biography of Presley's manager, Col. Tom Parker. "Jackson was also a completely luminous performer - you couldn't take your eyes off of him - and part of it was because you sensed that this was an extraordinarily damaged boy-man, again, like Elvis, a Peter Pan, a puer aeternus (Latin for "eternal boy")."

But unlike Jackson - whose gaudy sales figures and personal excesses defined him - Presley's impact and lasting relevance were part of a larger cultural phenomenon.



Elvis Presley had an impact on the culture of an entire generation.


"Elvis emerged at a point in history where our culture was ready to turn itself upside down," says Dr. John Bakke, a professor emeritus of the University of Memphis' Department of Communication, who staged the first scholarly conference on Elvis in 1979. "From the Depression on to World War II and then into the Cold War, there was a real drive towards security. Elvis came along at just the time the first identifiable generation of teenagers were about to substitute a drive for freedom for their parents' drive for security.

"With the change in values came a change in music and you had the impact of what became rock and roll. Elvis stood at the cusp of that generational revolution."

As Nash notes, Presley's was a trailblazing path. "Where Elvis co-created a musical art form, Michael largely built on one. Where Elvis changed sexual mores in the conservative wake of World War II, Michael only made shocking crotch-grabbing movements. And where Elvis, expanding on James Dean's work, harnessed a burgeoning youth culture, Michael only drew more attention to it," says Nash. "He did it brilliantly ... but his cultural impact pales in comparison to Presley's."

Beyond their impact in life, the question now is whether a cult will spring up around Jackson in death similar to the one that grew around Presley.

Given the particular nature of Jackson's legal and personal troubles over the past decade, it's hard to imagine millions of tourists visiting Jackson's childhood home in Gary, Ind., or his former Neverland Ranch complex in California the way Presley pilgrims - young and old - turn up at Graceland each year.

"There will always be throngs of people who will mourn and revere (Jackson)," says Nash. "But because his personal life was so outsized, peculiar, and tainted with scandal far more lurid than Presley's drug abuse, I can't see him morphing into the Disney-zed figure that Elvis has become.

"It's far easier to overlook Elvis's peccadilloes than Michael's," she adds. "Elvis was beautiful, sexy, and fun. Michael was sweet, strange, and sad. Who wants to see that on a lunchbox?"

Bakke also points out that the worlds in which Presley and Jackson lived and died in were dramatically different.

"In general people weren't interested in (Elvis) personally or that interested in their pop culture figures the way they are now. It was a big deal when one of the networks actually led their newscast with Elvis' death. Compare that to what you're seeing with Jackson - it's totally night and day."

Like Jackson, Elvis' reputation had, by the end of his life, been damaged to some extent (by his divorce, rumors of drugs and diminishing commercial success). But Presley's image was rehabilitated posthumously. Due largely to the continuing efforts by the Elvis Presley Enterprises and RCA records, he's remained a relevant, romantic and iconic figure for successive generations of fans. (Through a spokesman, Elvis Presley Enterprises declined to comment.)

While Jackson's later years rarely saw him create or put out new music, Elvis continued recording up until his death, amassing a voluminous catalog of material - touching on rock, pop, country and gospel - that could be released and repackaged for years to come. "Suddenly after Elvis died, there was a vacuum," notes Bakke, "and there was plenty to fill up the void: RCA started packaging and marketing to those interests."

The opportunity for Jackson to be remembered and rehabilitated will be more complicated given his chaotic family and financial circumstances. Elvis had strong supporters in Priscilla and Parker, as well as a small army of business interests eager to keep his flame burning. Who will step in and play the same custodial role for Jackson? At this point it's hard to say.

The only thing that's clear now is that the tragedy of Jackson's life and death might prove mere foreshadowing for what awaits his legacy.



Written by Bob Mehr of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

[debtdbruno]

It's foolish and unfair to compair MJ with Elvis. How can they do that? Elvis was 42 when he died and MJ 50. So MJ had more time. If Elvis had lived until his 50th. I bet he'd still be nr. 1. Furthermore Elvis music is timeless, MJ's isn't. It's just a period. Third: Elvis music was in a time that they just performed (without any big show arrangements like fireworks etc.) So the youngsters may find Elvis dull in there eyes. Nowadays most artist have complete spectacular shows. (In my eyes it has nothing to do with performing.) 4th. : Elvis was a natural talent , MJ was created. (He even had a voice coach! Be honest, a true artist doesn't need something like that.) In my opinion MJ had a voice that wasn't spectacular. Just a voice like many other singers while Elvis's voice was one of a kind. He was one of a few that could sing 6 ranges. Most is 8. So who is the best. For me it will always be Elvis.


Christel (TCE)


That was what I posted in another thread, Michaels music/show is from a different era. Elvis was about the music, and him on the stage. Todays performers concentrate less on their vocals and more on the choreography of the 'show'


Deb

[Genie]

That was what I posted in another thread, Michaels music/show is from a different era. Elvis was about the music, and him on the stage. Todays performers concentrate less on their vocals and more on the choreography of the 'show'


Deb

:supriced:


I loved Michael Jackson (In a way years and eras apart from Elvis)
The KING of Rock and Roll will forever be Elvis...The King of Pop=Michael.
At least that is my humble opinion..

[EnigmaticSun]

I, as an artist, suffered from this inferiority-complex. As a white singer I could never live up to the artistic greatness of a black person. Michael Jackson is recognized unanimously in the black community, as the ultimate afro-American rags to riches. The blacks have lost an icon and legend. Elvis too, probably suffered from his being a white guy.

[The Welz]

It will take three decades until we can compare the figures. Let's see how the MJ business is doing in 2039 and compare it to the EP figures of 2009 (of cause incl. inflationary adjustment). Then we can see who is the number one.

But I guess that the MJ sales will be higher than the ones of EP in 2009 and 2010. This year because everybody is buying the MJ releases available and in the next year the company he was contracted with to do the live shows will (as far as I know) release a CD and a DVD of one of the dress rehearsals for the THIS IS IT shows. And of cause there is a rumor that there are a lot of unreleased recordings in the vaults and so (after a little re-working and editing) some new albums could be expected.

[TotallyInsane]

I think by 2010 Elvis will be back on top - not that he ever left there in my "biased" mind!

[debtdbruno]

I think by 2010 Elvis will be back on top - not that he ever left there in my "biased" mind!


(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[KPM]

From a recent Billboard article-4th page:
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/michael-jackson-music-sales-surge-could-1003990445.story

.....Others aren't convinced that the sales gains will be sustained through the end of the year but agree that they'll last a while. "Usually when an artist dies, the sales surge is over within two weeks, but for John Lennon and Elvis Presley sales went on for a while," says the head of purchasing at a large music account. "I would put Jackson as bigger than Lennon.".....

Notice he does not put Jackson sales at death-bigger that Elvis!

[SunStudios54]

all I know/care is that I will be buying Elvis things until the day i die.

[earlvince]

I don't care who sells or sold more all i care about is Elvis is my own number 1
i love the early mj stuff what a tallented kid? and a sad loss to music
but as i say its what rocks your own boat what you wanna listen to not who sold more
etc that counts
Elvis = massive
M Jackson = Massive
Beatles = Massive
i like em all so can't lose could add a lot more Billy Joel , Roy Orbison, Brian Setzner for example.
Stop being so competative lie back and enjoy the music

ELVIS NO 1 (for me)

[Nicole Presley]

Obviously you have more money to spend than some of the rest of us! I'm not going to lose any sleep over this, numbers can always be juggled. I know how I feel about Elvis and that's what's important to me at the end of the day. :blush:(y)

No, I actually don´t have much money. I don´t even have a job. Actually you´re right. As long as we all know that Elvis is the best for us, that´s all that counts. I bet in a few years Michael Jackson will be forgotten. At least the most people will forget him. And Elvis will always have fans, no matter how long he´s dead.

[LianaKaralivanou]

No, I actually don´t have much money. I don´t even have a job. Actually you´re right. As long as we all know that Elvis is the best for us, that´s all that counts. I bet in a few years Michael Jackson will be forgotten. At least the most people will forget him. And Elvis will always have fans, no matter how long he´s dead.


Neither one of them will be forgotten. Elvis will always have his fans and MJ will always have his fans. They were both great in what they were doing. It's just that we love and feel closer to Elvis and we can't be objective. I won't forget neither of them but I will always havd ELVIS in my heart...

[bassienl]

That won't happen. Elvis' catalogue is to massive compared to MJ's output. As someone said before on this forum, MJ only made appr. 10 albums. Elvis' output between 1955-1977 is far more extended. Which also is a problem hitting the # 1 spot with a big selling album. I remember Elvis' passing and as other fans I ran to the music stores to buy some Elvis records I didn't have at the moment. Hard choice, dozens off titles in the cataloque (all sold out by the way...). Reflect this to the MJ situation: Thriller/Bad and some other titles, that's all there is. So what happens: everybody buys Thriller and the total off 100 million worldwide is suddenly 110 million worldwide. Elvis sold 10-20 million records the first week after he died, but did it make him hit the # 1 spot ? No. Why ? There were TOO MANY different titles to choose from. The total number was split up between dozens off titles, no chance hitting the charts. RCA totally messed up Elvis' catalogue (we all know that) so the main audience never saw the large sales.

What I also remember from the first month after Elvis passed away (and months and months after that also): newspapers, magazines, tv programs etc: all filled with Elvis pics, news, stories. I simply couldn't keep up with buying all those items. It's a month since MJ passed away. I have 130 different TV stations available and I don't see the guy anymore. It's quiet. The hype is already weakened. Which brings me back to the first 'chapter'. His (MJ) output is to small te be shown constantly. A greatest hits show on MTV is only an hour, that's it. An Elvis greatest hits show would be a lot longer, we all know that.

The 750 million albums sales: this week I found an article somewhere on the internet that this figure comes from a claim some woman had sent to a newspaper years ago. There's no proof for that number anywhere. Check the RIAA site and you'll see the US sales. MJ being at the 18th or 19th spot. And 750 million worldwide ? Yeah, sure.... He needed 10 Thrillers for that and he didn't make them. Thriller sold a lot, Bad sold less and the other titles can almost be forgotten. How can you sell 750 million albums when your biggest seller is only 100 million ? Compared to Elvis and The Beatles, I think a number off 300-400 million is more realistic. Not even # 3 on the list....
And he won't be selling that much more: don't think even the most fanatic fan will buy Thriller again and again and again....

MJ is far overrated: ok, a best selling album off all time, ok the Moonwalk ? And what else ?

There were far more important people in the music business, some who didn't only change the music but the world: Elvis - Beatles. Two revolutions, there never was or will be a third one.

[Pacerstar]

all I know/care is that I will be buying Elvis things until the day i die.

Me, too!(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[Patricia Fonseca]

Him sad of all this is what Michael Jackson no can have the duration of Elvis for what this world no endure much times more the planet earth is moribund.:'(:'(

[dennis hauser]

I've been to Graceland and saw the walls and walls of gold records! My fear of Elvis losing to MJackson is never in my mind. I'm sure if MJ does pass Elvis, it won't last long,because every Elvis fan will unite and put Elvis where he shall always be...#1!! Artist of the Century!

[cbg84]

Me, too!(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

i secnd that! (y)