Elvis Camp Rejects Mariah Carey’s Claim to Singles Throne
Saturday, April 5th, 2008
Assertion that Elvis Presley had an extra number one hit hinges on technicality

By Matthew B. Zeidman


HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 4/5/08 – Earlier this week, Elvis Presley fans were saddened when the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s longstanding record for most number one singles was surpassed by modern R&B staple Mariah Carey. The late singer’s estate isn’t going down without a fight, however, claiming on Elvis.com that one of Presley’s hits actually counts as two.

The record at the heart of the controversy is the “Don’t Be Cruel”/”Hound Dog” vinyl single, which was released in 1956. Because both hit songs were released on the same disc and “Billboard” magazine’s current chart of record, the Billboard Hot 100, wasn’t around to document the distinct popularity of both songs, the combination release was written off by the magazine’s experts as a single success.

Despite the disagreement with Elvis’ estate and fans, “Billboard” still considers Carey, 38, the official record-holder, according to a Friday statement given to the “Los Angeles Times,” with 18 number one singles stretching from 1990 to 2008.

Presley, 42, scored his first number one hit in 1956, with “Heartbreak Hotel,” and his last in 1969, with “Suspicious Minds.” The singer, who came to fame as an early rock music pioneer, frightening parents everywhere with his unfamiliar sound and gyrating dance moves, passed away in 1977 of health problems magnified by an addiction to prescription drugs