Elvis vs. The Beatles...

[Joe Car]

I never said Elvis didn't change music. I am disputing the ones who said that The Beatles are over-rated. That is what I am disputing. They are not over-rated. You see Elvis on everything more than you do of The Beatles. Elvis did a ok job on Something but not better than the Beatles. On the Alternate Aloha even made it longer than the original version which was good but still not better than the Beatles version. As Frank Sinatra said "That is the best Lennon and McCartney of them all" but the only thing about it Lennon and McCartney didn't write that song, George Harrison did. About the Rolling Stone as being the greatest Rock and Roll band. That is not what people says that is what they have said. No one except for the RS fans call them The Greatest Rock and Roll Band. Yes, they made of stayed together since the early 60s but they are old and needs to retired just liek Paul McCartney needs to do. All these singers from that time needs to retired because they are not young as they was. Chuck Berry still tours around but not like Rolling Stones does. Jerry Lee Lewis is the same way. He tour around but not like he did in the 50s, 60s or 70s.

Elvis was also troublesome too. He wanted to get rid of the Beatles. He wanted them to be banned from America and wanted them out forever. He considered them as a threat. And they were. While Elvis was making those movies, The Beatles was putting out hit after hit. They are the only group in the history to have the top 5 songs at the same time. No one else, not even Elvis has done that since. The Beatles were the threat to Elvis since Elvis wasn't touring and was doing those movies. Also they are the only group to have all the LPs during that time they was a group to go to number 1 at one time or another.

Elvis didn't want them banned from America, as a matter of fact, when John Lennon had immigration troubles, he supposedly contacted EP or EP offered to help him, not sure which is which. If you are referring to Elvis' letter to Nixon, nowwhere does he mention the Beatles as a bad influence on the American youth.

[thehillbillycat]

Elvis didn't want them banned from America, as a matter of fact, when John Lennon had immigration troubles, he supposedly contacted EP or EP offered to help him, not sure which is which. If you are referring to Elvis' letter to Nixon, nowwhere does he mention the Beatles as a bad influence on the American youth.

I guess you never read books on Elvis Presley or Beatles. There is several of books that says that he considered them as a threat and wanted them to be banned from America. I also wasn't talking about Elvis' Letter to Nixon. John Lennon did contact Elvis about the immigration troubles but Elvis wouldn't help out for personal reasons. That is what Lennon said about Elvis' help. It was in 1975 just after Lennon got his green card that he found out by sources from people that knew Elvis that Elvis wanted the Beatles to be banned from the country. Lennon told the rest of the Beatles. They didn't like that but they still loved Elvis and respected him. Supposedly, Lennon went to Elvis' funeral to pay respects. This is unconfirmed though.

[Cryogenic]

There is several of books that says that he considered them as a threat and wanted them to be banned from America.[...]It was in 1975 just after Lennon got his green card that he found out by sources from people that knew Elvis that Elvis wanted the Beatles to be banned from the country.

Where is the evidence of this?

Elvis did bad-mouth The Beatles to the Nixon administration, but this was surely done as a way of sweet-talking a group of people he wanted something from (a badge). The fact that he recorded several of their songs suggests that he didn't hate them. If they were such a negative influence in his eyes, then why would EP lend them credence by covering their music? Although he probably had some antipathy towards them, especially when they first came to America, it's obvious he had some degree of respect/admiration for them, too; at worst, then, he was ambivalent, and ambivalence doesn't generally motivate one person to want others ejected/banned.

[elvislady]

i prefer elvis to the beatles anyday. but in the (elvis on tour concert) elvis sings a song with the words something like i wanna go to england i and i quite like the beatles. i dont know what the song title is.
elvislady.

[Joe Car]

Where is the evidence of this?

Elvis did bad-mouth The Beatles to the Nixon administration, but this was surely done as a way of sweet-talking a group of people he wanted something from (a badge). The fact that he recorded several of their songs suggests that he didn't hate them. If they were such a negative influence in his eyes, then why would EP lend them credence by covering their music? Although he probably had some antipathy towards them, especially when they first came to America, it's obvious he had some degree of respect/admiration for them, too; at worst, then, he was ambivalent, and ambivalence doesn't generally motivate one person to want others ejected/banned.

There is no documented proof that EP badmouthed the Beatles, other then heresay.

[Sammy4Elvis]

i prefer elvis to the beatles anyday. but in the (elvis on tour concert) elvis sings a song with the words something like i wanna go to england i and i quite like the beatles. i dont know what the song title is.
elvislady.

The song is Never Been To Spain.

The lyrics that your talking about are -

Ive never been to England, but I kinda like The Beatles'.

[thehillbillycat]

For those who wants proof about Elvis bad-mouthing The Beatles. Lennon found several documents about Elvis that wanted The Beatles out of the country. They have now become part of the FBI files. Read them for yourself. I have. Some has Elvis own hand writing on them. That is the proof right there.

[elvislady]

The song is Never Been To Spain.

The lyrics that your talking about are -

Ive never been to England, but I kinda like The Beatles'.

yea i checked it out thanks
elvislady

[Cryogenic]

For those who wants proof about Elvis bad-mouthing The Beatles. Lennon found several documents about Elvis that wanted The Beatles out of the country. They have now become part of the FBI files. Read them for yourself. I have. Some has Elvis own hand writing on them. That is the proof right there.

And these are the same items that are a part of the aforementioned trip for the badge. Elvis was sweet-talking the Nixon administration -- pure and simple.

[thehillbillycat]

And these are the same items that are a part of the aforementioned trip for the badge. Elvis was sweet-talking the Nixon administration -- pure and simple.

The documents doesn't bad-mouth Nixon. It was only bad-mouthing Lennon from Elvis. That is all. Lennon during this time was trying to find a way to stay in this country. It is true that Lennon did try to turn to Elvis but Elvis wouldn't help for some reason. Actually it says he wouldn't help out for personal reasons. So Lennon try to find out why and uncover some documents that was written in Elvis handwriting that Elvis wanted to get rid of The Beatles during the 60s. Lennon couldn't believe it and found a few more that told the same thing. From what I heard that Lennon was heart broken.

About the song Never Been To Spain. Yes, Elvis sung it but it wasn't written by him. Hoyt Axton wrote it and he did like the Beatles. I would understand why you would bring that up if Elvis wrote it but he didn't.

[Katie]

I do feel the Beatles were over-rated too and that a lot of their popularity sprang from their completely different look at the time. The public is a sucker for anything new and different. I never cared for them for the reason I stated in my first thread but do feel that they had some merit. I have always liked Hey Jude. If I was to pick a favorite it would be Paul then George. Ringo didn't do much on his own and Lennon was always stoned and had a close-up personality.

I much prefer the Rolling Stones if I were to get myself out of the rut of strictly being and "oldies but goody". They all look like the walking dead and god knows everyone still wonders how come is Keith still alive. He must have better health genes going for him than Elvis did. But, I have seen Mick in several interviews and he comes off as being intelligent and has a good sense of humor - I enjoyed him.

I second that.
Except I probably like the Rolling Stones a lot more than you lol.
Mostly because they're my 2nd favorite band/singer.
I love the beat in almost all of their songs.

[elvislady]

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/elvi..._beatles.shtml
i thought you might like to read this.
elvislady

[franny]

http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/elvi..._beatles.shtml
i thought you might like to read this.
elvislady

Thanks, elvislady! It was interesting to read...
I like what John Lennon had to say...

franny

[EnigmaticSun]

I can understand (if true) Elvis having doubts about hippies and the Beatles. You know in those days there used to be people who thought it was art to have some naked ladies roll around in paint and press their bodies on a large piece of paper.

I'm the child of a hippie-parent and I'm hating her for what she's done to me. Playing strange games with a 5yo and then bragging on about having been a good mother. Those stupid 60's: we are all the same, everything should be allowed, laissez-faire, extreme pacifism..

I know why Elvis wanted to protect his traditional values. And of course none of the Beatles or Rolling Stones could even come close to Elvis as a singer.

I don't like the Nixon administration and the Vietnam-war was one huge mistake. I guess Nixon needed Elvis more badly than Elvis needed Nixon..

[elvislady]

http://www.elvispresleynews.com/JohnLennon.html
elvislady

[Cryogenic]

The documents doesn't bad-mouth Nixon.

Of course they don't bad-mouth Nixon! Elvis was going to meet Nixon. Whatever his real thoughts were on Nixon, he kept them to himself.

It was only bad-mouthing Lennon from Elvis. That is all. Lennon during this time was trying to find a way to stay in this country. It is true that Lennon did try to turn to Elvis but Elvis wouldn't help for some reason. Actually it says he wouldn't help out for personal reasons. So Lennon try to find out why and uncover some documents that was written in Elvis handwriting that Elvis wanted to get rid of The Beatles during the 60s. Lennon couldn't believe it and found a few more that told the same thing. From what I heard that Lennon was heart broken.

Since your username suggests you are an Elvis Presley and a John Lennon fan, it's surprising how little you know about this matter. Elvis made passing reference to The Beatles in his hastily-written letter to Nixon, composed entirely on an American Airlines commercial airliner, and proof-read by Jerry Schilling, and shortly thereafter handed to a White House official. While the context of this reference wasn't positive, it wasn't hate-filled, either. Elvis was essentially expressing his concerns about the influence of The Beatles and other artists/groups/organisations on the youth culture of America. All with an eye on getting his beloved badge. That is all. Elvis may -- or may not -- have made further verbal references along similar lines when he met the President.

Your fallaciousness is astounding. Are you also "elvislennon2005" on the www.elvisconcerts.com message board? Let me disavow you of another fantasy: that camera seen at the edge of the stage, as discussed in this thread, is almost certainly a security camera. It has an exceptionally slim body with no visible film/video reel or human operator. While it may have captured some interesting footage, it in no way would match a professional recording, nor does it remotely suggest that such a recording took place (just the opposite, in fact: the security camera would probably have been ditched if professional recording had actually taken place).

[Polk-Salad-Annie]

I prefer Elvis.
The Beatles have some great songs, but i think that Elvis had more influence on how the music changed the world.

[Trev1]

How can you say that??? Elvis is my joint number one along with the Beatles... most people like either one or the other but I like both equally..... The Beatles music is still at a different level than rock/pop bands today....I mean they has 3 really talented musicians / song writers in the band - John, Paul, George...... You have to hand it to them the wrote there own material and played there own instruments (something they have over Elvis). The range of there material from classic ballads such and 'The Long and Winding Road' ; 'This Boy' ; If I Fell ; And I Love Her ; to rockers such as 'Birthday ; Revolution ; I Saw Her Standing There ; was astounding. I'm not knocking Elvis - he was only one person - they were three...... and his voice was probably better than all 3....but then again its different styles - the Beatles Harmonies were great.......also Elvis has more Charisma than all of them......
I would call it even....you could argue this one forever.....

[Trev1]

I have always been told that eaither you are a beatles person or an Elvis person. I have met very few who like both.


Mark
Las Vegas

Hi Mark - Wrong ! I like both equally....I am 33 now and I have gone from one to the other since I was about 10 yrs of age...... I go through phases of listening to each. I have been to 5 Beatles festivals/conventions and no Elvis one yet....but only cause i'm from Ireland and Liverpool is quite near. Graceland is more of a mission....but it is my dream to go there ...potentially on my honeymoon
I am listening to Amazing Grace (Gospel collection) at the moment and its one of my favourite albums even though i'm not particularly religious...but songs such as 'Milky White Way' are sung Beautifully..... 'Run On' is a great underrated/little known Elvis rocker!....oops anyway thats off topic!!

[Trev1]

When their songs were bad, like Strawberry Fields, Yellow Submarine, and All You Need Is Love, they were some of the worst songs ever recorded IMO.

There's no need to compare the influence of Elvis vs. the Beatles, cuz there's no comparison IMO. Sorry if I offended any Beatles fans.

You have'nt !!!
But I don't agree - 'Yellow Submarine' is a childrens fun sing a long - and works for what it is...... the other two are classics - esp Lennons vocal on "All You Need Is Love"
Are you not forgetting most of Elvis's movie sountracks!!

One of my favourite stories is when Elvis met the Bealtes - there are great accounts in the Bealtes Anthology and also Jerry Schillings new book....
Its funny the story of George and Larry Geller off smoking the herbal jazz ciggies all night


I'm sure they had the upmost respect for one another.....Elvis recorded 3 Bealtes songs - Hey Jude, Yesterday and Something.......
As for the Nixon stuff I don't know home much of that to believe