Through the brink of uncertainty, when the world was full of racial tension and massive paranoia, Elvis Presley emerged with a soulful voice and a passion to change the world. He took forgettable melodies and turned them into billboard hits, and his original songs cemented themselves as staples in the music industry, recognizable favorites.
It was a style which became the foundation and the emergence of rock and roll culture.”
— Staff Writer Chloe Fitzsimmons
Elvis Presley defined music like no other, helping to close social gaps society created.
The King of Rock or rather the foundation of rock and roll existed during a time of unrest. The Civil Rights movement was at a high and the United States citizens needed a voice, a face to pull them through to the uncertain future.
Elvis offered a new kind of music like nobody had ever heard before. It was a style which became the foundation and the emergence of rock and roll culture.
He was known for covering songs such as “Hound Dog” and “Blue Suede Shoes,” using his unique voice to make his versions skyrocket above their original counterparts. At the same time, his original songs such as “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “Jailhouse Rock” also made their way to the top of billboard charts, breaking records and changing history.
The talent of Elvis by itself made him worthy of being the top artist of the 1950s. He was a natural musician who taught himself to play countless instruments and had a two-and-a-third octave range, not to mention his incredible stage presence and unique style which would later become the inspiration for many artists after him.
Presley’s over-700 recorded songs, although great, should not discredit artists after him. Michael Jackson, for example, was an incredible musician who broke the racial boundary of the music industry and created a unique blend of genres.
He did not follow a crowd, and because of that, he became one of the biggest artists in the world.”
— Staff Writer Chloe Fitzsimmons
With the two born in different times with wildly different backgrounds and belonging to completely different genres, the “kings” should not be compared.
What Elvis did was he took his own original look and made it mainstream. He did not follow a crowd, and because of that, he became one of the biggest artists in the world. If not the biggest, Presley was certainly the most popular of his time. He took the music industry and completely redefined it, challenging social boundaries and enlightening the world on the economic issues not everyone saw.
When it comes to music artists, there is no one more influential and original than Elvis Presley. He brought the world together with his low baritone voice and created the rock and roll we know and love today. His music and his name will never be forgotten, still lodging itself into our playlists between the modern day artists we love and staying relevant, impacting us just the same as he did in the ‘50s.
You are on a road trip with your family and the car is relatively silent besides the sound of the road. Your Airpods are dead so you cannot play any music without everyone else hearing it and telling you to turn it off.
He was awarded the title not for his popularity, but for his music itself and the creativity he used to make it.”
— Staff Writer Eliah Richards
But then there is one idea that comes to you; a saving grace from the quiet. While he may not be your personal go-to when it comes to music, his music has transcended time and bridged the gap between generations. So you play the music made by the king of pop himself, Michael Jackson. And no one can help but sing along.
It is no secret that Michael Jackson is known as the king of pop, and for good reason. He was awarded the title not for his popularity, but for his music itself and the creativity he used to make it. Creativity that you were not seeing in songs in his time.
Before Michael Jackson was just Michael Jackson, he was a part of the Jackson 5 alongside his siblings Tito, Marlon, Jackie, Michael, and Jermaine Jackson.
During his time with the Jackson 5, Michael, like the rest or his brothers, sported a larger than life afro with the loudest and most eye-catching fashion. The boys paired their singing with lively choreography and passionate enthusiasm.
In much the same way as “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” succeeded in being the album of the year.”
— Staff Writer Eliah Richards
With their father Joe Jackson as their manager, the group of boys quickly obtained popularity and became a sensation. Allowing him to release his first solo single when he was 13, “Ben.”
The group did not last. In 1979, Michael left his brothers for his solo career around the age of 20 after releasing his album “Off the Wall.” “Off the Wall” grew to be the best-selling album of the year. The album went on to sell over 20 million copies.
After “Off the Wall,” Michael made another album, “Thriller.” In much the same way as “Off the Wall,” “Thriller” succeeded in being the album of the year. But “Thriller” did not stop there. It grew to become the best-selling album ever.
Two years after his release of “Bad,” my personal favorite of his albums, he was presented with the Artist of the Decade award by actress Elisabeth Taylor who had dubbed him, “The King of Pop, Rock and Soul.” It was later shortened to just the King of Pop.
Throughout his career Michael Jackson was awarded a whopping total of 13 Grammys, eight of which he won from his most famous album, “Thriller.” In 2001, Michael Jackson was introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame only four years after the Jackson 5 in 1997.
Now I have one question, Annie, are you okay? Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie? Because if you are not, then queue up some Michael Jackson. I am sure it will help.
Jon Gloer • May 9, 2024 at 12:55 pm
I saw Elvis in 1973 when I was 12 years old at the Omni in Atlanta. It was a magical time. The energy in the Omni that night was like an SEC Championship game. Four years later Elvis would be gone at the age of 42. It was never the same.