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| MJ | 71% | 647 votes | Total: 910 votes | |
| Elvis | 29% | 263 votes |
MJ
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Add to FavoritesI think the debate on whether Michael Jackson or Elvis Presley influenced music more is a very hard one to compare, I mean look the times were so different and far enough apart that it makes it extremely difficult to really make that comparison. As a woman in her mid forties I guess you could say I grew up with both Michael and Elvis making an impact on me. My mother was a huge Elvis fan and so from the time I was born he was a part of my life, we had all his records and his movies and as a child I enjoyed both watching and listening to him. I grew believing he was "The King of Rock N Roll" and when he died it was a big blow to both the music industry and even more, his fans.
I will never forget coming home one day when I was about thirteen to discover my mother in tears, my heart just stopped, I remember thinking what could have happened to make her so very sad and thinking of course of the worst, like maybe something happened to my dad or someone else in our family. I asked her what happened and she blubbered out, "Elvis died today" and then began crying even harder, I was stunned and immediately went into this fog like state, I walked to my room and then I broke down and cried. He was such a huge person in my life and this was my first experience losing someone outside of my family who was really such a big part of it.
As for Michael, wow, I loved him when he was with the Jackson Five and to think this musical talent came from a child just like me. I, like everyone else at the time just adored him and when he came out on his own in the late 70's early 80's he came out with a bang. When my kids were little in the 80's we, as a family, enjoyed watching his videos. Michael became the pop icon and the video king, no one could or did have the talent he possessed, everyone wanted to be him and most of all people couldn't take their eyes off of this multiply talented young man.
So, to say who influenced the music industry more, I'm honestly not sure. I think I would have to say that for each of their times they both influenced the music industry more than any other star of their perspective generations. They were both very talented human beings given awesome abilities though I will say that Michael influenced the MTV generation more but that is only because it didn't exist in Elvis's days. I will say that they both influenced my life and that they will continue, as Elvis has proved, to influence the music industry for generations to come.
Learn more about this author, Tina Mitts.
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Elvis
Whether it is an artist's sound or style, sometimes one can make an impact on the music industry that changes it forever. The question has been posed who had the biggest influence over music. In one corner stands the King of Pop while the King of Rock stands at attention in the other corner. Although Michael Jackson's style and sound have affected music in so many ways, Elvis Presley's influence over music has been greater.
Elvis has been credited with changing the face of American popular culture. Before Elvis came along, music was more conservative, much like the codes and standards of the period. Focusing on the youth who were trying to break free of those conservative ideals, Elvis became a symbol of rebellion. There Elvis stood, in all his hip-shaking glory, much to the dismay of parents around America. His beautiful voice belted out a new sound with bluesy riffs and a little country.
The King of Rock tore down the social and racial barriers of his time. Until his sound, which reflected his influences of pop and country music of the time, not to mention black R&B sounds along with some gospel music, the black artists of the era were having doors slammed in their faces left and right. Elvis broke the racial barriers by bring black music to a white audience. Some accused him of stealing black music, but it was his way of showing his musical influences. Chuck Berry and Little Richard were just two of the talented artists that walked through the door Elvis opened. Some might say that had it not been for Elvis, Michael Jackson would not have had his successes.
Michael Jackson has influenced music in his own right. His music brought people together, regardless of race, class, or gender. Jackson's music actually incorporated a more diverse group of followers. He is a prominent figure in African-American music. Jackson has spent the last thirty years transforming music. Integrating different genres of music has opened people's ears to new sounds. Some of his music has a pop-rock sound while some has a pop-hip hop sound.
Both artists have inspired the musical industry. Such acts as the Beatles and Bob Dylan admitted they wanted to be the next Elvis. Michael Jackson has a long list of followers as well. Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Usher, Chris Brown, and Rhianna are just a few examples of artists today that attribute their success to Michael's influence.
Although Michael Jackson has influenced the music industry and helped to shape it into what it is today. Unfortunately his personal life was more a focus over his music for more than ten years. It may take some time for him to work his way back up to his title of "King of Pop." However, Elvis' successes and influence have reigned, even thirty years after his death. The King of Rock has been more influential to the music industry.
Learn more about this author, Becky Robbins.
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