Who's bigger- The Beatles or Elvis?

Answer 1

Excellent question!

I'm sure that most people who log on to Answers weren't around for either phenomenon. I'm a relic; I was there in 1956 when Elvis made the scene and in 1964 when the Beatles invaded. Each event was unique and great to experience.

Before I get into the differences, here's the statistics for which was " bigger ". And, of course, it depends on how you want to define " bigger ".

The Beatles hold the record for the most #1 hits; the Beatles had 20 and Elvis had 18. It's the only record of any significance where the Beatles are the winners.

For the most hits to make the Billboard Top 100, Elvis had 151 the Beatles had 76.

To make the top 40 chart Elvis had 104 and the Beatles had 51.

For the most top-10 hits Elvis had 38 the Beatles had 34.

The most #two hits, Elvis had six the Beatles 3.

For the most weeks at the #1 position Elvis had 80 and the Beatles had 59 .

For the most consecutive #1 hits Elvis had 10 the Beatles had 6.

For the most consecutive Top 10 hits Elvis had 30 and the Beatles had 24 .

For the most 2 sided hits Elvis had 52 and the Beatles had 26.

For the most gold records Elvis had 24 and the Beatles had 18.

For the most platinum hits Elvis had 28 and the Beatles had 6.

Statistically, it's a mismatch. And there's also the question of longevity. The Beatles were only together 1964 until 1970. Elvis had at least one hit in every year from 1956 through 1977.

The difference between the two phenomenons was that one was about the music and the other was about the artists. That's a bit of an oversimplification but it hits pretty close to home, I think.

In 1955 when rock-and-roll started to become popular mainstream music and most adults went absolutely crazy. Unless you were there it's hard to believe how stringent the opposition became. There were record burnings, there were riots, people went to jail for performing the music and there was even a congressional investigation.

There were a lot of people who truly believed that rock-and-roll was the spawn of Satan! Dancing to rock and roll was thought to make teenagers think about evil things like sex. It was the music of the black man and it was a corrupter of youth.

Elvis was the messenger because of the way he performed. So was Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and . . . (Oh My God!) Little Richard!

By 1964 when the Beatles came along it was about the bands and the people who made the music. There was no outcry from the mainstream, no record burnings, no riots and no rebellion; at least, not about the music . It was just a question of style. Adults grumbled about long hair and strange clothes but these were minor issues.

There were more important fish to fry. We were at war in Vietnam. The use of recreational drugs was becoming popular. Women were demanding an equal place in society. The civil rights movement was in full swing and Dr. Martin Luther King and other leaders were demanding the rights they had been promised so many years ago.

The Beatles were a relief; a distraction. It was so much more pleasant to argue over the length of Ringo's hair than to talk about how many college students were massacred at Kent State; or the assassination of President Kennedy.

Some people claim that the Beatles changed society but that's just plain wrong. Society was already in turmoil before the Beatles came along. Some of their music articulated the way we felt and the way we thought about the changes but they were only the messengers; not the cause.

Who was bigger, Elvis or the Beatles? It doesn't really matter; just thank goodness we had both .

Answer 2

The Beatles

Answer 3

The Beatles!

Answer 4

They have been the two extensive. They have been the two international primary. They the two did video clips. for the time of 1964, the Beatles bought over 30 million information in united states of america on my own. even nonetheless, interior the merely actual diagnosis, regardless of being an more suitable Beatles fan than Elvis. Elvis became primary by ability of merely his first call. that type of says all of it. once you're saying Elvis, genuinely everyone seems to be extensive-unfold with you're speaking approximately Elvis Presley. Elvis became an more suitable entertainer, the Beatles have been better musicians and writers. the two have been super and the two have been extensive.

Answer 5

Elvis

Answer 6

I believe The Beatles were bigger in their prime, but Elvis' songs was more influential to rock & roll as a whole. Look at John Lennon in his early days with the Beatles - his pompador hair is piled-high, just like Elvis.

Elvis was pretty big just before he died... something like 230+

Answer 7

the beatles! Elvis has long been gone and people dont care about him anymore.

Answer 8

The Beatles are better known wordly
Elvis is known, but more of an American Icon.

Answer 9

BEatles by far

Answer 10

The beatles.....