Did Elvis Suck???

[nobody]

This really is a silly argument. We're talking about one of the single most influential artists of the modern era. Of course, he doesn't suck, unless you want to be so elitist and/or narrow in your view as to ignore generations of fans and ignore generations of musicians influenced by him. Sure, you can pick apart any artist if you just comb through, looking for flaws. Pick your favorite and there's someone out there that can make a coherent argument as to why they are crap.

Of course, there is no reason you have to like anyone. So, maybe personally he sucks in the same way anything you don't personally like sucks. But, there's no real argument for him being talentless and/or unimportant to music history if those are the types of terms you wanna go by. I guess, you can do it by picking apart his worst moments and ignoring the rest, but that's not exactly fair and is a method that would ruin pretty much anyone. Personally, I"m a big fan, so I'll always stick up for him. J and others have already spelled out most of the reasons so I'll try not o be too redundant.

It's really no different than some really big, important bands that I prefer not to listen to for the most part. I'm not a big Beatles fan and the overwhelming majority of Rolling Stones records leave me cold. But, while I am happy to say they're not my cup of tea, I think saying they suck would be an overstatement simply due to the vastness of their influence and their legions of fans.

Now, Van Halen, on the other hand. Those guys just suck.

[GMichael]

Now, Van Halen, on the other hand. Those guys just suck.

Oh I see. More sarcasm.
I never liked Bruce Springsteen. He sucks too.

[Troy]

I'd rather listen to fat sweaty 70s Elvis than Van Halen. I mean, it's all a sliding scale, you know? Do people actually play Van Halen albums still?

Yes, it's a silly argument, not because Elvis was influential etc., but because the answer to the question is a pure OPINION statement. If I think Elvis and especially Van Hagar sucks that doesn't mean it's a fact any more than you opinion is fact. All that means is you better not let me pick the music on a long drive together.

As far as ripping off the blues etc. it's all about $ and fame. Elvis made money with it by taking others music that those other black guys couldn't make $ doing. It's no different than that whole Led Zep plagiarism thing we beat into the ground a month or 2 ago.

Yes, the Beatles-hating thing started in the late 70s, but there's plenty of punky kids that hate the Beatles out of spite today, too.

And I'll argue my rube point all day, gramps. There's plenty of evidence that he wasn't the sharpest spoon in the drawer, Parker was the ultimate svengali who ran every single part of Elvis's public life. And Pressley had the worst kind of nouveau riche redneck cracker taste in everything. I've been to Graceland. It was one of the cheesiest experiences I've ever had. Sorry, Call me a snob, but Elvis was a rube.

There was a scene cut from Pulp Fiction (it's on the DVD tho) in which Travolta and Thurman talk before they go out to dance and OD. "Are you an Elvis or a Beatles man?" "Definitely an Elvis man." I always thought that spoke volumes about the 2 wildly divergent schools of rock they come from. Yeah, Elvis influenced that whole side of the rock tree that I don't especially like.

[PeruvianSkies]

I'd rather listen to fat sweaty 70s Elvis than Van Halen. I mean, it's all a sliding scale, you know? Do people actually play Van Halen albums still?

Yes, it's a silly argument, not because Elvis was influential etc., but because the answer to the question is a pure OPINION statement. If I think Elvis and especially Van Hagar sucks that doesn't mean it's a fact any more than you opinion is fact. All that means is you better not let me pick the music on a long drive together.

As far as ripping off the blues etc. it's all about $ and fame. Elvis made money with it by taking others music that those other black guys couldn't make $ doing. It's no different than that whole Led Zep plagiarism thing we beat into the ground a month or 2 ago.

Yes, the Beatles-hating thing started in the late 70s, but there's plenty of punky kids that hate the Beatles out of spite today, too.

And I'll argue my rube point all day, gramps. There's plenty of evidence that he wasn't the sharpest spoon in the drawer, Parker was the ultimate svengali who ran every single part of Elvis's public life. And Pressley had the worst kind of nouveau riche redneck cracker taste in everything. I've been to Graceland. It was one of the cheesiest experiences I've ever had. Sorry, Call me a snob, but Elvis was a rube.

There was a scene cut from Pulp Fiction (it's on the DVD tho) in which Travolta and Thurman talk before they go out to dance and OD. "Are you an Elvis or a Beatles man?" "Definitely an Elvis man." I always thought that spoke volumes about the 2 wildly divergent schools of rock they come from. Yeah, Elvis influenced that whole side of the rock tree that I don't especially like.

So is an Orange actually the color orange or only because it's the popular belief that it is orange and that we have assigned the word 'orange' to describe the color of the fruit, also known as Orange. Or is it just a popular enough of an opinion that Oranges are indeed orange in color? When does opinion become fact? When do facts become opinions?

While we can have opinions on Elvis, there is certainly enough supporting evidence that shows an overwhelming popularity of him to bring him to legendary status and into the Rock N' Roll hall of fame, neither which come by accident, but rather talent and popularity combined.

Whether or not you like what he wore, where he lived, or what he sang about does not change the course of History and the truth that he was indeed a gifted person who could sing well enough for a popularity that no one since has ever achieved. Icons don't happen on accident or by pure luck..icons are made through greatness.

[Troy]

Peru-
Oranges are orange, that's a fact.

Oranges taste good, that's opinion.

Oranges have a lot of vitamin C and are good for you- fact.

Orange is a good color for cars- opinion.

Elvis was talented and very influential- fact

Elvis sucks- opinion.

With me here?

J, turn down Jamie's Cryin and take a pill, woodja? Did I ever actually say that Elvis had no talent? No. Of course he had talent, but it's talent that I don't particularly value. Your favorite band sucks to me, my favorite bands suck to you. BFD, get over it.

Blind hatred? Don't you think you're overstating it a bit?

[3-LockBox]

. And Pressley had the worst kind of nouveau riche redneck cracker taste in everything. I've been to Graceland. It was one of the cheesiest experiences I've ever had. Sorry, Call me a snob, but Elvis was a rube.

You got something against red crushed-velvet decore in bathrooms?

[BradH]

Elvis made money with it by taking others music that those other black guys couldn't make $ doing.

You think those R&B acts sounded just like Elvis, do ya?

There's plenty of evidence that he wasn't the sharpest spoon in the drawer...

Boy, that's a rarity in rock 'n' roll. Do you only listen to rock made by smart people? Must have a small collection.

There was a scene cut from Pulp Fiction (it's on the DVD tho) in which Travolta and Thurman talk before they go out to dance and OD. "Are you an Elvis or a Beatles man?" "Definitely an Elvis man." I always thought that spoke volumes about the 2 wildly divergent schools of rock they come from.

So, if the Beatles didn't come from the Elvis school of rock then exacltly what school did they come from? Here's a hint: there was no other school. They always acknowledged his influence and never once, that I know of, made claims that they were better or more progressive than Elvis or anything like that. Maybe they were rubes too, huh?