In terms of the numbers, there is no comparison - Michael Jackson was far more successful.
Exact numbers of total record sales are virtually impossible to find on both sides due to bloated methodology employed by the record industry (back in the day they used 'singles equivalents', where 1 album = 6 units sold).
One thing that is telling is that Michael Jackson achieved his sales (conservatively assuming half of what Elvis has sold - 500 million vs 1,000 million) primarily through 16 Studio albums and EPs, as opposed to 53 for Elvis Presley!
In any case the Guiness Book of World Records lists Michael Jackson as the most successful entertainer of all time.
Michael Jackson: 392 awards won, far more than anyone else in history, including:
-Artist of the millennium (IFPI)
-Artist of the century (AMA)
Thriller is the greatest selling album of all time (110 million copies APPROX.) Also Thriller is the greatest music video of all time and the only music video to be voted into the library of congress in the US to be preserved for all time.
He could sing, dance, produce, choreograph and put on the most spectacular (and most successful) live shows there have ever been and probably ever will be.
Let's face it, Elvis Presley was NOT a revolutionary. Merely expanding upon an existing music style which was being performed by many black artists in the US (Ike Turner, Little Richard, etc). Yes, he brought this kind of music to the masses because he didn't face the same barriers to entry as other black musicians at the time of extreme civil unrest in the US (50's, 60's).
Michael Jackson on the other hand, single-handedly changed MTV from a white-only rock & roll music station to the world's biggest music TV network which is well documented.
In my mind also the only true artist who had genuine worldwide appeal no matter what country, language, race, religion or culture you belonged to.
Both genuine icons and great artists and whomever you enjoy more is a subjective decision....
...but Michael Jackson is/was the greatest entertainer of all time.
Generally I prefer elvis (more my kind of music) except for 'off the wall' by jackson which is sublime.
However in terms of ability it's like comparing the beatles (jackson) to boyzone (presley). Being able write your own songs goes a long way in my opinion. Love what he did but elvis was just a singer.
I never took to Jacko, but then I never took to Elvis. I really couldn't stand watching either of them. But just to listen to then it's Elvis by a mile.
Can't stand Jackson, never could even before he stared the weirdness and kiddy fiddling. He made music for x factor watchers designed to sell to people who don't have music in their bones. Gary Glitter fans, such as myself were horrified by his antics and would never consider defending him, Jacko fans put their head in the sand and pretend it never happened. "He wrote this" "he danced that" - pah - voice of a seven year girl, and not a very good one at that.
It's all about the music, and Presley is so far ahead it's hardly worth debating.
Elvis was what would be considered now a manufactured act, how can he be regarded as the greatest ever? If that's the way this is going then 'take that' are better- manufactured but had more of a hand in creativity. I don't like jacko but he was the real deal.
Eh, I personally prefer Elvis as a singer but in terms of all round ability and sales based perspective Jackson is much better as Muttley and others have said.
Yes Jackson was a great performer, and thriller was an iconic album, the songs are very memorable, and is a true classic, rightly so.
Both stars , had feet of clay but Elvis was the first rock and roll singer/performer. His manipulative manager made him do those dumb movies' his words' when he should have kept to his gospel/blues roots. People forget that this music broke the mould of modern music, and performing. Both became tragic figures, almost as famous for there excesses then there talent.
Comments
It aint even close
Elvis every day of the week
was not called the king for nothing
All well and good OA
but could he act
8=)
how rude, Elvis was the greatest GI actor i ever did see
but you are wrong about jacko ,
Elvis rules
But jacko shades it for me
The King.
However in terms of ability it's like comparing the beatles (jackson) to boyzone (presley). Being able write your own songs goes a long way in my opinion. Love what he did but elvis was just a singer.
I never took to Jacko, but then I never took to Elvis. I really couldn't stand watching either of them. But just to listen to then it's Elvis by a mile.
Not a great fan of either personally but Muttley has the right answer. Elvis was just a voice.
Can't stand Jackson, never could even before he stared the weirdness and kiddy fiddling. He made music for x factor watchers designed to sell to people who don't have music in their bones. Gary Glitter fans, such as myself were horrified by his antics and would never consider defending him, Jacko fans put their head in the sand and pretend it never happened. "He wrote this" "he danced that" - pah - voice of a seven year girl, and not a very good one at that.
It's all about the music, and Presley is so far ahead it's hardly worth debating.
never liked Jackson,my first dance at my wedding CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU by ELVIS
Used to love the Elvis films when on school holidays.
Long Live the King
Elvis by a country mile.
Olivers Army was the soundtrack of my youth
Oh...
If that's the way this is going then 'take that' are better- manufactured but had more of a hand in creativity.
I don't like jacko but he was the real deal.