
rock and roll
- Sophistikitten
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2004 9:44 am
- Location: Montreal, Quebec
Oh please Elvis was so over rated. He couldn't sing, act or dance. He didn't write his own songs what was so good about him. Buddy Holly was OK but he was fortunate enough to have died young always a good move to elevate the status. The Beatles were ahead of their times, they wrote songs which still hold their own and had personalities.
- Sophistikitten
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2004 9:44 am
- Location: Montreal, Quebec
To me, it is more about the genre of music that Buddy and Elvis performed and were made popular by (in the 50s). It just so happens to be a time in music that I like very much.
And yes, Elvis couldn't really act...I agree on that one. However, with the Colonel pretty much placing him in these sappy sing-a-long type movies - no one really knows what he could have been as far as acting goes.
Sorry, just not a fan of the Beatles - lyrically or musically. What made Elvis great (and I'm not the biggest fan of his) was that he raised such energy in the young people (and he did that long before the Beatles - which they did too, in their own style), he shocked people, he pretty much introduced black rock n roll/r&b music to white folk back then. And if I was right back there, seeing him for the first time...I would probably swoon at those pelvic dance moves of his too!
And yes, Elvis couldn't really act...I agree on that one. However, with the Colonel pretty much placing him in these sappy sing-a-long type movies - no one really knows what he could have been as far as acting goes.
Sorry, just not a fan of the Beatles - lyrically or musically. What made Elvis great (and I'm not the biggest fan of his) was that he raised such energy in the young people (and he did that long before the Beatles - which they did too, in their own style), he shocked people, he pretty much introduced black rock n roll/r&b music to white folk back then. And if I was right back there, seeing him for the first time...I would probably swoon at those pelvic dance moves of his too!
- Sophistikitten
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2004 9:44 am
- Location: Montreal, Quebec
Yes, very true! My mom listened to Elvis (amongst other 50s music) a lot so needless to say it was the first music that I was really aware of. Of course, I thought it wasn't very cool and the first music I became aware of later on was metal...
Somehow, I took a fancy to the 50s rockabilly and country, etc...Of course, Leonard Cohen always being number one in my books!
And I do like one Beatles song - "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away".

And I do like one Beatles song - "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away".
- Teratogen
- Posts: 1653
- Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:09 pm
- Location: Santa Clarita, California
- Contact:
i grew up on oldies music. that meant the beatles, elvis, and buddy holly as well. it's unfortunate that buddy holly died young. but i can tell you, for as long as i've been a fan of both the beatles and elvis, as long as i have lived on this earth, the artists that have the most staying power overy anyone else i know are the beatles. i dig everything they've done. i don't care if it was from the "i wanna hold your hand" pop stuff to the spiritual and intelligent lyrics george harrison would later go on to write, those 4 brits from liverpool did more for rock and roll than anyone else. if it were not for george harrison, i believe, there wouldn't be as many people picking up guitars today and being in a band, whether they may know that or not. elvis could dance, elvis had that hunky voice, he had the looks, he had the hits... but the beatles were the more important figures by far.
- Sophistikitten
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2004 9:44 am
- Location: Montreal, Quebec
Well, I'm not arguing who has the most lasting power over who - I think each of them has it in their own way and to their own fans. Yes, The Beatles did something to rock and roll and they were highly influential. I guess what I am trying to say this morning is that there were roots and influences set for them in the first place. As Paul McCartney once put it, “If it wasn’t for the Crickets, there wouldn’t be any Beatles.” If it wasn't for Eddie Cochran, Carl Perkins, Duane Eddy, Chet Atkins, and Buddy Holly - would George be inspired to learn guitar?
Most every generation of music draws upon others that preceded it. I was fortunate to have grown up tuning my own radio stations to the music of Elvis, Buddy Holly, and the Beatles. They were all on a continuum that, for all practical purposes could be considered at least two generations......Elvis and Buddy Holly in one; Beatles in another. It's like the old comparing apples and oranges dilemma ~ I also tuned in to the music of Eddie Cochran, Carl Perkins, Duane Eddy, and Chet Atkins [in fact, seeing their names brought back some very pleasant memories
]. I believe I bought 45 rpm records of everyone mentioned here, except the Beatles [with them, I was buying their albums], as I did with Elvis, as well. For my own satisfaction here, I'll add in Roy Orbison, as well. Anyway, I loved them all. Going back to the original issue, Elvis had a wonderful voice; he was very poorly cast in movies, which were contrived to capitalize on his singing popularity, simply marketing schemes. I loved the Beatles. I liked Buddy Holly. I don't feel that either Elvis or the Beatles were overrated. They rightly earned their popularity, and the devotion of those who love their music. They were, each in their way, indelible in the world of music.
~ Lizzy

~ Lizzy
- Frankie Lee
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2003 9:41 pm
- Location: south Germany, lake of Konstanz
Nobody should blame the Beatles for being born too late. I love them for their wonderful music, but what I appreciate more is their humanity and their sense of humour. The day John Lennon was shot was a very sad day. The Beatles were more than just musicians. They always were, are and will be good friends.
Never forget that rock 'n' roll is rooted in blues. Elvis and Buddy Holly didn't invent their music out of nothing.
Frankie

Never forget that rock 'n' roll is rooted in blues. Elvis and Buddy Holly didn't invent their music out of nothing.
Frankie
Exactly, Frankie, on Buddy Holly and Elvis. They would be the first to acknowledge their own influences. However, as music is wont to metamorphose, they added their own twists. Yes, with John Lennon as my forever favourite of the Beatles, I agree on their humanity as being a strong element in their popularity. We came to 'know them' rather 'thoroughly,' all things considered. I've talked about the day that John was murdered [several times, in fact] here before, so I won't go into it. However, it was a very lasting, sad day for me. At the time, and through to today.
Thanks, Teratogen
.
~ Lizzy
Did someone do this? Did I miss that portion of someone's posting?Nobody should blame the Beatles for being born too late.
Thanks, Teratogen

~ Lizzy
- Sophistikitten
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2004 9:44 am
- Location: Montreal, Quebec
- Teratogen
- Posts: 1653
- Joined: Mon Jun 21, 2004 11:09 pm
- Location: Santa Clarita, California
- Contact:
yes, well, blues was rooted in gospel music, which was rooted in slave songs, spirituals, and field hollering games, which is pretty much the beginning of rock and roll. hahahaha.
yes, i agree, though i was not even alive then, the death of john lennon was as big as the death of jfk, in my opinion. it was a national tragedy. even an international one.
yes, i agree, though i was not even alive then, the death of john lennon was as big as the death of jfk, in my opinion. it was a national tragedy. even an international one.