Music Which was most influential - Page 3

Dr. Johnny Fever · 09-15-2012, 05:10 PM

The Beatles or Elvis Presley. Debergs prog rock thread started me thinking and I thought it was a fairly easy choice until I talked to a few others about it and looked up some numbers. Now it seems like a toss up... although I know what my original gut feeling was.

The Beatles...
Best selling band in history... roughly 1 billion 600 million units sold
22 #1 singles world wide
7 grammys
10 films

Elvis Presley
Best selling solo act in history... roughly 1 billion 600 million units sold
36 #1 singles
3 grammys
33 films

Of course there is plenty of other criteria. What say you though?

Dr. Johnny Fever · 09-15-2012, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornstock

Jimi Hendrix. If he's not in this conversation than you, good sir, are a moran.

Also Cream aka Clapton.

I'm not sure if they were more influential but they absolutely belong in the conversation.

I would never argue Hendrix's influence or that off 100 other artists, including Clapton. The Beatles and Elvis are in a league of their own though through the criteria listed in the OP and many other things though.... imo.

**Baby Lee** · 09-15-2012, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornstock

Jimi Hendrix. If he's not in this conversation than you, good sir, are a moran.

Also Cream aka Clapton.

I'm not sure if they were more influential but they absolutely belong in the conversation.

Child please, both are great technicians, but they aren't influences. They extended the zietgiest, but they didn't revolutionize it. No noticeable segment of the population wakes up wanting to dress, create, eat, live, play like them, not on the level of the Beatles and Elvis. Madonna and Lady Gaga are frankly ahead of them on those terms, though they're still behind the big two.

Cornstock · 09-15-2012, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Johnny Fever

I would never argue Hendrix's influence or that off 100 other artists, including Clapton. The Beatles and Elvis are in a league of their own though through the criteria listed in the OP and many other things though.... imo.

The argument has really been worn out on VH1, countless classic rock message boards, and thousands of dorm rooms, so to hold to a point that one is greater than the other is redundant. But as long as there is acknowledgment that these bands were also profoundly influential I'm happy.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 09-15-2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewdog

In before 2pac reference.

But... but... he revolutionized... something... in like a handful of years!

LiveSteam · 09-15-2012, 05:38 PM

Where does Ziggy stardust fit in?

Cornstock · 09-15-2012, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Child please, both are great technicians, but they aren't influences. They extended the zietgiest, but they didn't revolutionize it. No noticeable segment of the population wakes up wanting to dress, create, eat, live, play like them, not on the level of the Beatles and Elvis. Madonna and Lady Gaga are frankly ahead of them on those terms, though they're still behind the big two.

I'm sorry, I didn't realize we were discussing fashion influences... I thought this was influence from a musician's perspective.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 09-15-2012, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornstock

The argument has really been worn out on VH1, countless classic rock message boards, and thousands of dorm rooms, so to hold to a point that one is greater than the other is redundant. But as long as there is acknowledgment that these bands were also profoundly influential I'm happy.

It's just a simple internet poll on one little site. It's not meant to change the world.

**AustinChief** · 09-15-2012, 05:39 PM

If we are talking about influential in society then these two are neck and neck... if we are talking inspiring to other musicians then they again both are near the top... if we are talking genuine influence on music and pushing genres forward neither breaks the top 10, nor the top 20, The Beatles may sneak into the top 50... maybe... if we limit the criteria to the 20th century.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 09-15-2012, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornstock

I'm sorry, I didn't realize we were discussing fashion influences... I thought this was influence from a musician's perspective.

FTR I left "influence" undefined on purpose so it could mean influence on other musicians, influence on the path of music that followed, influence on the public, influence on the way music is perceived... any kind of influence.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 09-15-2012, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiveSteam

Where does Ziggy stardust fit in?

#3

**HemiEd** · 09-15-2012, 05:44 PM

Influence=change so I vote Elvis.
I didn't really care that much for Elvis, and the Beatles dominated the music scene in my teen years all the way to my 20s.
The Stones had a bigger influence with my crowd.
Never was that big of fan of the Beatles, preferred bands like Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Grand Funk and Steve Miller Band.

How can I not mention "Ten Years After?"

In true retrospect, "The Boxtops" had the biggest early influence on me.

Cornstock · 09-15-2012, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Johnny Fever

It's just a simple internet poll on one little site. It's not meant to change the world.

The discussion has great value. If I wouldn't have had these types of discussion when I was younger I would be oblivious to hundreds of periphery bands who had or were influenced by some of the better known bands.

What I don't like to see is younger generations saying that "the Beatles are the greatest band of all time," yet are unable to name 5 other bands from the 60's. Heck, even older folks can stand to learn something through this type of discussion.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 09-15-2012, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornstock

The discussion has great value. If I wouldn't have had these types of discussion when I was younger I would be oblivious to hundreds of periphery bands who had or were influenced by some of the better known bands.

What I don't like to see is younger generations saying that "the Beatles are the greatest band of all time," yet are unable to name 5 other bands from the 60's. Heck, even older folks can stand to learn something through this type of discussion.

Completely agree.

**Baby Lee** · 09-15-2012, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornstock

The discussion has great value. If I wouldn't have had these types of discussion when I was younger I would be oblivious to hundreds of periphery bands who had or were influenced by some of the better known bands.

What I don't like to see is younger generations saying that "the Beatles are the greatest band of all time," yet are unable to name 5 other bands from the 60's. Heck, even older folks can stand to learn something through this type of discussion.

I certainly hope you don't view 'younger' people who say that the Beatles are the 'greatest' [leaving aside the issue of what influence means] as universally, or even preponderantly, unaware of other bands of history. I STILL know 10x more about the late 60s, early 70s, than I do the past 10 years. I've been fervently musically engaged from about 83 on.

MIAdragon · 09-15-2012, 05:57 PM

Bob Dylan and the Stones have to be up there.

View Poll Results: Who was the most influential?
The Beatles	38	22.09%
Elvis Presley	25	14.53%
John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band	102	59.30%
I'm going to make a case for someone else because I'm a moron	7	4.07%
Voters: 172. You may not vote on this poll

09-15-2012, 05:10 PM
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	Which was most influential The Beatles or Elvis Presley. Debergs prog rock thread started me thinking and I thought it was a fairly easy choice until I talked to a few others about it and looked up some numbers. Now it seems like a toss up... although I know what my original gut feeling was. The Beatles... Best selling band in history... roughly 1 billion 600 million units sold 22 #1 singles world wide 7 grammys 10 films Elvis Presley Best selling solo act in history... roughly 1 billion 600 million units sold 36 #1 singles 3 grammys 33 films Of course there is plenty of other criteria. What say you though?
Posts: 34,865

09-15-2012, 05:38 PM	#35
LiveSteam The Constitutional Choo choo Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: homeof43conferencetitles Casino cash: $-1464568	Where does Ziggy stardust fit in?
Posts: 44,690

09-15-2012, 05:39 PM	#38
AustinChief Administrator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Austin Casino cash: $-524998	If we are talking about influential in society then these two are neck and neck... if we are talking inspiring to other musicians then they again both are near the top... if we are talking genuine influence on music and pushing genres forward neither breaks the top 10, nor the top 20, The Beatles may sneak into the top 50... maybe... if we limit the criteria to the 20th century.
Posts: 19,999

09-15-2012, 05:44 PM	#41
HemiEd Supporter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ozarks Casino cash: $-289436	Influence=change so I vote Elvis. I didn't really care that much for Elvis, and the Beatles dominated the music scene in my teen years all the way to my 20s. The Stones had a bigger influence with my crowd. Never was that big of fan of the Beatles, preferred bands like Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Grand Funk and Steve Miller Band. How can I not mention "Ten Years After?" In true retrospect, "The Boxtops" had the biggest early influence on me. Last edited by HemiEd; 09-15-2012 at 05:50 PM..
Posts: 34,810

09-15-2012, 05:57 PM	#45
MIAdragon Someone pass the antifreeze Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Miami (North Cuba) Casino cash: $-2022181	Bob Dylan and the Stones have to be up there.
Posts: 15,943