Who Was The KING OF ROCK?

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   6 String Veteranposted 13 years ago

   Ok, so Elvis was the King of Rock. Or was it Little Richard? Or Ike Turner? Bo Diddley? Beethoven? Jimi Hendrix? Or were the Beatles the Kings?
   
   Who was the KING? ...and why?
   
   
   6SV

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      Travis_S_Musicposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Elvis was the King of Rock. He was titled so before any others, and he got the name out for the rock genre. Jimi Hendrix is what we like to call a "guitar god."  Little Richard paved the way for Elvis to become that. Ike Turner is also one of the "fathers" of rock. Bo Diddley is along side those of the "fathers" of rock. Beethoven has no rule in this in my opinion, as he is just another of the greats of Classical music that has been transformed into rock. And the Beatles, they came after Elvis, and though they were influential, I do not agree with them being considered the Kings of Rock.

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         6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         As far as 'paving the way' goes, I believe Blues living legend BB King credits Elvis with jump-starting his career. And the Rolling Stones were instrumental in helping Muddy Waters achieve huge popularity.

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      Brenda Durhamposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Elvis was the king of rock.
      And although I never worshipped him like a "king", I just think that title fits his status from a worldly view.
      However, I loved many of his songs, both rock and gospel.  His voice and image is unforgettable. 
      The thing I like most is what I heard he said once when he was touted as "the king".  He said Jesus was the (true) King.  I respect Elvis for saying that.

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         6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Indeed he (JC) is.

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      Genna Eastposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Elvis earned this title years ago.  Other titles have since come forward, such as Bruce Springsteen who has been dubbed, “The Boss.”   Actually the Beatles have outsold Elvis and Michael Jackson (the King of Pop), so it is perhaps correct to refer to them all as kings?  They were certainly all kings in their respective generations.

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      blogivatorposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Don't forget the catalyst everyone, the unlikely,  Bill Hailey :-)

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   Pearldiverposted 13 years ago

   Albert Stone from South Swamp Studios was the King of Rock!

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      Travis_S_Musicposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      ...
      
      ...
      n
      o

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         Pearldiverposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Aw Yeah Sorry.... Albert Stone.. was a X Dresser...
         
         I meant to say he was the Queen of Rock!

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            6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Yeah...looked him up and didn't find much (I'll admit I thought you were joking--and you might be still LOL).

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               Pearldiverposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Sooooooooooooo You Did Find some material on Albert Stone? (other than silk stockings)
               
               The True Cajun King of Rock!

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   Dale Nelsonposted 13 years ago

   I reckon it depends what the criteria for rock is.
   Is it how commercialized they got.
   Is it the tempo.
   Is it 50's and 60's only.
   
   In a nutshell.
   Johnny Cash rates better in my book than Elvis.
   Little Richard could rock high energy, but then so could Jerry Lewis.
   
   Does Queen qualify as Rock or are they Pop.
   Then theres Don McClean and John Cougar Mellancamp
   
   So Im really confused now.
   
   Okay...You win.... Elvis is the King of Rock then ...LOL.

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      Travis_S_Musicposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Queen is considered rock/metal (: Johnny Cash is amazing, but just as anything, it's hard to beat an original! Elvis always has been and always will be the king

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      6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      @ Dale: no reason 4 confusion...yes, for 'musicologists' among us, 50s to 60s is pretty much the time being targeted. Anything after that is 2nd or 3rd gen, and the King would have to be 1st gen--for me at least.
      
      However in the Intro post I included many outside of this criteria because I didn't want to limit preferences and was/am interested to see who ppl think is The King.

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   quicksandposted 13 years ago

   Elvis Presley was the King of Rock ... He was the King of Roll too!
   
   The Rolling Stones were the real pioneers of rock music!

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      Travis_S_Musicposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      There were many others ages before the Rolling Stones that formed rock music

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         quicksandposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         There are many who think the Rolling Stones pioneered it all. It's just that I agree wholeheartedly.

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            Travis_S_Musicposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            >.<

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      6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      @ quicksand: give a couple of reasons for each--Elvis + Stones (for education's sake).

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   tony0724posted 13 years ago

   Elvis is called the King for a reason. But I would say Chuck Berry was right behind him. But the Beatles transcended just Rock and Roll.

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      6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting post Tony. I'm itchin to hear your reasons...Can I invite you to elaborate?

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   Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

   It's funny, tho. The music Elvis sang would not be considered "rock" by today's standards. Rockabilly, yes.
   Rock & Roll? IDK. Maybe I'm focusing my definition of "rock" too much on 60s rock and heavy metal....

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      Travis_S_Musicposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah haha, the "rock" of today is based off of metal from the 60s and up. Going off of the history of rock's origins, there were many musicians that influenced it, and Elvis just happened to be that one that really made it stick out.

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         6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         @ TSM  "Elvis just happened to be that one that really made it stick out."
         LOOOLLLLL Yeah...who was more famous: Elvis or his pelvis? LOL.

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      6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      @ Mighty Mom: you can't possibly leave without elaborating on such an intriguing response.

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   readytoescapeposted 13 years ago

   Sorry, you are all incorrect.
   
   The King of Rock is Fred Flintstone.

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      quicksandposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      How right you are! 

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         thirdmilleniumposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         

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      6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      @ readytoescape LOL

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   thirdmilleniumposted 13 years ago

   What a question to ask!
   The answer to this question, if there in deed was a question, was resolved in 1956.
   
   The best quote from the KING:
   I don't know anything about music. In my line, I don't have to.

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      6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      But I thought he played a pretty mean guitar. That was overdubbed? Milli Vanilli style?...Oh no.

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   quicksandposted 13 years ago

   It is rather difficult to associate the Beatles with rock as their capacity in that direction was not inexaustive. Although the music they produced was simply great.
   
   The Rolling Stones was not similar to other bands and had a great capacity and surplus energy - inexaustive I would say.
   
   As for Elvis Presley, he had it all! He was matchless indeed!
   
   Just imagine what the music scene would have been or would have evolved into wthout the presence of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and of course Elvis Presley!
   
   

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      Travis_S_Musicposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      The Beatles had a lot of Elvis's style for a while, til the whole drug age kicked in. But I do agree with you on your answer! Three greats of the original Rock Age indeed, though I gotta keep to the original, Elvis is King of Rock.

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         quicksandposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Elvis sure is!

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      6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      @ quicksand I would say, even with the Beatles' and Stones' tremendous (gross understatement) influence on Rock, they are 2nd gen rockers building off of that which had already been established.
      
      But that's my opinion, based on the principle that The King has to be a pioneer.
      
      but he (or she) doesn't, though. It could be argued that the King of Rock is the one who transformed it the most. In that case the Beatles would be strong contenders. So would Hendrix.

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         quicksandposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Well you have some valid points that cannot be contradicted.
         
         However I find it difficult to equate the Beatles with rock. Considering Elvis Presley, it is not only the kind of music that he was responsible for creating, it was also his personality, his voice, and summing it up it was his charisma that influenced the impact his music had on music fans.
         
         When the Rolling Stones exploded, they sounded dissimilar to whatever had preceded their era. So ... I would not say that they took over from where someone left.
         
         As for Jimi Hendrix, he was the king of his own kind of music. I have a belief that he was influenced by the Rolling Stones.
         
         That's only my opinion.

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    habeeposted 13 years ago

    Never been a big fan, but I'll say Elvis.

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       6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Why, habee, why? Pardon my exuberance but I'd like more input.

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    A la carteposted 13 years ago

    It is whoever you want....elvis,little richard, chuck berry....who cares..it is who you liked that counts

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       6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       That's true. But I care (LOL). Who's yours and why, if you care to name any1...?

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    blogivatorposted 13 years ago

    Forget about Elvis being king of rock and roll, it's a myth perpetuated by his management.
    
    No disrespect to Elvis he was a nice guy.
    
    It's Chuck Berry without question.

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       6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       blogivator, intriguing post. J4TR (just for the record) wanna share any reasons for saying this?

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          blogivatorposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Man, this is a great post you started, 6 String,  I wish I had more time for this, but I am so busy.
          
          Although I'm fairly certain I once heard an early recording of someone else doing it , I cannot remember who, it was Chuck who upped the tempo of the 12 bar to make that rhythm his own, which was then used in countless 1000's of rock and pop records forever onwards, also I believe his influence over all the big stars who came after was far greater than that of Elvis.  viz. Beatles, Stones, etc.
          Forgive me folks I am not putting Elvis down, he was a fantastic entertainer, but for me there were too many ballads....
          
          A mention also of Mr. Diddly, Bo to his friends, this guy was also a master musician who did not follow the flock and invented his own "Bo Diddly Beat" Unfortunately not as popular or long lived as the 12 bar of CB, Oh and by the way for all you youngsters out there, this is the guy that invented odd shape guitars, before Gibson ever thought of the flying "V"
          
          There is an underlying issue here also,  that is one of racism, bearing in mind the era to which we are referring, for instance, I still find it hard to believe that in order to be on TV, Nat King Cole had to have his hair straightened and slicked down, and black women had to wear wigs.
          
          Sorry to go off topic a bit but you did ask for my thoughts, anyway have to go now.  Take care all.  :-)

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       Travis_S_Musicposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I disagree with that >.<

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    quicksandposted 13 years ago

    He who listens to tracks from the movie "Blue Hawaii," having already heard tracks like "Wont You Wear My Ring Around Your Neck," "Jailhouse Rock," ... will confirm that he is not only the king of Rock ...
    

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    Disturbiaposted 13 years ago

    There will only ever be one King of Rock and that is Elvis!

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    Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

    Certainly more votes for Elvis than anyone else here.
    I saw a biography of Jimi Hendrix the other night -- actually, more of an autobiography. What an amazingly talented and humble artist he was. He was all about the music, man. Not the money. The music.
    
    Can we have a King and Queen of Rock for each decade?

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       logic,commonsenseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Which category would Elton John be eligible for?

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          6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          LOL. We'll have to hear it in his own words. I think he's doing an autobiographical film soon.

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          blogivatorposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          How about "Queen of the pop Ballad"?  :-)
          
          No disrespect Elton, even you would laugh at that.

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       6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       @ Mighty Mom A King + Queen of Rock, decade-wise? Certainly. Just be sure to include the overall Ruler (LOL) if you have one.

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    Cagsilposted 13 years ago

    Elvis IS the King of not just rock, but music.

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       6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I want justifications, Cagsil, justifications!

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    Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

    Ok, here's my nominations
    World Ruler of Rock = Elvis (by popular vote)
    To make it easier (on myself) I am only going with solo artists rather than bands.
    Also including only "rock-oriented" singers (so MJ, Prince, Madonna will not appear, even though they ruled the '80s).
    
    1950s
    King = Chuck Berry
    Royal Court = Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis
    Queen = Can't think of anyone
    
    1960s
    King = Jimi Hendrix
    Royal Court = Jim Morrison*, Donovan, Roy Orbison
    Queen = Janis Joplin
    Royal Court = Grace Slick, Aretha, Marianne Faithful
    
    1970s
    King = David Bowie
    Royal Court = John Lennon, Elton John, Mark, Don & Mel, Jethro Tull, Lou Reed, Iggy Popp, Van Morrison (and that's only about 1/4 of the court)
    Queen = Deborah Harry
    Royal Court = Patti Smith, Carole King,Linda Rondstadt
    
    1980s
    King = Ozzy Osbourne
    Royal Court = Morrissey, Billy Idol,Tom Petty, SRV, Clapton, Elvis Costello, Springsteen
    Queen = Bonnie Raitt
    Royal Court =  Chrissie Hynde, Joan Jett, Pat Benetar, Stevie Nicks, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper
    
    1990s
    King = Kurt Cobain
    Royal Court = Eddie Vedder,Beck, Michael Stipe,Neil Young,Lenny Kravitz
    Queen = Sheryl Crow
    Royal Court = Alanis Morissette, Tracy Chapman,Tori Amos,The chick from Garbage
    
    2000s
    King = Jack White
    Royal Court = Chris Cornell,Thom Yorke
    Queen = Gwen Stefani
    Royal Court = Fergie, Fiona Apple, Avril Lavigne,Joss Stone
    
    *I know, I just broke my own solo artists rule, but Morrison WAS the Doors

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       Travis_S_Musicposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I love the list!

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       6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       @ Mighty Mom --Thanks for the detailed list. I noticed the title given to Elvis was 'World Ruler of Rock'...LOL

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    Cagsilposted 13 years ago

    Not withstanding Mighty Mom's last post-
    
    May I point out, that Elvis is the ONLY "One" to break a Billion dollars in sales in one year's time. And, to top it off, he been dead for over 20 years.

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       6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       @ Cagsil --There you go, folks, STATS. Now that's an interesting tidbit, as well as a good way to justify the crown.

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    Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

    You asked for an "overall RULER" and I wasn't going to argue about Elvis

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       6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Great list, Mighty M. A whole Lotta names for others to consider.

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    Greek Oneposted 13 years ago

    I cast a vote for Justin Beiber

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    Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

    Bless you for having the courage to say what I know we are all thinking, Greek One

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       Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       ..and I also predict, that after he undergoes the surgery he will undoubtedly pursue upon reaching the age of majority, he will also be the Queen of Rock

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    Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

    And he will be following in a short line of King/Queens of Rock:
    1. Michael "Jacko" Jackson
    2. Lady Gaga
    3. Justine Beiber

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       6 String Veteranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       @ Mighty Mom --wait a second there, aren't those Pop royalty? After all, MJ was the King of Pop...and I simply don't see the 'Rock' in Gaga or Beiber.
       
       
       NOTES OF INTEREST:
       
       -IS THE KING OF POP NECESSARILY THE KING OF ROCK? FOR EX., WAS MJ THE KING OF ROCK AS WELL (HE WAS THE KING OF POP)?
       
       -HOW IS POP DIFFERENT THAN ROCK?

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