Oprah To Launch Huffington Post Section
Reality TV Stars Grace The Cover Of VIBE's 'Sexy Issue'
Following a week of questions surrounding the sudden death of Michael Jackson, many have debated the many similarities between the "King of Pop" and Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock 'n' Roll."
In our latest round of Tale of the Tape, we match up the two legendary music icons to see if they had more in common than just their connection to Lisa Marie Presley.
(M) Full Name: Michael Joseph Jackson
(E) Full Name: Elvis Aaron Presley
(M) Alias: "The King of Pop"
(E) Alias: "The King of Rock 'n' Roll"
(M) Date of Birth: Aug. 29, 1958
(E) Date of Birth: Jan. 8, 1935
(M) Birthplace: Gary, Ind.
(E) Birthplace: Tupelo, Miss.
(M) Date of Death: June 25, 2009(E) Date of Death: Aug. 16, 1977
(M) Grammy Awards: 13
(E) Grammy Awards: 3
(M) Worldwide Record Sales: 750 million records
(E) Worldwide Record Sales: Over 1 billion
(M) National Record Sales: 61.5 million
(E) National Record Sales: 119 million
*according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
(M) Marriages: Elvis' daughter Lisa Marie Presley (divorced after less than two years of marriage); Debbie Rowe
(E) Marriages: Priscilla Beaulieu (divorced after six years of marriage)
(M) Signature move: Moonwalk
(E) Signature move: Pelvic thrust
(M) Real Estate: Neverland
(E) Real Estate: Graceland
(M) Famous Rivalries: Prince
(E) Famous Rivalries: Little Richard
(M) Controversies: Underage kids, dangling baby out of hotel window
(E) Controversies: Marrying underage wife, making women go crazy
(M) Fun Fodder: Sleeping in a chamber
(E) Fun Fodder: Eating peanut butter and bananas
(M) Musical Influences: James Brown
(E) Musical Influences: Big Momma Thornton
(M) Monumental Moments: Breaking MTV's color barrier
(E) Monumental Moments: Giving birth to blue-eyed soul
(M) Number of children: 3
(E) Number of children: 1
(M) Notable Film Appearances: 'The Wiz,' 'Thriller,' 'Bad,' 'Ghosts'
(E) Notable Film Appearances: 'Viva Las Vegas,' 'Jailhouse Rock,' 'Blue Hawaii,' 'G.I. Blues'
(M) Notable Albums: 'Thriller,' 'Off The Wall, 'Bad'
(E) Notable Albums: 'Elvis Presley,' 'Loving You,' 'G.I. Blues'
(M) Notable Singles: 'Thriller,' 'Rock With You,' 'Bad'
(E) Notable Singles: 'Hound Dog,' ''Don't Be Cruel,' 'Love You Tender,'
(M) Famous Quotes: "I'll always be Peter Pan in my heart."
(E) Famous Quotes: "I want to entertain people. That's my whole life. To my last breath."
(M) Famous Friends: Diana Ross, Elizabeth Taylor
(E) Famous Friends: The Beatles
(M) Death Theories: Apparent overdose on prescription meds
(E) Death Theories: Apparent overdose on prescription meds
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
Comments: (175)
Add a comment
By: Sandra Nichols on 7/03/2009 4:15PM
Elvis did not like black PEOPLE! I wish his people would stop talking about what they have in common! The only thing they have in common is that GOD put them both on this earth...thats it they was on the same plant!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Diamond D on 7/03/2009 1:34PM
No one knows the pain and suffering that Mikhael was going through. I hear that Vitiligo is painful in it self. Not to mension the stress and other things going on in life as a normal individual.As people, we think we can take meds to get rid of our pain and often times, we are correct. Past no judgement on others until you can walk in their shoes.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: ladyk on 7/03/2009 1:37PM
Well if Little Richard was the King of Rock and Roll than Chuck Berry was the Daddy. That's who brought it out and started that new trend. The beatles, Elvis , the beach boys etc. all copiers and all of them got sued as well for copying African American's music. Once the justice system "tried" to start changing pirating was a wrap...It hasnt stopped to this day though...there are plenty of rappers who owe part of there success to a record they used on their cd's. But Michael Jackson he did what HE wanted to do. Not only changing music but video fashion and even hair. That drip curl lol...He is the icon.. nobody did the moonwalk before him unlike Elvis' hip thrust(Jackie Wilson all day). There is no comparison, Elvis had a career by default if he had to do it all by himself without big mama and jackie and chuck he would still be little old elvis from little old mississippi. Separate the Original from the fake.
P.S. y r people acting shocked about the fact that Mike used perscription drugs...with as many surgeries he has had in the past 20-30 years of course he had come into contact with dozens of painkillers all with addictive possibilities. I still love him and even though im only 20 as you can see i still have mad respect. Thou shalt not judge so what ever he did he did. That life is over now the media really need to just let him rest. But hey he is MICHAEL JACKSON!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Bethonetwo on 7/03/2009 2:15PM
Elvis coundn't sing his way out of a wet paper bag, so don't even put his name anywhere near Michael Jackson's in comparison.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Gloria on 8/08/2009 1:10AM
people are so cruel with words they do not think of other people feeling until it is done to them,but michael jackson has shown the world what he was made of and know matter what you'll say or think about him he will always be the greastest in the music world he will always have a place in my heart and other to, we love you michael jackson rest in peace....
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Carl on 7/05/2009 3:21PM
Both artists were pioneers, no matter where they lifted their art from. All artists lift parts or whole cloth from other artists.
In fact, there are dancers who consider MJ a 'thief' because they claim he "stole" the backslide (moonwalk)and he never gave credit to the originator of the move. My point here is that EVERY artists draws inspiration or outrightly copies someone else. EVERY artist.
Elvis has gotten a bad rap in the black communities mostly due to false statements ascribed to him that he never made, such as the one claiming he said 'all black people can do for me is shine my shoes'. Pure hyperbole. He never said it.
Some of us still remember that Elvis went through a lot in the early part of his career; he was considered a race traitor for doing "ni@@er music" and if you remember they refused to show anything other than his upper torso when he appeared on Ed Sullivan.
I am not trying to sell Elvis to you all, however. I am not really a fan of his. I own none of his records and none of his songs really move me. But I am not going to say that Elvis contributed nothing to music; he certainly was a pioneer and black music did make it into mainstream America due in large part to his efforts.
Musically and talent wise, I don't think he can touch MJ, but one shouldn't blindly deny his impact on music and popular culture.
MJ and Elvis: two of the greatest artists of our time...
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Mia P on 7/03/2009 3:05PM
Farrah was a private person, and her family wanted everything to stay private and we don't have to see anything about her on tv everyday like we do about Micheal, and for the person that say he killed himself how do you know were you their.May Farrah and Micheal rest in peace.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: tet on 7/03/2009 3:46PM
NO COMPARISON!!!!!!! MICHAEL IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE THE KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Marian on 7/03/2009 3:30PM
I agree with most of the comments about Michael vs Elvis and others. Michael is the greatest and will always be. His talent in insurmountable and over the last 40 years there has been no one to take his place. I ask that we look at Michael for his talent, contributions to world hunger and outstanding work as a humanitarian. Do we believe in our courts and decisions? Well if we do, I think we should let Michael rest in peace. He was tried and both cases and each time he as found NOT GUILTY.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: LSmith on 7/03/2009 3:37PM
Michael Jackson has sold more records than Elvis and The Beatles..That is why MJ is in the Guinness Book of World Records.Now that MJ is deceased his record sales has sky rocket even more.I see why he was called the KING OF POP..Blacks, whites,hispanics and asians loved Michael Jackson.If you asked me there is no comparison..That's my opinion!
Reply to this Comment | Report This