Reply #17: Perhaps a musician could help you...

[hholli11]

but before Elvis came on the scene, the top songs in pop culture included "How Much is that Doggy in the Window" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". Elvis came on the scene with that look, that voice and that SWAGGER. Elvis Presley jirated all over God's creation. And his voice has a lot of velvet in it. Smooth, ya know?

There hasn't been a man who could command a stage like that since. In fact, I don't think we could name someone who could turn a crowd into what Elvis Presley did. In fact, it took FOUR MEN to even come close. (And by then, the king's prime was long behind him).

Now...as far as musical CONTRIBUTION goes...gravitas if you will...Buddy Holly tops your list, but mostly BECAUSE of Elvis Presley. I'll explain:

When Holly wanted on the scene, Elvis EXPLODED onto it. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to figure out which one the girls would swoon over, and a very smart Buddy Holly readily recognized that Presley had a better voice than his. So Buddy Holly began recording over his inital recording in order to make a fuller sound. (We probably shouldn't negate Phil Spector here, but I digress) That process, ovedubbing, is how most recording artists perfrom to this very day. It was invented by Buddy Holly as a way to stay in the game against a southern pretty boy who danced like he had ants in his pants.

I would argue that Jerry Lee Lewis did not necessarily have as big an impact as Elvis Presley...but Buddy Holly...he's in the same category as people like Jimi Hendrix as far as influence goes. (Anyone doubting the veracity of Hemdrix's influence should see the impact he had on guitar sales. Crazy. It's absolutely crazy).

Anyhoo, I hope that helps.