Kings of Music
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Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, both artists who changed the music industry in different ways, had very different styles (aside from dancing on stage). However, they both were considered Kings of music, Elvis, the King of Rock and Michael, the Kind of Pop. Elvis and Michael both came from poor backgrounds who had a talent from God to make a difference in the world and impact others through their music, their individuality, and their style.
In fact, two of their songs that made the top of the charts were inspired by tragic events that happened. Elvis’s song “If I Can Dream” was written just two months after Martin Luther King’s assassination, and shortly after Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination. The recording was released to the public as the finale of Presley’s ‘68 Comeback Special’. Afterwards Elvis proclaimed “I’m never going to sing another song I don’t believe in. I’m never going to make another movie I don’t believe in”. Elvis was saying that if he can’t sing what he’s passionate about then he won’t do it and am in awe of that. My family and I have always enjoyed the King of Rock.
As for Michael Jackson, when I first saw him perform in some music videos, my first thought was “he reminds of Elvis with the way he dances so freely”. And like Elvis, he has a hit song that made the top of the charts called Beat It, which wasn’t just a cool music video but an anthem about avoiding conflict, violence, and refusing to succumb to the pressure of proving yourself with fighting. In LA there are two gangs: The Bloods (who wear red), and The Crips (who wear blue). Each had their own territories; if you wore red in the blue territory or blue in the red territory, you were in trouble. Michael was aware that people dying just for wearing the wrong colors. He connected members from both gangs and called on their feedback and skills to ultimately create the music video for Beat It. Getting these two groups to find common ground and see each other as human beings is simply amazing.
To me, it was amazing how both artists saw the sadness and violence in the world still managed to bring people together and see that there’s always another way to end violence. Both had an enormous and lasting impact on the music and entertainment industry. Elvis made it possible to see dance as an expression of joy. Michael was the first black entertainer to have a music video on MTV with “Billie Jean”. Both paved the way for all artists and entertainers, and I think the world is a better place for it.
That’s all I’ve got for now… I’ll be back soon 🙂
Sarah
PS – If you aren’t familiar with Elvis’s “If I Can Dream”, or with Jackson’s “Beat It”, I highly recommending giving both a listen!