Q Magazine features 'From Elvis to The Beatles'

For those with an interest in Elvis Presley, & Pop culture in general, the '50 Years of Rock'n'Roll' issue of Britain's Q magazine is an essential read. Part 1 focuses on the first 15 years starting in 1954 with a 6 page special on Elvis and is now available internationally.

The article on Elvis takes a fascinating look at that special period which exemplifies 'the birth of Rock'n'Roll'. It features some intriguing insights along with some nice words from Scotty Moore, as well as some excellent photos & quotes.

Elvis: 'Performing is like a surge of electricity going through you. It's almost like making love but it's even stronger'.

Daily News, 1954: 'Popular music has reached its lowest depths in the grunts of one Elvis Presley'.

Edwin Howard, of the Memphis Press Scimitar, on 'That's All Right': 'Elvis' vocals, a witches' brew of gospel swoops, falsetto shrieks, growls, howls, and scat .. . Elvis' up-tempo version is an anthem to human cockiness, to the healing, transcendent powers of the life-force'.

Fred Cook, WREC Memphis DJ, on 'Blue Moon of Kentucky': 'The worst piece of shit I have ever heard'.

The Q Top 20 singles of the 'Music that Changed the World, 1954-69' are also featured. Elvis is, rightfully, at number One.

1. That's All Right - Elvis Presley
2. She Loves You - The Beatles
3. Little Red Rooster - The Rolling Stones
4. Respect - Aretha Franklin
5. What'd I Say - Ray Charles

In the LP charts Elvis doesn't fare so well with his ground-breaking first LP from 1956, 'Elvis Presley' only making #12.

However in the fifties the preferred format was the 45rpm single along with the E.P. and the poll does demonstrate a bias, since the Top 20 features only 2 LPs from the 1950s.

1. Revolver - The Beatles
2. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
3. Sgt Pepper - The Beatles
4. Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys
5. The Velvet Underground & Nico

I found the Rock 'n' Roll time-line of all 15 years quite fascinating, although again understandably British biased.

I also have to mention several major complaints;
a) The incredible total absence of any mention of 'Heartbreak Hotel'!
b) The feature on English producer Joe Meek ('Who?' you may well ask!) instead of a section on the unbelievably influential James Brown.
c) There is also no mention of Elvis' amazing 68/69 Comeback coinciding with the collapse of The Beatles that, of course, nicely dovetailed the whole 15 years.

However with some excellent articles about Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Sam Cooke, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys et al, this magazine is well worth searching out.

 Paul McCartney Remembers Elvis Presley
Paul McCartney visits Graceland
Paul McCartney sings 'Heartbreak Hotel' with Bill Blacks Upright Bass
 Paul McCartney talks about Elvis Presley backstage in Memphis
 Harmonic Convergence | The Beatles meet Elvis Presley
 Elvis Presley Meets the Beatles | August 27, 1965
John Lennon and ... a box full of Elvis Presley singles
Priscilla Presley talks about Elvis meeting The Beatles
Elvis Presley helped spark the Beatles' 'Love'

Paul McCartney 'That's Alright Mama'
Paul McCartney | George Harrison | Ringo Starr 'Blue Moon Of Kentucky'

www.paulmccartney.com.au

© Copyright 2025 by www.elvis.com.au & www.elvispresley.com.au

https://www.elvis.com.au/presley/elvisto-thebeatles.shtml

No part of any article on this site may be re-printed for public display without permission.