Michael Jackson Is the Ultimate Global Music Icon

All of the icons you mention in this article are all deserving of being legends, but I do feel that it is a matter of opinion in the fans eyes who is number 1 and for me that is ELVIS. I was always a Michael fan along with the Beatles and Bob Marley, Jimmy Hendrix and Janice Joplin, but in my opinion there is no one of these mentioned here that can even compete with ELVIS. And so I continue to be tru blue to my main man ELVIS PRESLEY. Thanks for letting me post my comment. L. Leon

I agree whole heartedly of Elvis being the all time greatest entertainer in all of music history. There is no one who had it all as he did. Elvis changed how people dressed, he revoluntionized music as no one has. He took any kind of song and made it his own. There wasn't anyone who had the diversity of singing every type of music. He was not a one dimensional singer like others mentioned. He had the best looks, highest charisma and most loyal fan base of any other entertainer. He has been gone for 33 years and is still on top. There have been more movies, books, memorbilia than anyone before or after him. No matter how hard the media tries to push Jackson, his "girlie voice" will never come close to Elvis. Jackson was musically dead for 25 years prior to his death. Enough said and it is senseless to try to compare to the real "King"!

accept the fact, mj was a revolutionist...whereas elvis was just an impersonator....he did not contribute to the WORLD as MJ did... n saying that the names mentioned here are not close to elvis...MR. UR COMPLETELY WRONG...well i must say elvis should nt hav been in the top 5 also...as he was d definitely not a music icon, but MJ he has inspired many greats and was an innovator...who listens to elvis's songs now? only a handful of ppl....but 20-40 yr old Mj songs are much better than d present song....this shows MJ was the best...and pls accept the fact!

The persons around the world who voted made the right choice •Michael Jackson revolutionized and dominated all areas of music entertainment, from bestselling albums, to greatest dancer, to greatest music videos artist, to greatest onstage performances he is right up there he revolutionized everything. All the others are true icons but if you look at the bottom line Michael was the only one who was truly multi talented. He did everything great.

Michael is million miles the icon and we very much agree on the winner. Apart from his great humanitarian work of giving almost 500million dollars of his money to charity, he had been a star much loved, since he was a kid. He is a great talented singer, wrote and composed a lot of his music, very creative in musical video productions, and a real performer on stage...electrifying. Michael soared everywhere in the world and loved people of all colors, played everywhere in the world for decades- that's how he managed to touch so many people and have legions of fans. For the person who said MJ music has been dead for 25 yrs before he even died clearly has not been part of the past 20 years of the world. If you don't want your Elvis Presley being beaten (so clearly now...however which way you look at the facts from sales to popularity to humanitarian work -MJ wins...he is much loved even to the most isolated little islands of the poorest Asian countries). MJ won billions of hearts. I would have loved to see Elvis live. But Elvis singing on stage next to Michael Jackson, Michael belting out Billie Jean? Who will you watch?, even my grandma would be electrified with MJ on stage.

Elvis was good but he never was a musical icon he got all his ideas from the black jazz and rock seen, he was not an inervator but a copy cat as such.. there was no style he created but impersonated and that is a fact. in his career he never acheived even in his wildest dream what michael jackson did in 20 years of his career, in most cases its always a white and black thing. Yes Elvis was good but not an icon (that jus cos he is a white man) sorry to say but it is the truth and thats the kind of soceity we live in, and that where micheal triuphs cos he bought down gender and racial barriers lets not forget the humaniterian side, elvis did what he did as a singer but stayed and passed on as a singer (look into the facts) Michael used his celebrity status to change and educate the world of its troubles, NO ONE CAN EVEN COME CLOSE TO MICHAEL JACKSON AND THATS A FACT !

From IRELAND

Yep, the world-wide voters were right.

Michael Jackson is not in the Guinness World Book of Records as the 'Most Successful Entertainer of All Time', for nothing.

He is also the most 'decorated' artist in the history of music/entertainment.

And by the way, the man had a beautiful voice, with the ability to hit high and low notes.

Part of his fame was due to his beautiful and distinctive voice...far from 'sqeaky/girly', as one commenter mentioned.

"Michael was what is known as a Spinto Tenor, meaning that when he does use his high range (MIchael had a reported 3 1/2 to 4 octave voice) he isn't singing falsetto but is rather "pushing" (spinto) through with his full voice."

The rest of his talents are history ... He is the only entertainer to reach not only people of all races, religions, backgrounds and skin-tones, but also fans/admirers from the ages of 2 to 92 ...can't think of any other entertainer in the history of music who has managed to do that.

He was the *ULTIMATE* entertainer, for sure!

i dont agree with u...with MJ, he was a revolution , he inspired soooooooo many ppl,, and wot abt elvis how many ppl did he inspire?
MJ's contribution to music n dance was most than any other person, he was best at what he did, and despite of all controversies.....after so many years...he is still loved...more than elvis....and accept the fact....

so so glad that mj is the most iconic entertainer of all times! yahoo,u go boy!

The world voted right ... Michael was not in the Guinness Book of World Records as, 'The Most Successful Entertainer of All Time', for nothing.

He is also the most decorated artist of all time and has broken more records, (and continues to, even afer his passing), than any other artist in the history of music/entertainment.

Sweet dreams, Michael X

MJ is the MOST awarded musical artist. He has a total of 392 awards won
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_r..

(Beatles' has a total of 16 awards won.)

MJ is the most awarded artist of all time and has more Guinness World Records than any other artist.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_r...

To top all awards and to close all arguments:

Who received the “ARTIST OF THE CENTURY” award? MJ
(by the Annual American Music Awards, LA Jan 2002)

Who received the “ARTIST of THE MILLENNIUM” award? MJ (World Music Awards,2000)
about the Millennium Awards:
"Apart from the world's best-selling artists in the various categories and the national best-selling artists, special millennium awards were presented in 2000, for the very first time to the world's best-selling recording-artist of all time.”http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/World_Music_Awar...

MJ was also awarded by the Grammy's in 1993 the “LEGEND AWARD”
about the Grammy "Legend Award":
other winners in given in different years categories were: Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti, Quincy Jones,…....( no Elvis on the list).

"The Grammy Legend Award, or the Grammy Living Legend Award,is a special award of merit given to recording artists by the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States for outstanding achievements in the music industry."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Legend_Aw ...

As the haters claim, it is not true that Michael self-named the title “King of Pop”, he was in fact awarded the:

“Triple Crown Award - King of Pop, Rock & Soul”(1989, BRE Awards).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_r...

Guinness World Records (p187, 2011 ed)
1- most successful entertainer of all time (certificate given to MJ in 1996)
2- the 1st to have reached more than 100million albums sold outside the USA
3 - the biggest selling-album of all time (Thriller); Thriller remained in the Billboard200 Top 20 for 80 consecutive weeks

other notable Guiness Records:
13 Grammy Awards (as well as the Grammy Legend Award and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award); (Elvis only got 3 Grammy awards won)
26 American Music Awards (more than any other artist, including the "Artist of the Century");
13 number-one singles in the United States in his solo career (more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era);
13 number one singles in the US (more than any solo male artist)

Ok, let's base it on the decision of the award-giving bodies(which went through a careful process of selection, not through on-line polls):


MJ is the MOST awarded artist of all time ( total of 392 awards won) and has more Guinness World Records than any other artist.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_r...

To top all awards and to close all arguments:

Who received the “ARTIST OF THE CENTURY” award? MJ
(by the Annual American Music Awards, LA Jan 2002)

Who received the “ARTIST of THE MILLENNIUM” award? MJ (World Music Awards,2000)
about the Millennium Awards:
"Apart from the world's best-selling artists in the various categories and the national best-selling artists, special millennium awards were presented in 2000, for the very first time to the world's best-selling recording-artist of all time.”http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/World_Music_Awar...

MJ was also awarded by the Grammy's in 1993 the “LEGEND AWARD”
about the Grammy "Legend Award":
other winners in given in different years categories were: Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti, Quincy Jones,…....( no Elvis on the list).

"The Grammy Legend Award, or the Grammy Living Legend Award,is a special award of merit given to recording artists by the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States for outstanding achievements in the music industry."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Legend_Aw ...

As the haters claim, it is not true that Michael self-named the title “King of Pop”, he was in fact awarded the:

“Triple Crown Award - King of Pop, Rock & Soul”(1989, BRE Awards).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_awards_r...

Guinness World Records (p187, 2011 ed)
1- most successful entertainer of all time (certificate given to MJ in 1996)
2- the 1st to have reached more than 100million albums sold outside the USA
3 - the biggest selling-album of all time (Thriller); Thriller remained in the Billboard200 Top 20 for 80 consecutive weeks

other notable Guiness Records:
13 Grammy Awards (as well as the Grammy Legend Award and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award); (Elvis only got 3 Grammy awards won)
26 American Music Awards (more than any other artist, including the "Artist of the Century");
13 number-one singles in the United States in his solo career (more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era);
13 number one singles in the US (more than any solo male artist)

More facts to look into:

MJ only had 10 solo albums – and out of these 10 albums, 5 of which were solo albums made when he was an adult.

Got to Be There (1972)
Ben (1972)
Music & Me (1973)
Forever, Michael (1975)
Off the Wall(1979)
Thriller (1982; Bad (1987)
Dangerous (1991)
HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I (1995)
Invincible (2001)

These very 5 albums as a solo and adult artist – "Off the Wall," "Thriller," "Bad," "Dangerous" and "HIStory," – are among the world's best-selling.

Of course, Thriller is on top 1 with 110M sales.

Elvis made more than 40 albums and the Beatles more than 70. Imagine the sales of MJ if he did more than 40 albums!!!!

ALL of his adult solo albums – are among the best-selling worldwide!!!!

Not even 1/3 of Elvis or Beatles total albums made it to the best-selling worldwide.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_al...
/wiki/Michael_Jackson_albums_d iscography
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Presley_discograp...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles_discography

List of best-selling albums worldwide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-sel...

How many Many Michael Jackson's in the list can you find?(Remember that he only had 5 solo albums as an adult)

1. 110M Thriller – Michael Jackson (1982)
2. 49M Back in Black – AC/DC (1980)
3. 45M: Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd (1973)
4. 44M The Bodyguard Soundtrack – Whitney Houston/Various Artists (1992)
5. 43M: Bat Out of Hell – Meat Loaf (1977)
6. 42M Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 – Eagles (1976)
7. 42 M: Dirty Dancing Soundtrack (1987)
8. 42M Dirty Dancing Soundtrack (1987)
9. 40M Millenium Backstreet Boys (1997)
10. 40M Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack Bee Gees/Various Artists (1977)
11. 40M: Rumours – Fleetwood Mac (1977)
12. 40M Come on Over – Shania Twain (1997
13. 37M Led Zeppelin IV – Led Zeppelin (1971)
14. 33M Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morissette (1995)
15. 32M: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles (1967)
16. 32M Falling into You – Celine Dion (1996)
17. 32M Music Box – Mariah Carey (1993)
18. 32M Dangerous – Michael Jackson (1991)
19. 31M 1 – The Beatles (2000)
20. 31M Let’s Talk about Love – Celine Dion (1997)
21. 31M Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John (1973)
22. 30M Spirits Having Flown – Bee Gees (1979)
23. 30M Born in the U.S.A.– Bruce Springsteen (1984) 
24. 30M Brothers in Arms – Dire Straits (1985)
25. 30M Titanic Soundtrack – James Horner (1997)
26. 30M The Immaculate Collection – Madonna (1990)
27. 30M Bad – Michael Jackson (1987)
28. 30M The Wall – Pink Floyd (1979)
29. 28M Greatest Hits – Abba (1993)
30. 28M Backstreet's Back - Backstreet Boys (1997)
31. 28M Slippery When Wet – Bon Jovi (1986)
32. 28M Appetite for Destruction – Guns N’ Roses (1987)
33. 28M Grease – Various Artists (1978)
34. 27M Supernatural – Santana (1999)
35. 26M Baby One More Time – Britney Spears (1999)
36. 26M Nevermind – Nirvana (1991)
37. 25M: Tapestry – Carole King (1971)
38. 25M Faith-George Michael (1987)
39. 25M In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida- Iron Butterfly (1968)
40. 25M Daydream- Mariah Carey (1995)
41. 25M Greatest Hits – Queen(1981)
42. 25M Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel (1970)
43. 25M The Joshua Tree – U2 (1987)
44. 25M Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston (1985)
45. 24M Black and Blue – Backstreet Boys (2000)
46. 25M Hybrid Theory- Linkin Park (2000)
47. 24M True Blue-Madonna (1986)
48. 23M Happy Nation/The Sign – Ace of Base (1994)
49. 23M Spice – Spice Girls(1996)
50. 22M Metallica-Metallica (1991)
51. 22M What's the Story Morning Glory – Oasis (1995)
52. 21M No Angel – Dido (1999)
53. 21M Like A Virgin- Madonna (1984)
54. 20M Get A Grip- Aeorsmith (1993)
55. 20M Some Gave All – Billy Ray Cyrus (1992)
56. 20M Legend – Bob Marley & The Wailers (1984)
57. 20M Parallel Lines – Blondie (1978) 
58. 20M Cross Road – Bon Jovi (1994)
59. 20M Oops!...I Did It Again – Britney Spears (2000) 
60. 20M The Colour of My Love – Celine Dion (1993)
61. 20M Believe – Cher (1999)
62. 20M Def Leppard: Hysteria (1987)
63. 20M Janet- Janet Jackson (1993)
64. 20M Ray of Light- Madonna (1998)
65. 20M HIStory: Past, Present, and Future Book1 – Michael Jackson (1995)
66. 20M Off the Wall – Michael Jackson (1979)
67. 20M Come Away With me – Norah Jones (2002)
68. 20M Purple Rain – Prince and the Revolution (1984)
69. 20M Spiceworld – Spice Girls (1997)
70. 20M Private Dancer – Tina Turner (1984)

MJ was a talented man but this poll is skewed-he just died within the last few years so naturally he would top the list, as Elvis did when he died in 77.
But the true test will be years from now-when the huge attention paid to him in the last few years due to his sudden death-will have died down, when the hoopla has calmed.
Elvis has stood the test of time for the last 35 years, still selling, still idolised still top of the heap. Time will tell.