Dinesh Kamath points out similarities and differences between Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson

Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson

Both Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson were born into relatively poor circumstances and not only reached musical super-stardom during their lifetimes, but achieved great financial wealth.

Both Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson had some problems in their childhoods resulting from issues with their fathers which affected them in their adult years, and both Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley maintained strong relationships with their mothers. Both families were musical and attended church services regularly.

According to The Christian Century, "Elvis Presley wrote more than 50 gospel songs" and recorded many classic hymns in his career. Elvis Presley frequently used gospel groups as background singers including: the Imperials, The Jordanaires, and J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet.

Michael Jackson wrote and recorded several songs that are listed as gospel including  "Cry" and "Will You Be There." Michael Jackson frequently used gospel groups as background singers including the Andrae Crouch Choir. Both men recorded Christmas albums.

Both Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson wore striking, flashy costumes which were often sparkly and frequently tight-fitting and usually memorable. Both artists incorporated controversial dance moves on stage.

In 1957, Elvis Presley purchased an estate with a mansion which became his home, and he personalized it with over-the-top special theme rooms. Graceland became synonymous with Elvis Presley.

In 1988, Michael Jackson purchased the property which became Neverland Ranch, and he personalized it with a theme park, zoo and other over-the-top extensions of his personality. Neverland Ranch became synonymous with Michael Jackson.

Elvis Presley was the father of Lisa Marie Presley. Michael Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley.

Towards the end of their lives, both Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson became somewhat reclusive, depressed, distrustful and overly-obsessed with germs.

Elvis Presley died of health issues combined with drug issues on August 16, 1977.

Michael Jackson died of health issues combined with drug issues on June 25, 2009.

Both men's deaths were attributed to heart attacks at some point.

Both celebrities died young and unexpectedly, Elvis at 42 and Michael at 50.

Elvis Presley was called the "King of Rock 'n Roll."

Michael Jackson was crowned the "King of Pop."

It is difficult to say as to who between Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson was the best. To be frank they were both brilliant entertainers in their own right.

Elvis was a singer from the 1950's through to the 60's and 70's and died at the age of 42 on 16th August 1977 at his home at Graceland of Cardiac Arrest and not a Heart Attack as was reported. Elvis left one daughter Lisa Marie aged 9.

Elvis had suffered from glaucoma, water retention in the past and the effects of years of American Southern cooking and legal use of drugs prescribed by his physician, which ultimately led to the singers death. Elvis played racquetball in the morning before he died. He returned to his home and played Unchained Melody in his living room, then he proceeded to his bedroom, so Elvis seemed to be quite fit as he was preparing for another concert tour.

Michael was a singer from the 1960's, 70's, 80's, 90's through to 2009 when he died at the age of 50 on 25th June 2009 at his home at Holmby Hills in Los Angeles, he also died of reported cardiac arrest. Michael left 3 children Prince Michael, 10; Paris Katherine, 9; and Prince Michael II, aka "Blanket," 5.

Michael suffered for years from a skin disorder vitiligo, a rare disease that discolors the face and body, plus he had many cosmetic surgery operations at least 20, to change his face as he was unhappy with his features especially his nose, probably as a result from physical and mental abuse in his childhood.

Jackson probably died as a result of all the stress and anguish of the years of accusations and resulting court cases over the last 10-15 years. Michael was apparently fighting fit two days before his death, as he was preparing to play a 50 date concert at the O2 Arena in London, England. His body most likely couldn't take the strain of the rehearsals that put upon him.

The difference between the two singers, you can't really judge as Elvis Presley started it all, he was the original music rebel, as John Lennon said 'If it wasn't for Elvis Presley, there would be no Beatles" he was known as the King of Rock 'n' Roll, a title given to him by his fans.

Michael Jackson is what started the video era, even today’s music videos do NOT have a patch on any of his videos, even the ones from the 1970's. The King of Pop is the self-proclaimed title that was given to him by Elizabeth Taylor who had become a close friend and adviser.

All in all they both were geniuses in there own genre giving fans and the World music they loved, movements and dances that are and still original, which nobody can imitate, even though they spawned thousands of imitators, tribute acts, impersonators (imps) or whatever you want to call them. Can there be another Elvis Presley or Michael Jackson?