Elvis Presley Hated These Seven Musicians The Most
Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, is often remembered for his groundbreaking contributions to music and his charismatic personality. As one of the most influential musicians in history, Elvis was at the forefront of the rock and roll revolution, capturing the hearts of millions with his voice, style, and stage presence. However, despite his immense popularity, Elvis Presley had his share of personal dislikes, including certain singers whom he was not particularly fond of. Although it’s well known that Elvis was a fiercely competitive and passionate artist, his feelings towards some of his peers were not always positive.
Over the years, several stories have circulated about which singers Elvis disliked. These rivalries and frictions weren’t always about their musical abilities—they were often the result of personal conflicts, differences in style, or even jealousy over their successes. Here are seven notable musicians Elvis Presley reportedly didn’t get along with throughout his career:
Frank Sinatra
The rivalry between Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra is one of the most talked-about in music history. Sinatra, known for his smooth crooning and sophisticated style, represented a very different world of music than Elvis, who was dominating the rock and roll scene. Although Sinatra had immense respect for Elvis’s talent, it’s believed that Elvis didn’t share the same admiration for Sinatra’s attitude towards the growing rock music movement.
Elvis was known to be frustrated by Sinatra’s dismissive stance towards rock and roll. Sinatra reportedly looked down on Elvis Presley’s style of music, seeing it as a fleeting trend rather than something with staying power. As a result, Elvis felt slighted by Sinatra’s elitist attitude, and their relationship never truly warmed.
Interestingly, the two would eventually meet at Sinatra’s Christmas special in 1960, where they performed together. However, their performance didn’t fully dissolve the tension between them, as Elvis never truly became a fan of Sinatra’s music. There are even reports suggesting that Elvis refused to speak to Sinatra after their interactions, despite the attempts at reconciliation.
Bob Dylan
While Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley had a mutual respect for each other’s talents, their relationship was not without its frictions. According to several accounts, Elvis Presley wasn’t particularly fond of Bob Dylan’s music and the way Dylan was celebrated as a symbol of a new wave of social consciousness. Elvis was the epitome of mainstream success and had a more conservative, traditional approach to his career, whereas Dylan represented a more rebellious, politically charged side of music.
In interviews, Elvis once expressed his annoyance with the praise Dylan received for his lyrics and his role as a voice of a generation. Elvis, who often felt misunderstood for his own artistic intentions, found Dylan’s rapid rise to fame frustrating and dismissive of the efforts and struggles of musicians like himself. While Elvis didn’t openly express hatred, the tension between their musical identities and public personas created a strained relationship.
It’s said that Dylan had a deep admiration for Elvis, which only seemed to irritate Presley more. While Dylan idolized Elvis’s presence and groundbreaking impact on rock music, Elvis was reportedly unwelcoming of Dylan’s influence and the more countercultural image that Dylan was beginning to represent.
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley had a famous and sometimes tense relationship. Both were incredibly talented and had fiery personalities, which occasionally led to confrontations. Jerry Lee Lewis, known for his piano playing and wild stage presence, was a rockabilly legend, and like Elvis, he was pushing the boundaries of what was considered “acceptable” in music.
However, Elvis Presley reportedly didn’t care for Lewis’s reckless behavior or his over-the-top personality. Elvis, while known for his stage presence and charisma, preferred to keep his performances and persona a bit more refined, whereas Jerry Lee’s antics were more about shock value and pushing the limits of decency.
Their rivalry also had personal roots. Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13-year-old cousin in 1958, which caused a scandal, and Elvis Presley was reportedly disturbed by the way Lewis’ personal life affected his public image. Additionally, both Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis were vying for the title of the King of Rock and Roll, which only further fueled their rivalry.
Despite their differences, there were moments where Elvis and Jerry Lee shared a respectful bond, with Elvis even inviting Lewis to perform with him on occasion. However, their personal and professional tensions always seemed to simmer beneath the surface.
Neil Diamond
Although Neil Diamond never publicly expressed any animosity toward Elvis, reports suggest that Elvis Presley had a strained relationship with Neil Diamond in the early stages of Diamond’s career. As Diamond’s music began to gain popularity, Elvis may have felt his dominance in the music world was being challenged. The competition between the two artists was not just professional—it was deeply rooted in their personalities and the shifting musical landscape.
In interviews, Neil Diamond has admitted to feeling the pressure of living up to Elvis’s status while still finding his own voice in the music industry. While the two never had direct conflicts, it’s rumored that Elvis was not fond of Diamond’s rise and how his sound started becoming popular among young audiences. Despite this, Diamond has expressed admiration for Elvis in later years.
The Beatles (John Lennon in particular)
Though Elvis Presley was initially excited about meeting The Beatles, his relationship with John Lennon became strained over the years. Elvis and John Lennon initially bonded over their shared love for music, but their personalities and musical approaches were drastically different. While Elvis was the king of rock and roll, John Lennon was an outspoken figure with a deep commitment to social change.
Lennon’s famous remark that The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus” alienated some fans, including Elvis Presley, who was seen as the face of American pop culture at the time. Furthermore, John Lennon later expressed some disdain for Elvis Presley’s music, saying that while he admired Elvis’s early work, he didn’t like what Elvis became. This difference in musical and philosophical approach led to an awkward relationship, and Elvis wasn’t too pleased with the rising dominance of The Beatles at the time.
Buddy Holly
Despite both being rockabilly pioneers, Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly did not have the closest relationship. While Elvis was certainly an influence on Buddy Holly, it is said that Elvis did not like Holly’s intellectual approach to music. Holly was seen as a more independent artist who heavily influenced the rock ‘n’ roll sound, whereas Elvis was beginning to move into Hollywood movies and commercial music.
There was reportedly some tension between the two musicians, as Elvis was deeply rooted in mainstream popularity, whereas Buddy Holly was carving out a niche for himself with his more complex and original approach to rock and roll. Tragically, Buddy Holly’s career was cut short when he died in a plane crash in 1959, before any real resolution could come to this rift.
Jim Morrison
Jim Morrison, the enigmatic frontman of The Doors, is often seen as one of the figures who represented the rebellion and free-spirited attitude of the 1960s, a stark contrast to the polished and commercial Elvis Presley. Morrison and Elvis never had direct interactions, but Elvis reportedly despised the countercultural movement that Morrison represented, particularly his anti-establishment lyrics and wild behavior.
Elvis, always the King of Rock and Roll, had a sophisticated, family-oriented image, while Morrison represented a different side of rock—more provocative, rebellious, and willing to push boundaries. Though they came from different worlds, there was a growing sense that Elvis resented the new wave of rock artists like Morrison who were shifting the landscape of music in a more radical direction.
Conclusion: Behind the King’s Curtain
While Elvis Presley may have had personal issues with some of his contemporaries, it’s important to remember that these rivalries were often more about musical identity and the changing landscape of rock and roll than actual hatred. Elvis was constantly dealing with the pressures of being at the top of the music world, and like any artist, he had moments of jealousy, frustration, and competition.
However, it’s clear that these tensions didn’t detract from his legendary status or the influence he had on generations of musicians, including those he may not have seen eye to eye with. Despite his personal feelings, Elvis Presley’s impact on music and culture has never been diminished by the relationships he had, or didn’t have, with these other artists. The King of Rock and Roll remains a towering figure in music, influencing even those he may have had complex relationships with.