The Four Singers Elvis Presley Hated
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 four notable singers Elvis Presley reportedly didn’t get along with:
Frank Sinatra
One of the most surprising revelations about Elvis Presley’s dislike was his reported tension with Frank Sinatra, who was considered a legendary figure in the music world. Sinatra, the icon of crooning and sophisticated jazz standards, was at the top of the charts in a very different genre from Elvis’s rock and roll and blues-influenced style. However, their rivalry went beyond music and stemmed from personal differences.
In interviews, Elvis admitted that he did not appreciate Sinatra’s superiority complex or his dismissive attitude towards the emerging rock and roll genre that Elvis was championing. 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’s relationship was often described as a friendly rivalry with moments of friction. 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
One of the more interesting rivalries in Elvis Presley’s career was with Neil Diamond, a singer-songwriter who rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s. While both men shared a similar popularity and musical style, Elvis wasn’t particularly fond of Neil Diamond’s approach to songwriting or the way Diamond wrote his personal, emotionally charged songs.
While it’s not as widely documented, sources close to both artists claim that Elvis Presley didn’t appreciate the way Neil Diamond’s music was being pushed as a new era of rock that was more reflective and personal than Elvis’s more commercial hits. There were whispers that Elvis believed Diamond’s success in the pop and ballad genres was overshadowing his own legacy, which irked the King of Rock and Roll.
Despite the tension between them, Neil Diamond has openly expressed his admiration for Elvis Presley, acknowledging that he grew up with Elvis’s music and felt the profound influence of his artistry. But for Elvis, Diamond’s presence in the industry was just another reminder of how quickly music was evolving—and how his own place in it was becoming more challenged.
Conclusion: The Rivalries Behind the King’s Persona
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.