Michael Jackson being compared to Elvis

As we all know by now Michael Jackson passed away on June 26th, 2009. Out of respect for fans, who I am sure were genuine in mourning the loss of the superstar, I resisted the temptation to write on the topic, until now.

Whilst I have no comment to add as regards, Mr. Jackson's, controversial and troubled personal life; I feel duty bound to add some balance to the argument that suggests Michael as self-proclaimed "king of pop" somehow immediately supplanting Elvis, Lennon/McCartney, Sinatra, Crosby, Jolson, Caruso, Mozart as the most successful and influential male artist of all time. You can go farther back in time and pick your candidate, - it didn't seem to matter in the analysis/commentary relayed as "fact" in the crazy media reporting following the death of Michael Jackson.

Not withstanding the undoubted global phenomenon, that was "Thriller", "Bad" and his musical output before that including "Off The Wall"; and the whimsical pop sounds of the Jackson Five back in the 1970s; it is ludicrous to suggest that Michael Jackson's record sales exceeded that of Elvis Presley, or indeed deserved such critical acclaim.