This Just In...
Kevin Fischer is an award-winning veteran broadcaster who has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for nearly three decades.
Kevin, who is a legislative aide to state Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, “INTERchange,” on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, in Franklin.
Elvis vs. Mariah
By Kevin Fischer
Wednesday, Apr 2 2008, 10:46 PM
Mariah Carey made news today when she vaulted into a tie with Elvis Presley for second place on the list of artists with the most #1 singles.
Mariah Carey’s latest release, “Touch My Body,” will vault to #1 giving Carey 18 #1 singles, the same number as Elvis.
The Beatles have 20 #1 hits.
This is a major pop culture development. I never would have thought The Beatles and Elvis would ever be threatened on this list by anybody.
Is this Elvis fan saddened by the news?
Not at all.
Let’s keep this in perspective.
From Elvis.com:
Record Sales
It is estimated that Elvis Presley has sold over one billion record units worldwide, more than anyone in record industry history. In America alone, Elvis has had 150 different albums and singles that have been certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with more certifications expected as research into his past record sales continues and as current sales go on. Research is also underway to document his record sales achievements in other countries. It is estimated that 40% of Elvis' total record sales have been outside the United States.
Record Chart Statistics
Elvis has had no less than 149 songs to appear on Billboard’s Hot 100 Pop Chart in America. Of these, 114 were in the top forty, 40 were in the top ten, and 18 went to number one. His number one singles spent a total of 80 weeks at number one. He has also had over 90 charted albums with ten of them reaching number one. These figures are only for the pop charts, and only in America. He was also a leading artist in the American country, R&B, and gospel fields, and his chart success in other countries was substantial.
Besides…..
Can you name three Mariah Carey #1 hits?
Here are the 17 #1’s Carey had before “Touch My Body”:
Now, according to Elvis.com, here are Elvis’ #1 singles.
| Heartbreak Hotel |
1 |
1956 |
| I Want You, I Need You, I Love You |
1 |
1956 |
| Don't Be Cruel |
1 |
1956 |
| Hound Dog |
1 |
1956 |
| Love Me Tender |
1 |
1956 |
| Too Much |
1 |
1957 |
| All Shook Up |
1 |
1957 |
| (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear |
1 |
1957 |
| Jailhouse Rock |
1 |
1957 |
| Don't |
1 |
1957 |
| Hard Headed Woman |
1 |
1958 |
| A Big Hunk O' Love |
1 |
1959 |
| Stuck On You |
1 |
1960 |
| It's Now or Never |
1 |
1960 |
| Are You Lonesome Tonight? |
1 |
1960 |
| Surrender |
1 |
1961 |
| Good Luck Charm |
1 |
1962 |
| Suspicious Minds |
1 |
1969 |
Case closed.
I do commend Carey for humbly saying the following:
"I really can never put myself in the category of people who have not only revolutionized music but also changed the world."