Listening to my collection of Billboard hits from the 50s, and I'm reminded of just why Elvis was so successful.
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpsUOOfb-vE[/YOUTUBE]
The sound of his records was so much better than almost everything that was out back then.
Sure, there were great songs from other great artists, but Elvis' records just sounded so crisp and clean. His band was tight. The recordings were well done. The production values were head over heels above the competition.
Edited to add:
Except possibly Bill Haley. Rock Around the Clock was fierce.
[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zju6KbP_1xY[/YOUTUBE]