The Beatles’ Only Critique of Elvis Presley: “A Load of Rubbish”

When we think of The Beatles, it’s easy to imagine them as the architects of modern music, pioneers who redefined the very fabric of rock and pop. They reshaped everything from studio techniques to songwriting, and their influence is undeniable. Yet, like every great artist, The Beatles had their heroes — idols who paved the way for their own success.

Among these towering influences, Elvis Presley looms large. The King of Rock and Roll was, for many young British musicians in the 1950s, a gateway into a thrilling new world of music. John Lennon once famously declared, “Before Elvis, there was nothing.” Songs like “Heartbreak Hotel” might have seemed corny on paper, but when Lennon heard them, it changed everything. Elvis’s raw energy and rebellious spirit ignited a fire that would fuel the formation of The Beatles.

Elvis: A Foundation, Not a Flawless Icon

While The Beatles never recorded official covers of Elvis songs, his impact was undeniable in their early sound. Yet, as the 1960s progressed, Elvis’s music took a turn. His focus shifted heavily toward making movies, and his new material often lacked the spark of his earlier hits.

This shift did not go unnoticed by The Beatles themselves. In a notable 1963 episode of the BBC program Juke Box Jury, all four Beatles were panelists reviewing contemporary music. When Elvis’s song “Kiss Me Quick” came up for judgment, their verdict was less than flattering.

Paul McCartney admitted candidly, “The only thing I don’t like about Elvis is the songs. You know, I love his voice. I used to love all the records like ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ and ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ — lovely. But I don’t like the songs now. And ‘Kiss Me Quick,’ it sounds like Blackpool on a sunny day.”

George Harrison was even more blunt: “Not at all. It’s an old track. And I think, seeing as they’re releasing old stuff, if they release something like ‘My Baby Left Me,’ it’d be number one because Elvis is definitely still popular. It’s just the song’s a load of rubbish. I mean, Elvis is great. He’s fine. But it’s not for me.”

Mixed Reviews from The Beatles

Elvis’s chart presence was still strong at the time — his single “(You’re the) Devil in Disguise” hit number one shortly before that Juke Box Jury episode. Interestingly, John Lennon had also reviewed that song on the same show, giving it a dismissive comparison to the crooning of Bing Crosby, a stark contrast to Elvis’s rock and roll image.

Meanwhile, The Beatles themselves were dominating the charts with hits like “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” signaling the beginning of Beatlemania.

When Legends Collide: The Beatles Meet Elvis

The meeting between Elvis and The Beatles in 1965 was highly anticipated but ultimately underwhelming. While polite on the surface, the interaction revealed a certain coolness between the two camps. DJ Bob Harris later described them as “resentful rivals,” with Lennon reportedly viewing Elvis as a “right-wing Southern bigot.”

It seems that the rebellious spirit that initially connected them had diverged into different paths. Elvis’s focus on mainstream appeal and movies contrasted with The Beatles’ push toward artistic innovation and cultural change.

A Legacy of Respect and Honest Critique

Despite their critiques, The Beatles never denied Elvis’s monumental role in shaping music history. Their honest assessment of his later songs shows a nuanced appreciation — respect for the icon, but a refusal to accept all his work uncritically.

In the end, their complex relationship reflects the changing tides of music and culture in the 1960s: a bridge from one era to the next, marked by admiration, rivalry, and the relentless pursuit of creative evolution.