The artist Chuck Berry said no one else could sing like: “It vibrates”
Chuck Berry, a defining figure in rock and roll, praised Elvis Presley’s voice, saying no one else had its distinctive quality. His admiration stands out because Berry was wry about Presley’s success and the role of his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, while Presley’s place in music history remains debated.
In a 2008 interview, Berry said Presley had “a voice better than Bing Crosby’s” and described singing as something that “vibrates”. Presley’s range let him move between rock, country, gospel and ballads, helping make his voice a lasting part of his appeal. Berry’s own influence, from “Maybellene” to “Johnny B Goode”, helped shape rock music across generations.
- Chuck Berry singled out Elvis Presley’s voice as unique.
- He rated it above Bing Crosby’s.
- Berry said singing should “vibrate”.
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Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley were two of the most influential figures in rock and roll music. Berry, known for songs like "Johnny B Goode" and "Maybellene", helped establish the sound of rock music, whilst Presley became one of the most commercially successful musicians in history.
Berry's public praise of Presley's voice is notable because he had reservations about how Presley's fame developed. In a 2008 interview, Berry acknowledged that Presley had "a voice better than Bing Crosby's" and described singing as something that "vibrates"—recognising a distinctive quality in Presley's performances.
Presley's vocal range allowed him to move between rock, country, gospel and ballads, which helped establish his broad appeal and lasting place in music. Berry's acknowledgement of Presley's vocal abilities, despite his other criticisms, highlights how Presley's voice was recognised as distinctive even by other influential musicians of his era.