Who Was Elvis' Favorite Performer? A Glimpse Into The King's Inspirations
Elvis Presley: more than just the King
Before diving into who Elvis' favorite performer was, let’s get one thing straight—Elvis Presley wasn’t just a singer. He was a sponge. He absorbed influences from gospel, country, blues, R&B, and even classical music. His style was a blend of everything he loved. So asking who his favorite was? Tricky. But also fascinating.
He didn’t just appear out of thin air in a white jumpsuit. Nah, his sound and showmanship were built on the backs of artists who came before—and some who performed alongside him.
So… who inspired the King of Rock ’n’ Roll?
Elvis’ ultimate inspiration: Mario Lanza
Yep. Mario Lanza. Bet you didn’t expect that.
Elvis reportedly said that Lanza had the voice that could “make you cry,” and that he used to listen to Mario's records constantly as a teenager. Not blues. Not gospel. But opera. And that’s wild, right?
Who was Mario Lanza?
Mario was an Italian-American operatic tenor and movie star in the 1940s and '50s. He wasn’t just good—he was huge in his time. And Elvis? He used to mimic his vocal strength and romantic delivery. Some even say that Elvis’ deep vibrato in ballads like "It’s Now or Never" was heavily influenced by Lanza.
Honestly, it makes sense when you really listen.
Other top performers Elvis admired
Elvis had room in his heart (and record collection) for lots of artists. Here are a few names that kept popping up over the years:
Gospel singers: The Blackwood Brothers and Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Elvis grew up in the South, and gospel music was in his blood. The Blackwood Brothers were a Southern gospel quartet that Elvis absolutely adored. He attended their concerts as a teen and even wanted to join a gospel group at one point.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe? She blended gospel with electric guitar riffs—and some say she invented rock ’n’ roll before Elvis was even out of high school. Elvis knew what she was doing, and he respected it big time.
Blues icons: B.B. King and Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup
Oh man, Elvis loved the blues. He often visited Beale Street in Memphis, where he watched B.B. King perform. Fun fact? He once called B.B. “the greatest blues singer ever.” Also, his first commercial single “That’s All Right” was originally by Crudup. So yeah—he wasn’t just stealing sounds; he was honoring them.
Did Elvis ever meet his favorite performers?
He met B.B. King, absolutely. They weren’t best friends, but there was a mutual respect. As for Mario Lanza? Sadly, no. Lanza died in 1959—before Elvis had a real chance to connect with him. But there are rumors that Elvis was deeply affected by Mario’s death, even saying something like, “We lost a giant.”
Dang. Imagine if those two had done a duet. My ears would explode.
Influence on Elvis' performances
Let’s be real—Elvis’ stage presence was unmatched. The swiveling hips, the eyes, the voice—it was all calculated, but also deeply inspired.
From Mario Lanza: vocal power, dramatic pauses, romantic delivery
From gospel: the raw emotion, the call-and-response feel
From blues: rhythm, grit, and that deep, throaty hum
From country: storytelling, twang, and authenticity
You put all that together and boom—you get Elvis.
Conclusion: Mario Lanza may have been The King’s king
So, to answer the big question: Mario Lanza was probably Elvis’ favorite performer. But honestly, Elvis' heart was a mixtape of genres. From gospel choirs to blues guitarists, his admiration ran wide and deep.
And maybe that’s why Elvis still feels so… universal. He didn’t limit himself. He looked up to greatness, wherever it came from. And he made it his own.
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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
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