Who was The Greatest Entertainer in the History of Show Business ?

Elvis Presley or Al Jolson

Who was the Greatest Entertainer in Show Business?

Elvis Presley or Al Jolson

Usually the heroes of a generation pass with the generation, and rightly or wrongly, it’s the Historians of the incoming generation who will pass judgement and interpret a pecking order for posterity. Elvis Presley is considered by his generation to be the greatest entertainer who ever lived. Is he ?

How would you know ? If you are reading this article the odds are you weren’t born before 1940, and naturally nothing existed, or interested the majority of us prior to the commencement of our own personal life time....Elvis is King.... Who dares question this.

Some have even suggested that his life time was the second coming of Jesus Christ. Comparisons are difficult to make because of the time and population differences between the generations, along with the relative value of the dollar. But we do know that Elvis has sold in excess of one billion records, however none of his movies figure in the list of All -Time Hit Musicals. "Love Me Tender" and "Jailhouse Rock" are listed only as runners up, both each grossing rentals under $US23 million, adjusted.

Al Jolson on the other hand is a Box-Office Champion, featuring in the first talking movie "The Jazz Singer" and the smash "Singing Fool" both films feature in the top ten biggest grossing Box-Office hits between 1914 and 1931, and feature in the top 40 All -Time Hit Musical charts. Out of the "Singing Fool" came the worlds first Hit Record to produce a million sales, titled "Sonny Boy," eventually climbing to 3 million sales. In 1928 this would be the equivalent of 40 million sales today. Al Jolson called himself "The Worlds Greatest Entertainer" and his catch cry was Wait a minute,..... wait a minute, You ain’t heard nuthin’ yet’...

Even Elvis paid tribute to him when he recorded the Jolson hit "Are You Lonesome Tonight" Both stars in their time were known as The King. Eddie Cantor referred to Jolson as the King, and the biggest hunk of entertainer in show business. Both stars experienced successful comebacks. Elvis with the NBC, 68 "Comeback Special", and Jolson with the Columbia Pictures 1946 production "The Jolson Story" featuring Larry Parkes and the voice of Al Jolson. The Jolson Story was a box-office giant, grossing $US53 million adjusted, and was the fifth biggest grossing film for the period 1941/1950.

This was quickly followed by "Jolson Sings Again" once again featuring Larry Parks and the voice of Al Jolson. Becoming the 25th biggest grossing film for the same period. Jolson was back bigger than ever, his recordings were re-packaged and a bonanza period of record sales followed. But time was moving on for Jolie, as he was known to his friends, and he suffered a heart attack while playing cards on Oct 23, 1950. The funeral was one of the biggest New York had ever seen. Like Elvis, thousands lined up to view his body, as he lay in state. George Jessel was moved to say "Jolson’s turned them away again"

For three decades Al Jolson was the undisputed "King of Show Business". Within four years of Al Jolson’s death, Elvis Presley was to commence the journey of his brilliant career. Who is the Greatest Entertainer in the history of show business. Both Elvis Presley and Al Jolson were the Kings of their generations. I would hate to try and separate them, you might just have a line ball.