One of those acts where it’s almost impossible to separate the singer and music from the iconography, personal life aside. Had some belters without ever really resonating with me, so I’ve gone for a 3.
Would be a 4 from me based purely on the songs, Marie’s The Name, Burning Love and In The Ghetto especially, and I’ve always had a soft spot for them even through being a terrible indie wanker for years. But I’ve docked a point from other problematic artists and I’m definitely going to with Elvis, lots of allegations and stories about his personal life, not to mention the ransacking of his black musical forebears with no credit given whatsoever, so it’s a 3 from me.
My favourite song of his is ‘If I Can Dream’. It’s not even that great a song but the vocal performance is incredible. The live version of ‘suspicious minds’ is the defintive one for me too, recorded one is too slow. Loads of bangers as well so 4/5