Was Pat Boone Bigger than Elvis Presley in Terms of Billboard Hot 100 Hits?

While Pat Boone and Elvis Presley both had significant impact in the music industry, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, the answer to the question 'Was Pat Boone bigger than Elvis Presley in terms of Billboard Hot 100 hits?' is a definitive no. Elvis Presley completely dominated the charts with his remarkable music career, leaving a legacy that is unparalleled in terms of both chart success and commercial success.

Elvis Presley’s Dominance in the Charts

Elvis Presley was a force to be reckoned with in the music industry, and this was incredibly evident in his chart success. According to Billboard records, Elvis Presley achieved an astounding level of chart performance that was unmatched by any other artist of his time. He had:

7 Hot Hits 25 Top Hits 10 Smashes 100 Ones (a term used to describe his singles that reached the top 100 charts)

While these achievements might seem impressive, they are just a fraction of Elvis’s overall chart success story. His dominance was further highlighted by the fact that only 38 of Pat Boone’s songs ever reached the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. This discrepancy clearly illustrates the vast difference between the two artists’ chart performance.

Pat Boone's Chart Performance

Pat Boone, though a significant figure in the music industry during his time, did not come close to matching Elvis Presley’s chart performance. His chart achievements include:

38 top 40 hits

While Pat Boone's 38 top 40 hits are respectable, they pale in comparison to Elvis Presley’s remarkable chart success. This difference in chart performance can be attributed to several factors, including the unique qualities of each artist's music, their respective careers, and the cultural impact they had during their time.

Commercial Success Compared

The commercial success of Elvis Presley and Pat Boone can also be compared based on sales figures, further cementing the fact that Elvis was the bigger artist in terms of overall impact and longevity:

Elvis Presley: Since his career began, Elvis Presley has sold an estimated 600 million to a billion units worldwide. In the United States alone, his certified album sales stand at 146.5 million, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). He holds the record for having the most gold, platinum, and double platinum awards of any artist. Additionally, Elvis has received a diamond award for over 10 million album sales on a single album. Pat Boone: Throughout his career, Pat Boone has sold approximately 45 million units worldwide. This figure, while impressive, is far from the commercial success achieved by Elvis Presley.

The sheer scale of Elvis's commercial success underscores his impact on the music industry. The number of gold, platinum, and diamond awards he has received speaks to the universal appeal and enduring legacy of his music.

Conclusion

There can be no debate that Elvis Presley was a far larger musical influence in terms of Billboard Hot 100 hits, chart performance, and commercial success. While Pat Boone had a significant and respectable career, his chart and sales performance fell short when compared to Elvis Presley's.