Thanks! I think I’ve heard two of those. Maybe I should borrow some of my daughters’ Beatles albums, see what all the fuss was about. 
I’m not sure that matters. Sinatra didn’t write his own music and nor did Hendrix (most of his biggest hits anyways). So are they the lesser for it?
Also, George Martin has as much influence (imho) on the Beatles as the fab four themselves.
The Beatles certainly influenced a lot of other bands but Presley basically created an entire genre. Through Presley, the youth market became a real economic force. The Beatles exploited what was already there, Presley invented it.
Bingo! Put me down for Elvis. Also, he changed teenager’s hair and dress styles in the '50’s just as much as others did in later years.
AuntiePam, consider this comparison:
1956 Elvis=>Baby Let’s Play House
1964 Beatles=>I Want To Hold Your Hand
er i`m not altogether sure what "torchy"means but if you mean rocky how about “twist and shout” or if you mean "mean and moody " how about "working class hero " ?
I’m going for Option #3: Bob Dylan, the man who influenced the Beatles hugely, and made sure that it was no longer necessary for music just to be fun, but also for music to be “important”.
“Torchy” means hot, as in dangerously sexy, compelling. I still get chills when I watch the Guitar Man segment in the 68 Comeback Special, when Elvis is singing to the gangster’s woman. It’s very seductive.
*Oh, I know he never will set you free
Because he’s just that kind of guy
But if you ever tell him you’re through
I’ll be waiting for you
*
Wasn’t Elvis the 5th Beatle, making your question moot?