Why it really needs to be Buddy Holly vs Chuck Berry vs Elvis

"Elvis was a bigger influence to most of the best artists from the 60s, so yeah...Elvis wins."

Actually I think that Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry were bigger influences on the *artists*, for instance, though Elvis was an inspiration for the Beatles they cited Buddy Holly as their major influence and it is apparent Chuck Berry was also an influence on them. I think it is hard to compare them, as they are all important in their own way.

I don't think you can hands-down say Elvis wins without explaining it properly (just claiming "Elvis was a bigger influence to most of the best artists from the 60s" doesn't really cut-it as it is highly debatable as in my view a case could be made for Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry over Elvis in this regard).

Whatever the case they are all legends.

"Nothings gonna change my world!"

Elvis is to rock like Muhammad Ali is to boxing; an important figure who is overrated, despite great ability. You tell an Ali worshiper that the "Greatest" was a generally soft puncher and you'll likely be attacked. Elvis made rock a national phenomenon in 1956 and was the most visible performer of that music, hence his being titled "the King" by the press. Look around that era--the Fifties--and you'll see the numerous other musicians who were rocking AND having more influence on those who followed.
John Lennon was wrong: before Elvis there was plenty, AND after. Bill Haley and his Comets were making rock records as of 1951; Fats Domino started in 1950; there were dozens of black r-and-b singers making the music and doing the moves that Elvis himself admitted copying. What about the late Carl Perkins and his rockabilly picking? Buddy Holly's innovations and song-writing talent were far more influential on those who followed--including a certain band from Liverpool. I could write a long article on Chuck Berry's importance to rock musicians; his riffs that seemingly EVERY guitar-player knows, songs, style. Bo Diddley, a more obscure musician who bounced between blues, r-and-b, and rock, was also a major mover-and-shaker. Remember the Everly Brothers? Listen to most of the British Invasion bands singing like them. Should I mention Jerry Lee Lewis?
I hope you get my point.
Elvis is a sentimental favorite among many, many folks. As such he'll be considered the "King" forever--by those who don't know better. As a musician I admit to liking a number of his songs (mostly the early ones since the later stuff sounded pretty showbizzy). When I began I was inspired by him, but as I heard other artists' stuff and read more about rock history, the importance Elvis had for me diminished. Now he's one of many greats only. When I got interested in heavyweight boxing history I discovered other champions that had more on the ball than Ali, and some that compared well to him. This view is going to always be unpopular!

Don't forget about Fats. The posters used to read FATS DOMINO in large letters on the top with Elvis, Johnny Cash and whoever else was playing under his name. There was definitely something before Elvis.