To me, "legend" implies enduring influence, fame, notoriety, public obsession. If you accept that definition, Elvis wins, hands-down. Hendrix is my personal favorite "legend."
Interestingly enough, Buddy Holly was probably the greatest influence on the "British Invasion" that shaped rock music for decades. His death in a plane crash added greatly to his "legend."


Ntra la porta tua lu sangu � sparsu,
E nun me mporta si ce muoru accisu...
E s'iddu muoru e vaju mparadisu
Si nun ce truovo a ttia, mancu ce trasu.