I think young kids like Blissy may not be at all aware of young Elvis, the real Elvis, at all. Too many images floating around depicting the dreaded over-the-hill Elvis, and even much of the music plasyed on oldies radio is from his later, tamer period.

Those of us who were alive when Elvis first emerged into the spotlight encountered the real thing all at once, and he sure was something. What a disappointment to many of us when he so totally failed to live up to his promise -- although, of course, there were millions who only kept loving him more and more.

It wasn't the US Army who cut Elvis's balls off -- it was his manager Colonel Tom Parker. He signed him up, took an outrageously high percentage of his earnings, and made sure that musical and artistic concerns had no influence on any of his further development. Songs for his movie soundtracks and studio dates were selected on the basis of which ones would put the most money in Col. Tom's pocket, not on the basis of how they'd sound, or whether Elvis had any feeling for them, or even whether they were any damn good at all. No wonder Elvis got fat and took drugs.

Despite everything, though, the sumbitch could always sing, and even as an movie star he had a great, friendly screen presence (regardless of whther he could "act," i.e., portray anyone but himself).

Martin Gibson is right -- the earliest records are the best. Give a listen to "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and "That's Alright Mama" before you dismiss The King as a soft, obsolete old crooner.