BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: leeneia
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 11:23 AM

I was never a fan, but my aunt and uncle saw Elvis on stage in Wichita, and they said he was a spectacular showman. He loved being onstage, and they loved being in the audience. That counts for something.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 01:29 AM

PS - just noticed how old this thread was. So I'd guess Chris isn't likely
to get back to us now and tell if anyone changed his opinion Maybe someone else here has had a change of mind about him But this thread interested me b/c I have diverse tastes - but   never really got the understanding of his huge appeal. Yet he's still on the map, but I suspect ; not so much with us folkies.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 17 Dec 18 - 01:19 AM

Hey Chris, I ' m thinking that it's pretty open minded of you to try to
explore new ( or in this case, old) music based on fans love of the music
and their explaining the appeal. I myself have always exposed myself to different
styles of music- from pop to folk to standards, classical and jazz and certainly
Rock and blues. And when I play music. I m happy   to sing songs of anyone from
John Prine to the Avett Brothers to Tony Bennett.

But I' m sorry to disappoint you by saying I never really got the appeal
of Elvis. When I ve travelled south and attended folk clubs and jams, there's
still a great deal of Elvis fans ( usually older folks but not entirely ) who
still adore and emulate the King - in voice, clothes and song.

For me, I was too young to get caught in the Elvis craze and he seemed
'dated' from the first time I heard him on the ' oldies' station. Now should I hear Judy Garland sing Over the Rainbow; or for that matter, watch Fred and Ginger dance, they
still seem timeless and moving and universally relevant to me - and they were way before my time.

But Elvis as a breakthrough star of a certain time and place never
really appealed to me. I acknowledge his influence, and enjoy some of his songs,
but he has no real interest for me. Nothing against him either really, but just no interest.


Maybe best for you to ask some zealous fans on an Elvis or oldies site. At least
you!d get a response from people who genuinely enjoyed the man and his music. And if you have the chance, let us know if anyone changed your opinion.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 03:12 PM

found the email receipt... 8 CDs for eight quid... Roy Hamilton...

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 03:00 PM

Arthur Crudup?

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Senoufou
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 02:20 PM

Was it Jackie Wilson pfr?

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 02:12 PM

Maybe someone else can remember, there is one specific black singer Elvis loved and studiously copied...

I bought a box set of his CDs a year or 2 ago, but buggered if I can recall his name,
or were that box set is...?????

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: keberoxu
Date: 16 Dec 18 - 01:33 PM

This thread is being refreshed
in order that the Mudcatters
who are shouting at each other --
really -- about Elvis Presley,
on a Mudcat thread with a different singer's name on it,
can mosey on over here
and do the shouting and shoving here instead.

Those whose minds are already made up, in the meantime,
can disregard the following observation.

Elvis and Dean Martin: no, not the rock'n'roll/rockabilly stuff,
but the ballads, the crooner stuff.
I need to look deeper for this, to find a source or two,
but Elvis Presley is said to have commented on Dean Martin's ballad singing
as something he admired, to the point of imitation.

And Dean Martin made absolutely no secret of the fact
that he grew up listening to the Mills Brothers,
especially their slow sustained singing.
He wanted to sing ballads as either Donald Mills or Henry(?) Mills did.

Calling Elvis 'original' is superficial. The facts have layers;
and it is more to the point that
Elvis, directly or indirectly, sought out and followed
artists with a high standard, at least in the lyrical 'crooner' ballads.

Thanks for listening.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 03:15 PM

Well I loved Elvis - not all his films, but most of his records.

he could Ballads, r&b, (when it was r&b),rock, country.

Elvis was great. I can't really understand whats there not to like when hes at his best - which is most of the time.

Love the Thom Gunn poem

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 02:35 PM

They had been invented, they were called bobby soxers.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 12:03 PM

I was 9 years old in 1956, and desperately in love with Kaye Starr. My favourite songs as I recall were "Wheel of Fortune", "Freight Train" and "Last Train to San Fernando". My cousin was 12, and I was deeply in love with her too. One very memorable night she girated to this song on the radio and I flipped. Elvis had arrived.

Nothing was ever the same after that moment... thanks to the King and the effect he had on all of us - Wow!! 1960 was a great time to turn teenager - before that, they hadn't been invented.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: GUEST,James
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 09:43 AM

I think he is highly over rated. I liked the Sun stuff but after that he declined. I don't think he could hold a candle to Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Little Richard or Chuck Berry. Dying young is also a good career move. I don't understand the hype either.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 09:17 AM

I was born in '59, so by the time that I started to have an interest in music I couldn't understand the whole Elvis thing. But having seen some early footage, having a much better understanding of what else was going musically and socially when he burst on to the scene and most importantly having heard Blue Moon of Kentucky and That's Allright Mama I understand why he as influential as he was. He also had a rock solid band. Unfortunately, it paved the way for all the tacky stuff that followed.

In my eyes Chuck Berry's sound shaped the sound of what would become Rock later on, and I truly believe that Jerry Lee Lewis would have surpassed Elvis in popularity if it weren't for "you know".

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 06:13 PM

Yes, Ebbie, thanks for reminding us about the death of Elvis' mother. They *were* extraordinarily close indeed. The fact that Elvis was a twin -- his brother was either stillborn or died as an infant -- seems to have something to do with the psychology of their relationship.

I'm not so sure Elvis could have gotten out of the draft. He was a controversial public figure and I'm sure that many politicians wanted to make an example of him. Plus which, he trusted his manager, Col. Parker, who figured that Elvis's image would be best served by a patriotic response on his part, asking for no special privileges, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 05:28 PM

Good insights, Ebbie.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 01:17 PM

The fact that Elvis let himself be drafted into the regular Army I think is just another indicator of his unsophisticated view of the world, and his perception of his role in it. Poor people have often been overtly 'patriotic'. Given his burgeoning career as a singer, he could easily gone into an entertainment troop.

As for his being 'different' after his military stint, I think a lot of that had to do with the sudden death of his mother. She was only in her mid40s when she died; Presley had been extraordinarily close to her.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:01 AM

dianavan, you undoubtedly DID see the Dorsey show appearance. A few milion people did see it; but many more millions missed it and saw Elvis first on Sullivan.

Wilfred, *great* story!

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 10:26 AM

Wow! Wilfried, that is so cool that you lived in the town where he was stationed.

Seeing Elvis confined in the US Army was like seeing a magnificent wild creature confined in a little circus cage.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 05:43 AM

Yes, you're right. There's only one Declan McManus!

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 05:29 AM

I must confess that I wasn't interested in Rock and Roll in my youth, but I watched some movies about it. I was a teenage boy scout and more interested in folk songs, but I wanted to know what young people saw in it. In one film young Elvis explained what to do with your hips when dancing to this music, and heigh ho! I immediately understood why the girls raved about him. He looked not bad, indeed, with his interesting haircut.
I liked Bill Haley more, Little Richard I always thought funny.
Elvis the Pelvis' handshake was weak and not what I expected from an American private (he served in my hometown), but I must confess: He had a remarkable voice and could sing in different styles, e.g. Muß i' denn zum Städtele hinaus, an old German parting folk song.
Nowadays we have an Elvis-Presley-Place in the center of my town, and every year the fans (many mothers in their late 50s) congregate to remember his birthday and dying day.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Cluin
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 04:27 AM

Hand-Pulled, when Declan McManus adopted the name Elvis Costello for the stage, it was as an homage to THE Elvis.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 02:37 AM

Elvis from the Sun years to early 60's was definitely the most bad-ass, big-voiced, crazy-legged, white Blues singer on the planet! After the Army however... I don't know what the hell happened!
When he made his "comeback" in the late 60's, you saw a bit of the old Elvis in him, but by the 70's he changed to the "Vegas Elvis" and went downhill pretty much until his demise...

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: dianavan
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 02:23 AM

PoppaGator - Makes me wonder if in fact it was the earlier show I saw because I definitely remember the hips.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 02:23 AM

Man, I wish I'd seen it at the time. We didn't have a TV. On the other hand, not having the danged TV around till age 19 or 20 was probably the best thing that ever happened to me! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 02:16 AM

I saw Elvis' US TV debut, which was NOT (as some now believe) on the Ed Sullivan Show.

The "summer replacement" program in Jackie Gleason's time slot was the Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey Show. The Dorsey brothers were swing-era bandleaders who had each led his own jazz orchestra in their 1940s heyday, but who were teamed up front a combined band and to co-host this short-lived TV variety show. Tommy was a trombone player; I forget Jimmy's instrument -- probably trumpet or sax, I'd guess.

Anyway, Elvis appeared on their show with his trio and played "Hound Dog," just as he would a couple of months later on the much-more-widely-watched Sullivan show. It's been a long time and I was pretty young, so I don't remember much in the way of detail, but:

a) There was little or no advance publicity, certainly less than there would be the following fall before the Sullivan appearance, so viewers were completely taken by surprise. I'm sure my parents had no idea how to react, beyond a stunned "Boy, that's crazy!" I was thinking, "Wow, that's amazing!."

b) I think the lack of preparation meant that the cameras would have showed Elvis from head to toe as he delivered his song. The Sullivan appearance has been noted for its semi-censorship -- the cameras were careful to shoot The King from the waist up only, cropping out his swivelling "Elvis the Pelvis" hips. They were probably forewarned by the reaction to the earlier Dorsey show appearance, whose relatively few viewers got to see the whole show.

Ed Sullivan's show was definitely broadcast nationwide from New York. I grew up in the NY media market (central NJ), and didn't always know which TV shows out of New York were local and which were national. The Dorsey Brothers summer series *may* have been local, but since they were holding down Jackie Gleason's time slot for the summer, and Gleason was probably nationwide by that time, their show was probably broadcast coast-to-coast, too -- although not everyone was watching. *Everyone* watched Sullivan on Sunday nights, though -- that's why Elvis (and later, the Beatles) made such an impresion by appearing on his program.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Once Famous
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 08:37 PM

What many don't seem to realize is that the young Elvis was considered just as much part of the country music scene as was Hank Snow, for example. In fact, Elvis used to open for Hank Snow and Col Tom Parker managed him at first like other country acts.

Elvis, like many other country acts got much of his start in performing on The Louisiana Hayride radio show over KWKH in Shreveport, La. The Hayride was considered the Triple-AAA minor leagues to the Grand Ole Opry and is where Hank Williams and Johnny Cash also both go there start.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: dianavan
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 08:23 PM

I remember seeing Elvis for the first time on the Ed Sullivan show. I was too young to know what he was all about but I knew something was happening when he started to shake his hips. I looked over at my dad to see what his reaction would be. Well - he was laughing so hard that tears were running down his cheeks. In his day, he was outrageous.

He broke through some barriers and the flood followed. He was a leader. Too bad about his being drafted and all those horrible movies and Las Vegas.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 03:39 PM

I rather think that if Elvis hadn't existed the music would have made it through without him.

"Nothing can withstand the force of an idea whose time has come." Victore Hugo wasn't talking about music when he wrote that, but he might have been.

Rock music was the wave of the future, and Elvis was riding in it - but if he hadn't been there, the wave was coming anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Peace
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 03:08 PM

Yes, 27 is youngish. I didn't think so thirty years ago, but I do now.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 02:38 PM

They rave about him because he was a groundbreaker, like the Beatles, Dylan et al who followed him and were great in their own very different ways. Presley opened our minds to the new music, and popularised it in a way no-one else quite managed - even the other greats like Buddy, Jerry Lee, Eddie, didn't have the unique appeal of EP. Without Elvis, it's doubtful if we'd ever have had the Beatles, Dylan, The Eagles, U2, Oasis and the thousands of other artists whose music has its roots in Rock & Roll.

His appeal has crossed the age-barrier - and 27 years after his death we're still debating about him.

The King lives on.
S:0)

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Chris Green
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 01:38 PM

27! Youngish! :)

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Ron Davies
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 01:29 PM

Never thought I'd say this---Martin Gibson is dead right (19 Nov 2004   5:41 PM)


Bono said it too--in Cluin's 8:30 AM 20 Nov posting.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 12:45 PM

Dang! Once again, d.b., so sorry. :(

I got the "young" part right, at least, I trust :)

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 10:48 AM

Exactly, Bruce! Your incisive mind has gone straight to the heart of the matter as usual.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Chris Green
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 06:57 AM

Er, I'm actually a bloke, Poppagator! :)

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Peace
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 01:28 AM

I think people rave about Elvis because when we rave about Arbunkle von Hormanwalder XVIII, no one understands why.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 01:12 AM

Then too, raving about Elvis is more fun than discussing politics endlessly...

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: LadyJean
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 11:20 PM

Pressley's handlers found "a white kid who could sing black." He could sing rock and roll like Black singers, but he was a nice, clean cut white kid that nice, clean cut, white girls could have crushes on.
I have never been an Elvis fan, but I just sent my sister, who collects clocks, an Elvis clock. The dial is on the torso. The legs swing back and forth. I bought it at a rummage sale, so I can't tell you where to get one.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Peace
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 06:01 PM

Elvis created a frenzy that has not been equaled by too many singers or groups. I recall a film of the Beatles landing in the US, and the tears in the eyes of a young lady at I think LaGuardia Airport--maybe it was Kennedy. Anyway, it just reminded me of similar scenes when Elvis was about. I have to agree that his early stuff helped define 'rock', and despite the later feeble attempts with songs like "In the Ghetto", nothing will take away his rightful place in the pantheon of great rock and rollers. He was a man for all seasons for a few seasons, and then the machine ate him up and spit him out. It's done that to lotsa good people. Also, drugs and drug abuse have taken their toll on the greats of the music industry. I was never a fan of Elvis, but ya'd have to be a real idiot to ignore the effect and affect he had on music. IMO, good looking is a dime a dozen; music like his early stuff is priceless.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 05:47 PM

Er, that was dueling-b's, not miss bliss, who asked the initial question -- my bad. Sorry I got you two young ladies confused. I don't *really* know either one of you, don't even know if both are on the same continent, but I know just enough to think "oh right, one of those young chicks." That's what you get for hanging with all us old fifty-somethings, I guess.

Thanks for the endorsement there Johnny. ;D

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 05:31 PM

Amen, Poppagator, Amen. Wise words indeed.
S:0)

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 05:16 PM

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.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 04:52 PM

Well Ebbie, you're right where I'm concerned - 57 goin' on 17 this year! LOL! But Mrs. Johnny's 29, and El's a God where she's concerned - second only to Robbie Williams! He's bridged the age gap there for sure.

And doesn't the fact that we're discussing him now, 27 years after his death, say something about him?

All the best gal,
S:0)

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Ebbie
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 04:45 PM

Or the age, Strollin' Johnny. *G*

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 04:29 PM

Anyone who needs to ask the question probably lacks the resources to comprehend the answer. Just an opinion.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: frogprince
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 01:11 PM

I think Ebbie pegged one big part of it: "There was a vitality and drive to his songs that was very different from the Bing Crosby/Frank Sinatra era". The appearance of Elvis may have been the greatest moment of "and now for something completely different" in the history of music, (So far as nation-wide, mass market, awareness of music like that). It may also have been the first time American parents were that widely and fervently galvanized in moral outrage against what their kids were listening to; a lot of that was, as also mentioned above, "it was race music." I was indifferent to Elvis for many years, then heard some of the earliest stuff again, and all I once I thought, "What raw, vital, FUN stuff." I haven't put him at the top of my pantheon, but I've moved him up quite a ways.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Chris Green
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 12:53 PM

Tee-hee. Nice one, brucie! :)

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 12:52 PM

Lol...i disagree, but lol...

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Peace
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 12:49 PM

It's in the spirit of the thread. The cat is good to look at and can't sing.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do people rave about Elvis?
From: Blissfully Ignorant
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 12:47 PM

I don't recommend it, frankly...the cat is big enough to disturb me when peeing, to the best of my knowledge she didn't come from africa...and i'm not aiming at her...:0)

I shall say no more. Horrendous thread creep, sorry! :0)