viernes, 28 de enero de 2011

An Elvis Interview 57

 

 An Elvis Interview
Here's the complete transcript of an Elvis press conference in Canada 1957.
Q: Do you have any records coming out?

EP: Yes, the theme song from my next motion picture will be out about the middle of next month.

Q: What is the picture?

EP: Jailhouse Rock.

Q: How did you find Hal Wallis as a producer/director?

EP: Very fine gentleman.

Q: But he helped you out? Who was the big help in your show LOVING YOU?

EP: Well, there's nobody who helps you out. They have a director and a producer. As far as the acting and as far as the singing and all, you're on the own. I mean, nobody tells you how to do that, you have to learn it yourself.

Q: How do you rate yourself as an actor?

EP: Pretty bad. I mean, that's something you learn through experience. I think that maybe I might accomplish something at it through the years.

Q: You think it's just the sake of acting natural? Don't you do that? In your last two pictures, I'd say you have.

EP: In some scenes, I was pretty natural. And in others I was trying to act. And when you start trying to act, you're dead.

Q: Would you say the
Jordanaires helped you a lot in your career with your songs, backing you up?

EP: Well, the boys have done a very fine job, the Jordinares have. But actually there's a lot of groups, you know, a lot of very fine groups that back different people up on their records.

Q: They're under contract with Capitol, are they not?

EP: Yes.

Q: I know you're under terrific strain after a show, how do you taper down? What relaxes the nerves after a big show like tonight?

EP: Well, uh, take for instance last night. We had a show in Vancouver. I didn't sleep any until about ten o'clock today. I just get all keyed up, and it's tough to relax.

Q: What do you do before a show to help defer some of the excitement or the tension?

EP: You just walk around. And swallow! Clench my fist.

Q: How much did you pay for the guitar of yours?

EP: About $500, I think.

Q: Is it specially constructed? Or just a standard?

EP: No, it's a standard guitar. I have a leather cover over it. I had that made.

Q: Do you find that touring is much more hard on you than making movies or doing tv shows?

EP: Well, touring is the roughest part. It's really rough. Because, I mean, you're in a town and you do a show, you come off, you ride in a car, you go to the next town.

Q: Do you prefer it more to making movies and doing tv, or would you rather just stick to making movies?

EP: Well, I think every performer likes to work to a live audience.

Q: How has Pacific Northwest struck you? What you've seen of it….

EP: Oh, it's terrific. It's really beautiful country up here.

Q: How's the weather down in Memphis before you left? Or where you in Memphis?

EP: Yes, I was home. It was beautiful weather.

Q: Why did you have the Great Northern Train stop two miles out of town today and you get off there? What about the fans waiting for you?

EP: Well, I have to prepare for a show that night. And therefore I have to rest -- and we have rehearsals in the afternoon. So I don't have much time. I'm actually pressed for time. It's not that I'm trying to avoid them, because that's certainly not it. It's just that I'm rushed for time and I have to make every moment count when I'm on the road.

Q: Can you make faster time in your Cadillac on the road than you can on the train?

EP: Actually, you're trying to trap me now. I don't know what to say. Next!

Q: Have you ever been thrown by a question? What question do you dislike the most?

EP: I don't know. Like I said, I've been asked everything. If they're too rough, I just can't answer them.

Q: How do you feel about being asked questions about your personal life? Do you think an entertainer should be asked questions about marriage and what girls he's going with, and so forth?

EP: Well, let's face the facts. Anybody that's in the public eye, their life is never private. I mean, anything you do, the public knows about it. And that's the way it's always been, that's the way it'll always be.

Q: Elvis, you've been on the road for a long, long time – it's about time you got a nice rest -- because you deserve it. Where would you like to go for a holiday somewhere?

EP: Africa. No, I don't know – there's a lot of places that I'd like to go.

Q: Have you considered a holiday? I mean, you've been on the go for what, two years now? About a year and a half?

EP: 'Bout four years, actually.

Q: Four years? This throws a different light on things all together. What happened four years ago? Did you get your start?

EP: Yes.

Q: Where?

EP: In Memphis.

Q: Is that's when the first record came out?

EP: Yes.

Q: What was it – That's All Right Mama – or something else?

EP: Yeah, that's the name of it. Actually, I wasn't known at all until Col. Parker started managing me, you see, and I got on RCA/Victor and on television. And then I started being known.

Q: Before that time you were recording on the Sun record label for
Sam Phillips down in Memphis?

EP: Yes. Yes, I was known in certain sections, you know, but I wasn't known all over.

Q: Was it Dewey that played the first one? Is he related to the other Phillips in any way?

EP: No, they're no kin.

Q: Just a coincidence.

EP: He says he was the first one to play it, I don't know….

Q: Do you want to go abroad some day? Overseas?

EP: Yes, I would like to.

Q: Tell me about permanent retirement?

EP: I'd like to. (Laughs).

Q: Voluntary.

EP: Retirement?

Q: Yes, what do you think about just quitting - when?

EP: Well, I'll put it like this -- I'll never quit as long as I'm doing okay.

Q: What do you consider doing okay?

EP: Well, as long as you're pleasing the people, you'd be foolish to quit.

Q: What would you like to tell our listeners?

EP: I'd like to tell everybody how very much I appreciate them listening to my records and everything. And I'll do my best to continue to please them, and put out songs and movies that they like.

Q: When you get caught in a mob, have you ever been seriously hurt by the girls?

EP: Yes, I've been scratched and bitten and everything.

Q: What do you think about it?

EP: I just accept it with a broad mind because actually they don't intend to hurt you. I mean, it's not that. They want pieces of you for souvenirs, is all.

Q: Elvis, you've got quite a crowd out here. What do you consider your best crowd, you're best show you've ever had? Do you have a favorite place?

EP: Well, I have no favorite place. The biggest crowd was in Dallas, Texas last year.

Q: Was that a good crowd?

EP: Yes, I played the Cotton Bowl. I had 32,000 people there.

Q: What is that stone on the beautiful ring on your left hand?

EP: That's a star sapphire. There's a girl gave to me in California. A crowd of people can hurt you and not even realize they're doing it.

Q: You haven't much of a private life right now, do you?

EP: No, sir. I haven't.

Q: Where do you go for a quiet cup of coffee?

EP: When I'm traveling around, I don't go anywhere. I just eat in the room.

Q: When do you head out to the Army, Elvis?

EP: The Army?

Q: Yeah, are you going into the Army? Or military service, shall we say?

EP: I haven't heard from them. I don't know.

Q: You haven't heard anything from them at all?

EP: No, I haven't.

Q: You aren't linked to Confidential magazine, but what do you think about the Confidential magazine trial?

EP: Well, I don't know what to think about it. Just so I don't get involved in it. That's all I worry about.

Q: How do you like the motion picture field, Elvis?

EP: I think it's great. In fact, I like it better than any phase of the business other than public appearances?

Q: You'd rather be in movies than sing, shall we say?

EP: No, I'm not going to say that.

Q: Why don't we see more of you on television, seeing as you can command such big fees?

EP: I don't know. I guess
Col. Parker could probably answer that if he's here. He's not here, is he?

Q: We'll speak to him later. What about your trip, what's your reaction to girls across different sections of the country. Are they all the same?

EP: Well, the crowds… young people are pretty well the same all over the country, I've found out.

Q: Well Canadians are supposed to be a little more subdued. Have you found that with Canadian girls?

EP: (Doesn't answer).

Q: Do you think the rock and roll craze is dying?

EP: No, sir, I don't think it's dying. I'm not saying that it won't die out, but I don't think it is right now.

Q: Elvis, who do you think is most responsible for your success in the music field, I mean, getting your big start? Where did you get your start? Was it in Western music that you got your start? How did Hank Snow fit into the picture, if he did…

EP: Well, at the time I started singing, Col. Tom Parker was managing Hank Snow. And that's how we got connected. I don't know why Hank and my name were linked together so much, because actually we wasn't connected in any way in business. I just worked on some of Hank's personal appearances.

Q: Do you know his son at all?

EP: Yeah, Jimmy Rodgers Snow?

Q: Did you ever pal around with him?

EP: Yes, quite a bit.

Q: Did you go to school with him down in Memphis?

EP: No, I never went to school with him.

Q: Do you know
Dewey Phillips down in Memphis?

EP: Very well.

Q: He said to say hello to you. I was talking to him on the phone this afternoon.

EP: Good deal.

Q: Elvis, is your first love Western music?

EP: No, sir, it's not. My first, I would say, would be spiritual music.

Q: Like Peace In The Valley and that, eh?

EP: Not exactly that. I mean, some of the old colored spirituals from years back.

Q: Your actions make quite a reaction in the audience. What is your opinion of the audience?

EP: Well, I mean it would look pretty funny out there without one. Actually, I suppose you're talking about all the yelling and everything. Actually, it's good because it covers up my mistakes, you see. Whenever I hit a sour note, well nobody knows it but me.

Q: What's this new flame, Anita Wood?

EP: Anita Wood. She's a ….

Q: She's what, Elvis?

EP: She's a…. Oh, incidentally, she won a beauty contest last night where she gets a seven-year contract with Paramount Pictures. She called me last night.

Q: If everything folded up tomorrow, which it isn't going to by the looks of things, what would you do?

EP: Go back to driving a truck.

Q: You like driving a truck?

EP: No. I don't know what I'd do. That's counting your chickens before they hatch. Actually, I'd like to become, to learn a lot about acting.

Q: Who's your favorite actor, Elvis?

EP: I have quite a few.

Q: How about James Dean? Did you like him?

EP: Yes.

Q: You really did?

EP: And Yul Brenner, and Marlon Brando, oh quite a few of them.

Q: Any plans for more motion pictures?

EP: Yes, sir. I have contracts for about eight more.

Q: What about TV appearances? We don't see you too often on TV, except the Ed Sullivan show occasionally.

EP: Well, I have no control over that. I have an agent—a manager that takes care of that.

Q: Are you happier now, or where you happier when you were driving a truck and could have a quiet cup of coffee?

EP: Well, I'm happier now in a lot of ways. And in some ways, I mean, I was having a lot of fun then, you know.

Q: What do you think of tv compared to the movies, you worked in both of them?

EP: I like movies better than I do tv work. If you goof in movies, you can just go back and take it over. In tv, you just goof. There's no going back and taking it over.

Q: Elvis, how are you fixed for the future? I know the contract for Victor is good for two or three years. What are your plans after that?

EP: Uh, well, I have quite a few things. I have two music firms. And then I have, like a said, a seven-year contract with Paramount Pictures whereas each year it amounts to more money.

Q: When you see things sold on the street, some of them saying "I like Elvis" and others saying other things, do you get money for each sign?

EP: "I hate Elvis."

Q: Do you get a percentage when they sell an "I hate Elvis" button?

EP: To be truthful, I really don't know.

Q: Hard to keep track…

EP: Yes, it is. In fact, I don't know who sells the "I hate Elvis" buttons.

Q: Well, it's the same man who sells the "I like."

EP: He's a communist.

Q: Elvis, you've come in for a lot of criticism for your wiggling on stage, and some people have called it suggestive. Do you mean it to be suggestive?

EP: No, I've never thought of it as being suggestive. That's just my way of expressing a song, that's all.

Q: You seem to be popular enough on your singing and appearance alone, would you stop the wiggling if criticism grew too fast?

EP: No, sir, I can't. Because…

Q: Toning it down?

EP: To be truthful, I can't do ballad, really, as well as I can the other kind because I don't have the voice for it.

Q: Do you think disc jockeys made you?

EP: Definitely yes. I mean, well, if disc jockeys didn't play it, the people couldn't hear it so they couldn't know what was happening, you know. I contribute it to a little bit of everything. I contribute it largely to the people that have accepted me, and then the disc jockeys, and the good handling that I've had, the management and everything.

Q: Getting back to the religious songs, if you could put an album out, say an extended play, what songs would you put on it? Have you ever considered any of them, maybe some of the songs you know?

EP: You talking about religious? Oh, I know practically every religious song that's ever been written.

Q: Is that right?

EP: Yes.

Q: What do you think of
Pat Boone?

EP: I think he's undoubtedly the finest voice out now. Especially on slow songs. I mean, I'm not saying that to make me look good. I actually think that. I mean, I thought that – I mean Boone was recording before I was and I bought his records even back then.

Q: What chance do you think the female vocalist has of getting in the limelight or on the top ten nowadays?

EP: You talking about any female vocalist?

Q: Just female vocalists in general? I mean, do you like their singing?

EP: Yes. I would imagine it's just according to the songs they sing. In other words, your material can make you or break you. If you sing a good song, naturally it will sell. If you sing a bad one, it won't.

Q: What is your favorite female singer right now?

EP: Uh, Patti Paige and Kay Star.

Q: What is your favorite of the songs you've recorded?

EP: Don't Be Cruel.

Q: I got a good one here, why do all the good artists come from Tennessee?

EP: Uh. I don't know.

Q: Is it real rhythm crazy down there? Are people happy for the music? 'Cause that's how it sounds on record.

EP: Yes it is. I don't know. I supposed you're speaking of Pat Boone and a couple of others.

Q: Are there any plans in the immediate future for marriage?

EP: No, sir, none whatsoever. None that I know of.

Q: How are your mum and dad? Where are they now?

EP: They're in Memphis. They're at home. I talked to them this afternoon.

Q: How do they feel about you being on the road? Does it bother them? I mean, they'd like to see their son once and awhile, I imagine?

EP: Well, it's my life, you know. They don't say too much about it.

Q: What thing that got a big plug recently is that if you went into the Army you'd have to get your hair cut. How do you feel on that? An awful lot of newspaper publicity on it. Would it bother you at all?

EP: No, I don't care.

Q: Doesn't bother you?

EP: It will grow back. I mean, if was a case of cutting it off and never having any more, then I would grumble.

Q: What about the sideburns trademark?

EP: Well, I'm stuck with them. I had 'em long – when I was old enough to grow them. When I was sixteen years old.

Q: No particular reason?

EP: I just got stuck with them. I can't get rid of them now.

Q: What's your age now?

EP: 22.

Q: How does it feel to be right on top of the industry? Any drawbacks?

EP: A few.

Q: What are they?

EP: It has its advantages, and disadvantages.

Q: Don't you seek out privacy all the time?

EP: Well that is the main thing. Naturally, you can't go places like other people. You can't go to ball games. You can't go to the local theatre and things like that. Like, back at home, whenever I want to see a movie, well I have the theatre manager show it to me after the theatre closes up at night. We have a fairgrounds there, and I rent the fairgrounds after it closes up sometimes.

Q: How has this effected your mom and dad?

EP: Well, in a lot of different ways. They're just like they've always been, I mean as far as being themselves. But it is kind of a strain on them, because, you know, people never leave them alone, to be truthful about it.

Q: Have you moved into your new home in
Graceland?

EP: Yes.

Q: Elvis, we've heard newspaper accounts of some scuffles you've been in where the other fellow seemed to get the end of your fist, what about these newspaper reports, are they accurate?

EP: Uh, yes sir, I would imagine.

Q: What happened? Did you lose your temper?

EP: Well, it's just a case of get them or be got. You know?

Q: What started the incidents most of the time?

EP: Somebody hitting me or trying to hit me. I mean, I can take all the, you know, I can take ridicule and slander, and I've been called names you know right to my face and everything – that I can take. But I've had a few guys who try to take a swing at me and naturally you can't just stand there, you've got to do something.

Q: What's your favorite sport, Elvis?

EP: Football.

Q: You like playing football? Where were those pictures taken in that fan mag of you playing football?

EP: That was taken at a park near my house.

Q: That's down in Memphis?

EP: Yeah.

Q: It's been said your only extravagance has been your cars. Would that be accurate?

EP: Yes, it's accurate. I'm just now realizing how extravagant it was. Because I have too many. I mean, nobody drives them. They sit up and they get stale. The tires go down on 'em. Actually, I have no need for them—I just went ape—I just went crazy when I….

Q: What about shirts? You have a fad for shirts, haven't you?

EP: I'll tell you what I did the other day. I have, I had, a German-made Messerschmit, a little car. And there's a guy there in town who has been wanting that Messerschmit for the last year. And so, he owns a clothing store, one of the top clothing stores in Memphis. So I went up there the other day, and I told him, I said you've been wanting the car so bad, I said I'll make a deal with you. He said okay and I said you let me pick out all the clothes in here that I want and you can have the car. So I was up there for about two hours and a half, and the store was a wreck when I left.

Q: What do you think of serious music?

EP: Serious music?

Q: Like opera, symphony?

EP: Truthfully, I don't understand it. I'm not going to knock it. I'm just don't understand. Just like I don't understand jazz.

Q: What do you think of young actresses as dates? How do they compare to the girls back home you dated before you were a star?

EP: Well, they're just like everybody else. They just got a lucky break in life. Just like other girls.,

Q: What about this fabulous collection of teddy bears? What started that?

EP: Oh, that got started from a rumor. An article came out that I collected stuffed animals and I was swamped with them. Actually, I mean naturally I keep them because people give them to me, but I never even thought of collecting stuffed animals in my life.

Q: Do you appreciate them now that you have them?

EP: Yes. Yes.

Q: Or do you just save them?

EP: I keep them. I have them all over the walls, in the chairs, everywhere else.
© Copyright by Elvis Australia
 
 
 

Elvis Presley 70s

 

 

The 1970's found Elvis spending most of his time doing what he loved most -- performing live on stage for his fans.

In 1970, Elvis would perform twice at the ALWAYS SOLD-OUT International Hotel in Las Vegas. During Elvis' August engagement in Las Vegas, MGM would film The King for his documentary "That's The Way It Is".Elvis would also perform several SOLD-OUT shows at the Houston Astrodome, and in the fall would go out on his first concert tour. In terms of studio material...Elvis would spend a good portion of June in Nashville recording over 30 songs to be used on several albums and singles during the 1970's.

1971 was an exciting year for Elvis and his fans, as he continued to perform in Las Vegas and on tour. During the year, Elvis was also honored by the Jaycees as one of the "Ten Outstanding Young Men in America"...an honor which Elvis was forever proud of! The month of May saw Elvis again in the recording studio, laying down tracks for his upcoming Christmas and Gospel albums, as well as some additional album material.


In 1972, the MGM cameras were rolling once again during Elvis' April tour for his documentary "Elvis On Tour". Aside from touring extensively and performing in Las Vegas, Elvis would also record several of his classic ballads in '72 including "Always On My Mind" and "Separate Ways", as well as the final Top 5 hit of his career -- "Burning Love".

The highlight of 1973, and most likely the highlight of Elvis' entire career, was Elvis' "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite" show beamed live around the world on January 14th (U.S. fans had to wait until April to see the show). Elvis was the FIRST PERFORMER in history to have a live performance beamed around the world via satellite! The rest of 1973 would be spent, again, on stage in Las Vegas and across America. In July and December, Elvis would record several songs at the legendary Stax Studios in Memphis. Popular songs such as "Promised Land", "Raised On Rock", "If You Talk In Your Sleep" and "Help Me" would come from these sessions.

1974 was a homecoming of sorts for Elvis...in March, he would perform in his hometown of Memphis for the first time since February, 1961. RCA would record the final show of the tour on March 20th for the album "Elvis As Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis". Unfortunately, 1974 would also be a year of extreme highs and lows for The King. Several of Elvis' shows in 1974, particularly in September and October were very poor and received unfavorable reviews from fans and critics. But, as 1974 went out on a low note...

...1975 came in on a much better note. Following a brief hospitalization and extended period of rest, Elvis resumed touring in 1975 and was BETTER THAN EVER!! Many critics and fans count Elvis' performances from the summer of 1975 among his best ever! Elvis was in much better physical shape, his voice was stronger than ever, and his shows were simply BRILLIANT with Elvis dusting off many of his classics once again! 1975 would also turn out to be the FINAL TIME Elvis would record new material in the recording studio. In March, he recorded 10 new songs which eventually became the "Today" album. Among the new songs recorded would be the fan favorite "T-R-O-U-B-L-E".

However, 1976 would be another year of peaks and valleys for The King. Elvis refused to record new material in the studio, so RCA had to bring the recording studio to Elvis' Memphis mansion Graceland. Elvis recorded several new songs in the "Jungle Room" at Graceland in February and October of 1976. Aside from these recording sessions, Elvis would spend the rest of America's Bicentennial Year on tour. The highlight of 1976 was Elvis' New Year's Eve performance in Pittsburgh, PA. Simply put...this was a BRILLIANT SHOW with Elvis in a GREAT MOOD, GREAT SHAPE and sounding better than ever, giving fans high hopes for 1977...

Unfortunately, 1977 would be anything but bright for Elvis and his fans. Several more concert tours in the spring and early summer of 1977 would culminate with the filming of Elvis' June tour for the CBS Television Special "Elvis In Concert". Sadly, as Elvis was preparing for his next tour in August, The King's life came to a tragic end. On August 16, 1977, The King Of Rock N' Roll was found dead at his beloved Memphis mansion Graceland.

August 16, 1977...the day the music died. LONG LIVE THE KING!!


__,_._,___

lunes, 24 de enero de 2011

September 26, 1956 Tupelo

 

 
 

All the pictures below are from September 26, 1956  Tupelo
 
 
 
 
Welcome Home Elvis 1956, Tupelo
 
  
September 26. 56  Tupelo
 
September 26. 56  Tupelo,Nick Adams in the car was before the evening show, when he return from the hotel.
Nick Adams on stage.
 
Evening performance
  
     
 
 
 
 

WHAT MOM MEANT TO ELVIS

 

 
 

This story is from the New Musical Express dated Friday 23 August 1958
 
Mrs. Gladys Presley passed away last week.  As a tribute to her, Keith Goodwin discovers ...
 
WHAT MOM MEANT TO ELVIS
 
The influences in an entertainer's career are usually many and varied, but in most success stories you'll find the constant advice, guidance and encouragement offered by a star's parents!
 
These are the people who help to shape the young life; who teach the potential artist to make the most of his talents; and who lend a helping hand when decisions have to be made.
 
They are the people, too, who share the heartbreaks, setbacks, and occasional joys that a new performer faces during his early career.  In such times, their burden is a heavy one, for on their shoulders can rest much of the success or failure of a latent talent.
 
Few artists attempt to hide the depth of gratitude which they feel for their parents, and it's perhaps significant that the bond between artist and parents usually grows stronger as a performer conquers new pinnacles of achievement.
 
DEVOTION
Elvis Presley has never disguised his devotion for his parents.  He has never been reticent about voicing his sincere appreciation for all they have done to make his way to stardom easier.
 
It's therefore relatively simple to understand and share the sorrow Elvis is bearing since the untimely death last week of the person closest to him - his mother, Mrs. Gladys Presley.
 
A sensitive, highly strung youngster, Elvis had always looked to his mother for guidance.  "Mom is," he once said, "my best girl friend."
 
It was Elvis's father, Vernon, who first bought him a guitar, but it was Gladys Presley who encouraged her teenage son to persevere with the instrument.
 
Elvis's mother, too, was indirectly responsible for his first faltering steps in showbusiness.  He hadn't been singing or playing guitar very long, but the advent of Mother's Day prompted ambitious Elvis to surprise his Mom by privately recording her favourite song "My Happiness."
 
He chose to make the record at the Sun Recording studios in Nashville.  It was at the same studios that he waxed his first commercial records a few weeks later!
 
Elvis's ties with his family were extremely close.  After a visit to their Memphis home, screen star Natalie Wood - then keeping company with Elvis - commented that she had never seen such a close-knit family.  She also observed: "His (Elvis's) mother  fusses over him all the time."
 
What was the reason behind this firm bond?  The simple fact is that Elvis was one of twins, but his baby brother was born dead.
 
It's therefore natural to suppose that in an attempt to obliterate her shocking disappointment, Mrs. Presley lavished more love and affection on her only son than she might have done had it not been for this tragic happening.
 
During his early childhood, Elvis grew to be largely dependent on his parents.
 
Vernon Presley has recounted the story of how Elvis excessively worried over the possibility of his father being hurt when he (Vernon) tried a high dive while the family were on a swimming expedition.
 
But Elvis wasn't a spoiled child and he encountered his fair share of childhood scrapes without escaping the consequences.  And it might seem a trifle strange that Vernon Presley never spanked his young son - it was always Gladys who took care of the punishment!
 
Columnist Sidney Fields, of the "New York Mirror," met Presley's parents and described them thus: "Simple, neighbourly and unaffected by the fame and fortune of their son, or the furore he has created."
 
Fields also observed:
 
"But they worry about the frenzy of their only child in his new life, his health, his driving, the mobs that besiege him, his future and the violent criticism hurled at him."
 
Elvis quickly realised all this and did everything in his power to quieten his parents' fears.  While filming in Hollywood or on tour, he dutifully telephoned his mother everyday to set her mind at ease, but his greatest joys were his periodic visits home.
 
AT HOME
It's been said many time that Elvis enjoys working.  He does.  But it's not the same sort of pleasure that he got from the simple family meetings held in the spacious surroundings of the luxurious 40,000-dollar home Elvis bought for his parents in Memphis.
 
He liked nothing better than to sit quietly at home, playing the organ and singing spirituals with his folks, both of whom, he contends, were fine singers.  Sometimes he would escort his current "date" home to meet his parents, and would eulogise about the eggs, bacon, potatoes and toast cooked by his mother that he earnestly claimed was his favourite food.
 
A non-smoker and non-drinker, Elvis is deeply religious and he accompanied his family to church whenever possible. Gladys Presley once said that unlike some children, Elvis never needed any prodding to go to church.
 
When critics launched an all-out attack on Presley, asserting that his gyrations were "sinful,"  Gladys and Vernon were quick to defend their son.  Elvis maintained that his wiggling was "natural," resulting from a "rhythmic impulse" born into him, and his parents rapidly silenced the critics as they stood by his side.
 
Though Elvis has fans scattered all over the world, his most important aim in life was to please his parents.  "More than anything else, I want the folks back home to think right of me," he once told a reporter.  Whatever anybody thinks, Gladys Presley knew that Elvis had achieved his goal.
 
The Presley's never pandered to their son - in fact, his childhood was governed by strict, unbreakable rules.  Gladys taught him to play peacefully with other children; while Vernon was adamant that he would have to defend himself if he was picked upon.
 
His good upbringing is reflected in the "Yes,sir," "Yes, ma'm,"  "Thank you," and other marks of respect and normal etiquette that punctuate his conversation.
 
Gladys Presley was always afraid that her son would get hurt - a fear that remained with her until the day she died.
 
During his youth, she wouldn't let him have a bicycle lest he should fall off, and later urged him to stop playing football in high school.  When Elvis became a star, she feared the fans who mobbed him and the fast cars that he drove.  Yet deep down, she knew that Elvis could always take adequate care of himself.
 
Typical of Presley's sincere concern for his parents was his persistent refusal to let his mother travel more than 100 miles to see one of his performances.  He realised his mother's inability to travel long distances, and flatly refused to allow her to inconvenience herself.
 
BIG DEBT
Whichever way you care to look at it, Elvis owes a lot to his parents, and he knows it.
 
It's to his credit that even at the peak of his sensational career, he was always the first to point to Gladys and Vernon Presley and say, "Without them it could never have happened."
 
There's no telling what effect Gladys Presley's sorrowful death will have on Elvis future career.  He has always been a shy and somewhat  lonely person, and this won't help the situation any.
 
But today he is not alone, for in this grief there is some little comfort in the knowledge that his mourning is shared by millions all over the world.
 
 
 

domingo, 23 de enero de 2011

1956 NBC Studios ,Burbank June 5th - Milton Berle

 


 
 

1956 NBC Studios ,Burbank June 5th - Milton Berle
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NBC Studios,Burbank 1955.
NBC-TV Milton Berle - Comedy
June 5th 8.00 to 9.00pm (Est)
Elvis Presley - the new singing sensation
Debra Paget - who will sing and dance
Arnold Stang - as Francis (comedian)
Irish McCalla - who plays in the Sheena series
Les Baxter and Orchestra - with his No.1 hit 'The Poor People of Paris'
Barry Gordon
Victor Young conductor
Sponsored by RCA


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 Arnold Stang,Irish McCalla,Milton Berle,Barry Gordon,Elvis,Debra Paget, Les Baxter.

Barry Gordon was seven years old when he entered the ranks of the record industry, singing the novelty hit "I'm Gettin' Nuthin for Christmas" (1955). Gordon followed this triumph with "Rock N Roll Mother Goose," which was no chart-buster but did land him a spot in the 1956 Frank Tashlin-directed feature The Girl Can't Help It ,though his song was cut from the final release version, he can be seen as a wise-beyond-his-years paper boy, ogling Jayne Mansfield as she swivels by. By the late 1950s, Gordon was best known for his guest appearances on The Jack Benny Program, expertly impersonating that series' venerable star. Gordon has carved himself a niche as one of the busiest and most versatile voiceover artists in the TV animation industry, Barry Gordon is a past president of the Screen Actors Guild.

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Barry Gordon
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Irish McCalla the exotic looking star the of TV series 'Sheenah Queen Of The Jungle' jokes with Elvis Presley backstage.

The guests on Berle's show attended several days of rehearsals in preparation for the live broadcast but Presley was unable to attend the first day because he was performing somewhere on the East Coast. Debra Paget, was also appearing on the show, and when Elvis arrived she and Irish sat out front in the audience with all of the dancers to watch as he came in. Irish's immediate impression was that he didn't look any different from the guys back home in Nebraska where she grew up ("I thought he was another 'in-joke' or something.") When Presley smiled, however, she saw something boyish and shy in that smile that reminded her of James Dean and she said that it made her want to "ruffle his hair". When the music started and Presley began singing Irish turned to Debra Paget and said, "It's a good beat, but what's he singing about... a hound dog?" Paget, obviously a fan, was entranced and replied laughingly, "Who cares!" Irish said that it was obvious to her even then that Presley could sing the first page of the dictionary and the girls would still go wild. Over the next couple of days she got to know him better and learned to love the rhythmic music and Presley's voice as well. She was somewhat astonished and delighted when Presley told her that he was a big fan of hers because he had seen Sheena on television ("I showed him Tahitian dancing and how it differed from his rock and roll. He was a real nice kid"). Irish also remembered that the dancers were all over him and he loved it.
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Irish McCalla and Elvis backstage.

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Colonel Tom Parker speaks to Elvis during a break in rehearsals. Irish McCalla is sitting behind Elvis

PHOTOGRAPHER : Stewart Sawyer

June 5th 1956
N.B.C Studios,Burbank,California
Musicians
Guitar : Scotty Moore
Bass : Bill Black
Drums : D.J. Fontana
Vocal : Elvis Presley
Back up Vocals : The Jordanaires - Gordon Stoker,Hoyt Hawkins,Hugh Jarrett,Neal Matthews

Released on RCA 'A Golden Celebration'

"His performance of 'Hound Dog' on the June 5th 1956 edition of 'The Milton Berle Show' stands out as one of the greatest moments of his whole career,Elvis in his prime".*

'HOUND DOG'
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above photographs are from the 'dress rehearsal' performance, on the 5th June 1956, and not from the actual broadcast.

'I WANT YOU,I NEED YOU,I LOVE YOU'
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Milton Berle presents Elvis with a 'Billboard' double Triple Crown Award for his RCA Victor recording of 'Heartbreak Hotel'.

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Note: NBC used Color Camera's for this broadcast -Burbank Studio 2 (Spring 1955)
Color City, Burbank. RCA TK 40/41 Color Camera's were used.
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Debra Paget talking to Elvis during a break in rehearsal's,with the RCA TK 40/41 Color Camera in the background

 
 

411 Music Hall Of Fame Class Of 2008: Elvis Presley

 

411 Music Hall Of Fame Class Of 2008: Elvis Presley




ELVIS' MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Sold over one billion records worldwide.
• 149 songs on the Billboard charts, with 111 in the Top 40, 40 in the Top 10 and 19 at #1.
• Three Grammy Awards and fourteen nominations
• Four sold-out shows in Madison Square Garden in 1972
• TV apecial Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii was seen by over 1 billion people
• Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986
• Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998
• Inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame in 2001
• The only artist to be inducted in the Gospel, Country, and Rock & Roll Halls of Fame
• Appeared on a US postal stamp in 1992
• The King of Rock n' Roll
 






On December 3, 1968, The King reclaimed his throne. After years of mediocre movies and lackluster singles, Elvis Presley proved that his title was not just a marketing gimmick. Clad in a black leather suit with his hair piled in a perfect jet-black pompadour, he performed with a fire that he had not shown since the 1950's. He performed songs that he hadn't performed in years: "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," "Jailhouse Rock," "Hound Dog." The official name was "Singer Presents: Elvis", but history would remember it as the '68 Comeback Special.

Elvis Aron Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. His father Vernon worked odd jobs, and his mother Gladys was a seamstress. Elvis began singing in the church choir at an early age and received his first guitar for his eleventh birthday. He made his first public performance the year before at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show. He sang "Old Shep," a Red Foley ballad about a boy and his dog.

Like many Depression-era families, the Presleys had trouble making ends meet. They bounced from home to home before finally settling in Memphis, Tennessee. The diverse musical climate of Memphis agreed with young Elvis; he listened to everything from the country picking of Hank Snow to the hard driving blues of B.B. King. He hung out on Beale Street, soaking up the music and buying flamboyant clothes at Lansky Brothers

Elvis graduated from L.C. Humes High School in June of 1953. That summer, he walked into The Memphis Recording Service to make a belated birthday present for his mother. He recorded two songs, "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin". Receptionist Marion Keisker was impressed enough to take down his name and telephone number for her husband Sam.

Sam Phillips was the owner of the Memphis Recording Service and the founder of Sun Records. He noticed that many white kids were buying R&B records, and set out to find a white singer that sounded black. In January of 1954, Elvis returned to the studio to make another recording. This time Sam was around for the proceedings and, like Marion, he was impressed by Elvis' rough talent. That summer, Sam brought Elvis in to record a demo of a song called "Without You". The song didn't click, but Sam was still willing to give Elvis a shot. He put the young singer together with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black.

After several unremarkable sessions, the band stumbled upon an old blues number by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup entitled "That's All Right." The instant the band started playing, everything fell into place. Elvis' ringing rhythm guitar and confident voice highlighted Scotty's leads, while Bill's propulsive bass held it all together. The result was a compelling blend of country and R&B that would later be known as "rockabilly". "That's All Right" b/w "Blue Moon of Kentucky" was Elvis' first single for the Sun label, and was released on July 19, 1954. Scotty became the group's manager, and they began to play small clubs throughout the South. Sun released his second single, "Good Rockin' Tonight" b/w "I Don't Care If the Sun Don't Shine," in late September of 1954. On October 6, 1954, the band appeared on "The Grand Ole Opry". They were given a lukewarm reception.

A few weeks later, the band played the "Louisiana Hayride". Elvis' appearance on the "Hayride" was a success, and he signed a contract for 52 more appearances. During this time, Elvis met Colonel Tom Parker, manager of country star Hank Snow. In January of 1955, Sun released Elvis' third single, "Milk Cow Blues Boogie" b/w "You're a Heartbreaker." Elvis signed a contract with Bob Neal, who took over as the band's manager. Colonel Parker became involved with the band's affairs as well, booking them on several package tours with Hank Snow and other "Hayride" stars. His live appearances became wilder, and his good looks and sex appeal were a hit with the girls in the crowd. That spring, Elvis auditioned for Arthur Godfrey's "Talent Scouts" but was not accepted. In April, Sun released his fourth single, "Baby Let's Play House" b/w "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone."

In August of 1955, Elvis signed a management contract with Hank Snow Attractions, owned by Hank Snow and Colonel Tom Parker. Snow left shortly after, and Colonel Parker became the sole manager of Elvis Presley. Bob Neal was initially kept on in an advisory capacity, but disagreements with the Colonel caused him to leave. The same month, Sun released his fifth and final single for the label, "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" b/w "Mystery Train."

In November of 1955, Colonel Parker began to negotiate the sale of Elvis' Sun contract to RCA. The deal included all five of Elvis' Sun singles, and all of his unreleased material. Elvis signed the document on November 20, 1955. The deal was for an unprecedented $40,000, plus a $5,000 signing bonus. Elvis had his first RCA recording session in January of 1956, just days after his twenty-first birthday.

On January 27, 1956, RCA released Elvis' first single, "Heartbreak Hotel" b/w "I Was The One." The single was a smash right out of the box, selling 300,000 copies in its first three weeks. It would eventually hit #1 on the pop and country charts, as well as #5 on the R&B chart. Elvis and the boys made their first television appearance, on the Dorsey Brothers' "Stage Show". They performed Big Joe Turner's "Shake Rattle and Roll" and "Flip Flop and Fly." The audience was not sure what to make of Elvis, but it was clear that a new star was on the rise. He made five more appearances on the Dorsey Brothers' show, and his confidence grew with each one. Meanwhile, Elvis and the band continued to tour and make appearances on the "Hayride". Elvis concerts became scenes of mass hysteria. Girls lost their minds with every shake of his magic pelvis.

On March 13, 1956 RCA released Elvis Presley, his first full length album. The album eventually reached #1 on the album chart, where it would remain for ten weeks. The album is a million seller.

On April 1, 1956 Elvis had a screen test for Paramount Pictures. He lip synched "Blue Suede Shoes" and performed a scene from The Rainmaker, a Katherine Hepburn vehicle. Elvis did not get a part in the film, but signed a seven-picture deal with studio head Hal B. Wallis. Elvis' fame skyrocketed during this period, and crowds got bigger and wilder. Many shows were stopped early due to hysterical fans rushing the stage.

On June 5, 1956 Elvis made an appearance on "The Milton Berle Show". He performed "Hound Dog," and swiveled his hips in a manner most suggestive. Adult America is shocked and appalled, and Elvis was condemned by religious leaders and parents groups. The press dubbed him "Elvis the Pelvis." The controversy made him even more popular with teenagers.

A month later, Elvis appeared on "The Steve Allen Show". In an effort to diffuse the controversy, Allen had Elvis dress in a tuxedo and tails. To complete the humiliation, Allen forced Elvis to sing "Hound Dog" to a basset hound. Elvis went along with the plan, but was clearly unhappy about it. Meanwhile, Elvis' fame continued to grow. Ed Sullivan vowed never to have Elvis on his show, but eventually offered The Colonel $50,000 for three appearances. It was the highest amount ever paid for a variety show performance. Later that year, an issue of Variety magazine proclaimed Elvis the "King Of Rock 'n' Roll".

In August 1956, Elvis began shooting his first movie, a Civil War melodrama called The Reno Brothers. The movie co-starred Debra Paget and Richard Egan. The title was changed to Love Me Tender midway through production to capitalize on Elvis' new single. Elvis made his first appearance on the "Ed Sullivan Show" on September 9th. He performed "Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender" and "Reddy Teddy." The show garnered the highest ratings in television history.

Tupelo, Mississippi proclaimed September 26, 1956, "Elvis Presley Day." Elvis played two shows at the Alabama-Mississippi Fair and Dairy Show, the very place that he performed "Old Shep" a decade before. The crowd was so wild that the National Guard was called in to maintain order. Elvis Presley was deemed the biggest thing to hit the music industry since Frank Sinatra. The Colonel capitalized on his fame by placing his likeness on every piece of merchandise imaginable, from lipstick to stationary. By the end of the year, the merchandise would gross $22 million.

Elvis made his second "Ed Sullivan Show" performance on October 28th. On November 16th, Love Me Tender premiered. The film was a smash, and the critics' reviews weren't bad. The fact that Elvis sang several songs in the film certainly helped matters.

Elvis made his final appearance on the "Ed Sullivan Show" on January 6, 1957. To avoid controversy, he was only filmed from the waist up. Ed Sullivan proclaimed Elvis to be a "real decent, fine boy" and told America that he was a pleasure to work with. Shortly after his Sullivan appearance, Elvis began shooting his second movie, Loving You.

In March, Elvis purchases Graceland, a sprawling mansion for his family to live in. The home was his sanctuary for the rest of his life. The family moved into the home in April. Elvis finished work on Loving You, and continued to tour and make personal appearances. That spring, he performed outside of the United States for the first time, appearing in Canada. In May, Elvis began shooting his third film, Jailhouse Rock.

Loving You premiered on July 9th. The movie was another smash for Presley, and reached the top ten of the box office receipts. The movie produced two hit singles, the title track and "Teddy Bear." Elvis continued to tour, release records and make appearances. On August 31st, Elvis performed a concert in Vancouver. It would be the final time he performed a concert outside of the United States.

On September 27th, Elvis returned to Tupelo and performed a benefit concert for the Elvis Presley Youth Recreation Center. He would donate to the center for the rest of his life, and it still exists today.

Jailhouse Rock premiered on October 17th. The film was another huge hit, and is generally considered Elvis' best performance. The jailhouse production number provided an iconic image of Elvis, and the title track became one of his signature songs. Unfortunately, the movie was also marred by tragedy. Just weeks after shooting wrapped, Elvis' co-star Judy Tyler was killed in an automobile accident. Elvis never watched the finished film.

Elvis and his family celebrated their first Christmas in Graceland in December. Elvis received an unwelcome present that year: His draft notice. Undaunted, Elvis began shooting his fourth film, King Creole in January of 1958. Shooting wrapped in March, and Elvis returned to Memphis to perform a few concerts. These would be his final live appearances until he was released from the army.

On March 24, Elvis Presley was inducted in the United States Army. His induction was masterfully orchestrated by Colonel Parker. Everything from his formal induction to the desecration of his perfect pompadour was meticulously documented by the press. Elvis was sent to Fort Hood in Texas for basic training, and would remain there for six months. While on leave, he was rushed into the recording studio by RCA. This would be his final session until his release in 1960.

King Creole was released in July. Elvis received positive reviews for his acting, and the film is considered to be one of his finest. Unfortunately it was one of the only times where he was taken seriously as an actor.

In August, Gladys Presley became very ill. She returned to Memphis, and doctors diagnosed her with acute hepatitis. The army granted Elvis emergency leave, and Elvis rushed home to be by her side. Gladys Presley died on August 14, 1958. Services were held the next day at the Memphis Funeral Home, and she was laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery. Elvis was devastated by his mother's death, and he never quite got over it.

On October 1, 1958, Elvis was deployed to Germany. He was stationed there for eighteen months. During this time, Colonel Parker kept his name alive by putting out records and through various promotions. In October 1959, he met fourteen year old Pricilla Beaulieau. He was instantly taken with her.

Elvis was promoted to Sergeant on January 20, 1960. He was a good soldier, and showed remarkable abilities as a scout. Despite his celebrity, he was treated just like any other GI. He was officially discharged from the United States Army on March 5, 1960. He returned to Memphis two days later.

The remainder of March was a blur of recording sessions and television appearances. On March 26th, he taped an appearance on Frank Sinatra's television special that was titled "Welcome Home Elvis". The highlight of the special came at the end, when Sinatra crooned "Love Me Tender" and Elvis answered back with a rendition of "Witchcraft."

Elvis is Back! was released on April 8th. The record went to #2 on the Pop chart. It was considerably less rocking than his 50's output and showed the more pop oriented direction that he was going in. Meanwhile Elvis began shooting his fifth film GI Blues. "Welcome Home Elvis" aired on May 8th and was a ratings winner. In August, Elvis began shooting his sixth film, Flaming Star. Flaming Star was a serious drama, a major departure from the musical fluff of GI Blues.

The GI Blues soundtrack was released in October and quickly hit #1. The album would become Elvis' most successful on the Billboard charts. The film was released in November, and was a big hit. In contrast, Flaming Star was released to good reviews, but the lack of music hurt its box office receipts.

Elvis would make a few more serious dramas, but they never did as well in the box office as his musicals. GI Blues and 1961's Blue Hawaii set the tone for the remainder of his film career: Exotic locales, pretty girls, and lots of music. With the exception of 1964's Viva Las Vegas, none of them show Elvis' talent as a performer. Elvis quickly became bored and frustrated with his lack of quality output.

As the 1960's wore on, Elvis seemed to fall behind with the times. His movies always made a profit at the box office, but teenagers had moved on. The Beatles had surpassed their idol as the number one musical act in the world. The Fab Four met Elvis at his LA mansion in 1965. The two camps were civil, but Elvis was clearly threatened by the Beatles' popularity.

On May 1, 1967, Elvis and Pricilla married in a private ceremony in Las Vegas. Pricilla had been living with Elvis since 1963. Pricilla became pregnant in July, and Lisa Marie Presley was born on February 1, 1968. In July, Elvis began rehearsals for a new television special. The show was initially supposed to have a Christmas theme, but midway through production plans were changed. The special featured the best new material since Elvis is Back! as well as rocking versions of his older hits. The highlight of the show was a roundtable jam session with his original musicians. Elvis played his hits and even poked fun at his rebellious image. Elvis' creative juices were reinvigorated.

The "comeback special" aired on December 3, 1968 and became a milestone of American popular culture. It was one of the biggest television hits of the year, and the accompanying soundtrack album shot up the charts. The King had proudly reclaimed his throne. The creative juices kept flowing into 1969, and Elvis threw himself into recording. He held marathon recording sessions in Memphis, and the musicians were astounded by how motivated he was. The results, From Elvis in Memphis and Back in Memphis are considered Elvis' finest studio albums.

In March of 1969, Elvis began filming Change of Habit, his final motion picture. In July, he was booked for a four week engagement at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. The engagement marked Elvis' first appearances on a live stage since the early 1960's. Elvis was in tremendous shape, and the show was a red-hot mix of old classics and new material. In September of 1969, "Suspicious Minds" was released. The song was his first #1 hit since "Good Luck Charm" in 1962, and would be his final #1 single.

In January of 1970, Elvis returned to Vegas for another engagement at the International. He broke attendance records. In February, Elvis played six shows at the Houston Astrodome and drew a record setting 207,494 people. The success of the shows spawned rumors that Elvis would tour for the first time since the 1950's. Elvis returned to Vegas for another engagement in July, and parts of it were filmed for an upcoming documentary, Elvis: That's the Way It Is.

In September, Elvis embarked on a nine-city concert tour. It was his first since 1957, and ticket sales were brisk. The show got good reviews and parts of it were also filmed for That's the Way It Is. He never left the road for such a long stretch again.

In December, Elvis made in impromptu visit to the White House and met with President Nixon. He wanted a DEA Drug Enforcement Badge and wrote a heartfelt letter to the president, telling him that he was deeply concerned about the drug problem in the United States. Ironically, Elvis was high most of the time. He had gotten hooked on amphetamines in the army, and was rarely without a lethal cocktail of uppers and downers. Nixon granted Elvis his badge and took several photos. The picture of Elvis and Nixon shaking hands is one of the most requested images in the National Archives.

Elvis continued to tour and release records throughout 1971 and '72. In June of 1971, part of Highway 51 South in Memphis was re-christened "Elvis Presley Boulevard". In late 1971, Elvis and Pricilla separated. The marriage had been on the rocks for several years, and Pricilla left for karate instructor Mike Stone. Elvis began dating Linda Thompson, who would remain his female companion for the next four years. In June of 1972, Elvis performed four sold out shows at Madison Square Garden. A live concert album was quickly rushed out by RCA. Parts of the concert were used in a new documentary called Elvis On Tour.

Elvis performed another Vegas engagement in September and announced plans for a television concert to broadcast live via satellite from Hawaii. Expectations for the special were high, and it was predicted that the concert would be seen by more people than any other television special in history. In October, Elvis released "Burning Love," which would be his final major hit.

Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii was broadcast via satellite in January of 1973. The special was seen by over one billion people in 40 countries. Elvis was in top form for the special, and he played a mixture of standards, new material and his old classics. It was the pinnacle of his career in the 1970's. His performances would rarely hit such glorious heights again. The concert album was released in May, and reached #1 on the charts. It was his final #1 album. Elvis and Pricilla's divorce was finalized in October. The two remained close friends, and Elvis was granted regular visitation with Lisa Marie. In mid-October, Elvis entered the hospital for a variety of health problems, including hepatitis and an enlarged colon. His dependence on prescription drugs increased, and his weight ballooned.

Although his health was getting worse, Elvis continued to tour and perform in Las Vegas. His performances became erratic. He began forgetting the words to songs, and sometimes performed entire concerts on his back. Despite the lackluster performances, Elvis' female fans still saw the sexy "Hillbilly Cat" of 1956. His tours continued to sell out, and he always broke attendance records. During his summer '74 engagement in Vegas, Elvis met with Barbra Streisand to discuss starring in her remake of A Star is Born. Elvis was excited by the idea, but it never materialized.

Elvis and Linda Thompson split in 1976, and Elvis began dating beauty queen Ginger Alden. His life became a haze of tours, pills and food. He barely resembled the King of Rock n' Roll that he once was. In 1976, Elvis fired longtime bodyguards Sonny and Red West. The pair retaliated by writing a tell-all book entitled Elvis: What Happened? The book exposed Elvis' drug problems to the public for the first time. Elvis was shattered and betrayed by its publication.

As 1977 dawned, it was clear that Elvis' health was failing. He still continued to tour. In June, some shows were recorded and taped for a special and concert album called Elvis In Concert. Elvis was a shadow of his former self, but flashes of his amazing talent broke through. At the end of the show he performed "Unchained Melody," and belted the song out with every fiber of his being.

On June 26, 1977 Elvis performed his final concert at The Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana. After the show, he returned to Graceland to relax before starting another tour mid-August. He spent time with Lisa Marie, and attempted to get an advanced copy of Star Wars for her to watch.

In the early morning hours of August 16th, Elvis finalized tour details and relaxed. He played a game of racquetball and sang a few songs on the piano. He retired to his room at 7 AM. In the late morning, Ginger Alden found him slumped over in the bathroom. Paramedics were called but were unable to revive him. Elvis was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital. Doctors tried everything they could, but it was no use. Elvis Presley, the undisputed King of Rock n' Roll, was dead. He was 42 years old.

The news reached the media within hours. The major television networks threw together documentaries about his life. Fans gathered at the gates of Graceland, and radio stations played marathons of his records. On August 17th, the gates of Graceland opened for mourners. An estimated 80,000 people passed by Elvis' coffin. The funeral was attended by many celebrities, including Caroline Kennedy and former co-star Ann-Margaret. Televangelist Rex Humbard presided over the service and comedian Jackie Kahane delivered the eulogy. The casket was taken to Forest Hill Cemetery in a procession of all-white automobiles. His body was later moved to the Meditation Garden in Graceland when somebody threatened to steal the corpse. Gladys' remains were also moved, and Vernon was buried there in 1979.

Why Elvis Presley was selected:

Elvis Presley didn't invent rock 'n' roll, but he was its savior. Bill Haley had a major hit with "Rock Around the Clock," but it was considered a novelty record. Elvis legitimized rock 'n' roll as a genre and proved that a long term career was possible. Elvis' early records capture everything that was great about early rock n' roll: The energy, the excitement, the innocence and the sexuality. His later records are more subdued, but he still made some fantastic music. The amount of emotion he brings to songs like "Suspicious Minds" is absolutely stunning. Without Elvis, I wouldn't be writing for this website, and I would probably be listening to Patti Page. As legendary rock critic Lester Bangs put it in 1977: "Elvis kicked 'Doggie in the Window 'out the window and replaced it with 'Let's fuck.' The rest of us are still reeling from the impact." Elvis Presley is the one true King of Rock 'n' Roll. Accept no substitutes.

 
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Elvis favorites foods were Southern-style

 
Elvis favorites foods were Southern-style

 
 Elvis came from humble beginnings but he never forgot his roots. The successful musician and actor could have eaten anything he wanted, but when it came to foods his favorites were those that "everyman" could enjoy.


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Elvis visits Jackie Wilson in Vegas writeup

 

Elvis visits Jackie Wilson in Vegas writeup

 
 
 
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Before Wilson left the Dominoes, Elvis Presley stopped by to see them perform during his late 1956 stint in Las Vegas. Wilson performed an Elvis medley as part of the Dominoes' show, and Elvis was bowled over by Wilson's version of "Don't Be Cruel." Elvis returned the following three nights to see Wilson. On the legendary 1957 "Million Dollar Quartet" recording of Elvis with Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, Elvis can be heard imitating Jackie Wilson imitating Elvis; it's a transcendent moment in the history of pop music. Fifteen years later, Van Morrison paid his own exuberant tribute to Wilson in the first track of "Saint Dominic's Preview" -- "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)."
Wilson died at age 49 in 1982, eight years after suffering a massive heart attack onstage while performing with the Dick Clark Revue in New Jersey. Today is the anniversary of his birth. Pass it on...and let those whispers get louder.



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