April 11, 2008
Rockabilly Elvis
When I was ten or so, I hated Elvis. He was such an old greaser. And I was crazy-mad for all of those British Invasion guys. (Got a fringe? Got an accent? I’m in love.) But there was that moment — in 1968 — the comeback special, they called it. Too bad it was just a moment.
(Comeback special clip via)
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8 Responses to “Rockabilly Elvis”
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That’s marvelous. I’ve always liked both The Beatles and Elvis. I swing both ways. Quentin Tarantino says you must choose one or the other. I guess if I had to choose, I’d choose The Beatles. But, man, do I love hearing Elvis sing Peace In The Valley.
Well, Cindy, you will prolly appreciate this. When I was in liberry school of course I took up with all of the odd ducks like myself, and one of the odd liberry school ducks played in a bluegrass band. He was also working on a law degree, and he wound up writing a magnum opus about copyright and derivative works and Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon of Kentucky”, which Elvis recorded. Anyway, I guess I must have tossed him some insights that he valued, because I remember one of the last shows his band performed (at the Club de Wash in Madison, Wisconsin), he dedicated their performance of “Blue Moon of Kentucky” to me. Then they segued into Jackie DeShannon’s “Don’t Doubt Yourself, Babe”. One of the high points of my life.
That’s grand.
It was. Thought you might like it.
I still pretty well like Suspicious Minds, but I don’t care for much else. Please don’t throw crayons at me. Maybe I should go back over to the “ashamed to admit” posting and admit (without shame) that I pretty well despise bluegrass music in general. The sound. . .
that’s beautiful.
Elvis was, and is still, THE KING. He was the one person who broke down social and cultural barriers in 50’s U.S.A. allowing all artists who followed in his footsteps an easy ride. He was the whole package, the voice, the looks, the charisma, the stage act and above all he was humble about it all, unlike many superstars today! His records still appear in charts today and not just for pop music. Elvis could sing in any musical genre he cared to and he sang in most. When asked recently on a UK TV Chat Show who she thought was the greatest singer of all-time, Dame Kiri Te Kanewa, the famous New Zealand Opera Singer, said “The Early Elvis Presley – without doubt”.
It is testimony to his greatness that his iconic image is still the most popular one throughout the world, appearing everywhere from TV Commercials to major Soap Operas and films.
He was Sui Generis and there will never be another like him.
R.I.P. Elvis.
Lord a’mighty, I feel his temperature risin’.