On this date in 1977, Elvis Aaron Presley moved on to the next plane of existence. I was a kid, but I remember when it was announced – we were staying at our Uncle Les’s rental duplex in Surfside, Sc. My grandmother, my aunt, my mom and dad and sister were there. I didn’t know that much about him, just that he sang the Hound Dog and Jailhouse song. I don’t think there was any crying but I know it was shocking and my grandmother was very upset. Since he covered other people’s songs and many people have covered his hits – let’s pour one out for the King Of Rock and Roll with originals and covers of his hits.
As always, thanks for your support!
Elvis was quite possibly the most overrated musician of the 20th Century. He made his money by ripping off tunes by black people who almost never saw a damned penny of royalties because the publishing system was such a fucking racket.
Fisk Jubilee Singers – Down By the Riverside
I’m with you on this one. Elvis never wrote a single song his entire career. He was a marketing gimmick and only called the King of Rock and Roll because he was white. So here is my cover…
and my twofer is not a cover but about my feelings on this subject…
i’m seconding @butcherbakertoiletrymaker‘s comment.
Let’s FINALLY give the credit to whom it is due:
it being tuesday i think i’ll double up
Dave Edmunds – Return To Sender
I like Elvis, despite the fact that he repackaged great Black music. I’m conflicted about the entire concept of “cultural appropriation” in fact. When another culture’s music is performed that is not your own, your willingness to give credit and show respect is key, and Elvis did both. It wasn’t Elvis’ fault that the music industry exploited artists like Big Boy Crudup.
But still, in my opinion, the best Elvis is the very late period drug addicted bloated Elvis. He represents a very singular American tragedy, and a singular American talent. And he shook it like a chorus girl, he shook it like a Harlem queen.
I’m OK with him — I think he was a whole different thing from Pat Boone, who really was a vulture, or even more, the producers and execs who robbed a lot of Black artists blind on royalties. Even the Weavers could be pretty shady when it came to giving credit and sharing profits to people like Leadbelly.
…and as my twofer…this is for @megmegmcgee who missed the last time I played it and very much likely will again miss it this time…
I see it!
I like to picture my Elvis as a lil 12 pound baby Elvis.
Not Elvis, Delv!s
Every white musician outside of European folk artists have benefited from the exploitation of Black musicians – rock, country, and obviously jazz. I’m happy when artists acknowledge the debt, even today many don’t. Moby used traditional field chants without crediting where they came from until he was called out for it. Elvis had a great voice and the TCB band rocked.
Acknwledged!
Black Elvis (Kool Keith) Lost in Space:
I still prefer Hellvis
He inspired some guys from Liverpool… In a meta twist, Elvis covers the Beatles.
Sorry I pissed people off tonight with the topic – that wasn’t my intention. I really only listen to classical music and that doesn’t make for interesting DUANs. I struggle every week trying to come up with something for people to post so I look for things that might be relevant to the date. I’m just trying to contribute but I don’t have cool taste in music.
No reason to apologize & I hope my comments didn’t offend you. Elvis is a great topic no matter where you stand on his place in history. Differing opinions is what I love about this community & hopefully we all know we can say how we feel without offending each other.
@Lymond I don’t think you owe anyone an apology. Coming up with themes every week is harder than it seems. And like him or not Elvis played a big role in R&R history.
I’d like to apologize to you if you were made to feel like your effort was unappreciated. You step up week after week and I am grateful for that.
@Lymond – it was a great topic! It generated interaction, opinions, and excellent musical contributions. Keep up the good work, my friend, and feel free to lay some classical on us – I could certainly use some musical horizon expansion!