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Tag Archive for 'records'

What Made Elvis the Legend We Know Today

Published
by
Elvis Fan
on September 30, 2008
in Elvis Presley, Music and Rock 'n' Roll
. 0 Comments

The Man From Memphis
There is a mystical aura about people who become legends — that something extra that sets them apart, making them a little more than just mere mortals. With legends, the last name usually does it for recognition like Humphrey Bogart, Marylin Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich - but there is one legend who is so well known, so familiar, that we often just refer to him by his first name: Elvis. But what exactly was it that made Elvis Presley such a huge legend?

The man and his music
Contrary to popular belief, Elvis wasn’t the musician who invented rock and roll. However, he is credited for making it intensely and irrevocably popular. What Elvis did wasn’t exactly unprecedented because there were other musicians like Chuck Berry and Bill Haley who were also into the music. However, it was Elvis’ musical and entertaining style that set him apart.

Unlike his contemporaries, Elvis’ music was a mix of country, western, gospel, rhythm and blues; the kind of popular music he grew up listening to. At a time when there was still a racial divide between blacks and whites in America, Elvis took black R&B and incorporated it into his music. During his life and career, he blurred many racial, social and musical barriers, something that many musicians during his time were unable or unwilling to do.

Sex and rock and roll
Clean-cut white rock and roll was the popular music in his era but Elvis took this seemingly tame genre and changed it overnight. With his gyrations, frenzied dancing, vocal styling, sensual good looks and unabashed sexuality, Elvis produced an image of fun and good times with a healthy dose of sensuality. It outraged conservatives but it earned Elvis millions of young fans.

His live performances and TV appearances only cemented his growing popularity. His music was hard, fast and extremely potent. Elvis became a highly commercial success. His records topped the charts, his concerts were sold-out and he even starred in 33 films. Today, his record sales have topped the one billion mark, making him the most marketable artist in history.

The legend of Elvis
Elvis’ legend is multi-faceted, composed of his unique and witty style and image which richly combined his sensuality, appeal and sense of humor. Add to that the numerous stories of his good will and humility. His fame has grown over the years and continues unabated to this day, fed by a strong cult following.

Elvis probably never knew he’d become a legend and he would probably be looking on in amusement if he were alive today, but his impact on popular culture and on the lives of millions has undoubtedly made him the legend we know and love.

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Life of Elvis Presley in a Glance

Published
by
Elvis Fan
on September 6, 2008
in Elvis Presley, Music and Rock 'n' Roll
. 0 Comments

Nothing could be more interesting than the life of the King of Roll & Roll. He rose from a simple boy from Mississippi, became a singer and an actor, established a family, and died tragically because of a drug overdose.

Early Life

Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, to Vernon Presley and Gladys Love Smith. He was of Scottish, French, Jewish, and German descent. He had an identical twin named Jesse Garon who was stillborn.

His first public performance was when he was ten, in a singing competition of a dairy show. The young Elvis, so short, reached for the microphone using a chair and sang Old Shep by Red Foley. He was the second runner-up.

Celebrity Career

It was in 1954 that he started singing for the well-known Sun Records in Memphis. The following year, he found himself at RCA Victor, when his contract was sold. In 1956, he was already a very big star. Because of his distinct voice and style that perfectly combined different kinds of musical influences that transcended racial barriers, he introduced a new type of American pop culture and music.

Along with his music, he also started acting, appearing in 33 box-office films. He also made history with his television specials and appearances. He held great acclaim for his record-breaking concerts in Las Vegas and other tours.

His records have sold billions all over the world and garnered him gold multi-platinum recognitions that 149 singles and albums. He was nominated in the Grammy’s 14 times and was named TOYM of the Nation in 1970.

Military Service

Elvis became part of the 1st Battalion, 2nd Armor when he was drafted into the military on December 20, 1957. He was assigned to Friedberg, Germany. He requested for no special treatment and was respected for not participating in Special Services, where he could avoid specific duties. It was in Germany, however, that he was introduced to amphetamines by friends. Because almost all were into it, he himself began taking them.

He went back in March 2, 1960, to the United States and was given a sergeant ranking. He then continued his recording sessions after almost three years of hiatus.

Death of Presley

During the 1970s, Presley began to decline. He was often criticized for veering away from rock and pop music. Added to that were the marital problems with his wife, Priscilla, and his womanizing ways. He also started to gain weight and drugs slowly started taking control of his health. His last performance should have been in Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. A day before, however, he was found dead in the bathroom by his fiance, Ginger Alden.

Rock and Roll Fan Items

Published
by
Elvis Fan
on August 16, 2008
in Elvis Presley, Music and Rock 'n' Roll
. 0 Comments

Rock ‘n’ roll fan items
If you’re one of the millions of Elvis Presley fans all over the globe, then this news might not be new for you. From the popular celebrity’s point of view it is just normal to see your face everywhere, from billboards, to TV ads to posters and on several kinds of things. It could be the test of real popularity, when your face can be literally seen anywhere. And the fans just lap it up, and want to see the images on all kinds of merchandise.

The goods - the merchandise
Elvis Presley is one of the phenomenal artists who took the center stage. Other than selling millions of his records to various countries; his popularity also hit the market when merchandise with his photo was put up for sale. In this kind of scenario, you may have noticed how other people took advantage of his fame.

He could be seen on a wide array of clothing as well as different accessories which include eyeglasses, tote bags and wallets, and novelties like umbrellas and playing cards.

You may also find his face imprinted on decorations for a certain season like Christmas on stockings, and fabric panels. Of course he is also present in those cutesy greeting cards, postcards and other things which you can hand out.

Products for your home
He has invaded homes with all his merchandise, like shower curtains, kitchen needs like pot holders, mugs and shot glasses; and bedroom requisites such as slippers, night lamps, clocks and other ceramics. For those who want to keep Elvis Presley always with them, they prefer to purchase things which they can take with them anywhere they go and this includes jewelry, t-shirts, mirrors, hats and even lunch boxes.

Latest items
The mania for the king of rock ‘n’ roll evidently never stopped, because you can still find items which aims to cater to his avid fans. You can now purchase mouse pads, a dancing shot glass set, alarm clocks and Elvis teddy bears wearing the costume of a GI. You can also add to the list lanyards, towels, key chains and the latest styles of t-shirts.

These items are up for grabs anywhere, but they are more likely to be found on personal fan websites where you can choose from so many other items for your buying purposes.

The Blues Phase of Elvis Presley

Published
by
Elvis Fan
on August 7, 2008
in Elvis Presley, Music and Rock 'n' Roll
. 0 Comments

It’s surprising to find out that the man who would be touted the king was once a worker at a machine shop. He merely wandered into the recording studio in Memphis on his lunch hour so he could record two songs for his mother’s birthday present. That $3.98 investment became his ticket to stardom.

The first two songs he ever recorded where My Happiness and That’s When Your Heartaches Begin. This is why earlier in his career, Elvis Presley was often associated to singing the blues. It is also interesting to note that the owner of Sun Records, Sam Phillips was looking for a Caucasian man who could sing what most of the African Americans were listening to at that time which was the R&B style.

But Philips was quite hard to impress. The young Elvis didn’t get his vote when he recorded I’ll Never Stand In Your Way and Careless Love. But Elvis wasn’t the type to give up easily. He went back to the studio six months later, to sing `That’s Alright Mama’ because this was what Philips suggested. He had a band to back him up which consisted of Scotty Moore on the guitar and Bill Black on bass. This was when Phillips finally recognized the potential in Elvis Presley and decided to market him as the breakthrough star he was searching for.

Elvis signed on to Sun Records and eventually became part of the record company’s Million Dollar Quartet alongside Jerry Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins.

Elvis recorded five songs for the company and had reached out to Suns targeted audience by 1955. He was popular in the South. Col Tom Parker was his manager. Elvis’s manager knew how to sell his client. Parker started a campaign which ignited Elvis’s national exposure.

His first ever appearance was on the Dorsey Brothers Stage Show on CBS. Then on the Steve Allen Show, he performed Hound Dog. From that performance, he earned the nickname Elvis the Pelvis because of his gyrating hips. The family oriented Ed Sullivan was worried about this at first, but he changed his mind when the ratings showed that 52 million people tuned in which would have been one out of every three Americans.

Parker wanted to steer Elvis clear from the holds of the Sun Records Company in order for him to make his own negotiations. It eventually ended with RCA buying Elvis contract for $40,000. That was huge at the time.

Elvis wasn’t yet 21 so it was his father, Vernon, who signed the contract. After that, Elvis didn’t have to sing the blues.