Britney Spears Is No Elvis

[Brian Quinn]

The following article appeared in Today's 'Daily Mirror' Newspaper in the UK.


Brian :)


SHE'S NOT A BRIT LIKE ELVIS
Tony Parsons 26/02/2007


AS Britney Spears unravels before our eyes, some people have glimpsed the ghost of Elvis Presley, in all his sad decline.

I can't see it myself. Although Elvis was in bad shape near the end of his short life, the great man never really made a public spectacle of himself as Britney did when she was angrily waving around her umbrella like Disgusted of Beverly Hills.

Elvis put on the pounds. He sometimes forgot the words to the songs that made him famous, and he was so far gone that he thought the lapse was amusing. He often looked lost in a thick fog of drugs and medication.

But Elvis never looked as clinically barmy as Britney did when she was raving outside her ex-husband's house with her umbrella and her gym clothes and her shaven head.

Elvis died at 42. Still in her mid-20s, Britney may look 42, but that is where all similarity ends. By the time Elvis entered his decline, he had changed popular music like no one before or since.

What he effectively did was smash down the racial barriers that kept music in ghettos.

Before Elvis, there was black music and there was white music and there was country music and there was urban music. After Elvis, there was only music. And he was beautiful too. Like Muhammad Ali, Presley's looks were somehow inseparable from his great gift. Elvis and Ali had to look like that - all that speed, all that fire, all that passion. They could look no other way.

You will notice that Elvis impersonators rarely try to look like the man as he did in 1956 or 1968. They impersonate sad, fat, dying Elvis, because it is impossible to replicate The King in his prime and all his pomp and glory.

Fat, mad and bald she may be, but Britney Spears is no Elvis Presley. As she enters her own lonely decline, the poor girl is more like Danny DeVito in one of his angrier roles.

This summer it will be 30 years since the death of Elvis Presley and in my house we will mourn him by playing Viva Las Vegas at top volume.

Will the wicked world mourn Britney Spears even 30 months after her death?

[Joe Car]

Nice article Brian, thanks for the link. As far as Britney Spears goes, I hope she gets her life in order, if not for herself, at least for her childrens sake.

[MauriceColgan]

Thanks Brian. Does the Mirror still sell a Million copies per day? Great publicity for Elvis and his music.

I feel for stars like Britney who cannot manage their fame. Very sad for her parents too witness such a decline. Hope she gets more help than Elvis did.:angry:

[KPM]

Back in 1969 I called a local radio station KXOK during a live call question and answer segment. The topic was popular music and artists. I asked the panel if they felt Elvis was as popular as Tom Jones today(1969) The panel ,to a person, agreed he was more popular than nearly all pop rock artists of 69. The Beatles were mentioned by a couple of people as being as popular or more popular, The disc jockey running the program is the only one who I can remember an exact quote from and have never forgot it he said,
"You have Tom Jones, Wilson Pickett, Glen Cambell and a hundred like them who are great singers or singer/writers but there is only ONE ELVIS. He will be remembered when these other guys are a footnote in music books"
It made my day.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I think because of the tragic death of Elvis at 42, the emphasis of his sad decline, just illustrates what he had achieved and why he is still sorely missed to this day :'(

[Elvos77]

What he effectively did was smash down the racial barriers that kept music in ghettos.

Before Elvis, there was black music and there was white music and there was country music and there was urban music. After Elvis, there was only music. So True!...That's one of the reasons why I never understand statements like:"Elvis was a racist" ...Thanks for sharing this great article..(y)

[Joe Car]

So True!...That's one of the reasons why I never understand statements like:"Elvis was a racist" ...Thanks for sharing this great article..(y)

The racist statements are from people who are ignorant, or just want to stir the pot. Half of what's said about Elvis, is farfetched in order to illicit angry responses.

[Unchained Melody]

I agree with you JJ.

Thanks for the article.

[diamond]

I don't think anyone has looked at the possibility of Post Natal Depression for this poor Girl

Two kids in two years can't be easy on someone physically and mentally.

[Juan Luis]

I don't think anyone has looked at the possibility of Post Natal Depression for this poor Girl

Two kids in two years can't be easy on someone physically and mentally.
Yes! Give that girl a break. BTW..I would have never thought a jumpsuit would turn this guy on (know what I mean?) until I saw her in one!!:clap: :D

[Merry]

Not gone, but in our hearts forever.

The ratio of compliments is always hundreds or thousands of positive comments to the rot written to sell magazines or for egos.

I feel the challenges will decrease with time, yes, there will be more bumps in the road, there is for everyone, although we can look to the good and to what nourishes and empowers to help ... just realised what you meant ... yes, have to ... "be" ... important to me, too, protective, you know that. I have accepted the way it has to be; B is here, that is all that matters.

:hug:
Jess

[TCE]

Reading this interesting topic one thing came in my mind. Some things that Elvis once said: "It's difficult to reach the top, but even more difficult to stay on the top." "The image is one thing and it's hard to live up that image." My own quote is: "No matter how hard you try. You can't please every one."
I guess there'll always be people how don't understand Elvis (maybe because of ignorance or affraid to see the truth) or are just jealous. I never liked Britney's voice, but I hope she's in time for help and gets a second chance. Something that Elvis never had.


Christel (TCE)

[Dovey]

Reading this interesting topic one thing came in my mind. Some things that Elvis once said: "It's difficult to reach the top, but even more difficult to stay on the top." "The image is one thing and it's hard to live up that image." My own quote is: "No matter how hard you try. You can't please every one."
I guess there'll always be people how don't understand Elvis (maybe because of ignorance or affraid to see the truth) or are just jealous. I never liked Britney's voice, but I hope she's in time for help and gets a second chance. Something that Elvis never had.


Christel (TCE)
I agree with you 100%.... I think you pretty much nailed the whole thing with Elvis' own words.... thanks. Dovey ;)

[Diane]

I've never particularly been a Britney fan but I hate to see someone so young destroy her life (and her children's). I also hope she can get help and turn things around.

[elvisfan4ever]

I've never particularly been a Britney fan but I hate to see someone so young destroy her life (and her children's). I also hope she can get help and turn things around.uh-huh thats right i agree-im also not a britney fan and yes its terrible to see somebody so young destroy her life-life is precious-lets all pray for britney-that she will be able to get get help real soon-and get well soon-for the sake of her children-come on britney you can do it(y) (y) andddddddddddd thumbs down(n) to that britney article from the uk-*****s who are we to judge her like were all perfect-britney is only human-just like elvis was-heartbreakingly that sad elvis never was able to get that help he was the greatest -lets hope britney gets help:D :king:

[srj1967]

I don't think anyone has looked at the possibility of Post Natal Depression for this poor Girl

Two kids in two years can't be easy on someone physically and mentally.

Oh, boo hoo. Thousands of women have kids and maybe feel a little down, but this spolied brat is making the choice to drink too much, do drugs, shave her head, party all night at clubs and ignore her kids.

I sincerely hope she gets help, but it's entirely up to her.

And the jury is still out on PND ... just another excuse for poor behaviour, IMO.

[elvis himselvis]

She was a beautiful lady
but now she is completly crazy...
She cut all her beautiful hair off and she keeps party all the time
I really felt sorry for her children

[orwell1976]

I guess the story is the same. Both cannot handle the success. But who cares about Britney. She can't even sing....

[Menwithbrokenhearts]

I don't think anyone has looked at the possibility of Post Natal Depression for this poor Girl

Two kids in two years can't be easy on someone physically and mentally. My wife did it and is physically and emotionally as stable and fit as whe was before if not more and she doesn't have personal trainers, assistants, doctors and Lord knows who else at her immediate disposal.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

My wife did it and is physically and emotionally as stable and fit as whe was before if not more and she doesn't have personal trainers, assistants, doctors and Lord knows who else at her immediate disposal.

Personal wealth and flunky's can't be of that much use otherwise the Betty Ford Clinic wouldn't be open or the many other clinics :hmm:

The fact that Joe public doesn't have the disposable Income of the elite rich few means that they have to get on with their lives otherwise their families just fall apart.

I find it hard to feel sorry for these pampered stars but who am I to belittle their issues?