being hated/ridiculed for being a fan of ELVIS PRESLEY

[lvs2day]

ever since the age of 17[many moons ago] i have heard it all and bin ridiculed for being a fan of the "GREATEST ENTERTAINER" , i've bin called limited[he's all i listen to] , weird, wasting my life , odd........ I just could and still can't understand how other people can't like ELVIS PRESLEY or become fanatic over his music[he was/is a musical genius], i have no idea of current music, nor do i have the desire to listen to let alone buy music of other artist's , a neibour of mine a few houses down is a great guy and big beatle fan and is always trying me to convert , but he and all just don't get it , it sure is hard to explain to others isn't it? i just wish others could experience the joy we ELVIS fans know and love, instead we are cursed or looked at as odd balls , i guess our loyalty to him makes others wonder in vain, and rightfully so cause there will never be another like ELVIS AARON PRESLEY.

[sasha]

I've never felt that way,nor been treated in the way you describe so I have no idea.
People can & do enjoy the music they like. Can't say it's ever bothered me.

[poormansgold]

ever since the age of 17[many moons ago] i have heard it all and bin ridiculed for being a fan of the "GREATEST ENTERTAINER" , i've bin called limited[he's all i listen to] , weird, wasting my life , odd........ I just could and still can't understand how other people can't like ELVIS PRESLEY or become fanatic over his music[he was/is a musical genius], i have no idea of current music, nor do i have the desire to listen to let alone buy music of other artist's , a neibour of mine a few houses down is a great guy and big beatle fan and is always trying me to convert , but he and all just don't get it , it sure is hard to explain to others isn't it? i just wish others could experience the joy we ELVIS fans know and love, instead we are cursed or looked at as odd balls , i guess our loyalty to him makes others wonder in vain, and rightfully so cause there will never be another like ELVIS AARON PRESLEY.

I know how you feel and It hard to put in words , My Story is I was 15 old I was going thru bad time that summer in 1976 , My mother send me to my Aunt for that summer for few weeks. My Aunt was big Elvis Fan she have 15 Elvis Lp's, She play almost all them that summer.
There Two Lp's I listerning Over few times that Summer "Elvis In Person and From Elvis In Memphis LP" and from that summer I come A Elvis Fan Since, 33 years later I'm still Elvis Fan. Also I'm Fan of another ENTERTAINERS, I was listerning To Country Music before I was Elvis Fan
and few Hard Rock Groups from 1970's .
I Don't know Today Entertainer's that much All, I try to listering them with my wife, she is older I'm not by much she keep up with today music.
She don't understand why I'm Elvis Fan and more . I told her that He been part of me. for over 30 years and I'm not stop be a fan, I will listerning another music it is good.
Don't let another's tell want to listerning to, listern you want it's Elvis or
Rap.

PS I'm Not good with Words Ok
tom

[david72]

yeah i know how you feel i am always made fun of being an elvis fan. when i tell people that i am an elvis fan they say the usual things to me didnt he die on the toliet, didnt he just sing in the fifties wasnt he a washed up vegas fat person when they say this to me it irritates me so much. Also they talk in the deep thank you very much voices as imps do they dont understand that elvis never talked in that deep of a voice!!! So when people says things like this i just ignore them and i just continue listening to the best entertainer ever!!!! I am just glad i get to come here to talk to people that are as big of elvis fans as I am!!

[molokai123]

I've never felt that way,nor been treated in the way you describe so I have no idea.
People can & do enjoy the music they like. Can't say it's ever bothered me.

same here usually people will ask for a cd or sumthing so they can listen too and ill usually make it for them.

[medleyofcostumes]

I think that almost all fans of any singer or musical group are mocked at one time or another, particularly when the artist in question is not in the limelight anymore (i.e. in the charts, played constantly on the radio, or seen everyday in tv).

Tastes change and what is trendy or hip changes constantly. In 2010 unless you are a fan of Lady Ga Ga and similar artists, the tendency is that you are mocked.

From personal experience, I remember in 1991, I was 15 years old, collecting Elvis magazines, and having the time of my life when I discover a pict of a jumpsuit I never saw before ! My friends were all into Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Guns'n'Roses etc. So I was not hip.

So what!

The worst thing you have to do in that case is trying to justify why you like Elvis. Because then you tend to become unrealistic. I heard comments of Elvis fans saying things like 'I like Elvis because he was generous, loved his mother, never took drugs, was religious, etc etc' After such comments it's obvious you will be mocked.

Let the music and the voice speak for itself. I like Elvis because of the music first, because of the vibe he gets through his songs. I can't explain it!!

I don't believe Elvis' songs are the best in history, that he was a superman, that all his films deserved an Oscar. Nonetheless, I like them and am a fan.

Tastes are personal and nobody should mock anyone for liking an artist whoever he/she/them is/are.

[Raised on Rock]

i've bin called limited[he's all i listen to... ... i have no idea of current music, nor do i have the desire to listen to let alone buy music of other artist's...

Well maybe because that makes sense and things are what they are, and do deserve to be called what they are?

Although if you are not interested in anything else is your own right and there is nothing to mock about. To be called limited is not mockery, same as not always limited equals less understanding in life.



I just could and still can't understand how other people can't like ELVIS PRESLEY or become fanatic over his music

Because we're all different and interested in different even opposed stuff and that is good?


...a neibour of mine a few houses down is a great guy and big beatle fan and is always trying me to convert , but he and all just don't get it

Does he just not get it, same way you just don't get why he wants to share his Beatles love & fanship? Well that is just funny isn't it?

[Raised on Rock]

The worst thing you have to do in that case is trying to justify why you like Elvis. Because then you tend to become unrealistic. I heard comments of Elvis fans saying things like 'I like Elvis because he was generous, loved his mother, never took drugs, was religious, etc etc' After such comments it's obvious you will be mocked.

Let the music and the voice speak for itself. I like Elvis because of the music first, because of the vibe he gets through his songs. I can't explain it!!


Totally agree with you here.

Sure I do like Presley as a man, so his life and different aspects of his self are part of the reason I am a fan. But not in the way you will follow a moral leader, stuff like 'I like Elvis because he was generous, loved his mother, never took drugs, was religious" makes him look to others like the emblem of goodness no one is except figures like Jesus or Buddha, plus there is a granny smell to it, of course people will laugh, it is one step away from the Church of Elvis freaks.

You just like him as a guy and most of all you're just a fan of his music, his voice and talent as a performer, so a CD burn or mp3 playlist etc, will be enough, they didn't like it, well that's their taste, no mockery, no you wanting them to like it, you just wanted to show it some songs cause they asked why, all is cool, let's not go morally apologetic about our fan status, nobody expects the spanish inquisition, or else any explanations about our feelings towards anybody or anything, can be as laughable as the torture with the soft cushions.

[The Everlasting Gaze]

I have heard alot of people say to me "How can you like a dead person"
"Didn´t he take drugs" Didn´t he ate himself to death. "How can you like Elvis"

When i was 11 i heard a guy say to me one of the
most stupid and wrong things said about Elvis.

He said to me that Elvis had to use a diper during his last tours in 1977
because he had problems with going to the toilet.

It irritates me so much when i hear people say
so stupid and wrong things about Elvis!!!!

But i dont care anymore what those kinda people say !!!!!!!!!!!

[Raised on Rock]

same here usually people will ask for a cd or sumthing so they can listen too and ill usually make it for them.

Yep, most times is just about ignorance. They are judging by miss-informed or distorted facts they have heard or seen (impersonators, racist rumors, perpetuated jokes, harum scarum or other bad moments in his career unfortunately always in the lime light).

Some times sharing with them the right stuff, a Cd or a DVD, sometimes even one song or video performance, will make it. Make what? no, not make them fans, no more fanatics wanting their ideals to rule the world please, but just to make them known Elvis and what are you talking about, and instance of who's actually the guy and his talent, that will be enough, if not to like it, just to quit the seed of mockery and dislike it but out of respect for what is good.

[monk37]

I think the problem is that the discrimination that Elvis himself faced - being poor, southern and getting famous outside of the approved paths

a lot of that discrimination is heaped on his fans

Elvis is perceived as being vulgar, uneducated, lacking in taste - so fans are deemed to be the same for responding to what many think Elvis was about.

Mostly it's because they don't have a living memory or understanding of what the 50's were like, how Elvis changed things, and how what they think about Elvis isn't true.

The public image of Elvis is tainted by the faked his death undying hoax, the various love children, the scandal tell all books that tell you little don't help

But I think a lot of it is anger based - people are mad that he came from poor rural roots to be so successful (that other's have never topped him) and then pissed it away.

The whole dying in the bathroom joke is stupid, since most people who die at home, actually die in the bathroom - a combo of heart attacks (often on the toilet, and usually because they tend to happen first thing when the body is stressing up for the day) and shower/tub slip n falls.


so, they can't give Elvis his due.


But mostly there's so many stupid myths - that Elvis stole from black musicians (he didn't) - that artists like Eminem promote (now, you want to talk about a musical thief...)

it's easier to believe the lazy lies


the other thing is the fringe areas always get the attention.

so the ETAs - especially the ones who are bad, are 300+ pounds, are kids, are women, are not white - they give Elvis a carnival atmosphere that cheapens him.


and it's sort of like how news media focus on the drag queens and little else about Gay Pride Parades


Elvis' cultural impact was actually so huge that it's almost background.

and the general public doesn't know any better than to make fun of what they really don't understand

[May]

I couldn't give a rats **** about what others think about my taste in music to be honest.

I too have heard the whole died on the toilet, fat jumpsuited guy blah blah. Ive said it before, people just want to get a rise out of you. Why satisfy people like that?

[debtdbruno]

I think the problem is that the discrimination that Elvis himself faced - being poor, southern and getting famous outside of the approved paths

a lot of that discrimination is heaped on his fans

Elvis is perceived as being vulgar, uneducated, lacking in taste - so fans are deemed to be the same for responding to what many think Elvis was about.

Mostly it's because they don't have a living memory or understanding of what the 50's were like, how Elvis changed things, and how what they think about Elvis isn't true.

The public image of Elvis is tainted by the faked his death undying hoax, the various love children, the scandal tell all books that tell you little don't help

But I think a lot of it is anger based - people are mad that he came from poor rural roots to be so successful (that other's have never topped him) and then pissed it away.

The whole dying in the bathroom joke is stupid, since most people who die at home, actually die in the bathroom - a combo of heart attacks (often on the toilet, and usually because they tend to happen first thing when the body is stressing up for the day) and shower/tub slip n falls.


so, they can't give Elvis his due.


But mostly there's so many stupid myths - that Elvis stole from black musicians (he didn't) - that artists like Eminem promote (now, you want to talk about a musical thief...)

it's easier to believe the lazy lies


the other thing is the fringe areas always get the attention.

so the ETAs - especially the ones who are bad, are 300+ pounds, are kids, are women, are not white - they give Elvis a carnival atmosphere that cheapens him.


and it's sort of like how news media focus on the drag queens and little else about Gay Pride Parades


Elvis' cultural impact was actually so huge that it's almost background.

and the general public doesn't know any better than to make fun of what they really don't understand


Fantastic post:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notwo rthy

[debtdbruno]

I think that almost all fans of any singer or musical group are mocked at one time or another, particularly when the artist in question is not in the limelight anymore (i.e. in the charts, played constantly on the radio, or seen everyday in tv).

Tastes change and what is trendy or hip changes constantly. In 2010 unless you are a fan of Lady Ga Ga and similar artists, the tendency is that you are mocked.

From personal experience, I remember in 1991, I was 15 years old, collecting Elvis magazines, and having the time of my life when I discover a pict of a jumpsuit I never saw before ! My friends were all into Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Guns'n'Roses etc. So I was not hip.

So what!

The worst thing you have to do in that case is trying to justify why you like Elvis. Because then you tend to become unrealistic. I heard comments of Elvis fans saying things like 'I like Elvis because he was generous, loved his mother, never took drugs, was religious, etc etc' After such comments it's obvious you will be mocked.

Let the music and the voice speak for itself. I like Elvis because of the music first, because of the vibe he gets through his songs. I can't explain it!!

I don't believe Elvis' songs are the best in history, that he was a superman, that all his films deserved an Oscar. Nonetheless, I like them and am a fan.

Tastes are personal and nobody should mock anyone for liking an artist whoever he/she/them is/are.

Absolutely(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

[debtdbruno]

Basically, it's their loss...................

[ForeverTheKing]

Well, fortunately nobody told me anything bad about my big passion for Elvis.

I must admit here in Italy he's popular but not as in other countries so it's easy to think you're strange if you tell you like him.

Sure it's a shame because here nobody knows who he was and the most part of his music, except for Elvis fans so we (the Italian fans) have to heard stupid things about him sometimes.
I asked myself why is not strange to like John Lennon or Freddy Mercury or Jim Morrison...they had also their particular life as artists and human beings (personal problems, drugs and so on) but nobody tells everything.
I think this is only IGNORANCE :mad: They don't know how marvellous Elvis was as a person and how his music was fundamental for what they listen nowadays (y)

It happened someone makes fun on me because I like dead persons (not only because of Elvis but also for my passion for classic movies and actors) but my parents and friends get used to my love for Elvis and respect it and this is the most important thing for me (y) :clap:

[Lover doll]

ever since primary school people call me weird and stupid only because i love Elvis.
well I don't care anymore, maybe i am diffrent. so what?
I know that i love Elvis as long as i live and nobody can change that!!!

[Diane]

Basically, it's their loss...................

I've never actually been ridiculed but I have gotten that funny little smile and also think that it's their loss.

Diane

[monk37]

Fantastic post:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notworthy:notwo rthy

actually, I should have said, the media focusing on the fringer ETA give Elvis the carnival atmosphere

the ETAs are likely trying to be sincere

[monk37]

...
It happened someone makes fun on me because I like dead persons (not only because of Elvis but also for my passion for classic movies and actors) but my parents and friends get used to my love for Elvis and respect it and this is the most important thing for me (y) :clap:

that's a good point

film buffs aren't teased for liking early films or actors

half the time, people are in awe because they aren't at all familiar with movies from the 40s or earlier.

[shelley.m.]

When I was younger,I used to get teased for being an Elvis fan.Even now I have one co-worker that likes to ride my a** about being an Elvis.Well actually there are a few co-workers that like to be narrow minded about Elvis.I just speak my mind and tell them to shut up.

[ForeverTheKing]

It must be very annoying Shelley :lol:

[yvonne]

I reconize every story on this board about being ridiculed for being an Elvisfan. It happens to me too, not every day though. There are some nice reactions too.
I remember being on a birthday party, years ago. Sometimes you meet people there who you have never met before. This time I sat next to a guy and he started an conversation with me about favorit places to go on vacations. Well, there's only one answer for me and that is Memphis.
And I told him I was an Elvisfan. He looked at me and started to laugh a little. Then his comment was: "Elvis? I saw a show on the TV saying that he ate squirrels in his childhood and in his later years he ate about 40 hamburgers a day. No wonder he was that fat. How can you be a fan of somebody like that?"

I looked him right in the eye and asked him if he knew anything about Elvis's music. His answer was " a little, not much". Then I told him that as soon as he had anything meaningfull to say about Elvis's real legacy, his music, I was more then willing to talk about it with him but I sure wasn't going to discuss Elvis's eating habits with him because, who are we to judge about that, if he did ate it or not.
Then I turned around and walked away, never heard from him again.

But people like this guy really pisses me off, and my message to him and all the other was and is, if you don't have anything meaningfull to say about Elvis then please just say nothing.

[buttonhead]

Oh.I remembered asking the same question, the first time i joined in this forum,...

I think that people who dislikes Elvis passionate fan based really missed out the great music and legacy he left us... It is easy to say that Elvis is gone, and i know how it feels when someone said to me rudely like ' Elvis is dead forgodsake'... :( :(

Elvis is the true american dreams,....rags to riches,....his life story will inspires everyone of what luck, talents ,hardworks and loyalty are all about... like Elvis said once..." every dreams I have ever dreams come true a hundred of times..."

So.... for those who hate Elvis...or dont know Elvis and ridiculed him...they could go to timbuktu and shut their pie-hole.... Elvis still the King after all. ;)

[rickb]

I couldn't give a rats **** about what others think about my taste in music to be honest.

I too have heard the whole died on the toilet, fat jumpsuited guy blah blah. Ive said it before, people just want to get a rise out of you. Why satisfy people like that?

That about sums up my thoughts, too
They don't know what they're missing

[jeanelvisgirl]

I have that attitude from people very close to me...I don't give a toss....I don't like who they like - and they don't like who I like....but I don't make fun of them.....I am better than that....I don't get involved in why Elvis is better than.....whoever.....he is to me....that's all that matters to me...as has been said - we are all different....after all...it's their loss if they miss out on such great music because they are too narrow minded to give him a go!

Equally, I feel sorry for Elvis Fans who insist on not listening to other music.......they too are missing out on so much....

[JDD]

I like a lot of music, I have over 3000 songs on my IPOD , no Rap but I can find something I like in almost any other Genre of music. I don't care if people like Elvis or not. I like him. I like the beatles , don't care if Elvis fans like me liking them. Don't care if Charlie Watts Hates Elvis, I still like some of the Stones Music . Never really understood why anybody is bothered by it, I'm glad I'm not.

[KPM]

I like a lot of artists-because they are talented and make good music but Elvis has always been my favorite.. to me hes the best of the best.
I got a lot of kidding from 63 into 67 in school and it bothered me some.
But in 68 that changed some and there was a little more respect for my taste given.
Kris Kristofferson wrote a song and part of the lyric has this line in it
...everybody seems to need somebody to look down on, it you got nobody help yourself to me.................................
If people need to ridicule someone, and that someone is you or me-at least they are leaving someone else alone. ;)

[ElvisPresleyRocks]

well i'll you a story, first when i was in primary school long time ago lol anyways everyone Knew i loved elvis so they used to call me elvis and all of them didn't mind him which was cool :) we were only about 8 or 10, than when high school came i got the odd few who were like "urgh elvis??" but ****, do i care?? jeez i love elvis and you shouldn't care what people think. good thing is all my friends are like me haha into rock, oldies and of course you gotta love the man that started it all ELVIS PRESLEY!!! (y)(y) everyones got different taste in music, you just gotta mix with the people who have the same interest;) all the rest can go else where if you know what i mean loool us guys have class unlike the so called music of today :lmfao:

[Wendy56]

People don't understand why I'm an Elvis fan. But, I never mind... I feel fine being an Elvis fan and if somebody is not fine with it, I won't pay attention. :D

[Elizasong]

Been a fan since '81. Liked all kinds of music and artists through the years of being an Elvis fan. My friends and family are supportive of my dedication. Strangely it was only a couple of years ago that my Mom said "I don't understand the obession." HUH?? where were you all these years Mom??? Nothing's changed. You don't have to understand my "obsession" as you call it. I pretty much ignore anyone that has anything ignorant or deragatory to say about Elvis. Like it was said here people should keep their opinions to themselves.

[Lisarose]

Being an Elvis fan has it's good moments, too. I get all the same comments too, he was fat, wore jumpsuits, yada, yada. . . But on my birthday & Christmas I get Elvis gifts - calendars, ornaments and books.
And I always have Elvis music playing in my car, and someone will hear - for example - Long Limousine and ask "who's that?" and I'll say - Elvis, of course! and they'll give me that surprised look and a closer listen and I know I've sucked them in!

[dstrattenfan]

Frankly Scarlet I don't give a ****

[Merry]

Frankly Scarlet I don't give a ****



LOL, lovely to see you back, lol :D:bye:

[GIORGIA]

Well, fortunately nobody told me anything bad about my big passion for Elvis.

I must admit here in Italy he's popular but not as in other countries so it's easy to think you're strange if you tell you like him.

Sure it's a shame because here nobody knows who he was and the most part of his music, except for Elvis fans so we (the Italian fans) have to heard stupid things about him sometimes.
I asked myself why is not strange to like John Lennon or Freddy Mercury or Jim Morrison...they had also their particular life as artists and human beings (personal problems, drugs and so on) but nobody tells everything.
I think this is only IGNORANCE :mad: They don't know how marvellous Elvis was as a person and how his music was fundamental for what they listen nowadays (y)

It happened someone makes fun on me because I like dead persons (not only because of Elvis but also for my passion for classic movies and actors) but my parents and friends get used to my love for Elvis and respect it and this is the most important thing for me (y) :clap:I knew what you mean,my friend,because I'm Italian too!And I'm totally agree with you(y)!Beautiful,True Words:blush:!About My Parents and Friends Me too,if it's impossible in other way,because I don't have this amazing relathionship!But it's ok to Me;)!And for that I don't talk about My Love for Elvis:blush:!If they know that!It's impossible they don't know that:lol:!But if they tell Me somenthig about My Love,I don't care!And I always defended My Love for Elvis:blush:!No matter what,or who is!

[lvs2day]

many thanks for all the reply's it assures me that many of us fans are in agreement that those who are not fans of ELVIS AARON PRESLEY are missing out on something surreal and great, again i have to say that collecting and listening to him is now a 24 hour job since i retired , i look forward to each day and i start and end it with him [what great days lay ahead for me], and i wouldn't have it anyother way.

[monk37]

My Dad once referred to Elvis as my god

I said I didn't have a problem with it.

[debtdbruno]

way to go Monk.....................Whayyyyyyyy!!!!!!!

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

yeah i know how you feel i am always made fun of being an elvis fan. when i tell people that i am an elvis fan they say the usual things to me didnt he die on the toliet, didnt he just sing in the fifties wasnt he a washed up vegas fat person when they say this to me it irritates me so much. Also they talk in the deep thank you very much voices as imps do they dont understand that elvis never talked in that deep of a voice!!! So when people says things like this i just ignore them and i just continue listening to the best entertainer ever!!!! I am just glad i get to come here to talk to people that are as big of elvis fans as I am!!

It should never matter what other people think! I was a fan from the late 70's early 80's and that was a bad time. There is a common folk law for Elvis these days, the "thank ya very much" will stick around for many decades to come, however the music will always remain pure...


I think that almost all fans of any singer or musical group are mocked at one time or another, particularly when the artist in question is not in the limelight anymore (i.e. in the charts, played constantly on the radio, or seen everyday in tv).

Tastes change and what is trendy or hip changes constantly. In 2010 unless you are a fan of Lady Ga Ga and similar artists, the tendency is that you are mocked.

From personal experience, I remember in 1991, I was 15 years old, collecting Elvis magazines, and having the time of my life when I discover a pict of a jumpsuit I never saw before ! My friends were all into Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Guns'n'Roses etc. So I was not hip.

So what!

The worst thing you have to do in that case is trying to justify why you like Elvis. Because then you tend to become unrealistic. I heard comments of Elvis fans saying things like 'I like Elvis because he was generous, loved his mother, never took drugs, was religious, etc etc' After such comments it's obvious you will be mocked.

Let the music and the voice speak for itself. I like Elvis because of the music first, because of the vibe he gets through his songs. I can't explain it!!

I don't believe Elvis' songs are the best in history, that he was a superman, that all his films deserved an Oscar. Nonetheless, I like them and am a fan.

Tastes are personal and nobody should mock anyone for liking an artist whoever he/she/them is/are.

Very succinctly put (y)

[Tommy]

I don't care what other folks think.

[mistymorning]

My Dad once referred to Elvis as my god

I said I didn't have a problem with it.


You are very cool !(y)

[Cliff]

My Dad once referred to Elvis as my god

I said I didn't have a problem with it.

My Dad said the same thing, only he added I was living in a fantasy world. 50 years on and I'm still in that world !