Elvis's Beautiful and Exciting Music.

[MauriceColgan]

There is a debate on this and other Elvis message boards about the difficulty of interesting young people in Elvis's music. HA!

To my way of thinking beautiful and exciting music will always attract new listeners...by the millions!
As a teenager I did not know too much about Ludwig Van Beethoven's wonderful music which is now played by hundreds of musicians and orchestras world wide. That particular master of music has been dead since 1827!!!

Some Elvis fans said Elvis introduced them to Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Bobby Darin, and Dean Martin etc. Well we older fans have a different perpective. We grew up listening to the old groaners:-)

Yours truly already had heard the great voices of Caruso etc and had slightly higher expectations than discovering the Al Jolson and Bing Crosby impersonators

Classical music usually does take more effort to appreciate but it is well worth exploring.
The cost of collecting the classics far exceeds the cost of collecting Elvis. Beethoven's "Irish" Symphony, the Seventh (just one example) has been recorded by dozens, if not hundreds of Orchestras and if you want all the different versions.....................

Elvis's beautiful music once heard is like the classics, self promoting.

Therefore Elvis fan go forth and spread thy tidings!

(Note to self. Maurice go easy on the wine)

[jak]

I think the point being made is that he isnt considered relevant to today's youth.I tend to agree with that viewpoint.Elvis is just so far removed from what young people are listening to at this time.Elvis in non existent in the media that caters to the kids of today.Elvis' time has come and gone.Today's youth have their own music idol's.I've said before that if you went into any high school how much Elvis music would find on their mp3 players?I wish more young people would appreciate Elvis today but he just doesnt fit into their musical tastes.I seriously doubt Elvis is considered cool or hip by most kids.
Jak

[MauriceColgan]

Jak it doesn't matter that much if teenagers do not think Elvis is cool. They cannot miss seeing him and that will register in time.
How many do you know that think Beethoven is cool? Yet nearly every school worth it's salt has a school orchestra or music appreciation class. Millions of youngsters are quietly sat at pianos or playing classical music on their violins

Fickle youngsters move from one Cool band or Artist to another every few years. But we Elvis grandparents, Millions of us! play Elvis for our grandchildren. Elvis is cool to them. The future looks bright ahead:-)
Look how Johnny Cash was made Super cool with one Movie about his life There are stacks of his CDs in our shops!!!

This 30th Anniversary year Elvis is bound to get a lot of attention.

Discerning music lovers cannot ignore our guy...and they will not.

Back in the 70s when as a family we were deep into classical music we heard very little about Elvis, till he died!

Nowadays we cannot go to the shops without seeing Elvis on Calenders, posters, prints...you name it.

Elvis's music is more relevant today than it ever was!!! Do we need to see him in the charts more often? Yes, of course but Ludwig Van Beethoven, or Mozart rarely make the charts either

In a very large and heavy book listing 200 Icons, Elvis was described as "The stand alone Icon of the 20th Century"!

Anyone arrived recently to take the title?

[jak]

It's true that the image of Elvis the icon is unavoidable.However this may ultimately be a negative in my opinion.The icon has swallowed up the artist that Elvis was.Just because some kids see his face plastered on souvenirs will not make them seek out his music.The marketing of Elvis has undercut his credibility to a degree.Elvis would have a better image if you didnt see all that stuff.The other day I saw a stuffed pig in a jumpsuit that walked while singing hound dog.It was a wearing a jumpsuit of course.Im sorry but that is just one reason Elvis is a joke to kid's.Marketing is great,shameless marketing is not.I would disagree very strongly to one of your points Maurice.That his music is more relevant today more than ever.I wish that was the case but obviously it's not.Elvis' music had an overwhelming effect on worldwide culture that can never be equalled.But that was 50 years ago.Elvis has been cast away to the oldies stations.I hate that but it's true.The music is timeless but it is no longer in the forefront of society.He's been gone for 30 years so it's only a natural progression.Elvis the icon is doing very well but Elvis the artist is slipping away.
Jak

[MauriceColgan]

Elvis knicknacks were always part of the publicity. They do not matter to serious music lovers. I buy music because I like what I hear. Not because of a bust of Beethoven or Elvis

Billboard charts still see Elvis selling quite well without very much TV or radio adverising. Nevertheless Elvis movies on TV introduces Elvis's music to millions.

Those interested in only the fashionable artists do not hold sway for very long. That's how it has always been. Elvis's music at it's best is excellent, and easily good enough to secure his future.

Anyway we Elvis fans will keep it going won't we? I'm Counting on You..........young guys

No popular music collection would be complete without Elvis! Therefore rest assured I have no worries whatsoever about Elvis being around as long as there are those that love the human voice at it's best.

[jak]

Im not pushy but I must admit I do try to push Elvis off on some of my friends sometimes.It's hard for me to imagine anyone not having at least some Elvis in their music collection.He certainly was one of a kind.I just dont think the kids today appreciate things the way we "old timers" do.It is their loss.No matter what Elvis' place in history is secured and nothing can change that.
Jak

[MauriceColgan]

Yes Jak, Elvis's place in the history of music is indeed secure.

Over the decades I have seen many so-called Super groups vanish.
Teenagers these days are not as discriminating as we were. Mediocre bands and singers hog the limelight for a few years then they are replaced by more like them.

Only the very best singers and musicians will endure.

Elvis is already all over the Internet and more young people join it every day. We can educate them

http://www.free-press-release.com/ne...167765252.html

[Lisarose]

I work in a large retail chain. The biggest seller of t-shirts nowadays are the "attitude" shirts - (the ones with the smartmouth quips - "I'm High Maintenance - intersted?") and a lot of the ones we sell are the old concert t-shirts fromthe 60's & 70's. KISS, Rolling Stones, AC-DC, Jimi Hendrix. I was surprised when my 12-yr-old told me about some ACDC song he liked or the Queen song that came back. I know there's better ways to let them know about Elvis besides me giving them background & playing the music which I do. I know kids all went nuts when the Rubberneckin & Little Less Conversation remix came out. I wish I could hear Elvis on any radio station I listen to, not just the Oldies

[nashville cat]

I was born in the 70's and became hooked in the mid 80's. Even with the passing of time, I think being an Elvis fan in these days and times is better than then.

I've always loved music of the 50s/60s/70s. What I'm seeing today is a climate where the true "oldies" are disappearing. I posted on the disappearance of true "oldies" radio sometime back. Here in Nashville, the 50/60s station has converted to a 70s and 80s format. There is also Jack-FM, which has a heavily 80s/90s format. It's hard for me to believe that something from the early 80's could be considered an oldie! I say all this to say Elvis has pretty much disappeared from the commercial airwaves around here.

I like the idea of Elvis being introduced to young fans, but I don't like the idea of his image/music being manipulated just to interest the younger set.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Being realistic and looking from the point of view of teenagers or 20 somethings, it is mainly the Image of the 50's Elvis which appeals, the rebel without a cause character and the revolutionising of popular music!

The music legacy left by Elvis will without doubt be marked in history, however I agree with Jak, The music is not as relevant as it was 30 or more years ago. Being who we are (Elvis Fans) makes us look at the king through rose tinted glasses whether we like to admit it or not. I would like nothing better than the music to be as important in the youth of today as it is for me, but it just isn't.

My daughter is 9 years old my Nephew is 6 years old and they hear Elvis when they are in my car and tolerate it and join in, i am just happy that they will listen and will know who Elvis is....... before the Iconography takes over and kids at school mock the the 70's Image.

The Icon is overshadowing the artist, we can only hope that the Icon is the door to the artist for future generations............

Matt

[jak]

Matt,
Im sure youre right that Elvis' iconic stature will lead people to seek out his music and learn more about him.This of course will always create new fans.It's just that the passage of time is taking it's toll and that's nothing against Elvis it's just a natural progression.The overwhelming majority of kids today just dont care what happenend in music 10 years ago much less 50 years ago when Elvis changed cultural society forever.I think the real shift in how Elvis is percieved will be when all his contemporaries are gone.By that I mean people like me who knew what it was like to buy a new Elvis record when he was with us or got to see him perform.I think it will be a lot different when the people are gone who actually have firsthand memories of Elvis.Fairly soon most everyone that had close personal ties with Elvis will also be gone and we will have lost that link.How can things not change?
Jak

[MauriceColgan]

I have no worries about Elvis becoming a "classic" artist. Because of his Iconic image people will seek his music out and not be too bothered about the Memphis Mafia twaddle, and EPE Trinkets etc.

Children of Elvis fans will have passed on Elvis's music to their children just as Beethoven's music was passed on to generation after generation. Maybe not the huge numbers that listen to pop, but more discerning listeners. The Elvis catalogue will shrink to just the best.

A unique voice like Elvis's will always be heard.

But I have a feeling there will be an upsurge in Elvis's music this year.

If only someone would write a screenplay featuring Elvis's Christmas songs from 1957. We would have an annual BONANZA:-)

http://press.xtvworld.com/article16172.html

[Sammy4Elvis]

I am currently 22 years old and first heard and fell in love with Elvis at 15 years old,completely off my own back,nothing to do with parents liking him because they didnt.I saw the 68 special on TV and ive never looked back since. I admit I have always had quite a mature head on my shoulders so was open to new things rather then being very narrowed minded like a lot of young people. Other then a few I know no other Elvis fans around my age (although i know there are). I never told anyone at school my passion for Elvis as i knew i would be laughed at,although now i dont care,at 15 i did.Young people wont even take 5 mins to listen to Elvis as its not 'the proper' thing to do and even if they like it they wont admit it. A friend of mine (my age) said he has been really interested in Elvis for years but never ever dared tell anyone until he met me, now he tells the world. Its unfortunate but thats life, Elvis has too many bad stereotypes hanging over his name to make him 'cool' to like.Its not unti you dig deep that you find out he was in fact the coolest guy ever to walk this earth.

[MauriceColgan]

Young "Closet Elvis Fans":-)

We know many original Elvis fans were/are hiding in the closet because of all the media's awful coverage of him and his private life and habits over the decades.

But I also know without a doubt people who hear Elvis at his best cannot deny his talent.....even tho the liars do!

Yes Elvis was just so cool that is why images of him are everywhere. And YOUNG people ARE buying them.

http://press.xtvworld.com/article16172.html

[orwell1976]

The most people don't know anything about Elvis. They just think that he was always the fat guy in those silly suits singing "Love Me Tender". I even heard a coworker say, that Elvis couldn't really sing!

I fact I have never heard anybody who had such a beautiful voice! Elvis may not had the biggest voice (although quite impressive to me), but there was a kind of beauty in his voice that I never heard from anybody else.

He could sing nearly all kinds of music and did that with a style, that was still typical for an Elvis song.

But the most people simply don't take the time to sit down and listen to the music.

[jak]

Everybody is entitled to their own particular tastes in music.I know many people who just dont connect with Elvis' music and they simply dont like it.As stated previously the fans tend to think everyone should share their enthusiasm but it just doesnt work that way.I just let a coworker borrow the Ed Sullivan dvd's because he was curious about the intact programs.I asked him what he thought of Elvis and he was basically like"what's the big deal"?As popular as Elvis is,obviously the majority of people are not fans and dont care about his music.I know Dylan has a great following.I dont own a single recording of his and I may never own one.He just doesnt appeal to me for whatever reason.His fans would say Im wrong and Im missing out.It's just the way it is.It works the same way for Elvis or any other entertainer.
Jak

[MauriceColgan]

Everybody is entitled to their own particular tastes in music.I know many people who just dont connect with Elvis' music and they simply dont like it.As stated previously the fans tend to think everyone should share their enthusiasm but it just doesnt work that way.I just let a coworker borrow the Ed Sullivan dvd's because he was curious about the intact programs.I asked him what he thought of Elvis and he was basically like"what's the big deal"?As popular as Elvis is,obviously the majority of people are not fans and dont care about his music.I know Dylan has a great following.I dont own a single recording of his and I may never own one.He just doesnt appeal to me for whatever reason.His fans would say Im wrong and Im missing out.It's just the way it is.It works the same way for Elvis or any other entertainer.
Jak

Music appreciation means we cannot dislike good music or there is something wrong. I'm usually just indifferent to music that does little for me. I would not have very much Sinatra or modern jazz in my music collection.

If I had only heard a few of Elvis's mediocre songs from the silly movies of the mid 60s I'd have never been an Elvis fan.

Some classical composers do not appeal to me either but I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would not like the most beautiful music of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Mozart etc. Introduced to the loveliest classical music many people are surprised how much they like it. I know this from experience. Hollywood often used Tchaikovkys tear jerking music to have us all in tears, not knowing we were listening to the great Russian "Classical" composer

We human beings are strange creatures. Insane animals on an unfunished planet!