"Elvis was a joke"

[goodelvisgirl]

I think a big reason why alot of blacks (ones who haven't done their homework, that is) have labeled Elvis as a racist is because they think he "stole" their music and style, and that a black artist, not Elvis, should be known as the King of R&R. While Elvis did borrow alot of his style from the blacks, he always acknowledged that and gave credit to the black artists that influenced him. Besides, rock and roll by definition is a combination of R&B, gospel and country. Because of the heavy racism back in the '50s, only a white man could combine all of those styles together to make the music popular with the entire nation. That man was Elvis. But Elvis always gave credit to the great black blues and gospel singers, as well as the white country singers. Color didn't matter to Elvis. Back in those days, color did matter to most people. Elvis was an exception. It's ludicrous to call Elvis a racist. That's just garbage that comes from people who haven't studied the facts, or have something stuck in their craw.

well said i'm with you a 100% you know what your talking about

[Wendy56]

They really didn't have an idea of how big Elvis was (is, and will be).

[EnigmaticSun]

I think these blacks are mis-educated. Elvis never forgot where he came from; knew and acknowledged that rock and roll music sprang from different styles. I think the segregation was more common in his younger days, which would lead to less conflicts, I think.

There's plenty to do to overcome the spiritual death among people and youngsters. I do see it like that - they (who put Elvis down) are empty in the head. I don't mean physically, it's just that the spirit is gone in the MTV generation.

[Nicole Presley]

I got the same problem problem in school. They say things like "Elvis was fat", "Elvis took drugs" and "Only old people like Elvis" (even though I?m only 17, and still like him)!!! I hate these people. They say I would be sick or crazy because I love him. One of them said to me yesterday that I should "only think of him 10 minutes a day" so I "slowly get used to not thinking of him". The stuppidest thing about that is, no matter how mad I get about what they say, I just can?t say anything mean back. I just said to her that I don?t think that it?s a good idea, and I won?t do it. I try to ignore these stupid *****s that don?t have any idea of what Elvis was or is. But it?s so hard to ignore people that make me sooo mad!!!

But they can?t bring me down. And I won?t ever do what they say. I?ll always listen to my heart, and my heart tells me that I will love Elvis forever!!! Don?t let anyone of them bring you down, no one of you!

[Burning_Love]

Wow..Nicole..They sure are horrible. People like that have no need to be nasty..I think they should go home and listen to their type of music and not worry about what other people like. Like Us.

I will never let them bring me down, i love him too much.
Thanks Nicole, What a great inspiration you are

[EnigmaticSun]

Well Nicole, you could just say 'leer im Kopf' to those peers. It means 'empty-headed' in English.

[KPM]

well said i'm with you a 100% you know what your talking about

I have always wondered where some blacks get their info. Elvis had his first record out in 54 and had been working on his style since he got to Memphis. Every big name Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee, Carl Perkins etc all had their 1st records in 55. He probably never heard of them till they hit. He did admit he liked blues,country,gospel and some pop like Dean Martin. Every singer has a stepping stone to the sound which they create. Chuck Berry admits he was influenced by country. Do we say he stole part of his rock style from Hank Williams? Elvis listened and it influenced how he sang- in that respect he was no different than any other singer starting out. But his sound was unique to the time and it started the doors opening to the rock sound. He sold the rock sound to the world and thats how the rest were finally getting record deals. Instead of thanking him, for years the cry has been he stole his music. IMO its an urban myth.

[Trev1]

Sorry to hear about your experience with those people ... its typical of people who know nothing about music. And it just doesnt happen with Elvis! I am also a fan of the Beatles and people used to slag me in school, calling them moptops and singing 'yea yea yea' in my ear Its not just teenagers - I like the Beach Boys as well and think their were one of the best vocal groups of all time...but people think they were surfers who just sang surf songs !!

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I have always wondered where some blacks get their info. Elvis had his first record out in 54 and had been working on his style since he got to Memphis. Every big name Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee, Carl Perkins etc all had their 1st records in 55. He probably never heard of them till they hit. He did admit he liked blues,country,gospel and some pop like Dean Martin. Every singer has a stepping stone to the sound which they create. Chuck Berry admits he was influenced by country. Do we say he stole part of his rock style from Hank Williams? Elvis listened and it influenced how he sang- in that respect he was no different than any other singer starting out. But his sound was unique to the time and it started the doors opening to the rock sound. He sold the rock sound to the world and thats how the rest were finally getting record deals. Instead of thanking him, for years the cry has been he stole his music. IMO its an urban myth.

Excellent observation

[Merry]

Just correcting the title.




Jess

[Elvis 1972]

Back in the mid-sixties I used to have the same trouble because I was an Elvis fan... "oh you should get into the 'Mod' culture" that's all I kept getting. Get into The Who, Geno Washington, get their records! "No way" I said. "Yeah, but his records don't do as well as they did" came their reply! Well, guess what, "Crying In The Chapel" became Number One in the charts, and boy, did I have a good laugh at them after that!

[EnigmaticSun]

The point is the rock sound and I never seem to marry. I do like Elvis' rock and roll records and even other artists, but I don't like 'The Who' or 'Led Zeppelin' - some might say it's all rock the same, but it's a different world compared to Elvis.

Of course it's ridiculous to say Chuck Berry stole from Hank Williams, ha!!

[Merry]

I feel, no matter the subject, some types of personalities (kids, teenagers, etc. and older ) may try to force their opinions on others, whether it is for pecking order, to be nasty, or just for a fun conversation, depending on circumstances.

Who the subject is, or what the subject is, is immaterial, it is the reaction some people look for.

It's just the way it is. Sooooooo, sometimes it is best to not react. (As I bite my tongue at times without success, lol).

Jess

[EnigmaticSun]

Interesting to read about that - I have to say such remarks about Elvis are against my sense of justice.

[Merry]

Interesting to read about that - I have to say such remarks about Elvis are against my sense of justice.

Are talking to me? lol

If you are, I'm explaining what my understanding and experience is, about some people, (children especially go through this) it doesn't mean that I don't speak up! (We just psycho-analyse them first, lol).

As the mods watch me, hehe...

Jess

[SweetCaroline]

Back in the mid-sixties I used to have the same trouble because I was an Elvis fan... "oh you should get into the 'Mod' culture" that's all I kept getting. Get into The Who, Geno Washington, get their records! "No way" I said. "Yeah, but his records don't do as well as they did" came their reply! Well, guess what, "Crying In The Chapel" became Number One in the charts, and boy, did I have a good laugh at them after that!

I graduated from highschool is 65 and I took a lot of heat for being an ELVIS fan. I didn't have any friends who understood me. They all liked the Beatles and the English invasion groups. I didn't care. I liked who I liked and wasn't changing for their sakes! Now it is the age of the WWW and I can hook up with like minded people that also love ELVIS. Very cool!

[Merry]

I graduated from highschool is 65 and I took a lot of heat for being an ELVIS fan. I didn't have any friends who understood me. They all liked the Beatles and the English invasion groups. I didn't care. I liked who I liked and wasn't changing for their sakes! Now it is the age of the WWW and I can hook up with like minded people that also love ELVIS. Very cool!

Oh gosh, lol, when I was in school, people liked Abba and the Bay City Rollers (Blahh, sorry, lol, although I didn't say anything to them).......me? lol Elvis, AC/DC, to name a few, lol. I thought THEY were uncool! lol

Jess