What a Difference

[Elvis 1972]

Over the years I have collected a lot of news cuttings, some of them went into scrapbooks, which I suppose we all did back in those days, and the rest are fast asleep in a big box and some of those cuttings are nearly 50 years old! I still enjoy getting out the scrapbooks and reading them after all these years, and to me they are pure nostalgia. They remind me of how it was back in the early days. When I read an article or a book that was written by one of todays 'rock' critics, somehow I get the opinion that they think that music only started with The Beatles and Elvis didn't really exist at all - just another singer from the Johnnie Ray era, but we all know different! Cuttings are a good way of finding out the truth, especially if you were not around at the time.

Just take a look at these two cuttings. The first one is from 1956 and it is reviewing the first Elvis album to be released in the UK, notice how the reviewer doesn't go into detail, and the second is ten years later from the NME dated 8 July 1966. Now just see what the difference is between the music critic in '56 and the critic in '66.

Rock 'n' Roll dept. Elvis Presley, I learn ends up on all fours when he performs "Hound Dog" (see Top Twenty). His new long-play disc titled "Elvis Presley" (HMV), got me flat on my back... with boredom. Twelve songs in a row is too much Presley - unless you're crazy about him.

SUPERB EL - ALREADY HE'S CRASHED THE CHART

"Love Letters" - "Come What May" (RCA)

A RUSH-RELEASE, which the shops received as quickly as me - which is why my record coincides with its chart entry. Presley's first specially recorded brand new single for ages is a revival of the Ketty Lester hit, using the same-broken beat arrangement. Backing consists of organ, drum-brushing, humming girls and Floyd Cramer on piano. Beautifully handled by El.
FLIP: This double-A side is a happy-go-lucky hand-clapper, with a gutty sax. Infectious medium-paced beat, whistleable tune, and El rocking quietly rather than dynamically.

[EnigmaticSun]

Thanks for that interesting post. It's a shame you didn't get more replies by now, this topic deserves it.

Okay, to put it even 'stronger': a lot of people from the 'Baby Boom Generation' (and a bit beyond that) think that the world started in the 1960's. In general I find that most people who lived through the misery of the 30's have more character and autonomy. The 1960's breathe this odor of spinelessness, mediocrity and declining values.

Yes, there is a God - no, mothers should take care of the children - music didn't start with the Beatles or the Stones.. Today's critics are most propable a result of the 60's.

[KPM]

Thanks for that interesting post. It's a shame you didn't get more replies by now, this topic deserves it.

Okay, to put it even 'stronger': a lot of people from the 'Baby Boom Generation' (and a bit beyond that) think that the world started in the 1960's. In general I find that most people who lived through the misery of the 30's have more character and autonomy. The 1960's breathe this odor of spinelessness, mediocrity and declining values.

Yes, there is a God - no, mothers should take care of the children - music didn't start with the Beatles or the Stones.. Today's critics are most propable a result of the 60's.

I must say I am a "Baby Boomer" and we knew where rock started. The original editors of Rolling Stone- Baby Boomers- Jon Landau and Dave Marsh always gave Elvis the respect he deserved. They covered his big events and concerts and always acknowledged he was the one who started the rock revolution. they also gave coverage to the others rockers of the 50s who were big. I have seen the rewrite of where Rock began start in the 80s and I would put the blame on the "Yuppie Generation" IMO Since then-slowly -each succeeding generation has bought into the idea of rock began with the Beatle invasion. The magazines of today like "Blender" give little respect to Elvis. I can tell you having lived in the 60s that everyone knew rock started with Elvis- then the rest who followed. Not everyone was as big an Elvis fan as I after, oh say 64- but they had respect for what he had done. In about 69 until 73 there was a resurgence of 50s type music and many of the names from the 50s had big boost. Rock and Roll revival shows were really big. But Elvis was the only one who could still be considered current.
Lastly I must say being a "Baby Boomer" I am not spineless and many of us do know what is great -from what is Mediocre.:

[Diane]

I'm just previous to the "baby boomers" but my sister is and I can speak for them. They are far from spineless or have lack of values and they certainly do know the difference from great and mediocre.

I think KPM summed it up very well so I have no more to say.

Diane

[EnigmaticSun]

I didn't mean to say every single person born before the Second World War is infallible and every person after it is spineless. Nonetheless, my parents are baby-boomers and I can say they are spineless. I think a lot of the hippies turned out to be spineless mothers and fathers, like River Phoenix's parents.

Although not every person from that era may be like that (spineless), I do know that my husband's younger siblings don't know too much about Elvis, Cash or Crosby, but are more interested in the Hollies, the Beatles and the Who. Other people in their mid 50's by now usually say Elvis wasn't that important in their younger days, it was all about the Stones and such; this maybe just a difference between Europe and the US, but I know what I've heard and seen.

But I still think your experiences are worth reading.

[Diane]

Here is what I know of the baby boomers. They were actually the ones who were born in the 50's, right after World War 11 (if I'm correct). My brother-in-law was born at that time and he is a fanatic Lennon fan and loves anything from the "hippies" sixties and some seventies. But.....he has very much respect for Elvis, even collects some Elvis memorabilia and acknowledges that Elvis is still King and that if it wasn't for him as Lennon said "before Elvis there was nothing" and that if it hadn't been for him there would be nothing now.

Diane

[EnigmaticSun]

World War 2 was supposed to have been from 1939 to 1945, but in fact the period after the treaty of Versailles was more like an accident waiting to happen. My definition for this 'baby boom' are people born roughly after '45 and during the early to mid 50's.

A lot of people from that period seem to like music from the later 60's, but don't seem to acknowledge Elvis being King and having inspired the rock and roll thing. It's good to read others are more willing to respect Elvis.

I didn't mean to attack people personally, of course your experiences may be different from mine. I do think a lot of the yuppies were actually the first results of hippie-parenting, for some reason, but both seem to miss the 'golden path in between'.

[KPM]

I did not take it personal, but just wanted to point out my opinion. I lived through the that 60s era-and the "hippies" did have some who were just trying to look and act "in"- but it also had people who were dedicated to trying to make the world a better place. I dare say the ones who just acted are still acting in 2007. The ones who really cared, wanted a better world- still do.
I stay up on current events, vote, and stand up for what I believe. I try to do the right thing in all walks of life(in a a world where its harder and harder to do so)
I will point out that the microchip technology which gave us these nice computers was developed by baby boomers
But mainly I wanted to say most boomers I know are not the ones who started the Rock began with Beatlemania. IMO It began in the 80s with MTV etc. I've noticed even on my cable TV they have song channels with titles to describe the channel. In the 60s Classic rock was rock of the 50s-today its called Golden Oldies. The Classic Rock channel is the Beatles, Stones, etc. Don't know why the change.
But I know many think my generation were nothing but laid back dreamers- come to think of it thats not so bad.

[EnigmaticSun]

I think Elvis isn't even rough enough to be on the Rock channel. A few years ago I contacted a radio station called 'Arrow Classic Rock', but Elvis doesn't mean that much to them - they play 'Black Sabbath', 'Led Zeppelin' and such..

You're right about that MTV trouble in the 1980's, though - that's a major evil force I can tell. People such as Robert Plant and Eric Clapton got unplugged, but I didn't get to see the artists I like or on very rare occasions only.

A lot of the people from the 60's era are now in charge - at least corrupt people like my father and step-mom are now misleading and confusing kids everywhere, having school jobs and earning good money - this is criminality justified by law.

I'm not too sure about voting anymore, because no political party states my opinion on things, or just some parts of it. In essence I'm a monarchist, like von Hindenburg was.

Microchip technology is cute, but the first attempts to develop computers are even older - it doesn't make it a better society to live in.

I'd love to discuss some more soon, but right now though I can't, because it's getting late and I need to go to bed. Thanks.