Have Elvis's last years overshadowed his talent

[KPM]

You can't help but notice many seem to gravitate to Elvis's problems with drugs when he is discussed. Even in the Elvis world just as much time seems devoted to the problems Elvis had as to his voice and talents as a singer and entertainer. So my question is "are the problems of his last years slowly eclipsing his talents and contributions to music and culture?" Is the focus less and less the music and talent- more and more the problems and downfall?

[Diane]

That's a hard one to answer KPM. I sometimes feel in these threads that some would rather dwell on Elvis' problems and downfall and try to shove it down our throats rather than talk about what he accomplished musically for the world in his short lifetime, not to mention the humor, generosity, affection and being generally a very enjoyable person.

I hope the majority in the world is thinking more on his positive side than on the negative. So he made some wrong choices that some people feel they could have done so much better had it been them..........live with it and give the rest of us the right to lay it aside where trash belongs!

Yup, wearing my rose coloured glasses again.

Diane

[KPM]

That's a hard one to answer KPM. I sometimes feel in these threads that some would rather dwell on Elvis' problems and downfall and try to shove it down our throats rather than talk about what he accomplished musically for the world in his short lifetime, not to mention the humor, generosity, affection and being generally a very enjoyable person.

I hope the majority in the world is thinking more on his positive side than on the negative. So he made some wrong choices that some people feel they could have done so much better had it been them..........live with it and give the rest of us the right to lay it aside where trash belongs!

Yup, wearing my rose coloured glasses again.

Diane

I have the same take on this. Some seem to want to point at every flaw, every problem and run with it. If you point out any answer which might show a little thought and understanding you are wearing "rose colored glasses"
If you look for anything that tries to give an insight into the questions of why Elvis was who he was you are not realistic?
I do think more often than not the talent is getting lost to the sideshow. The world loves a sideshow-it always draws a crowd but for the wrong reasons.

[JDD]

Not for me, but I also see the whole picture flaws and all and he's an interesting talented package. Despite what Elvis said he's "not just an entertainer" and He never really was.

I always hate when people ignore the bad or pretend it didn't happen because I think if it happened to Elvis, it could happen to anyone.

I'd sortta like to think that if he had a clear head and was healthy here today having come out the of the drug situation that all these years after the truth came out that he'd be happy to know that his experience probably kept some others away from that nonsense. I could be wrong but his charity mindedness makes me think he'd probably have been a big supporter of trying to kick addictions today.

[The King's Queen]

Interesting thread KPM...

I personally do not think that his "legend" is overshadowed by his personal choices. I think that it is just a hard matter to seperate the professional life from the personal life when so much has been put out there about his habits, lifestyle, ect. Elvis was the ultimate entertainer...loved then and now by people from all over the world. When adoration comes in that capacity, there is a natural curiousity to "know" the man and all of his traits...even his faults. "Dirty laundry" has always been a fascination for human beings. And the individuals who put books and movies out there that are full of negative aspects of his life are the ones who WANT to keep these tainted aspects of his life in the public eye. Why? Because it sells! I find it odd, but not surprising, that his fans seem to have a better opinion of him than those who were supposed to be his "friends". I know that I would def buy a book that was soley dedicated to showcasing the GOOD points of his life...like charitable contributions, generousity, kindness, and all of the other wonderful things about the man. But then again, I consider myself a "true fan"...and not one who is only interested in his downfalls or shortcomings. I can, however, see that he had faults, just as I do...just as all of us do. And I can admit that he made some bad choices in his life as well. But haven't we all?? The only difference is that when he made a bad choice, or lost his cool, or did something that any normal person does from time to time...it was an instant topic of gossip because he was "Elvis".

The only thing that I know for sure, is that nothing could ever persuade me to feel any differently toward him. I believe that he was a wholesome individual with morals and manners. I believe that he was thrust into a world that he knew nothing about and did the best he could. And I also believe that he "dabbled" with things that, at the time, he didn't really understand could actually hurt him so much in the long run. (Incidentally, that is how most people become addicted...they don't know or believe that those things will ever become a problem!) Let's face it, how many people REALLY set their sights on being an addict or an alcoholic??? IMO, he became a victim of circumstance. Either way, it will never overshadow him in my mind. I am a loyal subject...and I always will be.

[KPM]

I see Elvis as human first, then everything else after. Have never denied he had problems with addictions. He could be a poster child for "addictive personality groups" he did everything in a huge way. He liked the bumper cars he would ride them 30 times in a row, if he got on a yogurt kick he would have it 20 times a day. My point is there were reasons he had such addictive personality traits (and for anyone else who has such problems) people just do not decide one day:
"Wow from now on I will do everything to the total extreme regardless of how it hurts me" In other threads I have given very credible reasons for causes of addictions including heredity. Some things are legit even though you can not point to an ex-ray and go "well theres the problem" But I do not see him as supernatural who did no wrong and never screwed up. I see him as human. To point out his flaws with not trying to understand them is not right IMO

[JDD]

Another thing KPM is a lot of people don't know Elvis. They've heard of Elvis, maybe even a song or two but their experience isn't "Elvis" its Jay Leno or some other comedian mocking him with some dorky suit and a exaggerated "thank ya very much" . I have actually met people at Graceland that went in thinking he was just a clown and came out fans. So yeah some things probably over shadow Elvis but I'm not so sure its the real last years of him.

[marijaep]

Another thing KPM is a lot of people don't know Elvis. They've heard of Elvis, maybe even a song or two but their experience isn't "Elvis" its Jay Leno or some other comedian mocking him with some dorky suit and a exaggerated "thank ya very much" . I have actually met people at Graceland that went in thinking he was just a clown and came out fans. So yeah some things probably over shadow Elvis but I'm not so sure its the real last years of him.

Exactly JDD! That happens with many people I know...They know a song or two and know much more about the last few years of his life (over-weight, junkie..etc.) Their favorite subject is his death in the bathroom! That's just so sad...I say : Blame the media...I've read an interview with Sonny West (!), in my local newspaper and it really wasn't very nice. He was talking about Elvis, how much he ate, girls, drugs and even alcohol,which is not true! (We know Elvis didn't drink much). There wasn't much about Elvis:The Legend and his talent, voice,phenomena etc.. That just gives the public another view for Elvis and naturally they form an opinion about Elvis describing him like over-weight person and a drug addict. So, I usually make them listen and read about him more, discover his talent and everything.

Back to the subject .. lol.
I consider myself as a true fan and I don't really want to read and talk only about how 'sweet Elvis was', so I try to accept him as a human being who had many problems and faults.
In the last few years of his life, he had some serious problems with his drug addiction and he still believed that he wasn't addicted, excusing himself that the 'medication' he took was prescribed.
Of course it was hard for him to part his his personal from his public life and we can see that in some of his last performances. But, this doesn't mean that he lost his talent or his personal problems overshadowed his talent. He still gave some remarkable performances and from that we can say that he still had it. Just listen to the live versions of Hurt and Unchained Melody...amazing

Marija

[jak]

If youre a serious fan of Presley and his life's work you cant ignore the drug issue.In the mid to latter part of the 70's Elvis still had his moments of greatness.They were however much more infrequent.Elvis basically tarnished his own image because he couldnt control his own demons.The Elvis of 69 or 70 is a far cry from the guy on stage in Indy 6-26-77.It's hard to not mention the very thing that stole Elvis' creativity and eventually took his life.Elvis' drug addiction was the biggest factor in his life the last several years he was with us.It took over and dominated him.I just cant keep the blinders on.Nobody here is harming the Presley legacy by openly discussing the reality of the situation back then.I take the good and the bad with Elvis.I can discuss either because he was a complex individual with two sides.My post may seem negative but it's not meant to be.I just try to be honest and like the old saying,sometimes the truth hurts.
Jak

[TurnpikeTaylor]

I think Elvis` image gets in the way for some people much more than the drugs thing, he had such a powerful image it obscures the music for some.

[Jailhouse-Rocker]

I am a big fan of Elvis, and i, like many of you have said, see him as just a human being, with flaws just like the rest of us.

However, i think that the media have really focused on his flaws and really exaggerated them. Whenever i talk to people and mention Elvis, their immediate reaction is "the druggie who died on the toilet" .... which, although in some parts true, is a bit one-sided and they seem to overlook the fact that he was a legendary singer, actor and all round GOOD person (everyone has flaws). They seem to pick out the bad points immediately.

So i agree, that his flaws in the last few years have seemed to overshadow his musical talents, but only due to people reflecting only on his flaws.

[ksimms2]

Interesting thread KPM...

I personally do not think that his "legend" is overshadowed by his personal choices. I think that it is just a hard matter to seperate the professional life from the personal life when so much has been put out there about his habits, lifestyle, ect. Elvis was the ultimate entertainer...loved then and now by people from all over the world. When adoration comes in that capacity, there is a natural curiousity to "know" the man and all of his traits...even his faults. "Dirty laundry" has always been a fascination for human beings. And the individuals who put books and movies out there that are full of negative aspects of his life are the ones who WANT to keep these tainted aspects of his life in the public eye. Why? Because it sells! I find it odd, but not surprising, that his fans seem to have a better opinion of him than those who were supposed to be his "friends". I know that I would def buy a book that was soley dedicated to showcasing the GOOD points of his life...like charitable contributions, generousity, kindness, and all of the other wonderful things about the man. But then again, I consider myself a "true fan"...and not one who is only interested in his downfalls or shortcomings. I can, however, see that he had faults, just as I do...just as all of us do. And I can admit that he made some bad choices in his life as well. But haven't we all?? The only difference is that when he made a bad choice, or lost his cool, or did something that any normal person does from time to time...it was an instant topic of gossip because he was "Elvis".

The only thing that I know for sure, is that nothing could ever persuade me to feel any differently toward him. I believe that he was a wholesome individual with morals and manners. I believe that he was thrust into a world that he knew nothing about and did the best he could. And I also believe that he "dabbled" with things that, at the time, he didn't really understand could actually hurt him so much in the long run. (Incidentally, that is how most people become addicted...they don't know or believe that those things will ever become a problem!) Let's face it, how many people REALLY set their sights on being an addict or an alcoholic??? IMO, he became a victim of circumstance. Either way, it will never overshadow him in my mind. I am a loyal subject...and I always will be.

very well said...I agree....

[The King's Queen]

very well said...I agree....

Thanks Kelly... And a good morning to you....

[Getlo]

If youre a serious fan of Presley and his life's work you cant ignore the drug issue. I can discuss either because he was a complex individual with two sides.

Agreed.

It was really only the last 18 months to two years that Elvis looked like hell. A true shadow of his former self. And he was, in the true sense of the word ... pathetic.

Unfortunately, this bloated, mumbling image is what many in the general public remember of him. And this is the image that is fostered by a lot of the "tribute artists" out there, especially the ones who are intentionally enormously overweight and the ones who have the awful suits etc.

Elvis' final years do not overshadow his talent; they just make it more difficult for non-fans to see Elvis' entire oeuvre for what it was.

[Getlo]

IMO, he became a victim of circumstance.

Only partially. The responsibility for how Elvis' life turned out belongs only to Elvis himself.

The unhealthy choices Elvis made were his - the circumstances were weird at times, yes. But he chose to take the paths he did; no one forced him to eat badly, take drugs and slowly kill himself.

[The King's Queen]

Agreed.

It was really only the last 18 months to two years that Elvis looked like hell. A true shadow of his former self. And he was, in the true sense of the word ... pathetic.

Unfortunately, this bloated, mumbling image is what many in the general public remember of him. And this is the image that is fostered by a lot of the "tribute artists" out there, especially the ones who are intentionally enormously overweight and the ones who have the awful suits etc.

Elvis' final years do not overshadow his talent; they just make it more difficult for non-fans to see Elvis' entire oeuvre for what it was.

Only partially. The responsibility for how Elvis' life turned out belongs only to Elvis himself.

The unhealthy choices Elvis made were his - the circumstances were weird at times, yes. But he chose to take the paths he did; no one forced him to eat badly, take drugs and slowly kill himself.

I must call your hand on this one Getlo... When I stated that he was a victim of circumstance, I was referring to the early years when he first stepped into the prescription drugs. I feel confident that at that time, it wasn't "widely" discussed that these types of drugs would eventually become a problem. I think he fell prey to them due to his insomnia and the fact that his schedule was so rigorous. And there were in fact, medical reasons for his painkillers.

As for your earlier comment in which you described him as "pathetic"...I, for one, could look at that as offensive. There are several definitions for the word "pathetic"...and I don't find that any of them are fitting when it comes to Elvis. Perhaps his life had taken a "sad" turn. Perhaps he was not at his "best" in all areas of performing. But I do not feel that he was in any way inadequate...which is a definition of the word pathetic. He managed to perform, and people bought tickets, and to this very day we go to websites like youtube and look up clips of his shows in that era (or buy what's available)...and using a term like that is somewhat disrespectful, IMO. I am more than aware of his problems...and I don't try to sugar coat it, but let's not get mean about it. Ever hear of being sympathetic??? If you feel that he was indeed "pathetic"...then why not be sympathetic and not so brusque?

[Tony Trout]

Only partially. The responsibility for how Elvis' life turned out belongs only to Elvis himself.

The unhealthy choices Elvis made were his - the circumstances were weird at times, yes. But he chose to take the paths he did; no one forced him to eat badly, take drugs and slowly kill himself.

Very well said!!

[The King's Queen]

Very well said!!

Unfortunately...I must disagree. If a person is influenced be it by upbringing, or by other things, it is sometimes hard to break the "cycle", so to speak. Why must everything be so black and white to some people....

[Diane]

I don't ignore Elvis' addiction and everything else he is said to have done wrong, I,m very well aware of it all, it's just that I don't choose to make it the most important thing in my mind when I think of him and as I've said before, he had plenty of enablers to share the blame, plus as KPM says, I believe he did have an addictive personality.

Generally after someone we love passes we like to think of the good memories we had with them and leave the bad ones behind so why can't we do the same with Elvis? I just don't get all these discussion on the drugs etc. If we fans continually do this, how can we expect non-fans to see him in a good light?

Diane

[Getlo]

Why must everything be so black and white to some people....

Because some things are black and white. People, addicts etc blame "circumstance" for their troubles when they - and the people who surround them - often don't take responsibility.

And as for "pathetic" ...
adjective

1. causing or evoking pity, sympathetic sadness, sorrow, etc.; pitiful; pitiable: a pathetic letter; a pathetic sight.
2. affecting or moving the feelings.
3. pertaining to or caused by the feelings.
4. miserably or contemptibly inadequate: In return for our investment we get a pathetic three percent interest.

... the word has been used incorrectly over the years and is automatically assumed to be a negative. I think definition No.1 aptly describes Elvis in the last few months, especially during Elvis In Concert.