I got a serious question about the 77 Elvis image?

[keke23]

I'm not nockin Elvis's weight or anyone here, so please don't come down on me for sayin this.

Why are so many of yall so caught up in the 77 Elvis image?

There was a guy who used to post at the E1 board who would post nothin but 77 pics. Then when everyone would ask him not to, he'd do it anyway. Out of all the good sexy pics of Elvis, he posted the overweight unattractive pics.

I always wondered if he was tryin to piss off us female fans or if he was even a fan in the first place.

IMO, a real true supportive fan wouldn't be promotin the worst of their idol or hero like that.

Elvis was such a gorgeous man in his earlier days leadin up to his last couple years.

Why do some of yall use that bad image of him in his worst of health when there's so many of him lookin hip, flashy and stylish, not to mention.....sexy as hell!? I don't get it.

I mean, the fans get all mad because of all the drugged up fat jokes, but yall add to the problem by havin avatars of him in 77 where younger newer fans see and realize why those jokes are out there.

I've noticed this for a while but just ignored it.

Whenever I see that image, I wanna cry for him. He looked bad, health wise, and sick. I don't see 56, or 68 or even 73 Elvis when I see him at the end. I see a dyin man. It's a sad sight.

IMO, I think he would want that period of his life forgotten and just remembered for his best years, which IMO, his very best were 68-70.

If there's anything I support of EPE it's the fact that they stay away from the EIC stuff.

That's not the Elvis that should be seen by the public, IMO.

[utmom2008]

Why are so many of yall so caught up in the 77 Elvis image?

Why do some of yall use that bad image of him in his worst of health when there's so many of him lookin hip, flashy and stylish, not to mention.....sexy as hell!? I don't get it.

Whenever I see that image, I wanna cry for him. He looked bad, health wise, and sick. I don't see 56, or 68 or even 73 Elvis when I see him at the end. I see a dyin man. It's a sad sight.

I can't answer your question Lakeisha...I have wondered at times myself. But, I know that there is a group here that live and die with the term "77 was pure Elvis". I think you might want to duck....

[keke23]

Yeah I know.

I don't get that at all!

I didn't think he was all that bad, until I saw a video copy of EIC one day, from a guy who collected Elvis, and had brought his car in for repair at my boyfriend's body shop.

I litterally cried when I saw it.

[MissyM]

I have a hard time focusing on it too because he looked great a lot more than he ever looked bad. I remember watching the show on T.V., it saddened me to the point of sickness in my tummy. I'm telling you, I told my husband that Elvis wouldn't be with us long. I just knew it. So I don't even like to think about it.

[ksimms2]

Yeah I know.

I don't get that at all!

I didn't think he was all that bad, until I saw a video copy of EIC one day, from a guy who collected Elvis, and had brought his car in for repair at my boyfriend's body shop.

I litterally cried when I saw it.

I cried when I saw it too Lakeisha. Not all 77 pics of him are bad though....but I see what you are saying.....but maybe because most of us accept Elvis at every stage in his life. It doesn't bother me to see the pics - although there are more attractive ones out there.

[Diane]

I was heartsick when I saw EIC too and it worried me no end. I knew if something wasn't done quickly, he'd be gone soon. I held it together until he was at the piano singing Unchained Melody and looked up at Charlie and that did me in.

I agree, Elvis looked wonderful for most of his life and career, I can understand some looking at his later ill looking pictures, but I can't understand when that is all they dwell on. I sure don't and I never think of him that way.

Diane

[Alessia]

If there's anything I support of EPE it's the fact that they stay away from the EIC stuff.

That's not the Elvis that should be seen by the public, IMO.

I'm totally with EPE on that one, too. I can't remember who called EIC Elvis' Zapruder film, but that's what it is. It's horribly sad.

And I don't think that's the image of Elvis the general public should have.

[utmom2008]

I was heartsick when I saw EIC too and it worried me no end. I knew if something wasn't done quickly, he'd be gone soon. I held it together until he was at the piano singing Unchained Melody and looked up at Charlie and that did me in.

I agree, Elvis looked wonderful for most of his life and career, I can understand some looking at his later ill looking pictures, but I can't understand when that is all they dwell on. I sure don't and I never think of him that way.

Diane

I think you guys are forgetting something......EIC was not shown until October 3, 1977..

[Gerianne]

Well as you can see from my avatar, this is the Elvis I love - sexy! A lot of people think of Elvis from his later years when he put weight on. They just seem to dwell on this image and it is something I could never understand.

[Lonniebealestreet]

I doubt that any fans are intentionally trying to irritate others by posting pics of Elvis in '77 or by trying to accentuate the positives of the period, or are actually doing harm by having '77 Elvis avatars.

In fact, I would say the opposite is true. The estate in recent years has taken baby steps towards acknowledging 1977 Elvis but by and large they don't want to go there. I personally believe that there just aren't that many people out there in any age group who have not heard the bad jokes, some bad information, or have not been fed an image of a grossly obese man singing in Las Vegas to blue-haired old ladies, addicted to drugs, died on the toilet, etc.

That's not all untrue about Elvis towards the end but the fact is that some people think he was a much bigger man than he actually was. True, there weren't so many happy times, but he wasn't always depressed. True, he didn't look too good during most of '77, but there are some photos and videos in which he did.

By not addressing this time period, and without evidence to contradict some of the gross exaggerations that have been put out there and exist in people's minds, they are left to believe all of that.

In spite of what some people think, people who like Elvis in '77 are not all delusional and they don't even all wear rose-colored glasses. And even if the efforts of those people do not change people's thinking on Elvis, it is not right to criticize them for trying, or liking what they like. Fact is Elvis in '77 is who the man ultimately became and personally I can't understand how some fans can deny this period or look so down upon it. It is Elvis Presley.

I can certainly understand it being upsetting however.

I am open-minded about all periods of Elvis' life and career and under no illusions about any one of them. Like all of you I choose to like what I like and like some periods more than others and I can't see how on earth that would make someone less of a fan. But his entire life, beginning to tragic end, makes for an incredibly fascinating subject, doesn't it? I think that is why most of us are here.

Does anyone think he was "sexier" in '77 than in '56, '68, '70, '73? I don't think so. It's not about that. I would suggest that '77 Elvis is promoted rather than these other periods by the people you speak of because they need no promotion. Those periods are undeniable, well spoken for, and obviously the guy looked kinda good then and made most of his best music in those years.

Back to the photos of Elvis in '77...Some of us just really enjoy seeing slivers of time from the period in which Elvis appeared to be doing better than conventional wisdom suggests or when he appeared to be doing better than we know he actually was. He was depressed, no doubt, but when you see him onstage flashing that famous smile you have to realize that if only temporarily, the man was enjoying himself. Isn't that nice to see?

So it's about a few different things: dispelling some untruths (like that he weighed over 300 pounds) and seeing glimpses of happiness when overall there wasn't much of that and seeing some flattering photos when maybe he didn't look that good overall but they need to be shown up against the unflattering photos from the same period/month/week/day.

I agree that EPE is wise to not promote EIC mass-market, but there is a place for it. And there are a number of fans who are not completely turned off when they see it and actually see a lot of good in it, in spite of the obvious decline. And a new edit could also be done a whole lot better than the original rush-release. But alas, that has been discussed ad nauseam.

[Diane]

You're right Rosanne, my memory was faulty there but that is the way I thought when I saw that concert. I still wasn't thinking of him gone. That took quite a while to sink in.

Diane

[Gary1]

I doubt that any fans are intentionally trying to irritate others by posting pics of Elvis in '77 or by trying to accentuate the positives of the period, or are actually doing harm by having '77 Elvis avatars.

In fact, I would say the opposite is true. The estate in recent years has taken baby steps towards acknowledging 1977 Elvis but by and large they don't want to go there. I personally believe that there just aren't that many people out there in any age group who have not heard the bad jokes, some bad information, or have not been fed an image of a grossly obese man singing in Las Vegas to blue-haired old ladies, addicted to drugs, died on the toilet, etc.

That's not all untrue about Elvis towards the end but the fact is that some people think he was a much bigger man than he actually was. True, there weren't so many happy times, but he wasn't always depressed. True, he didn't look too good during most of '77, but there are some photos and videos in which he did.

By not addressing this time period, and without evidence to contradict some of the gross exaggerations that have been put out there and exist in people's minds, they are left to believe all of that.

In spite of what some people think, people who like Elvis in '77 are not all delusional and they don't even all wear rose-colored glasses. And even if the efforts of those people do not change people's thinking on Elvis, it is not right to criticize them for trying, or liking what they like. Fact is Elvis in '77 is who the man ultimately became and personally I can't understand how some fans can deny this period or look so down upon it. It is Elvis Presley.

I can certainly understand it being upsetting however.

I am open-minded about all periods of Elvis' life and career and under no illusions about any one of them. Like all of you I choose to like what I like and like some periods more than others and I can't see how on earth that would make someone less of a fan. But his entire life, beginning to tragic end, makes for an incredibly fascinating subject, doesn't it? I think that is why most of us are here.

Does anyone think he was "sexier" in '77 than in '56, '68, '70, '73? I don't think so. It's not about that. I would suggest that '77 Elvis is promoted rather than these other periods by the people you speak of because they need no promotion. Those periods are undeniable, well spoken for, and obviously the guy looked kinda good then and made most of his best music in those years.

Back to the photos of Elvis in '77...Some of us just really enjoy seeing slivers of time from the period in which Elvis appeared to be doing better than conventional wisdom suggests or when he appeared to be doing better than we know he actually was. He was depressed, no doubt, but when you see him onstage flashing that famous smile you have to realize that if only temporarily, the man was enjoying himself. Isn't that nice to see?

So it's about a few different things: dispelling some untruths (like that he weighed over 300 pounds) and seeing glimpses of happiness when overall there wasn't much of that and seeing some flattering photos when maybe he didn't look that good overall but they need to be shown up against the unflattering photos from the same period/month/week/day.

I agree that EPE is wise to not promote EIC mass-market, but there is a place for it. And there are a number of fans who are not completely turned off when they see it and actually see a lot of good in it, in spite of the obvious decline. And a new edit could also be done a whole lot better than the original rush-release. But alas, that has been discussed ad nauseam.

Great post i couldn't agree more.

[LianaKaralivanou]

It's strange but everytime I take a look at Elvis during the year 1977, I feel like I love him even more. Elvis wasn't just the good looking man living in Graceland, he was and still is much more than that. And BECAUSE of his situation the last year of his life (overweight, drug addiction, broken marriage, etc.), I see him as a hurt human being and that made me love him more...

[Rover]

Ok, Elvis didn't look as good in 77 as he did when he was younger, but he was far from being ugly in 77 IMO
Except some pics where you can clearly see he was sick or err..something (these kind of pics make me really sad), I think it is nice to see pics from the late 70s...he was still Elvis, there was something in the poses, the smile, etc...Actually he looks more "human" to me when he got older. It reminds me he was like everyone else, vulnerable...
The only problem I have with his image in the late 70s is that it is the first thing shown today. Before becoming a big fan like I am today, the image I had of Elvis was the one of a fat drug addict...and I didn't even know any of his songs at that time. I don't know where I get this image, I guess it is just the most obvious trace he left in mass culture.

[utmom2008]

You're right Rosanne, my memory was faulty there but that is the way I thought when I saw that concert. I still wasn't thinking of him gone. That took quite a while to sink in.

I can relate to that as well. I last saw him on Dec. 28, 76
, and you can look at the pics that someone posted(there is a pic from 1 night later) that it wasn't nearly as bad as it became. When I saw EIC I was stunned, and I remember thinking "OMG....no wonder he has died".

[rocknroll]

There was a guy who used to post at the E1 board who would post nothin but 77 pics. Then when everyone would ask him not to, he'd do it anyway. Out of all the good sexy pics of Elvis, he posted the overweight unattractive pics.

That same poster is on here also posting nothing but '77 pictures.

I think it is an attempt to convince people that Elvis never lost it.

[cameron]

I doubt that any fans are intentionally trying to irritate others by posting pics of Elvis in '77 or by trying to accentuate the positives of the period, or are actually doing harm by having '77 Elvis avatars.

In fact, I would say the opposite is true. The estate in recent years has taken baby steps towards acknowledging 1977 Elvis but by and large they don't want to go there. I personally believe that there just aren't that many people out there in any age group who have not heard the bad jokes, some bad information, or have not been fed an image of a grossly obese man singing in Las Vegas to blue-haired old ladies, addicted to drugs, died on the toilet, etc.

That's not all untrue about Elvis towards the end but the fact is that some people think he was a much bigger man than he actually was. True, there weren't so many happy times, but he wasn't always depressed. True, he didn't look too good during most of '77, but there are some photos and videos in which he did.

[B]By not addressing this time period, and without evidence to contradict some of the gross exaggerations that have been put out there and exist in people's minds, they are left to believe all of that.[/B
In spite of what some people think, people who like Elvis in '77 are not all delusional and they don't even all wear rose-colored glasses. And even if the efforts of those people do not change people's thinking on Elvis, it is not right to criticize them for trying, or liking what they like. Fact is Elvis in '77 is who the man ultimately became and personally I can't understand how some fans can deny this period or look so down upon it. It is Elvis Presley.I can certainly understand it being upsetting however.

I am open-minded about all periods of Elvis' life and career and under no illusions about any one of them. Like all of you I choose to like what I like and like some periods more than others and I can't see how on earth that would make someone less of a fan. But his entire life, beginning to tragic end, makes for an incredibly fascinating subject, doesn't it? I think that is why most of us are here.

Does anyone think he was "sexier" in '77 than in '56, '68, '70, '73? I don't think so. It's not about that. I would suggest that '77 Elvis is promoted rather than these other periods by the people you speak of because they need no promotion. Those periods are undeniable, well spoken for, and obviously the guy looked kinda good then and made most of his best music in those years.

Back to the photos of Elvis in '77...Some of us just really enjoy seeing slivers of time from the period in which Elvis appeared to be doing better than conventional wisdom suggests or when he appeared to be doing better than we know he actually was. He was depressed, no doubt, but when you see him onstage flashing that famous smile you have to realize that if only temporarily, the man was enjoying himself. Isn't that nice to see?

So it's about a few different things: dispelling some untruths (like that he weighed over 300 pounds) and seeing glimpses of happiness when overall there wasn't much of that and seeing some flattering photos when maybe he didn't look that good overall but they need to be shown up against the unflattering photos from the same period/month/week/day.

I agree that EPE is wise to not promote EIC mass-market, but there is a place for it. And there are a number of fans who are not completely turned off when they see it and actually see a lot of good in it, in spite of the obvious decline. And a new edit could also be done a whole lot better than the original rush-release. But alas, that has been discussed ad nauseam.

A very well expressed opinion. It's what some try to say; but get put down and made fun of. Some accept the man as he is/was ....it wasn't all about his looks .Never has been.

I just met a friend of my grandson who's 15 1/2 that's a fanatic Elvis fan.
She just went nutty over some of the things I have. I advised her to not get on any Elvis sites on the computer; she might get hurt .

[Jim Saidhello]

To really understand the '77 phenomenon, you'll also have to dig into the fascination with Elvis' death. Though all of us are saddened that he's gone, many of us feel that he passed from human being into legend that year.

Elvis had both inner beauty and physical good looks throughout most of his life. To me, the more ravaged his body became towards the end, the more we could see his bright spirit shining through it. I sometimes wonder if his bloating was deliberate, to diminish the pretty face that was all the public saw in hopes that his equally beautiful soul might get some attention.

[Lonniebealestreet]

Thanks for the supportive comments to my post.

I like what has been said about his downfall making him seem more human and thus, more endearing.

[utmom2008]

I sometimes wonder if his bloating was deliberate, to diminish the pretty face that was all the public saw in hopes that his equally beautiful soul might get some attention.

I think that's a bit of a stretch. I doubt that Elvis himself enjoyed his physical problems and the side effects that went along with it.