Should Elvis had a more popular Opening Act?

[U.S. Male]

This is another topic that I have often enjoyed discussing

As mostly everyone knows, the colonel had Elvis show made up of having the Sweet Inspirations, JD Sumner & The Stamps, and comedian Jackie Kahane warm-up the audience for Elvis. However, I have often wondered just how it might have been to have seen a more popular single artist or group opening the show for The King.

I know the colonel wanted to stick with the same concert itinerary as Elvis had followed during the 50's (have 2 / 3 musical acts and a comedian prior to Elvis' performance), yet in my view this actually hurt him (Elvis) during the 70's.

During this period, many major musical stars had pretty suitable opening acts as a part of their show. I feel that had the colonel, and even Elvis himself, worked in a popular band or artist, Elvis may have been more keyed up for when it was his time to go on stage, and work even harder to out perform the opening bill and to consistently try and out do himself. had this happened, I feel more interesting shows could have taken place at times, and perhaps even a more broader choice of songs may have worked there way in to his show?

So, what is everyone else's thoughts on this?

[howardrobardhughes]

I believe that a "name" opening act would have had it's pros and cons..
Main pro...it would have given Elvis some incentive to perhaps perform at a higher level in 74-77...

Main con...if Elvis didn't care..and had no incentive..
he would have been made to look worse than he was actually perceived..
..
I believe the Colonel thought
A. Elvis was big enough to hold in own,and draw a crowd by himself(correct)
B.No more expenses were needed...why pay for a legit opening act when every show was a sellout???

[Paulie1971]

This does sound like something Colonel Parker would say

In my opinion the old Colonel thought that a big name as an opening act would take the attention away from his boy. I am sure Parker wasn't blind to the fact that Elvis wasn't always his best so to say ..... an interesting opening act would've been competing with his own main attraction ...

And also I am sure the lesser known acts were cheaper too ... he was Dutch before anything

[U.S. Male]

Well, I certainly cannot argue with the points you made there Howard. I can understand the need to keep expenses down, and the fact that Elvis certainly could draw crowds on his own.

I just feel that had Elvis been able to get close to some of the performers of that period that it might have sparked a bit more of creativity and the need to excel higher at his own game.

I want to take this one-step further:

Just who would have been suitable to open a show for Elvis?

Here's a short list of mine:

Creedence Clearwater Revival (or John Fogerty solo)
The Eagles
Bachman Turner Overdrive
Lynyrd Skynyrd
kenny Rogers & the New Edition
Olivia Newton John
James Taylor
Jim Croce
Jerry Lee Lewis

[Lonniebealestreet]

Hmmm, lots to consider there.

First of all, could you give an example of a big-name band or singer you could see opening for Elvis? It's so hard to imagine. Elvis being almost like a singular genre all to himself (though he encompassed many styles), it's hard to think of what would be a good pairing. Would the ideal be some band that was currently enjoying a lot of success, but who did not mind taking a backseat to the king, or another act with sort of a retro rock and roll thing going on, like Chuck Berry?

It seems unlikely also because it seemed to go against the Colonel's philosophy--and perhaps Elvis' too. Just as they did not want Elvis to share the stage with any other stars for his comeback special, and also perhaps being synonymous with the isolationism of Elvis in general, placing him in a basically level playing field with another performer for a live show is something I just can't see happening.

That's not to say good would not have come as a result of this, and please don't mind my questioning the question. You were just trying to think hypothetically, and I'm just being me. So let's just say that did happen. I love what you said about it motivating Elvis to put on a stronger and perhaps more varied performance night in and night out. That would seem to be a natural result of that. And I think he would learn from the other guys just as they picked up things from him.

It is a shame this sort of thing did not happen, if for no other reason than Elvis would have been able to enjoy a camaraderie among fellow performers as (somewhat) equals, and have a true friendship based on those things they had in common. But he apparently wasn't looking for that, or at least not comfortable enough to allow that kind of relationship to develop.

Tangents, tangents...Bottom line is that yes, I believe it would have made for a more enjoyable show, for what the opening act could possibly bring out in Elvis and for the sake of the opening act itself.

[Lonniebealestreet]

I'm not the quickest typist. When I started mine, there were no other responses. In my defense, I am trying to eat here!

So you answered my question about who might be an opening act for Elvis before I asked the question. That's a good list. It would be interesting to know, if asked back then, how many of those performers would have accepted the offer to be Elvis' opening act.

Most of those sure would have made for a different crowd dynamic, I'll say that.

[howardrobardhughes]

Nice choices..
I've always felt that if Elvis were to have chosen an opening act..
it would have been
A.James Brown
B.Jackie Wilson
C.Billy Ward
D.Olivia Newton John
E.Johhny Rivers

[buttonhead]

Well, I certainly cannot argue with the points you made there Howard. I can understand the need to keep expenses down, and the fact that Elvis certainly could draw crowds on his own.

I just feel that had Elvis been able to get close to some of the performers of that period that it might have sparked a bit more of creativity and the need to excel higher at his own game.

I want to take this one-step further:

Just who would have been suitable to open a show for Elvis?

Here's a short list of mine:

Creedence Clearwater Revival (or John Fogerty solo)
The Eagles
Bachman Turner Overdrive
Lynyrd Skynyrd
kenny Rogers & the New Edition
Olivia Newton John
James Taylor
Jim Croce
Jerry Lee Lewis

As i read this ...one person come across in my mind would be : Patti Page, she is one of elvis favorite singer,...and i think Patti Page wouldnt mind to have an opening act for Elvis, we never really know the main reason why Col.Parker never set up opening act beside the same ol' same ol' Jackie Kahane or Sweet Inspirations ..maybe it has something to do with Elvis one time thought that he could sing better than any other musicians ? ..

[howardrobardhughes]

From what I've read..even when Elvis was at a career high in 56-57..the Colonel had local yokels ...jugglers..yodelers..hired as opening acts..
proving he wanted Elvis to look good...and he was cheap..

[U.S. Male]

You know even without having a more popular opening act, Elvis and/or the colonel should have at least tried to have pushed for a large festival type of concert with multiple star acts w/ Elvis being the headliner.
Would have been awesome.

[sam]

That's a good list of opening acts Big Boss Man. I'd even consider adding Rick Nelson to it.

[0349054]

I think that the comedian could of been lost. I also think that a "name" opening act would of been a nice addition to Elvis' show. Then again, the Colonel would insist that it's a family show that's being put on, so it is to appeal to everyone. He probabaly would of said if it aint broke don't fix it!

Imagine though, Springsteen opening for Elvis! A big name opening act would of incited Elvis to peform at a higher level. It would of done his music good too, because, Elvis would of been introduced to mainstream and contemporary artists in the late 70's. We could of even witnessed something like his 1969 revival as far as Recording sessions were concerned.

I think another problem the Colonel would of had, is that, Elvis would see first hand how other acts are managed. I think it would of been great for Elvis on an artistic level.

[Elvis' Babe]

mmm...

jerry lee lewis or olivia newton-john would be appropriate.

have jerry lee there and you'd have another pianist...but jerry lee would probably be trying to steal the show...could be interesting--it would give elvis a challenge for sure. jerry lee was a bit of a show-off. it might have ended up being a duet show.

olivia--now i can see that. she was very good, without being crazy like the killer. and olivia had a very very pretty voice. and elvis sang a song or so of hers so he obviously liked her music.

both would have definitely been better than the NOT FUNNY comedian they had. i could have come up with better material than what he says in the beginning of elvis on tour. bleh.

[U.S. Male]

Two more artists came to mind who might have been good show openers:

Charlie Rich and Glen Campbell. I do know that Elvis himself was a fan of both these guys music.

[buttonhead]

Two more artists came to mind who might have been good show openers:

Charlie Rich and Glen Campbell. I do know that Elvis himself was a fan of both these guys music.

Glenn Campbell, thats a good choice, Elvis version of Gentle On My Mind was better than Campbell though....

[Memphis]

Opening Act/s? anticipating the Elvis show, I don't think it would matter if the Pope or the President did the warm up, who would care, the audience was there to see Elvis.

[U.S. Male]

the audience was there to see Elvis.

I guess that pretty much summarizes the whole thing.

Good point Memphis