MojoElvis' thread Did Elvis Fake His Death? inspired me to start another thread:
One of the many questionable theories which the bitter author Albert Goldman raised about Elvis is that he "couldn't be himself" and that even his 'bashful boy' approach to the few interviews which he did was basically "copping out". The suggestion is that he was essentially a 'people pleaser', giving folk whatever he thought they wanted to hear because he couldn't stop performing, even in real life.
While I think this is mainly just another example of Goldman manipulating the facts in order to present as negative a picture of Elvis as possible, many other famous entertainers (such as one of E's own heroes, Peter Sellers) have also been accused of 'acting their way through life', almost resulting in the the complete effacement of their own character.
One has to admit that living with your staff and friends 24/7 would present little opportunity to 'be yourself' and we could argue that part of the reason for having them there was to deliberately limit the availability of intimacy. Was Elvis's need for the Memphis Mafia in part symptomatic of a lack of confidence in his own true character?
While I don't necessarily endorse any of these theories myself, my question to you all is how much do you feel you have seen of The Real Elvis? and outside of his actual performing (on stage or screen), where can The Real Elvis be found?
'Taking Care of Beaulieu'.
Elvis surrounded himself to a large extent with like minded people who had the same values and upbringing as him. He could be himself among them. Elvis was made out to a country bumpkin by many - a label he disliked. The Memphis Mafia were a security blanket for him and I think one of the reasons he got on so well with Linda Thompson was that she too was a county girl.
Originally Posted by Teddy
I think that it started out to be where he feared someone was trying to kill him in the 50s.
Then it turned into a bunch of people to do things for him and the partying thing is always more fun with friends around and then partly for legal reasons due to woman claiming that he was the father of their baby. The theory was, if there was guys around all the time and the woman slept with them too, then that would be proof that she's a promiscuous woman.
Of course, if Elvis had had the personality of Jerry Lee Lewis or Chuck Berry, Goldman would have bashed him for that.
Having said that, I think Sam Phillips was right when he described Elvis as incredibly insecure, and I do think he was a people pleaser. He might have been happier if he'd been less concerned with how people saw him.
And the MM to me were Elvis' security blanket.
Err NO!!!!
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
Elvis was a VERY complex person and I think throughout Elvis' life, we saw several sides of the real Elvis! But mainly, I think that the REAL Elvis came out anytime he gave something to someone, whether it be a new car or the jewelry off of his body. Elvis was a VERY generous person, perhaps to a fault at times. He would do anything for anyone, and perhaps it would be expected for Elvis to do special things for the people around him or that worked for him. But just giving people that he didn't know or had never met new cars or new houses....that, in my opinion, was THE REAL ELVIS!!!
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
Yes, despite the impression we get of Elvis hiding behind a large entourage day-to-day, there are also countless reports of his tendency to encourage very private one-on-one meetings with his friends and family where he would take the opportunity to express how much he cares.
It's understandable that a person in his position would choose to conduct his intimate moments in this discreet and focused way.
And if it was accompanied with extravagant gift-giving, it's also easy to understand why he might feel that this was expected of him.
I definitely agree with all this and even if he was a naturally disposed people-pleaser, I don't think he necessarily pleased people at the expense of his own character, as Goldman suggests.
I agree that Elvis was terribly insecure. I would also venture to say that most of the time he was on stage or movie set or around his friends, he was 'acting'. If there was a time in his life when he was true to himself, it would have been when his mother died b/c he was so shocked and devestated, but still had to become the IMAGE for the army and fans. I would have also hoped that he was the HUMAN Elvis and not the IMAGE Elvis when he was with Priscilla, since this is the one truly intimate relationship he held dear. I would also say that when he was able to put the appropriate emotions into a song, he was revealing a part of the HUMAN Elvis, rather than the IMAGE.
Reading accounts of various books written by the MM and then reading Jerry Schilling's book, although most of the books all describe the same events happening within Elvis' world, Jerry's descriptions are so much more human and revealing -- he speaks of Elvis at his mother's gravesite, he speaks of Elvis' belief that he could heal with his hands, he speaks of being in the recording studio when the magic was happening. But Jerry also says throughout the book that Elvis didn't willingly share his problems with others so, if you didn't get the real thing through his music or deed, it was this IMAGE Elvis that most saw.
"More people today should see him not simply as a performer, but as an artist with a great soul."
John Bakke, professor emeritus
University of Memphis
I don't think Elvis was "acting" when he was on the stage..I feel like that's one of the few places where he felt completely at home and able to express himself. He could truly feel his music and that in turn gave him the freedom to be natural. If there were any stage performances where he was "acting" I would cast my vote for AFH. I think that's the reason alot of fans don't hold that up as his best performance ever given. He was somewhat "on guard" because of the potential viewing audience, and didn't feel free to be natural...to be Elvis. TTWII is a much more accurate display of what he was really like..when he was completely and 100% natural.
Have to agree with you on this one Rosanne! AFH was not the Elvis we saw!!
Forever Best Friends
No, we never saw this one. This is the one that simply wasn't 100% Elvis...he had to act here to keep himself "on guard".
I think this is an example for 100% REAL (young) Elvis
[YT]CerIsIGlUq0&feature=related[/YT]
It can`t be an easy thing to be 100% yourself when you are such an incredibly well known person as Elvis was....I don`t know too many people who are always exactly the same on the outside as they are on the inside....most people have little alterations that they make to their character in certain situations..and Elvis was no different. I do agree however that on occasion Elvis did over-do the disguise...and "Aloha" is a good example......
Hello ppl,
First of all let me introduce myself, I have been a fan of Elvis since my childhood, I am also a big fan of conspiracy theories, just wondered if anyone had heard of Jon Cotner and if they had what are their views. If you do a search on youtube for Jon Cotner it will come up with various recordings made by jon Cotner using the alias of MysteryMan on pal talk. have a listen.
Apparently this is a picture of Jon Cotner which he uses on his myspace profile.
Bears a striking resemblance in my opinon.
oops just did a search for him on the boards please ignore my above post I had not realised Jon Cotner had been discussed before, I used to be a member here along time ago but have forgotten my original log in details so had to register again. Goes back to lurk mode.
In my opinion,ELVIS was 100% real.I´m sure.
I think he was concerned about being a good example to the fans that followed him but I don't think he was acting in any way, just trying to preserve his private life.
_________________
I think Elvis was very complex yes..
And I think that there were levels of Elvis.Depending on how well you knew him,and how well he trusted you,you saw diffrent levels of Elvis.And I think for someone that is put in that position like Elvis,you have to be that way..
-SatninLove
"There's A Sweet Sweet Spirit In This Place"....
And yes 100% real!Well said BeckElvis and Donut!
-SatninLove
"There's A Sweet Sweet Spirit In This Place"....
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
