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Thread: Something that I've always wondered when Elvis was performing live...

  1. #1
    International Level LtCarman's Avatar
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    Something that I've always wondered when Elvis was performing live...

    I've always wondered, when Elvis did this:


    at the end of a song, did he actually signal his band when to stop, or did he just move to the ending beat?

    Sorry if it is a stupid question or if the answer is obvious and little ol' me can't see it.
    Last edited by LtCarman; 01-07-2009 at 10:19 AM.

  2. #2
    He directed his band an background singers throughout all his performances. He is the only performer I've seen who does this as well as sing and move at the same time....and some people complain that he didn't write his own songs?????

    Diane

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    Resident SP! Tony Trout's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by LtCarman View Post
    I've always wondered, when Elvis did this:


    at the end of a song, did he actually signal his band when to stop, or did he just move to the ending beat?

    Sorry if it is a stupid question or if the answer is obvious and little ol' me can't see it.

    He was always signaling the band when to stop when he would use moves like that.

  4. #4
    Ronnie Tutt And James Burton Said That They Always Watched For Hand Movements And Signals From Elvis On Stage.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Just_Elvis322.jpg  

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    International Level LtCarman's Avatar
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    Thanks for clearing that up for me guys.
    Last edited by LtCarman; 01-07-2009 at 03:41 PM.

  6. #6
    i'm not wondered,Elvis directed his band.

  7. #7
    Also, they would watch his leg moving to the beat. But like you said it was mostly his hands.

    Thing about stealing was stupid...Yea, but writer of the song has rights on who can sing it and who can't. Like Paul Anka(sp?) writer and singer of My Way and etc.

    Love to all,
    Tim

  8. #8
    Yes Elvis was always the boss on stage. He knew how he wanted the band and singers to sound. He had a great feel for the music.

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    International Level WHITETIGERMAN's Avatar
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    As I always heard the band say that he was not moving to the beat....that they were playing of his movements.Scotty Moore said that they were the only band he knew of that was directed by a a**.Scotty laughed when saying that.But yes LtCarman....that was always Elvis' cue to end the song.

  10. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by memphis69 View Post
    Ronnie Tutt And James Burton Said That They Always Watched For Hand Movements And Signals From Elvis On Stage.
    Tutt especially had a hard job, because he had to accentuate any movement Elvis made on stage and still keep the basic tempo going.
    He is not recognised enough IMO for how hard this must have been.
    Work in Progress!

  11. #11
    International Level LtCarman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by KPM View Post
    Tutt especially had a hard job, because he had to accentuate any movement Elvis made on stage and still keep the basic tempo going.
    He is not recognised enough IMO for how hard this must have been.
    Yeah, I could imagine. That's what makes him a spectacular drummer.

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    Resident SP! Tony Trout's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by KPM View Post
    Tutt especially had a hard job, because he had to accentuate any movement Elvis made on stage and still keep the basic tempo going.
    He is not recognised enough IMO for how hard this must have been.

    Tutt actually studied karate to anticipate Elvis's moves onstage.

  13. #13
    Down In The Alley shelley.m.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WHITETIGERMAN View Post
    As I always heard the band say that he was not moving to the beat....that they were playing of his movements.Scotty Moore said that they were the only band he knew of that was directed by a a**.Scotty laughed when saying that.But yes LtCarman....that was always Elvis' cue to end the song.
    That's funny,WHITETIGERMAN.I was trying to remember that quote as well by Scotty Moore.
    The One and Only King of Rock'n'Roll.

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Tony Trout View Post
    Tutt actually studied karate to anticipate Elvis's moves onstage.
    I recall Elvis calling him "one of my students" in some import cd.
    It had to be a hard task to anticipate and react so quickly to moves which sometimes were out of the blue. My hats off to Tutt.
    Work in Progress!

  15. #15
    I've got a question also. On disc 4 of "Elvis Live in Las Vegas Box" you can hear Elvis say to Jerry Scheff at the beginning of 'Burning Love':"What a bass groove" or is he saying "Play that bass groove". I'd like to know what Elvis is saying to Jerry.
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  16. #16

    .

    It was a combination of both showmanship and band direction.

    Let's face it, Elvis didn't need to be signalling the band to end All Shook Up or whatever right at the end of his career. They knew the songs so well.

    And at the very end, Elvis' direction was virtually superfluous.
    Getlo - cute'n'cuddly

  17. #17
    Resident SP! Tony Trout's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Getlo View Post
    It was a combination of both showmanship and band direction.

    Let's face it, Elvis didn't need to be signalling the band to end All Shook Up or whatever right at the end of his career. They knew the songs so well.

    And at the very end, Elvis' direction was virtually superfluous.

    Very much agreed, Gelto.

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    International Level Dino78's Avatar
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    I agree with you Getlo except one point.
    When Ronnie Tutt was replaced in '77 it needed these movements to show him when to stop.
    "If you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary; If you're not an Elvis fan, no explanation is possible.“
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  19. #19

    .

    Quote Originally Posted by Dino78 View Post
    I agree with you Getlo except one point.
    When Ronnie Tutt was replaced in '77 it needed these movements to show him when to stop.
    Only to a point.

    Jerome Munroe had seen the show so many times, he would have pretty much known the drill.

    And Larrie Londin had been there several times already.
    Getlo - cute'n'cuddly

  20. #20
    In watching Tutt on videos its almost at times like he was an extension of Elvis. Tutt said watching the TTWII SE he saw Elvis clap his hands at a point in rehearsals and he knew Elvis was telling me he wanted him there on drums.
    I tried to explain to my 17 year old nephew who plays drums how good Tutt was in doing this.
    He said "Oh thats not so hard" so my brother and I sat and jammed with him on some pretty simple songs-and I did a few kicks and chops (lamely of course) and he saw it was not as easy as he thought to interrupt his basic drumming to add the extra beats where I wanted. It was kind of fun to see him trying.
    Work in Progress!

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