the momentb you were hooked on elvis

[ELV1S]

I became a fan in 2004 when they re-released some Elvis songs. It was virtually the only time I ever watched Top Of The Pops so it must have been fate or something!

The BBC weren't allowed to have a clip of Elvis singing and so an impersonator sang instead. I felt really sad about that and also intrigued by this great star, and so asked people about him, as, although of course I knew of Elvis Presley, I didn't know very much about him at all. I was told that he was a great singer who became fat in his later years and reminded that he was the singer in the black leather who I had been captivated by when I couldn't sleep aged 10 and so had briefly seen on late night TV

I needed to know more as I truly felt sympathy and admiration for him, and so tried to get some songs. I immediately loved his voice but it was when I first saw a clip of him that I completely fell in love. It was You Don't Have To Say You Love Me from TTWII That performance is so special to me now... as soon as I saw it I realised that there was no turning back!

It feels as though I've been a fan for so so much longer though as I truly can't imagine not listening to his music now and hearing more about his amazing life. He is the only singer ever to have such a hold on me. And he is, without a doubt, my number one entertainer

great to see a fan from the modern years (2000's+) I'm really pleased the new remixes make new fans, great to meet you

[amzietamzie]

great to see a fan from the modern years (2000's+) I'm really pleased the new remixes make new fans, great to meet you

Great to meet you too

I agree, it's good that the remixes brought in, and continue to bring in, so many new fans. It wasn't actually a remix that did it for me, but I know several people who were introduced to Elvis by the A Little Less Conversation Remix and really loved it

[MIElvis]

I bought the single Suspicious Minds then a week later took my paper route money and bought the album Live at the International Hotel after listening to that I was hooked.

[elvisdownunder]

I remeber the very day, not date though, i became a fan. I was 12, it was a friday, my mum had bought the new number 1's cd in October 2002, and the first song i was hearing was 'Crying in the chapel', then 'In the ghetto', then 'Suspicious minds'. Even not being a fan, i was fascinated at that minute how much he put his soul in to the music. So i decided to borrow the cd, and put on Heartbreak hotel..........

The voice went right to my soul. The most creepy, wonderful voice i'd ever heard. That song was it. I listened to the whole cd, and was absolutely hooked. Never had i ehard anything liek this. Elvis, i believe, with the way he sang, could even slightly convince the non fan that though so little of him. Truly the very greatest singer and entertainer of all time

[vulcandude]

"The voice went right to my soul. The most creepy, wonderful voice i'd ever heard. That song was it. I listened to the whole cd, and was absolutely hooked. Never had i ehard anything liek this. Elvis, i believe, with the way he sang, could even slightly convince the non fan that though so little of him. Truly the very greatest singer and entertainer of all time."

THAT'S HOW I FELT ABOUT THE SAME SONG! WELL PUT!

[Cryogenic]

I think I take "Heartbreak Hotel" for granted. Like it's always been there. But there is something enchanting about that record, isn't there? It's like Elvis found the perfect conduit for his voice.

I have been a very casual fan of Elvis all my life. Who knows...? Maybe I heard him in the womb. But I did not become a serious fan who looked into his life and legacy until 2004. The past year or two before, I had these bouts where I began searching for Internet material on Elvis, particularly material centered on his death. I guess I'm a morbid soul, but it fascinated me. One thing I do remember from a few years ago is a girl commenting that I reminded her of Elvis! Now that's a compliment! But she was quite young and stupid and probably said it more as an insult. I dunno. I probably had sideburns back then, as most of the time, that's what I liked to sport, both then and now. I also used to quiff my hair up. My hair is relatively dark and I have a fairly pencil-like neck. So I guess the image fit. Anyway... I also became obsessed with contrasting the "fat" Elvis with the "thin" Elvis. And you know what? The contrast wasn't as great as I hoped (yes: "hoped" -- told you I'm morbid). It turned out that I couldn't find more than a handful of pictures that lived up to the size of the "fat" myth. My interest was about to dwindle, but during this period, I became aware of something called his "Comeback Special"...

When I began searching for more information, I discovered that it was about to be released on three DVDs. Wow! Then I saw some promotional clips for both that and the Aloha set. I must have watched "An American Trilogy", or the latter half of it that was shown, a hundred times. I kid not. But I teased myself for many months, for while I snapped the Comeback Special straight up on its day of release, I did not buy the Aloha set for many more months. (I remember the lady coming out of the store room at WH Smith and commenting that she thought the DVD was a book!). Of course, both blew me away, though I did not truly love either until I had watched them several times. It took me a while to get used to the songs! I'd never heard many of them before. I had to settle into a groove, even with the might of Elvis, but he sure made it easier for me! Before 2004, or before the purcashing of the Comeback Special, I do remember buying the first volume of the Platinum/A Life In Music CD set. I had no idea as to what separated one release from another, you understand, so this was a blind purchase! I think I was seduced by the nice over. I must have made that purchase a few years before '04, for back then, I didn't even have any idea Elvis sang gospel music. Boy, was I an ignoramus!

I also remember an Elvis night or Elvis week on the BBC in, I think, 2002. I dunno. It must have been his 25th anniversary. I *think* they showed the Aloha telecast and Blue Hawaii. Well, they definitely showed the telecast, but I fell asleep during the film! It was so tedious. But Elvis looked *amazing*. I remember being slightly disappointed with Aloha, too, though it certainly held my attention. Elvis seemed to do some songs majestically and others not-so. He wasn't on top form for his most famous numbers (e.g. "Hound Dog", "Suspicious Minds") and that surprised me, especially as those were the numbers I was already familiar with, and looked forward to him performing. But I really learnt to love it all in time, even if he still did those other numbers in his sleep. One thing I particularly remember about the DVD purchase, which was like watching Aloha from scratch, was the ending to "It's Over". I had chills on those high notes! And the way the camera zoomed in on his features. I remember being impressed with the shape of Elvis' nose and lips. He looked like a Greek god! It was a perfect fusion of singing ability and looks. I immediately thought: now *this* is Elvis. He had suddenly come alive. The rest of the show had me enraptured, even if there were some sleepy numbers still to come. I remember thinking how *easy* he made it look. The gaps between some songs, like "You Gave Me A Mountain" and "Steamroller Blues and "American Trilogy" and "Big Hunk O' Love" are minute! He just went straight from one to the other before the latter performance had even sunk in. That's what remains deeply impressive about Aloha to this day. The sheer *ease* with which Elvis does the show. I think it became my favourite for a while. But the more and more I watched the Comeback Special, the greater and greater it become. I'm talking about the sit-down shows. Now I cannot think of a purer musical experience in history. It's spell-binding.

I also bought the "A Little Less Conversation" remix single in 2002. What a great item that was! I think I'm gonna put it on when I finish this post. Oddly, though, I don't remember that particular item having much influence over me, but I guess it must have. My Elvis fandom was still forming at that point. One thing I *do* remember, however, is that remix coming on in an indie nightclub where the least thing you'd expect people to like is Elvis -- but everyone was dancing to that tune, let me tell you! Of course, they might have danced to anything, since it was a very crowded place where people packed the dancefloor like sardines in a tin, but everyone seemed to be enjoying it immensely. Anyway...

One other thing, again showing my ignorance: in 2003, I downloaded a clip of Elvis performing "The Wonder of You" from TTWII. I remember being *floored* by the video and sound quality. I had *no idea* that Elvis was ever captured on stage in such pristine quality. It looked like new! And, while he seemed slightly chubby in the face, he was *incredibly* slim, which leapt out at me, as did the immaculate features of his face. It was a great video to have. In time, I would learn the clip came from TTWII, and I would eventually own a full copy. But in time, I would also come to learn that that version was heavily compromised, and develop a craving for the original. It's a craving I *still* haven't satisfied. I will probably buy a good bootleg on ebay. The Internet has really brought Elvis to life. My hardcore fandom wouldn't exist without it!

The road to Elvis has been a long one, with many stops and starts, but now the motor is purring sweet, I can say with complete honesty that I'm well away!

[Unchained Melody]

It was toward the end of 2001 when i became hooked on Elvis.

I was staying at my grandmothers house and was going through some of her movies and saw That's The Way It Is Special Edition. I put the tape in and began watching. I was amazed at how much energy and passion he put into each and every song. The suites he wore during the movie were the most beautiful clothings i had ever seen.

Didn't take long after that, that i bought my first few Elvis cds...i believe they were Aloha from Hawaii and Burning Love. So that was 5 years ago and still going strong!

[ThatsAlrightMama]

I was totally oblivious to Elvis Presley, only into new stuff and I didn't care about the "classics" so to speak. I was also 16. I had (still have) this friend that was (and still is) completely obsessed with Mr. Presley. At first she would talk about him ALL the time and I would normally just roll my eyes and put up with it. She'd pop in his cd's all the time and usually I'd just deal with it, unconsiously tapping my foot the whole time. And one day I found myself buy a couple of posters and hanging them on my wall!!!! And around this time my little cousin who was 6 was obsessed with Elvis as well. Her grandfather was an Elvis impersonator and got her into Elvis before he passed. She still loves him to this day! So basically being surrounded by people who love him so much he kinda grew on me and I started to like him just as much! I've since aquired favorite songs and movies and of course eye candy (pictures).

[orwell1976]

I was about seven years old (so it must have been 1983) and I heard Elvis on the radio. I was visiting my grandparents and they listened to an oldie-station called "RTL Radio". I liked to listen to music, but this voice really blew my away. So I asked my grandmother and she told me who Elvis was and that he had died a few years ago. Fortunately it was the summer holiday season and there where quite a few Elvis movies on TV. So I got to see him the same week. When I got home again I told my parents that I wanted an Elvis record for Christmas. I didn't get one (they thought some regular toys would be better) but when I still wanted an Elvis record for my birthday I finally got one. I played it over and over again and so my father gave me his old record player, that I could play that record in my own room (I guess my parents where already pissed by me, because I played "All Shook Up" and "Too Much" all the time and they simply wanted to get rid of me and my music). But from than on I would call myself an Elvis fan. And "All Shook Up" and "Too Much" are still two of my favorite songs.