Classic Pop Icons

Today marks the 32nd anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. Elvis died on 16 August 1977 at just 42 years of age, but left a huge legacy and cultural impact. On the anniversary of Elvis’ death, it is a good time to reflect on what made him so great and so popular in the first place - the music.

Too often, a mention of Elvis conjures up irrelevant and tired cliches and half truths, but at the heart of his legacy is timeless music. This is well illustrated by an excellent new release called ‘From Elvis in Memphis 40th Anniversary Legacy Edition’, which upgrades the classic 1969 album.

When Elvis entered the American Sound studios on January 13 1969, he must have felt some trepidation. Fresh from the success of the Singer television special, after years of making increasingly lightweight Hollywood musicals, he knew that these recordings could potentially launch a new phase in his career.

Elvis’ singles hadn’t made a serious dent in the charts for four years. There had been recent signs of a return to form, with some great performances on tracks such as Big Boss Man and Guitar Man, but the King was out of favour and neither received the radio airplay they deserved. A new approach was needed and that is what the American Sound Studios provided, due in part to the enthusiasm and inspiration of producer Chips Moman.

The sessions were the first recordings Elvis had made in Memphis for 14 years, since his Sun Records days. Comparing the performances at these sessions with some of the movie recordings makes you realise how creatively stifled Elvis had been. It is like listening to a different singer. The sessions reinforce just how great Elvis was when inspired. Several all time classics were recorded, including Suspicious Minds and In the Ghetto, but there are numerous superb performances that are lesser known, including ‘Do You Know Who I Am?’, ‘You’ll Think of Me’ and the best version of ‘Gentle on My Mind’ ever recorded.

Elvis with Producer Chips Moman

This was the best material Elvis had produced since the Elvis is Back album in 1960 and it deserves to be more widely heard. The music from the sessions was released on two albums - From Elvis in Memphis and Back in Memphis, with the remainder either issued on single or as fillers on later releases. The new ‘From Elvis in Memphis 40th Anniversary Legacy Edition’‘ includes the original From Elvis in Memphis and Back in Memphis albums, as well as the original mono singles.

This set is a treat for the casual fan or collector. Now available from Amazon.

You can share your views on Elvis over at the Classic Pop Icons Forum or watch some of his great performances in the video section.

As well as being a hugely gifted guitarist, Les Paul was a pioneer in the development of the solid-body electric guitar. His signature guitar design ‘The Gibson Les Paul’ has been used by many of the greatest guitarists in rock history, including Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend and Slash.

The Gibson 50th Anniversary 1959 Les Paul Standard

If Paul’s contribution had ended there, he would still be considered a musical legend, but he also developed recording innovations such as overdubbing, tape delay, phasing effects, and multitrack recording that have been crucial in the recording of some of the finest albums of all time.

It’s impossible to overestimate the impact the guitarist and inventor had on the music industry. He was a true legend.

This ‘Les Paul - Chasing Sound’ DVD comes very highly recommended if you want to find out more about the great man.

 
The box set has a sturdy hardbound shell containing the 13 newly remastered post-1971 Rolling Stones albums currently available.

Extra room is included for the reissue of Exile on Main Street, which will be released early next year.

The set also comes with a limited edition, exclusive 18′x24′ full color replica poster from the bands early days.

This excellent set is now available for purchase at Amazon

Head over to the video section for classic Stones’ performances or have your say on the band in the forum

Pete Townshend’s younger brother Simon Townshend, a touring guitarist with the Who, will accompany Daltrey on the tour, along with guitarist and musical director Frank Simes, keyboardist Loren Gold, bassist Jon Button and drummer Scott Devours.

“I thought it’d be nice to play smaller, more intimate venues,” Daltrey said. “I look forward to getting back to that. I want to give people a good night out. The economic situation being what it is these days, I think that’s what they want: to go out and feel they’ve had a good jolly-up.”

The singer plans to include a healthy serving of Who songs (“but they’ll be my versions of them”), solo material – including some songs he’s never played live – and covers that pay tribute to his influences and admired contemporaries. Over the years, he has performed songs by the likes of Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen and Queen, among others.

The following dates are confirmed:

10-Oct Vancouver, BC — Commodore Ballroom
12-Oct Seattle, WA — Showbox SoDO
15-Oct Highland, CA — San Manuel Indian Casino
17-Oct Los Angeles, CA — Orpheum Theatre
18-Oct San Diego, CA — Humphrey’s
20-Oct Denver, CO — Paramount Theatre
22-Oct Thackerville, OK — Winstar Casino
24-Oct Biloxi, MS — Hard Rock Café
25-Oct Jacksonville, FL — Florida Theatre
28-Oct Durham, NC — Durham PAC
30-Oct Nashville, TN — Ryman Auditorium
31-Oct Elizabeth, IN — Horseshoe Southern Indiana Casino
2-Nov Chicago, IL — House of Blues
3-Nov Cleveland, OH — House of Blues Cleveland
5-Nov Orillia, ON — Casino Rama Ent. Centre
7-Nov Mashantucket, CT — MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods
8-Nov Boston, MA — House of Blues
10-Nov Baltimore, MD — Lyric Opera House
11-Nov Montclair, NJ — Wellmont Theatre
13-Nov Atlantic City, NJ — Borgata - Music Box
14-Nov Atlantic City, NJ — Borgata - Music Box
17-Nov Red Bank, NJ — Count Basie Theatre
18-Nov Norfolk, VA — Chrysler Hall Theatre
20-Nov New York, NY — Nokia Theatre Times Square
24-Nov N Charleston, SC — North Charleston Coliseum, PAC
25-Nov Buena Vista, FL — House of Blues
27-Nov Ft. Myers, FL — Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
29-Nov Hollywood, FL — Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock
30-Nov Clearwater, FL — Ruth Eckerd Hall