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.

Some of you will already be aware that Bill Black and DJ Fontana are among the inductees at this year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame ceremony.Both richly deserve their place in the ’sidemen category’ for their innovative work with Elvis in the mid 50s. This isn’t hot off the press but I wanted to give the guys a mention as this blog didn’t exist when the announcement was made.

Bill Black appeared on all of Elvis’ groundbreaking Sun Records recordings, starting with That’s All Right, which was recorded on 5 July 1954. At that point the band consisted of Elvis on vocals and rhythm guitar, Scotty Moore on lead guitar and Bill Black on double bass. The trio travelled thousands of miles all over the southern States of America, during which time they built a solid following with their unusual hybrid of country and rhythm and blues.

Bill finished working with Elvis in 1958, after which he formed the moderately successful Bill Black Trio. Sadly, he died in 1965

DJ Fontana was the house drummer at the Louisiana Hayride, which Elvis had a weekly guest spot on. He joined Elvis’ band full time in 1955, but didn’t appear on record until the move from Sun to RCA. It is DJ who you hear on classics such as Hound Dog, Blue Suede Shoes and Lawdy Miss Clawdy.

DJ continued to work with Elvis in the studio throughout the 60s, but their professional relationship ceased in June 1968 with the legendary ’sit-down’ gigs filmed as part of Elvis’ television special, which has since become known as the comeback special.

Scotty Moore was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.

The induction ceremony takes place in Cleveland on 4 April 2009.

Further information is available at:
http://www.rockhall.com/induction2009

The opening of these three exhibits, Elvis in Hollywood, Elvis Lives: the King and Pop Culture and the addition of never before seen vehicles owned by Elvis in the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, is the largest opening of exhibits and display of artifacts to the public since Graceland opened for public tours in 1982.

Further info is available from Elvis Presley Enterprises at:
http://www.elvis.com/news/full_story.asp?id=1718

Don’t forget to check our Elvis video section