[Steve]

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan recently spoke to Classic Rock magazine for its latest issue in which the stars of rock (plus some assorted rock-loving comedians, sportmen, MPs and other riff raff) nominate their "rock icons." The following is Gillan's explanation for why Elvis Presley belongs on the list:

"I lost interest in Elvis Presley after he made the 'Blue Hawaii' film [in 1961] and went to Las Vegas, but in his prime nobody could touch him.

"Michael Parkinson once asked the famous New Zealand soprano Kiri Te Kanawa about the greatest voice she'd ever heard, probably expecting her to name [Luciano] Pavarotti or Maria Callas, but she said, 'The young Elvis Presley, without any doubt.'

"Elvis's voice was unique. Like so many others, he had natural, technical ability, but there was something in the humanity of his voice, and his delivery. He was very influenced by Southern blues, and he helped to prove that you could have this bizarre mixture of country 'n' western, blues and folk music. Recordings were very honest in those days, and they stand up remarkably well.

"I was an avid collector of Elvis' early stuff; for a young singer he was an absolute inspiration. I soaked up what he did like blotting paper. It's the same as being in school — you learn by copying the maestro. His personality was also extremely endearing. The shaking of his hips was deemed sensational back then, but unlike Little Richard or Chuck Berry, his interviews were very self-effacing. He came over as gentle and was generous in his praise of others.

"It was immaterial to me that Elvis didn't write his own songs. Those were very different days, and he selected whatever suited him best from material supplied by publishing houses and teams of writers — all of whom were extremely conscious of his style of delivery.

"Although he appeared in some awful movies, Elvis could also be pretty damn good as an actor. 'Love Me Tender' [1956] and 'Jailhouse Rock' [1957] were both really good but 'King Creole' [1958] was my all-time favourite. Gradually, though, his youthful vigour and uninhibited style began to ebb away. For me, he sang the last time in the movie 'GI Blues' [1960].

"Along with the rest of Deep Purple I once had the chance to meet Elvis. The rest of the guys went along, but I couldn't stand seeing my hero after he'd changed so much. Those early records are still incredible, though. They can re-mix them and make them hits for the younger generation, and Elvis will always be the King. The reason is simple: He was the greatest singer that ever lived."

[LittleDarlin]

Thanks for that Steve, I wonder if he regrets not going to see Elvis now (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Scatter]

You know, this obtuse, omnipresent chorus of "Presley was great before he went to Vegas" is infuriating. Every one of them says the same thing........... that they stopped listening (which is an absolute LIE IMO) after Elvis broadened his repetoire beyond the seminal rock recordings.

Bull.........this has simply become the "in thing" to say by these pompous, self important snobs to be regarded as "thoughtful", and "discerning", and a "student of music history".

Heaven forbid one of them has the intestinal fortitude to admit that Elvis made important, POWERFUL contributions after he got out of the Army, or after his movie contracts ended.

They haven't the guts or the integrity to admit that Elvis was great beyond Sun and early RCA. They don't want to bear the ridicule of their elitist, ego-driven contemporaries by admitting the truth. And they certainly haven't the spine to endure the ridicule WE were subject to for decades.

Insecure, pathetic liars.............too afraid of saying something that the "in" crowd frowns upon, lest they lose their "status".

I appreciate the nice things that nearly invariably get said about Elvis by other artists these days. Certainly a drastic improvement from the dismissal and ridicule of the '80s. But everytime I see the LOCKSTEP they all march in regarding their degradation of Elvis' later contributions, it becomes obvious that they are just parroting the blather of their fellow elitists. They're afraid of expressing a thought of their own............"What will the OTHERS think, after all??"

Elvis deserves better. He EARNED better. He always gave credit and accolades to those who paved the way for him. He never affected an elitist mentalty (though if anyone credibly COULD HAVE it would be Elvis). He never denigrated another performer's contributions publicly. He had humility and class.Something sorely lacking in this lot.

And it just goes to prove............they are not of his calibre either as artists or as human beings. These left-handed compliments that I keep reading absolutely frost me. Lemmings.......... (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/rant.gif)

[rams]

You know, this obtuse, omnipresent chorus of "Presley was great before he went to Vegas" is infuriating. Every one of them says the same thing........... that they stopped listening (which is an absolute LIE IMO) after Elvis broadened his repetoire beyond the seminal rock recordings.

Bull.........this has simply become the "in thing" to say by these pompous, self important snobs to be regarded as "thoughtful", and "discerning", and a "student of music history".

Heaven forbid one of them has the intestinal fortitude to admit that Elvis made important, POWERFUL contributions after he got out of the Army, or after his movie contracts ended.

They haven't the guts or the integrity to admit that Elvis was great beyond Sun and early RCA. They don't want to bear the ridicule of their elitist, ego-driven contemporaries by admitting the truth. And they certainly haven't the spine to endure the ridicule WE were subject to for decades.

Insecure, pathetic liars.............too afraid of saying something that the "in" crowd frowns upon, lest they lose their "status".

I appreciate the nice things that nearly invariably get said about Elvis by other artists these days. Certainly a drastic improvement from the dismissal and ridicule of the '80s. But everytime I see the LOCKSTEP they all march in regarding their degradation of Elvis' later contributions, it becomes obvious that they are just parroting the blather of their fellow elitists. They're afraid of expressing a thought of their own............"What will the OTHERS think, after all??"

Elvis deserves better. He EARNED better. He always gave credit and accolades to those who paved the way for him. He never affected an elitist mentalty (though if anyone credibly COULD HAVE it would be Elvis). He never denigrated another performer's contributions publicly. He had humility and class.Something sorely lacking in this lot.

And it just goes to prove............they are not of his calibre either as artists or as human beings. These left-handed compliments that I keep reading absolutely frost me. Lemmings.......... (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/rant.gif)

Scatter

(IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif) You have made me proud .......well said........Absolute to the Word !!!


(IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/up.gif) rams

[LittleDarlin]

You know, this obtuse, omnipresent chorus of "Presley was great before he went to Vegas" is infuriating. Every one of them says the same thing........... that they stopped listening (which is an absolute LIE IMO) after Elvis broadened his repetoire beyond the seminal rock recordings.

Bull.........this has simply become the "in thing" to say by these pompous, self important snobs to be regarded as "thoughtful", and "discerning", and a "student of music history".

Heaven forbid one of them has the intestinal fortitude to admit that Elvis made important, POWERFUL contributions after he got out of the Army, or after his movie contracts ended.

They haven't the guts or the integrity to admit that Elvis was great beyond Sun and early RCA. They don't want to bear the ridicule of their elitist, ego-driven contemporaries by admitting the truth. And they certainly haven't the spine to endure the ridicule WE were subject to for decades.

Insecure, pathetic liars.............too afraid of saying something that the "in" crowd frowns upon, lest they lose their "status".

I appreciate the nice things that nearly invariably get said about Elvis by other artists these days. Certainly a drastic improvement from the dismissal and ridicule of the '80s. But everytime I see the LOCKSTEP they all march in regarding their degradation of Elvis' later contributions, it becomes obvious that they are just parroting the blather of their fellow elitists. They're afraid of expressing a thought of their own............"What will the OTHERS think, after all??"

Elvis deserves better. He EARNED better. He always gave credit and accolades to those who paved the way for him. He never affected an elitist mentalty (though if anyone credibly COULD HAVE it would be Elvis). He never denigrated another performer's contributions publicly. He had humility and class.Something sorely lacking in this lot.

And it just goes to prove............they are not of his calibre either as artists or as human beings. These left-handed compliments that I keep reading absolutely frost me. Lemmings.......... (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/rant.gif)

Scatter

You always say the things I want to say but can never find the right words ......... will you marry me (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif) (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif) (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif) (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif)

[rams]

Scatter

You always say the things I want to say but can never find the right words ......... will you marry me  (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif)   (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif)   (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif)   (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif)

Lol-Lol......... (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) If Scatter won't ,I will Little Darlin....Lol-lol (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif)


rams (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[NightRider]

what can i add....you took the words right out of my mouth Scat (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/notworthy.gif)

@ carol......you crack me up (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif) (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif)

[Scatter]

what can i add....you took the words right out of my mouth Scat  (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/notworthy.gif)

@ carol......you crack me up  (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif)   (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif)

Yeah sure...........but no marriage proposal(thanks Carol and rams!! Maybe we have a love match there??(IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) ). Actions speak louder than words my friend.

Oh, before this goes any further Chris.................can you still wear white?? (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/undecided.gif)