Elvis Was The King Fifty Years Ago This Week

the following is from the blog world .................

Elvis Was The King Fifty Years Ago This Week

“Are You Lonesome Tonight” had a long history before Elvis Presley ever got a hold of the song.

It was written by Lou Handman and Roy Turk during 1926.

Handman recorded his own version in 1927, with him playing the piano and his sister Edith as the vocalist.

Blue Barron, whose real name was Harry Freidman, was an orchestra leader during the big band era.

He had a hit with the song in 1950, reaching number 19.

Al Jolson recorded a version of the song that same year.

Elvis Presley was released from the Army, March 2, 1960.

He was greeted by his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, who ushered him into the recording studio in early April.

He recorded a number of singles which were not issued on an album plus the tracks for his Elvis Is Back release.

The session produced two number one singles.

“It’s Now Or Never” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight” were vastly different in style but both would signal a more pop direction for the maturing Elvis.

Both songs would also top The American singles charts.

It’s Now Or Never” would have a five week run at the top during the summer of 1960 and “Are You Lonesome Tonight” would begin its six week stay at the top fifty years ago this week.

They would rank as the 10th and 8th most popular singles of the decade.

Elvis’ version of “Are You Lonesome Tonight” would become one of his signature songs.

He would pattern the music after the Blue Baron interpretation but the vocal would be taken from Al Jolson.

It was Elvis’ emotional dialogue that won over many of his fans.

This slow ballad remains instantly recognizable and a half century ago was responsible for Elvis truly being the king.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrojFR7jM9E


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtFN6YQOhj0

THE KING! Just can't beat his early stuff.........

Elvis Lives Flash Cartoon!

Had the priviledge of doing hotel security for Elvis and his entorage back in the mid 1970's when he appeared at the Sahara Tahoe Casino for 10 days. Of course, he had his own security 24/7 and we just picked him up from his room in the hotel and escorted him down to the stage dressing room and then up to the stage where we stood on the edges during his show to make sure nobody tried to get too close to him. His bodyguards were right behind the curtain and armed. Not a very good existance for him back then since he was paraniod of bring kidnapped. I remember he was very nice to us and friendly, but always on edge. His early songs were the best, but a great entertainer and I was able to watch 20 of his shows while he appeared in Lake Tahoe. I will never forget it.

You lucky man!!! I would have loved to have seen him, unfortunately he died when I was around 12.

Yes, he was a very unique human being. We rode a private elevator from the dressing room to stage level twice a night that was only big enough for about 6 people. He always had three of his own body guards and two of us in close quarters. I could have shaken his hand, but was too scared. He always took time to ask us how we were doing and at the end of the ten days, gave of $300 each as a tip. Money was his way of thanking people and he did not hesitate spreading it around.

I know he was one of the biggest stars of all time but when you did this security work with him were you aware of what a legend he was or was it more cemented after he had died ?

Being an Elvis fan from the beginning, I knew he was a big celebrity but having grown up in Southern California, I was pretty immune from the glitter and lights. We saw numerous stars, both movie, TV and sports in the casinos of Lake Tahoe but Elvis was a bit different. Not all stars we did entertainment security for had their own army of bodyguards back then, so you knew something was different with Elvis. He lived a very contained life and spent his later years secluded from the public and surrounded only by very close friends. One of his main security guards was a high school friend named "Red" who also appeared in movies and TV. I spoke with him more than any of the bodyguards and he was also a very nice individual.
As years went by and Elvis became more of a legend, I always regret not taking my picture with him, but you just didn't do that sort of thing with the celebrities we assisted. I have great memories of playing ping pong back stage with his drummer and talking all night to his band director after he left a private party that was held to celebrate the end of his engagement at the Sahara Tahoe. These memories are enough for me.

Its sounds like a real joy to have been so close,I think the timing of his arrival
made him special as nobody had seen anybody like Elvis.

In the whole he didn't write his own songs and didn't have the freedom to do what
he wanted, in his life or I suspect with his own music.

For this He would not be in my all time greats list if he was born today Simon Cowell would be his manager.

For the way Elvis performed and handled himself with people I would say he is number 1 - Just not as an all round music star .

Quote:

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In the whole he didn't write his own songs and didn't have the freedom to do what
he wanted, in his life or I suspect with his own music.

For this He would not be in my all time greats list if he was born today Simon Cowell would be his manager.

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that sums it up very well, he could have been so much more than the self parody he ended up as. blame col. parker and the other leeches who attached themselves to him for that.

he had as much talent and charisma as sinatra, but alas he didnt have sinatras balls, and played his days out as a yes man his controllers.

Yes, Col. Parker was a piece of work all right. He and Elvis communicated with each other only through messanger since they were not even speaking to each other in the mid 1970's. I can only imaginer why, but Col. Parker was a fat, lifeless, slug who was rude and only out for the glory. As an expample, he used to sit at the roulette table every night while Elvis was performing until he lost $25,000.00. He wanted to show everybody in the casino that he could throw away that kind of money of Elvis' back. A real dick in my book............