Am I the only one who doesn't think he was any good?  I love most '50s music but I pretty much can't stand Elvis.  I see him as the 'One Direction' of his day.  Does anybody else agree?

Chuck Berry is much, much better.

I like him. His music is very bland at times, even for me though. But I do like him very much as a performer.

Chuck Berry is much, much better.


Yeah, Chuck Berry was great, as was Chubby Checker.  Pretty much anybody from that era other than Elvis.

Yeah, Chuck Berry was great, as was Chubby Checker.  Pretty much anybody from that era other than Elvis.


Definitely! Those guys are great singers!

Buddy Holly, he's another good one!

Elvis was much, much more than 1D. Elvis 'changed' the direction of music of that time. He had charisma, voice and moves like no-one had ever seen before. Unfortunately, he got caught up in Colonel Tom Parkers management and ended up doing some pretty dodgy films (although I liked several of his movies). He also never toured outside of the U.S.

In comparison... I can't see where 1D has influenced the music in the world. The sold a lot of records, but .. in the end ... Just another pop boy band.

But ... I guess you had to be there to really appreciate the times. I came along in the following decade but came to appreciate Elvis through my older siblings.

Comparing Elvis to 1D is like comparing Madonna to Kesha.

I guess the closest female comparison to Elvis is Madonna.

I find Elvis songs the same, I cannot listen to a string of them.

Elvis covered other singers songs and never wrote any, but do One Direction write their own songs?

I find Elvis songs the same, I cannot listen to a string of them.

Elvis covered other singers songs and never wrote any, but do One Direction write their own songs?
On the whole I do prefer his ballads more than his Rock 'n Roll numbers.

Am I the only one who doesn't think he was any good?  I love most '50s music but I pretty much can't stand Elvis.  I see him as the 'One Direction' of his day.  Does anybody else agree?


I like Elvis and most of his music.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e0/a1/26/e0a126eecb392c3d4366e948f707d746.jpg
young Elvis?

https://www.cultofwhatever.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/elvis-1977-cbs.jpg
or bloated Elvis?

Comparing Elvis to 1D is like comparing Madonna to Kesha.

I guess the closest female comparison to Elvis is Madonna.


Actually when I see a female alongside some Elvis merchandise, its usually Marilyn Monroe. 

The thing about Elvis is that his appreciation is blinded by nostalgia to the point that we take his music so much for granted. You had to be there (1956) to really experience the change in culture that brought Rock 'n Roll to the mainstream rather than having an occasional novelty song or two like it did up until then. That said, he clearly "sold out" which eventually caused his fame to decline, and there are purists who only like his Sun-era stuff prior to the Colonel selling him to RCA. He still was talented though up until he got drafted, and most of his 1956-58 hits are similar to appreciating Michael Jackson's Off The Wall/Thriller eras, with the immediate post-Army years in the early '60s similar to MJ's Bad era where he still had some appeal and still some good songs like Little Sister and It's Now or Never, but it was showing signs of staleness. Not surprisingly, his fade from the forefront came right around the time the Beatles made it big and it just wasn't the same, even with the occasional comeback hit.

Today, Elvis is basically just milked on history that continues to "live" for those that enjoy his music, but given all of the other, less popular artists of his time, is just one choice for early Rock 'n Roll music.

How did you guys feel about the 1970's Elvis?  ???

How did you guys feel about the 1970's Elvis?  ???


Much like how I feel about 2000's Michael Jackson.

Much like how I feel about 2000's Michael Jackson.


He just didn't sound the same back in the 1950's and 1960's, his lifestyle changed and his manager was putting more pressure on him.

How did you guys feel about the 1970's Elvis?  ???


He seemed stressed out and rough.  ::)

I can't believe he died on the toilet eating a sandwich! What a way for a legend to go out.

Much like how I feel about 2000's Michael Jackson.
...but Elvis did not his own songs.

Actually when I see a female alongside some Elvis merchandise, its usually Marilyn Monroe. 

The thing about Elvis is that his appreciation is blinded by nostalgia to the point that we take his music so much for granted. You had to be there (1956) to really experience the change in culture that brought Rock 'n Roll to the mainstream rather than having an occasional novelty song or two like it did up until then. That said, he clearly "sold out" which eventually caused his fame to decline, and there are purists who only like his Sun-era stuff prior to the Colonel selling him to RCA. He still was talented though up until he got drafted, and most of his 1956-58 hits are similar to appreciating Michael Jackson's Off The Wall/Thriller eras, with the immediate post-Army years in the early '60s similar to MJ's Bad era where he still had some appeal and still some good songs like Little Sister and It's Now or Never, but it was showing signs of staleness. Not surprisingly, his fade from the forefront came right around the time the Beatles made it big and it just wasn't the same, even with the occasional comeback hit.

Today, Elvis is basically just milked on history that continues to "live" for those that enjoy his music, but given all of the other, less popular artists of his time, is just one choice for early Rock 'n Roll music.


Yeah, I know a lot of people who have a greater appreciation for his Sun-era material than his RCA-Victor stuff.  I definitely agree that after the Beatles arrived, Elvis was past his peak.  I can appreciate the impact and cultural change that brought him to fame in the late 1950s, even though I don't really care for the music.  I think today, Elvis is still over-merchandised.  He is a focal point of pretty much all 1950s nostalgia when in reality, he was just a small part of that that decade had to offer and was nowhere near the best.

He seemed stressed out and rough.  ::)


and out of it.

I can't believe he died on the toilet eating a sandwich! What a way for a legend to go out.


He had prescription pills with him.

He had prescription pills with him.


Still a crazy way to die.

Still a crazy way to die.


His road manager Joe Esposito was putting stress on him because he overbooked a lot of concerts for him and that's what probably caused the stress on him during the mid 1970's.

His road manager Joe Esposito was putting stress on him because he overbooked a lot of concerts for him and that's what probably caused the stress on him during the mid 1970's.
Interesting, for Michael Jackson died just before he was due to perform in 50 concerts.

His road manager Joe Esposito was putting stress on him because he overbooked a lot of concerts for him and that's what probably caused the stress on him during the mid 1970's.


Why'd he book so many?

Why'd he book so many?


He wanted to make him a huge star but it took it's toll on him later on.

He wanted to make him a huge star but it took it's toll on him later on.


Yeah, and thanks to him, Elvis is dead!

Yeah, and thanks to him, Elvis is dead!


He stressed him out so much that he wound up packing on the pounds, taking prescription pills and eating fatty foods that were high in cholesterol and in remembrance of him, they wound up making the  deep fried peanut butter and banana sandwich for people to enjoy for years to come after his death.

He stressed him out so much that he wound up packing on the pounds, taking prescription pills and eating fatty foods that were high in cholesterol and in remembrance of him, they wound up making the  deep fried peanut butter and banana sandwich for people to enjoy for years to come after his death.


Peanut butter, bananas and bacon is a weird combination.

Peanut butter, bananas and bacon is a weird combination.


if mixed in with deep fried butter or margarine (if you prefer)

if mixed in with deep fried butter or margarine (if you prefer)


And people think this tastes good!?

And people think this tastes good!?


I've had peanut butter and banana sandwiches but never deep fried it in butter or margarine before.

I've had peanut butter and banana sandwiches but never deep fried it in butter or margarine before.


I would try it out but it looks like it'd make me throw up.

I would try it out but it looks like it'd make me throw up.


http://cdn.foodbeast.com.s3.amazonaws.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/elvis-cookie-sandwich.jpg
This here is The Elvis sandwich, as you can see there is bacon in between the sandwich.
And the calories are a whopping 725 calories!

http://cdn.foodbeast.com.s3.amazonaws.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/elvis-cookie-sandwich.jpg
This here is The Elvis sandwich, as you can see there is bacon in between the sandwich.
And the calories are a whopping 725 calories!


That looks really good!

http://cdn.foodbeast.com.s3.amazonaws.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/elvis-cookie-sandwich.jpg
This here is The Elvis sandwich, as you can see there is bacon in between the sandwich.
And the calories are a whopping 725 calories!
Delicious!

Delicious!


I would eat that.

http://cdn.foodbeast.com.s3.amazonaws.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/elvis-cookie-sandwich.jpg
This here is The Elvis sandwich, as you can see there is bacon in between the sandwich.
And the calories are a whopping 725 calories!


I dunno. Deep fry it a bit and I might try it.

I dunno. Deep fry it a bit and I might try it.


But that has 725 calories, Are you sure you want to try it? What would your wife say? :o

Elvis ate because he was depressed.  :P

Elvis ate because he was depressed.  :P


He ate himself to the point where he became immobile.

He ate himself to the point where he became immobile.


I heard he weighed 250 pounds at his peak, but I think that's his publicist's idea. I think he weighed up to like 280-290 pounds.

But that has 725 calories, Are you sure you want to try it? What would your wife say? :o


She wouldn't mind. If anything, she'd probably want some, too. ;D

I heard he weighed 250 pounds at his peak, but I think that's his publicist's idea. I think he weighed up to like 280-290 pounds.


His weight ballooned to almost 300 pounds, he was on stage singing, sometimes mumbling and stumbling over his words and to the point where he sweat profusely. He was a complete mess before 1977.  :(

She wouldn't mind. If anything, she'd probably want some, too. ;D


Now, you're going to make her fat too?  ;D

Now, you're going to make her fat too?  ;D


I'm super skinny as it is. If anything, I need to eat more (healthy food. Most of what I eat is junk).

She, on the other hand, tries to keep active (and forces me to go for jogs with her) so a little junk food she doesn't mind.

http://sureawesomeness.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Screen-Shot-2015-05-04-at-11.30.46-AM.png

Elvis is trying to sing "Unchained Melody" in 1975 while he's sweats profusely.

http://sureawesomeness.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Screen-Shot-2015-05-04-at-11.30.46-AM.png

Elvis is trying to sing "Unchained Melody" in 1975 while he's sweats profusely.


I would have been his workout buddy. Help him get in shape. Get less depressed too!  :o

I would have been his workout buddy. Help him get in shape. Get less depressed too!  :o


If only Elvis was alive in the 80s. That decade could of really helped him pull himself together...

http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2013/4/18/18/anigif_enhanced-buzz-7285-1366323452-8.gif

If only Elvis was alive in the 80s. That decade could of really helped him pull himself together...

http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2013/4/18/18/anigif_enhanced-buzz-7285-1366323452-8.gif


It's hard for me to imagine Elvis's musical career in the 1980's. It's almost like his early death made him even more legendary!

It's hard for me to imagine Elvis's musical career in the 1980's. It's almost like his early death made him even more legendary!


Haha, could you imagine Elvis with synthesizers and big hair!? ;D

It's hard for me to imagine Elvis's musical career in the 1980's. It's almost like his early death made him even more legendary!
I imagine him in concerts line Frank Sinatra, or the way Tony Bennett is now.

I would have been his workout buddy. Help him get in shape. Get less depressed too!  :o


What kind of exercise would Elvis do?

If only Elvis was alive in the 80s. That decade could of really helped him pull himself together...

http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/webdr03/2013/4/18/18/anigif_enhanced-buzz-7285-1366323452-8.gif


He would've been close to 50 if he was still alive in the 1980's, instead of consuming all those calories, he could've had salads instead of peanut butter and banana sandwiches, plus doing a lot of walking would've done him good too.

Haha, could you imagine Elvis with synthesizers and big hair!? ;D


I think he would've still kept the sideburns.

I imagine him in concerts line Frank Sinatra, or the way Tony Bennett is now.


singing his favorite tunes.

singing his favorite tunes.
In a slow manner.

In a slow manner.


and coming up with newer material.

It was this day (March 10th) in 1956, that RCA Records placed a half page advert in Billboard Magazine claiming that Elvis Presley was 'the new singing rage.'

What kind of exercise would Elvis do?


Jump rope?

http://www.allproweights.com/Pictures/All%20Pro%20104%20Jump%20Rope%2001.jpg

It was this day (March 10th) in 1956, that RCA Records placed a half page advert in Billboard Magazine claiming that Elvis Presley was 'the new singing rage.'


And boy did he become the new singing rage.

What kind of exercise would Elvis do?
Is rubbernecking considered to be an exercise?

Is rubbernecking considered to be an exercise?


:o

Jump rope?

http://www.allproweights.com/Pictures/All%20Pro%20104%20Jump%20Rope%2001.jpg


and a lot of walking and running.

Is rubbernecking considered to be an exercise?


What's rubbernecking?  ???

:o


It's nothing dirty.

What's rubbernecking?  ???
To turn one's head to stare at something in a foolish manner, as a passerby rubbernecking at the accident scene.

It's nothing dirty.


Oh!  :o

To turn one's head to stare at something in a foolish manner, as a passerby rubbernecking at the accident scene.


It's also the name of his song.

To truly appreciate Elvis Presley, one must make the pilgrimage to his home at least once in their lifetime. I myself have visited Graceland twice, and while it is horribly tacky in places (then again, whose house wasn't horribly tacky in 1977?) it is also a fantastic museum that has exhibits chronicling various stages of Elvis' life, and at the end of the tour you wind up at his grave.

After completing the tour of Graceland, I walked away with the impression that he just seemed like a really cool guy. If you're ever planning a vacation I recommend going to Memphis. While it can be quite dangerous in places, there's also a ton of great musical history there. Aside from Graceland, there's also the Sun Records studio, the Stax/Volt Museum, the Gibson guitar factory, and all kinds of great music venues and BBQ joints on Beale Street.

It's also the name of his song.
That is why I had as an example of one of his songs.

5GMy_i_hHb0

That is why I had as an example of one of his songs.

5GMy_i_hHb0


this is the slower version of his song.

this is the slower version of his song.
I apologise, for I could not access the volume on the tablet.

this is the slower version of his song.
Are you use to hearing the Paul Oakenfold Remix?

Are you use to hearing the Paul Oakenfold Remix?


Yeah you could say that.