Cultural Phenom or overrated?

MACa6325xi

Well-known member
Elvis never did anything for Black Music and I don't mean that in a negative sense. Those Publc Enemy lines are based on a rumor that Elvis did not like Black People. According to a recent article in The New York Times, this rumor is untrue. Both Elvis and The Beatles listened to Black music. Elvis loved Black music, Gospel, Blues, everything. He even went to Black churches to hear the music. The Beatles were also influenced by Black music, (ie.The Isley Brothers) as were numerous artists from the UK. Both Elvis and The Beatles have earned their rightful place in history as "great." Neverthless, these "great' artists were heavily influenced by Black American Music, or I should just say "American Music in the African-American tradition."
 

j_absinthe

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by MACa6325xi
Elvis never did anything for Black Music and I don't mean that in a negative sense. Those Publc Enemy lines are based on a rumor that Elvis did not like Black People. According to a recent article in The New York Times, this rumor is untrue. Both Elvis and The Beatles listened to Black music. Elvis loved Black music, Gospel, Blues, everything. He even went to Black churches to hear the music. The Beatles were also influenced by Black music, (ie.The Isley Brothers) as were numerous artists from the UK. Both Elvis and The Beatles have earned their rightful place in history as "great." Neverthless, these "great' artists were heavily influenced by Black American Music, or I should just say "American Music in the African-American tradition."

Too true. Hell, England's 70's punk scene was heavily influenced by black Reggae artists.
 

Kimberleigh

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by janwa09
they totally took on a different approach..one that I think is quite unique to the history of music and rock n roll in general so I definitely disagree with the statement that "without Elvis, there would be no Beatles." They certainly had their own creative juices stirring up in their bones that with Elvis or not, they were destined to make their own kind of music.

Actually, that wasn't *my* opinion...It was John Lennon's.
smiles.gif
 

silverbelle282

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by j_absinthe
I can appreciate Elvis, and I respect what he did; he was one of the first pop stars to just go all out there, unabashed and reckless. However, he wasn't all that innovative, he just happened to get more publicity because he was white.

Not to bring race into this, but he was an artist when race was such a big thing in this country.

He was a hottie back in the day though...


why not bring race into this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Berry

i'm no music maven, but some people say those were chucks moves first.
 

CaraAmericana

Well-known member
MACa6325xi has a point. It was black gospel music that may have help his sound and career. And it is no secret how lively and joyous black churches are therefore influencing his passionate perfomances.

But I will tell you I am not a big fan of him musically, but I so fascinated by his life. I think I watched Elvis and Me like 100 times and also read the Elvis and Me book like 3 times.
 

Shimmer

Well-known member
Quote:
Originally Posted by j_absinthe
I can appreciate Elvis, and I respect what he did; he was one of the first pop stars to just go all out there, unabashed and reckless. However, he wasn't all that innovative, he just happened to get more publicity because he was white.

Not to bring race into this, but he was an artist when race was such a big thing in this country.

He was a hottie back in the day though...


If it weren't for him being that black gospel soul influenced artist in that day while being a white man, race relations would be set back unbelievably, because it was Elvis bringing forth that music that opened the mainstream's eyes to "maybe they ain't all bad."

He opened doors to the mainstream for black artists that had, up to that point, remained deadbolted shut.
 

Shimmer

Well-known member
Talk about long term Careers, look at George Strait, Merle Haggard, and Dwight Yoakum. Their careers all have very interesting points to them, and King George and The Hag are both simultaneously inspiring generations of musical artists (usually country for George) and churning out hits. Merle still sells the venue out.
Dwight Yoakum basically bootlegged his career, so did Chris LeDeux (SP??) and both have shaped some of the most successful country stars around. Just because they're playing country music doesn't mean they're not successful.
 

j_absinthe

Well-known member
Don't get me wrong, Shimmer, I agree with what you're saying. I just feel like most of those black artists did it better, not to mention there are several more Southern, "down home" artists that had more to offer in the way of substance.
 

Shimmer

Well-known member
True, they may have done the music better but they lacked the charisma and stage presence he had. Not down playing their music or talents at all.
 
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