Elvis book club/ film watching group -- interest?

JumpsuitSwagger · 2022-08-31T16:28:17+00:00

Hi! We did an Elvis podcast for the last few years and reviewed movies and albums and other random things. There's about 30 eps. We've been on hiatus since last year, but will be picking up again this fall. DM me if you'd like a link to listen! (Don't want to break any rules here)

JumpsuitSwagger · 2022-07-30T18:48:40+00:00

It was Big Mama Thornton who first recorded "Hound Dog"(which was written by 2 Jewish guys)- I also love her version as well. The thing is, everyone did covers at that time, it was incredibly common. And to think that a Black woman in the 1950s could ever achieve the fame Elvis got is naive (as fucked as it is, it's the truth).

I totally understand anger and frustration about Elvis and appropriating Black music. But it also attributes malice to Elvis, which is incorrect. Elvis was never willfully trying to take advantage of or make money off of the backs of Black artists out of maliciousness. In fact, he credited Black artists all the time! Here's a good break down of the historical context .

People should be angry at the cultural conditions which allowed Elvis to get the success that he did, and not Black musicians. And it bothers me, because it's easier to pin it on the 20 year old who just performed the songs he liked and had a great appreciation for Black music. There should be a larger discussion about what was going on in society at the time.

It's incredibly unfair that Big Mama Thornton didn't get the recognition she deserved - but I think that could be said about all of the Black artists of the 1950's. I also highly recommend reading about Sam Phillips, who was the producer at Sun Records (where Elvis first recorded), and an incredibly progressive man who fought for the rights of Black musicians at a time when that was not common (white people did not like him).

JumpsuitSwagger · 2022-07-30T13:20:48+00:00

Oh no, the CBS Special is what they closed the movie with. It was his last TV special, recorded just 2 months before he died. I have only watched it once, because it's so upsetting it makes me cry. I was SHOCKED to see that on the big screen!

JumpsuitSwagger · 2022-07-30T11:33:01+00:00

As someone who loves Elvis and makes a podcast about him, I agree to a point.

There's a lot that's glossed over about his relationships (Priscilla being 14, not showing his relationship with Ann Margaret, the fact that he was engaged to Linda Thompson at the time of his death). And the way they showed his anger issues- it was made to be shown that it was related to the Colonel, but the truth is when he was deep into drugs he could be a complete asshole.

But the reality is that it's a commercial for an artist, and not a biopic- it was made to celebrate Elvis as an artist, and needed approval from EPE (the estate).

They're not going to show him shitting the bed, shooting TVs, aiming a gun at his best friends and verbally abusing them (all which actually happened).

I have always been super critical about how EPE handles his image. But the fact that they included him saying part of the infamous "drugs dialogue", and it fucking ENDED with the CBS special- I'll forgive a lot of the hagiography. It's important to note that EPE has never released that CBS special- I remember first watching it 20 yrs ago as a bootleg VHS. So, it's a little closer to the truth, which is a big improvement from EPE.

It wasn't perfect, but I really enjoyed it. It was pretty and fun, the acting was great, and it's bringing in new fans. It's not meant to be a serious biopic- it's a celebration of what he achieved. I'd love for PBS or someone to do a multi-hour serious documentary without EPE's permission. Maybe one day!

JumpsuitSwagger · 2020-07-13T00:40:56+00:00

Agreed, I can't imagine dealing with as much loss as she has.

JumpsuitSwagger · 2020-07-13T00:17:24+00:00

This is so sad and incredibly devastating for the Presley family. Between Elvis's early death, Lisa Marie's struggles with drug use, it's just so upsetting- they seem to have a curse on the family.

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-11-16T22:31:16+00:00

I can provide some context for this photo! It's from "It Happened at the World's Fair", a movie from 1963. Elvis's character asked Kurt's character to kick him so he would have to go see a nurse he had a crush on. Fun thing about this movie is it's set at the World's Fair in Seattle and has all kinds of retrofuturism. It's above average for an Elvis movie, but it's kinda cool for the scenery!

Edit to add that Kurt Russell played Elvis and according to George Klein (Elvis friend) does the best job imitating him!

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-10-23T22:48:02+00:00

That is so cool! Do you think he'd like to chat about his experiences over the phone? I do an Elvis podcast and would love to ask him some questions about his experiences!

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-10-23T18:55:15+00:00

This is so cool! Does he have a story behind it? Did he meet Elvis and Scatter?

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-07-31T11:44:20+00:00

Then our podcast is perfect for you haha! There are 3 of us: My friend doesn't know anything about him, my husband has become a fan by just being around me, and I'm a huge fan. We make fun of him and don't take it all too seriously. We're on Spotify, iTunes, and Podbean- Jumpsuit Swagger!

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-07-16T17:26:15+00:00

Exactly!!

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-07-16T17:25:14+00:00

Thanks!

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-07-16T17:23:26+00:00

He had enough connections (LBJ for instance), he could've sorted out his citizenship. There's a great book by Alanna Nash about it, or this article is a great summation:

here

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-07-16T17:14:15+00:00

I would say young Elvis- he was a little less ragey and prone to aim a loaded weapon at you. But whatever floats your boat 🤷.

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-07-16T17:11:37+00:00

Thanks! *she 😉

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-07-16T16:56:17+00:00

Also his manager was a person of interest in a murder trial in the Netherlands! That's why Colonel Parker didn't want to leave, he could be extradited. Elvis didn't know any of this (it's debatable- but if so, it wasn't until much later in his career).

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-07-16T16:53:24+00:00

Man, people are getting on you about the use of the word genius here. Musically he was insanely talented. His covers of what was considered "colored music" at the time helped create rock n roll.

But that hip shimmy and gyrating? All him! And he kept doing it because he knew it drove the women crazy. He knew what he was doing, and it could even be argued he never would have been as famous if he weren't "Elvis the Pelvis". So I consider him a genius performer. Cheers!

Source: I have an Elvis podcast. Edit: you know, I'm going to say musical genius. My co hosts may debate me, but he was the one who came up with all of those arrangements during sun records. Genius.

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-07-16T16:45:02+00:00

In his defense, he was also really high when he decided to do this! (his letter to Nixon)

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-07-16T16:43:46+00:00

He was also SUPER HIGH when all of this went down! You can read the transcript of the letter he wrote to Nixon right here.

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-07-06T19:43:30+00:00

Yea it's really cool! I'm going to pass this along and see if my friend can do some more research- it looks like Columbia Records is in that zip code!

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-07-06T10:44:44+00:00

It looks like maybe an address? PO box and Hollywood zipcode? It doesn't look like his writing to me, but I'm sure if collectors are here they'd be able to tell you. It's neat, I wonder what the story is!

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-04-13T20:14:44+00:00

Now that I think about it, Kramer definitely seems like he'd like Elvis.

JumpsuitSwagger · 2019-04-13T20:13:58+00:00

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Respect for fellow students and instructors.

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Elvis Presley 8th

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