Greetings from across the pond. I used to dance to your grandad's record "it's all over me" at northern soul all nighters many years ago. Total class. Keep the faith
I was lucky enough to meet Otis Blackwell in a recording studio in 1988. Otis heard one of the songs I wrote, and he walked over to me, shook my hand and said, "My name is Otis Blackwell, and I think that you're a great songwriter." Being physically touched by Otis, and hearing him compliment me that way, is one of my favorite memories!
@@punkanelliefonkbush8811 Shows you obviously have not listened to much of Elvis' music, but feel the need to tear him down. If you knew anything about Elvis, you'd know that the majority of covers he did, he made his own. He produced both in studio and on stage, every note, every singer and still managed to put on magnificent shows. Ask Paul Simon how he liked Bridge by Elvis, as well as many others. Most people were very happy for Elvis to do their songs. Bob Dylan said a highlight of his life was Elvis singing his songs. The Beatles said there would be no Beatles without Elvis. Lieber and Stoller loved writing for him. Stoller was just at Elvis Week in mid August. Mark James, writer of Suspicious Minds and others for Elvis has been coming to EW for 20 years, paying tribute to him at a large chapel gathering at the university there, usually with tears in his eyes. You really have no idea. I haven't the space for more, but could go on forever. You are a troll who hates Elvis. You are not informed in any way. People like you should just be a little quiet...or go learn something. Otis loved writing songs for Elvis and was afraid if he met him, it would break the good thing they had going. John Lennon, when out and dressed up, wore a diamond ELVIS lapel pin. So, really YOU are in the minority. And I am talking famous, talented people, which you aren't.
I admire Letterman show for giving this man the recognition he deserved. Also his version here is absolutely fantastic. I’ll buy its disc now. RIP Otis, thanks for all the music.
@@truthhitman7473 Exactly his name is right on there on the Vinyl 45 copies. Could people read? lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/4WMGVFoytZBrxsyhU7CilKp5lWBKVdfIQbOIR36cUGVVRt2pSp4-ofPZJmWJ76ZoXQZr24TzxGcbHR7--Fm9H0G25Hq33GzGMtwZFMgWaUu7-gEQ3dfgHMV2YzoaLQj_VQS4vJrWpi18QAC6ufYSm8YrzGY95Ko4koWNBukKa_Conx4FglhN5qK8ggTtrSCNXgazVg
@@truthhitman7473 I interviewed Otis back in the day. The point was: In order to get Elvis to record one of your songs you had to agree to include Elvis as Co-writer...even though he didn't write shyte. What Otis did NOT SAY in the Letterman interview is that ther reason they wanted Otis to sing the songs was so that Elvis could COPY that Black Rhythm that was so appealing to audiences. Also, Other Blacks were brought in to teach Elvis how to dance & gyrate on stage. So, the whole IMAGE OF ELVIS was a CREATION designed to appeal to young White Girls & White Women, as AMERIKKKA could not have it's females screamin' & creamin' over Little Richard, Chuck Berry, James Brown, and other Blacks.
@@bryandiaz7054 I interviewed Otis back in the day. The point was: In order to get Elvis to record one of your songs you had to agree to include Elvis as Co-writer...even though he didn't write shyte. What Otis did NOT SAY in the Letterman interview is that ther reason they wanted Otis to sing the songs was so that Elvis could COPY that Black Rhythm that was so appealing to audiences. Also, Other Blacks were brought in to teach Elvis how to dance & gyrate on stage. So, the whole IMAGE OF ELVIS was a CREATION designed to appeal to young White Girls & White Women, as AMERIKKKA could not have it's females screamin' & creamin' over Little Richard, Chuck Berry, James Brown, and other Blacks.
@@windel12002 Most artists back in the 1950s had to give up their copyright to certain singers, which was the deal made by the managers. Otis had a CHOICE. He could have wrote for his black brothers Chuck Berry and Little Richard , who were famous and successful. Stop trying to give the imppression no black singers were famous and making money. There was Nat King Cole, Same Cooke and Ray Charles , etc, who were having hits and getting paid during Elvis Presley's reign. Get your facts right. And NOOOOOOO ! No black person was brought in to teach Elvis how to dance. That is such a made up statement 🤣🤣 Show me a video of one, just ONE black person Elvis copied. I'll wait. NO. Elvis was spontaneous with his moves on stage. He was original. There was no one like him, which is one of the reasons why he transcended race. Get your facts right. Elvis was making HITS in his home town BEFORE he became famous, which one of the reasons why he was signed up to a bigger label in RCA records. He created his own image the moment he made his first TV appearence. He naturally out shined all the other artists. Elvis worked HARD to get where he was. Get your facts right. LISTEN to what James Brown said about Elvis , since you wanna mention the name James Brown. ua-cam.com/video/i9SEpujPoLc/v-deo.html Get your facts right.
Otis Blackwell should be more known, this guy helped create the rocknroll country sound. Hope he got payed his royalties fairly hopefully his family gets some of that estate.
Otis got third royalties, thats how it worked with the Colonel .....as Otis said himself ... "I wrote my songs ,recieved my money and boogied all night!"
Show business for all of the exciting and thrilling presentations of talent and awe inspiring performances is such a cruel and wicked and perverted industry. So many artists and songwriters have been ripped off and abused and robbed.
@@ralphfurley123 The truth is often ugly, and this one is too! The Colonel Tom Parker told Otis he wouldn't use his songs unless Otis agreed to put Elvis down as a Co-Writer. Elvis knew he didn't Co-Write those songs! The answer to this question is simple racism and greed. When I met Otis in 1988, Otis was in court trying to have Elvis's name taken off of each of his songs!
@@charlesbadgley7117 Oooh, that sounds like the Colonel’s MO! All I could find in my research so far is that Mr. Blackwell was “superstitious” about meeting Elvis. But your story makes some sense! The Col. made it a practice to squeeze out as much from the composers as possible, including co-writer credits! The Col. tried to use the same tactic with Dolly Parton when Elvis wanted to record her song “I’ll Always Love You”, which would later become a mega hit and a signature song for Whitney Houston. Parton did not budge or succumb to the Col.‘s pressure! She wanted Elvis to record the song, but didn’t want to give up any ownership rights of her song! Good for her, although I would’ve loved to have heard Elvis sing her song! The Col. was a cutthroat businessman! As for the racism part of it, I can’t comment on it cause I don’t have knowledge regarding it! I don’t doubt that Mr. Blackwell had been victimized and taken advantage due to the color of his skin! And I won’t doubt that the Col. would stoop down to that level! As far as Elvis, I don’t think he was a racist! Respected people in the African American community like Muhammad Ali, Jackie Wilson, BB King, James Brown, Mahalia Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr just to name a few, would not have befriended Elvis if he was a racist! It’s an intriguing story! I feel bad for Mr. Blackwell cause I don’t think he received the credit nor the success that he so richly deserved and earned! I for one, thank him for his contribution to the arts! We are a better world because of Mr. Blackwell! ☮️🖖🏽
I interviewed Otis back in the day. The point was: In order to get Elvis to record one of your songs you had to agree to include Elvis as Co-writer...even though he didn't write shyte. What Otis did NOT SAY in the Letterman interview is that ther reason they wanted Otis to sing the songs was so that Elvis could COPY that Black Rhythm that was so appealing to audiences. Also, Other Blacks were brought in to teach Elvis how to dance & gyrate on stage. So, the whole IMAGE OF ELVIS was a CREATION designed to appeal to young White Girls & White Women, as AMERIKKKA could not have it's females screamin' & creamin' over Little Richard, Chuck Berry, James Brown, and other Blacks. I don't know what Michael said, but Michael always gave respect. Remember, The Osmond Brothers were created as a counter to the Jackson Five. They only had One Hit "One Bad Apple", and that song was written for the Jackson Five. Way back, whites often copied Blacks: When Black musicians couldn't play at White Establishments but played in their own 'Colored' auditoriums & theaters, many whites would come and copy/steal what they saw. They would see them dance and then either pay them to teach them the moves or steal them. Either way, when they went back to their white audiences they were seen as Great Dancers because white audiences had never seen the Blacks whom they copied. The same was true of many of the Big Bands. Some of the Blacks who wrote music for their own bands didn't know anything about copyrighting music and just wrote music for the fun of it, and when heard by one of these white bandleaders and paid a small amount for the sheet music, these white bandleaders once they realized that the music had never been copyrighted would file calling it "Their Music"...and again, white audiences hearing this music for the first time would have NO CLUE that it was stolen from Black Musicians... Thank God, some Blacks did know how to copyright their songs: Remember the music to the music "The Sting"? Marvin Hamlisch claimed that HE was the songwriter and got all kinds of awards and accolades for the music....then later it was revealed that he had stole the music of Scott Joplin.
@@windel12002 The deal as co -writer was not exclusive to Elvis, tho. That was the music business back in the 1950s. There were plenty of other singers the writers could have went to, such as Ray Charles, James Brown, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jackie Wilson and many others. Also, Elvis had his own style. He didn't copy anybody or sound like anybody. The only thing he copied was the genre, which is not a crime. So because Elvis is white he shouldn't have accepted the songs given to him ? No. Otis sang the songs in the style he thought Elvis would sing it. But Elvis always sang it his own way and much better. Otis couldn't sing like Elvis that's why he never made it as a singer like Sam Cooke and others did. But he was a good song writer. PLUS Elvis was already famous before he sang songs written by Otis Blackwell. Elvis's FIRST number one hit was Heartbreak Hotel, which was written by two white people. Fact. MICHAEL JACKSON copied white singers and dancers himself therefore MJ is a bit of a hypocrite talking about Elvis. Here's the proof. Blame It On The Boogie was written by a white man named Mick Jackson. Fact. The Jacksons stole it. ua-cam.com/video/xOf5e89MS2c/v-deo.html It was Rod Temperton, a Scottish white man, who wrote Rock With You and Thriller. Fact. Thriller is what made Michael Jackson into the global super star he became. MJ also copied Bob Fosse, a white man who created his own dance moves, which Michael Jackson STOLE. I say stole because I'm using the same yard stick people use against Elvis. But notice how they don't like it when that stick is pointed at MJ. Here is the PROOF MJ copied Bob Fosse. ua-cam.com/video/QUlEBhGgEe0/v-deo.html
@@truthhitman7473 what makes this clip stunning is that you can hear the original writer singing the lyrics he wrote in the style that is his own personal style. After hearing Otis perform, Elvis’ version of “Don’t be Cruel” sounds just like a white man imitating a black singer. Why do you think the producers recorded Otis singing a demo for Elvis? It was and still is common for pop stars to perform music written by others. But using the vocal demo of a writer to imitate the intonation and accent lacks creative integrity. I lost a lot of respect for Elvis and felt tremendous pity for Otis Blackwell. Even David Letterman seemed to recognize the lack of recognition that Otis got for his writing compared to Elvis as he was asking each question with growing incredulity.
@@distprod Which only means you ignored everything I said in my previous statement, which includes EVIDENCE of Michael Jackson's outright hypocrisy. Otis Blackwell was a failed singer who resorted to being a song writer for other artists, which included Elvis Presley. Blackwell's version of Don't Be Cruel sounds nothing like Presley's version. And notice how everyone sang Rock n Roll covers of other songs but nobody sang a cover of Don't Be Cruel after Elvis sang it. That's because NOBODY will ever sing it like Elvis Presley. Therefore when you made the claim that " Elvis’ version of “Don’t be Cruel” sounds just like a white man imitating a black singer," You make yourself look SO disinguous and biased, especially when NO WHITE SINGER BEFORE OR SINCE ever sang like Elvis Presley. Elvis Presley's talent transcends RACE. Get it right.
Thanks for posting! I read about Otis Blackwell a long time ago but hadn't seen this interview. It's startling how much Elvis emulated Otis in his style. An unsung architect of rock 'n' roll.
Elvis emulated Otis Blackwell? Don't make me laugh I've got chapped lips. He wrote songs for Elvis and Elvis interpreted them his own way. Blackwell even sang this song here the way Elvis recorded it, including the Jordanaires backing style.Let's pretend they were both unheard of and they recorded the song their own way. Which one would be the hit version?
@@frankhyland6333 Otis said in the video that Elvis recorded the songs exactly as Otis would record the demo. Sorry you want to hold on to your golden boy memories of Elvis but the man was an untalented and unoriginal mouthpiece used to sell black music to white people who refused to accept the music from the black people themselves. Sounds like you are one of those people.
@@AliveBlessedGrateful Nah! He respected Roy Hamilton as a performer and friend. Elvis did use part of his vocal methods on one of his recordings, but that's all. No way did he imitate him.
Never knew about him. He needs to be recognized today and in a HUGE way. The masses should know this. So Elvis was the look and Otis was the style and actual talent. The fact that he is a black man makes this SUPER important.
@TIME Your apologetics are nonsensical. It is admitted by those who knew Elvis --like George Klein-- that Elvis was influenced by black men like Roy Hamilton and Otis Blackwell. Sam Phillips of Sun STUDIOS in Memphis admitted on PBS tv documentary that he got Elvis because he needed a white man to front that "Black sound". Elvis was a decent man about race relations. He was a great performer and he did credit his musical style to Black people. He has my respect -as a black man-for admitting that during his lifetime. However; I find it strange how you ignore that the industry was and is very racist and controlling of ownership of music and songwriting .
@TIME ELVIS has had to fight for his entire career, with first whites saying his music was of the devil and breaking his records on TV. Filmed from the waist up on Ed Sullivan. Geeeze. Called a racist to this day when he had blacks on stage with him who adored him until the day he died, who if here, would tell you all off. He did so many things for blacks that people don't know about that it becomes a bit laughable to hear the racist crap from people who don't have a single clue about this beloved man, Elvis Presley. He always prevails, because he was such a good man. 45 years later, and crapped on all his adult life.
@@dannytennial5311 Just also know that it wasn't just blacks who influenced Elvis, though they played a role when he was young. I just watched "In His Own Words" by Elvis and he tells about his influences, including Mario Lanza and the Metropolitan Orchestra, as well as country, jazz and the white gospel singers like JD Sumner and the Stamps quartet, as well as gospel. There was so much more to Elvis than black music and that's why he is so unique and popular and loved 45 years after he's gone. He was a mixture of so many influences, unlike any other singer.
I was at this show, I think this this was the third time I was in the live audience. I got to NBC very early and was able to score a ticket for that day's show. Thanks for posting this and brining back great memories.
MY FRIEND MET OTIS BLACKWELL YEARS LATER AS AN OLD MAN THROUGH HIS NIECE. HE BOUGHT HIM A BOTTLE OF LIQUOR AND HUNG OUT WITH HIM. BECAUSE MY FRIEND WAS AN ELVIS PRESLEY FANATIC. HE WANTED TO LEARN HOW TO WRITE A HIT SONG. OTIS BLACKWELL SAID "IF IT WASN'T FOR ELVIS SINGING HIS SONGS" THEY WOULD HAVE NEVER HAVE BECOME FAMOUS. THEY WOULD HAVE SAT RIGHT IN THAT MILK CRATE YOU SEE THERE, AND THEY NEVER WOULD HAVE BECOME ANYTHING. HE EVEN GAVE MY FRIEND A SHEET MUSIC FROM THAT MILK CRATE OF A SONG HE WROTE.
@@mrchris6684 OTIS BLACKWELL WROTE SONGS FOR OTHER PEOPLE TOO. BUT HE DID ADMITT TO MY FRIEND. IF IT WASN'T FOR ELVIS SINGING HIS SONGS. THEY NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN HITS. ELVIS TURNED HIS SONGS INTO HITS. HIS SONGS WOULD HAVE SAT IN THAT WOODEN MILK CRATE AND DID NOTHING.
@@mrchris6684 He did get payed yes. Elaborate on how Elvis was thief please? I'll go ahead and use the same logic as you then and make the accusation that MJ was a thief then also, what do you respond that? I don't believe MJ was a thief, but I can use the argument as u do with Elvis and call him a thief. So let's see what you say, and if the double standars applies. Easy to make accusations about a person you know nothing about. Always easy to hate on a famous person, rumours get started, to later be presented as facts. Maybe you've heard the rumour of Elvis saying : "the only thing a black person can do for me is shine my shoes" A lot of people hate Elvis simply cause they heard this rumour. This rumour has been disproven over and over, yet it gets repeated by people like urself who have not educated urself about Elvis at all. Go read up on Elvis and then come back. Ever think you might be wrong, and simply a very judgemental person? I know a lot about Elvis, and i know that anyone who knows anything about Elvis and still calls him a thief or racist, should take a good look in the mirror. Cause if we call him those things, then those words have lost their meaning. Final note: If you need tips on where to start, then you can start by searching Elvis and the black community on youtube, watch that, then come back and respond to me, and we will see what you say.
@@danieln5415 Good try, but these people respond only to gossip and rumor and never do the research for real facts. The real facts are out there in books, on videos, just everywhere. I have a good book beside me called Race, Rock and Elvis by Michael T Bertrand. I met him at an Elvis Week in Memphis years ago and he signed the book for me. He was a professor at a Southern university. It is a wealth of information that I refer to often. But they aren't interested in facts. They are filled with jealousy that a white man can be so popular, even in death. Nothing you or I can do. Let them wallow in their hate and lies. Elvis loved blacks. It's a little sad, but I don't feel sorry for them.
*This was an amazing man..... Obviously in this interview he was on some good old classic antidepressants. AKA Cocaine.(**1:53** **2:20**) Doesn't change the fact this was an amazing song writer.*
!Quote I was in a friend's studio when a buddy of his called and told him. 'I got some news for you. Do you want me to tell you now or later?' I said later because I was in the studio when President Kennedy was killed and also when Martin Luther King was killed, so I knew the effect bad news can have on a session. When the session was over he told me and I thought he was joking and it didn't hit me until I lay down to sleep. The one other time that I experienced that was when my mother and my son died. It wasn't because he wouldn't he doing any more of my songs. It was like a piece of the whole business. I mean some people you just figure are never going to die. Inside, they'll always live. When they're gone, a certain piece goes and you just can't believe it.Unquote Reaction of Otis Blackwell, the African-American songwriter, singer, and pianist, whose work significantly influenced rock and roll, to the death of Elvis Presley
It amazes me that no one gives credit to Elvis's original back up band the Jordinaires .Who greatly assisted Elvis's music and before Elvis were used by the original creator of rock Rosetta Tharpe? As back up singers and musicians.
One thing that I do not like and that still happens is when an artist demands to get writing credit that they do not deserve. Sadly many writers sellout because it could mean big bucks depending on who records your song but that should NEVER be allowed.
I hate that, too .. It just isn't right ... One writer that would not do that, is Dolly Parton .. Elvis wanted to record, I Will Always Love You, by Dolly .... Dolly wouldn't give up any of her publishing rights, to Col. Parker ... So, it was never recorded by Elvis ... I don't blame her a bit, and admire her, for standing up to them ...
I actually thought this was a recent situation but this video made me aware it has been happening for a very long time. Glad Dolly stood up for herself.
It broke her heart, to not have Elvis record it, but, she was not willing to play that game ... I think she got over it, when Whitney recorded it ... lol.. I'm sure she made millions off of that, and didn't have to share it ..
It is just the right thing to do. Some writes a song and you cover it you pay the proper charge, asking or demanding writing credits is wrong just wrong. I am glad Dolly stood up for herself, that also is the right thing to do.
@@elvisfan1958 "Them"? I hope you are not including Elvis in that. Colonel Tom Parker took care of the publishing deals. Remember, Elvis Presley was in countless films he did not want to be in. He had little say in what he did and was deprived of a lot of great things due to The Colonel's greed.
People shitting on Elvis because Otis Blackwell sold Elvis songs for him to produce. I mean, there is argument that more people should know of this guy, but that doesn't detract from the fact that Elvis made them both a lot of money. It's a team effort. The songs were not stolen. They were partners in this.
@@Chris-Christopher- He was pressured/forced to give up half of the songwriting credits to Elvis in particular although he didn't help him to write these songs.
. Even Quincy Jones stated in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that he refused to work with Presley because he was “He was a racist mother.” Although, it should be considered that the outlet noted Jones' statement about witnessing Presley being coached by songwriter Otis Blackwell in the 50s is contradicted by an interview with David Letterman in 1987 where Blackwell denied ever having met Presley.
He’s adorable and massively talented!! I sure hope he was paid his fair share in long run. I do hate hearing he had to share credit with anyone who didn’t help him compose, even Elvis.
It was only for 3 songs. Once Elvis found what his manager was doing he stop it. He wrote 8 songs in total specifically for Elvis and was paid well. Otis died with a net worth of 1.5 Million.
Otis made millions from Elvis. He did not die with millions. He was a good man, being lead in the conversation by idiot Letterman. Other interviews are much truer and better.
Otis Blackwell had a small roll in the movie Let's Rock as the bandleader of two Roy Hamilton's songs from that movie. Here Comes Love & The Secret Path Of Love. Otis & Roy live & rest in God's power forever. ❤️
Came to this late but notice people saying Elvis obviously copied Otis Blackwell singing style. Elvis recorded That’s Alright Mama ( his style being obvious) two years before recording Don’t Be Cruel so can only assume Elvis had a time machine so he could copy Otis in 1956 and then go back to 1954 and kick start his singing career.
This is what Otis Blackwell said, ''I wrote my songs, I got my money and I boogied.'' Otis got paid millions when Elvis released Don't Be Cruel. Otis was a songwriter for Elvis Presley. Otis also wrote songs for other artists but his most successful songs were the ones that he wrote for Elvis to record. Without Otis, Elvis wouldn't have Don't Be Cruel, Paralyzed, All Shook Up, and other songs. He still would have Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog, I Want You I Need You I Love You, Love Me Tender, Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear, Jailhouse Rock, and others but Otis played a part in Elvis's career in 1956 and 1957 along with Leiber and Stoller, Aaron Schroeder, and other songwriters that wrote for Elvis. Elvis had some pretty good composers writing great songs for him. Elvis was the one who produced them and wanted them to have the sound that he liked. He was able to pick which songs he wanted to record and what songs he didn't. This is another reason why Elvis became big. RCA let Elvis do whatever he wanted to do. RCA would get about 5-6 songs for Elvis and would tell Elvis, pick any song you like. Elvis chose them and recorded them. Elvis had a great ear to pick the songs that he wanted to record. Unlike today's pop artists that have a bunch of producers in the studio (some of them are doing nothing but are there just for royalties) Elvis was pretty much the producer in the studio and him and his band were freely allowed to do whatever they wanted to do. By the mid-1960s, many of Elvis's composers left him behind and he was left with shitty composers writing him junk movie songs. By 1968, he started getting good songwriters again. R.I.P Elvis and Otis Blackwell.
It was clearly stated in this video that Elvis stole his entire songs, vocal arrangement and style. He was poor at the time, like many black men were due to discrimination and the refusal of employment, a practice which that still go on today. Which I believe is why he agreed to such a awful exploitative business deal but that’s how whites do “businesses”. All they gave Otis was a $25 advancement? WTF?!!He even said he submitted songs to Elvis many of which Elvis actually never even got in the studio to do. A egregious practice which white record labels would often do, which was to put white faces and names on black music because “whites like what black people create but not black people”. This was true for Otis as he had tried to have his own album. As previously stated, all this was clearly stated in this video and other videos saying Elvis stole from Otis(who was the true king of rock and roll) and Otis taught him how to sing. To say otherwise means you are in denial and you guys are using other unhealthy defense mechanisms such as distorting reality or somehow rationalizing to yourself that this crime wasn’t what it was or wasn’t as bad even though what happened to Otis(and other black men and women) was made crystal clear. You must have no conscience or humanity to not see what was done to Otis was not only deceptive, morally wrong and cruel but economically exploitative. This man died penniless as MJ stated which also means his generational wealth was stolen. If it hadn't been for Micheal Jackson we wouldn’t have ever been known his name. TRAGIC. This genius who gave us his gift of exceptional music to the ENTIRE world, the pioneer to one of the greatest genres in history and some of you still deny that which makes you just as a disgrace as Elvis.
@@sakhu8945 Um, no, you’re assuming a lot of incorrect things. Otis was an exceptionally talented songwriter who got the exact same offer as any other songwriters who wrote for Elvis. However unfair the agreement that was struck, it was unfair for all songwriters at the time. The business deal Otis struck had nothing to do with race. It had everything to do with money and nothing whatsoever to do with race. If Otis didn’t like the offer from Elvis for his songs, he didn’t have to take the money.
I understand what you’re writing, but others might not. You might want to edit it so that it’s clear to anyone reading it. Btw, I agree with you re Parker.
Otis Blackwell was the ghost writer behind the fame of Elvis Presley. The singing style is more than just just flattering! They never ment for anyone else to get credit for making the songs.
You're talking out of you're bumhole!, leiber stoller wrote a shit load of music for Elvis aswell as a load of other songwriters you're out of you're depth you just sound like a fool!
I used to go to a venue in London ( West Kensington) called Songwriters ,every Weds and you’d hear songs you recognised but not the singer. One day a famous Tom Jones song was performed and the singer said “ I was so happy Sir Tom acknowledged me for this song and my guide vocals which helped him sing it. That’s what a performer does ,recognise the original writer. Elvis . Not a word.
How is he the ghost writer if he got credit? lol. Let's not overstate the matter: Otis wrote a few songs for Presley over the period of many years, and after he had already had a bunch of hits. Otis wrote two of Presley's greatest hits ever: Don't Be Cruel and All Shook Up. In the 60s, he delivered another hit for Elvis Return To Sender. There were also a few others in the crappy movies Elvis used to make. But Otis wrote hits for MANY people, was a pro-songwriter and to sum him up as "behind the fame of Elvis Presley" is the babble of a know-nothing, sorry, bro. I don't even LIKE Elvis Presley that much, but know your facts. 99% of the people who hilariously piss and moan about Elvis don't. The guy was a kid who was a singer who had success. Get over it. Otis had a long, prosperous career in the music biz. And rock and roll always was a mix of black and white talent, whether or not it's Muscle Shoals band playing on all those Aretha and Wilson Pickett records, or Tom Wilson discovering and producing Simon & Garfunkel, Frank Zappa & the Velvet Underground. Or Quincy Jones masterminding Leslie Gore's "It's My Party". Or Leiber and Stoller masterminding all the Coasters and Drifters songs. Sorry to burst people's bubble about so-called "black music" and so-called "white music" as it pertains to "rock and roll music", the greatest of all musics.
@@drstew1 I'm not sure from ur comment if u meant the performer wrote the song or Tom Jones, but either way. How do u know Elvis didn't recognize the writers? Because that is actually not true at all. Elvis gave a lot of credit to them and mentioned their names many a times. Unfortunately u cant have video of everything like these days. But even in todays music, how many people dont do covers etc. Do they in every performance start by giving credit to the writer? No they don't. I mean I think you'd be surprised at how many hits are actually covers. I like how people hold Elvis up to this high standard, when in reality most artists are not even giving credit where credit is due lol.
@@omegapeoples8092 Can u find out for us why your Grandpa Otis claims he wrote 'Searchin' the great hit by the Coasters and i ofcourse believe him, but it has writers as 'Lieber and Stoler'
Can u find out for us why your uncle Otis claims he wrote 'Searchin' the great hit by the Coasters and i ofcourse believe him, but it has writers as 'Lieber and Stoler'
@@drstew1 What do u based that on? Cause that isn't true lol. How do u know Elvis didn't recognize the writers? Because that is actually not true at all. Elvis gave a lot of credit to them and mentioned their names many a times. Unfortunately u cant have video of everything like these days. But even in todays music, how many people dont do covers etc. Do they in every performance start by giving credit to the writer? No they don't. I mean I think you'd be surprised at how many hits are covers. Do the performer always start the performance with giving credit? No they dont. Did michael Jackson give credit to all the white people who wrote some of his songs? I liek how people hold Elvis up to this high standard yet when I for example use the same measurement stick for MJ, you deny it, and why? Yes cause MJ isnt white. It's racist.
This is just 1 story. All of the stars had their names put on the publishing. It was the case, and it is the case now. Very few singers can write hit songs.
Basil Shahid Settle down. You need some perspective. Just what exactly would you call giving credit? Because literally millions of people saw Elvis's public acknowledgement to Otis Blackwell as the songwriter every single time they played one of his records... (Otis' name was listed on every record as songwriter). As for "taught him how to sing"... Laughing My Ass Off Look, Elvis already had the Soul & Blue note in his voice long before he ever even heard of Otis Blackwell. EP was recording almost 3 years prior to someone giving him one of Otis' demos to listen to. There were Gospel singers and Blues singers that knew Elvis back then and have even talked about this. BB King, Early Wright & Reverend Herbert Brewster were just a few of those that have spoke of this. A guy was just talking about this the other day on the radio schooling some people about it on a talk show. Man anyone can Google it and verify info. As he explained on radio - The myth is Elvis got his singing style from Otis Blackwell, but don't believe the hype. Chuck D himself found this out when BB King and James Brown called him out for dissing Elvis years ago on the Fight the Power album. And they explain to him how Elvis grew up as a child in Tupelo singing gospel in the church and came by his singing style honest. They also told Chuck how many of those other Blues & R&B guys had mad respect for Elvis back in the day. That white boy took an awful lot of hate from racist white folks because he was very publicly, and privately, pro-black. I give Chuck credit tho. Since then he has acknowledged Elvis with great respect in various interviews. Love Otis, but he wasn't being genuinely forthright and explaining things here. Other interviewers that knew their history better than Dave have sat down with Otis over the years and went deep with Otis. In some other interviews Otis admitted the same thing that many other songwriters admitted... which was they submitted there demos to Elvis by trying to do their best Elvis impersonation on the vocal recording of their demo. If you wanted an artist to take your demo serious and give it a listen you needed to make an effort to try to sing in their vocal style. Even some white songwriters that wanted Elvis to record their songs did this. Many of those other songwriters have admitted it over the years in interviews. Otis himself in the past has also, but he did not do it here with Dave. But that was just how music business was back in the day. Requires a basic knowledge of the music industry back then to even understand. If you are a songwriter and you want the famous artist (whomever they are) to sing your song (because there was hella big money in it to get them to record your song) then you better submit a vocal demo trying to sing your song in *their* singing style .... and that's exactly what Otis did. It's the same thing songwriters did when submitting demos to Sinatra, etc. In a 1981 interview Otis also talked about how right before Elvis died he was making plans to hook up with Elvis and finally meet. And he explained how Elvis's sudden death hit him almost as hard as when his own mother died. Otis said it crushed him emotionally because he had great respect for Elvis. There's also people from the music industry that knew Otis personally and said Otis regretted putting off meeting Elvis for years, and he always spoke nothing but respect. Don't forget Otis got paid crazy big money. People need to stfu & pull the stick out their ass on Elvis.
How about we give both men their rightful credits for their individual talents and put away our divisive attitudes that do nothing but keep people separated? Besides, God instilled in them what they ultimately possessed. We had nothing to do with it what so ever.God bless Otis and Elvis,and thanks a million for the great tunes you both helped to bring forth to your adoring public.You are forever appreciated, equally.
Basil Shahid eivıs love black people and biack musıc so ever. who ever spread the rumor he was racıst ıs a ıdiot. and who ever beılieves ıt stiııı ıs a bıgger one it was already cleared up he wasn't
Elvis grew up in a black-white ghetto and he attended black and white churches. Those are his roots as much as it is for black people. If he had been black no questions asked. He loved this music so how can one call it stealing? To quote James Brown from 1977, "I wasn’t just a fan, I was his brother. Last time I saw Elvis alive was at Graceland. We sang ‘Old Blind Barnabus’ together, a gospel song. I love him and hope to see him in heaven. There’ll never be another like that soul brother.”
Elvis literally stole his whole sound from Otis Blackwell. I actually prefer Otis over Elvis. Otis sounds so good there’s no reason why he shouldn’t of performed his own songs and became famous. But I get it the 1950s treated the black man like 💩
That don't make sense. Big Mama Thornton was the first to sing Hound Dog before Elvis but she never wrote the song two Jewish white boys did. She had to hear their demo first. So according to your logic, did Big Mama Thornton steal the sound from two Jewish white boys?
That was the practice at the time -- if a major singer recorded your songs & you were not a major writer (Leiber & Stoller, Doc Pomus) -- a major singer would share in the credits since they were applying their interpretation & rendition -- which sold the song. Especially someone as successful as Elvis. While Elvis was one of those artists who published some unknown singers to give them a break (Hill & Range Pub./Elvis Presley Music) he fought for their equality & eventually this practice ended. As far as Elvis copying Otis Blackwell -- if you want to believe that then (I would rather say Otis influenced him) then you'd have to include Dean Martin & Roy Hamilton. Many others have said Elvis emulated them. Otis doesn't have the Elvis power or range. He has a little of the tonality -- so did Johnny Burnette. Elvis interpreted & Otis' songs were all excellent. Elvis admired his work. The possibility that without all those hits by Elvis, Otis would not have been as well known as he became. Blackwell's own records never cracked the Top 40. Several other major singers did cover Otis' songs (some just as a co-writer) like Peggy Lee's "Fever," (of which Blackwell used a pseudonym as a co-writer -- John Davenport), Conway Twitty, Cliff Richard & 3 for Jerry Lee Lewis among others. With the song "All Shook Up," Elvis received a co-write because Elvis rewrote part of the song to fit his style (with Otis' consent). I knew this back in the early 60s. No secret. "Don't Be Cruel," was originally submitted to Frankie Valli's early group The Four Lovers but Otis took it back to submit it to Presley.
@@dongiller - And Elvis didn't write his own songs. And he stole the songs he sang from black artists. If that's true, so did Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Ray Charles, Johnny Mathis, even Michael Jackson (Rod Temperton wrote "Thriller" not Michael), Dean Martin, & Tony Bennett -- none of these artists were known as songwriters. They were interpreters & stylists. It's nothing new that a singer sings someone else's song. Many of those black artists who wrote great songs would have remained obscure if someone like Elvis didn't cover their material (Big Boy Arthur Crudup). James Taylor even said in an interview that after he heard Elvis' version of "Steamroller Blues," he started to sing it the Elvis way. It's tiring to have to always explain these things to people. And as far as The Beatles -- they were terrible interpreters of other people's songs. They were good with their own material but to this day I think their cover of "Twist & Shout," is not better than the Isley Brothers' original. And Hank Ballard's original "The Twist," is not superior to Chubby Checkers. Also -- when black writers didn't get paid -- payment comes from the publisher (often black-owned) not Elvis -- it was those people who didn't give them their rightful residuals. A little research always reveals this. Otis says he "taught Elvis to sing" -- a little bruised ego here -- first of all Elvis was singing long before he covered any Otis Blackwell song. And Otis admits he never met Elvis. So how did he teach Elvis anything? Elvis interpreted from what he heard. Otis played a role. That's all. Elvis wasn't singing like Otis as time went on -- it was far closer to a Dean Martin-Roy Hamilton style. As years went by Elvis was like no other. It's why he was so successful & people emulated him. I should've been a lawyer, Don.
Elvis had a completely different style. All one has to do is listen to the demos and then listen to Elvis's version. Elvis took his songs to another level, which is why NOBODY could ever sing them like Elvis Presley. Not Little Richard, not Bo Diddly, not Chuck Berry, nobody.
@@truthhitman7473 you have the wrong name, because you know nothing about the truth! Otis sang it better! Especially since it was his song, and Elvis copied his singing and dancing style. Nothing...I mean nothing was original about Elvis's singing or dancing. He studied, stole, and copied from men like Otis!! Let's not forget he was a pedo!
He was more than a amazing song writer because he gave Elvis everything to get the job done so all he had to do was mimic the man like just about every artist of that time redoing black artist work
Elvis was white, and I know that really bothers you, but he mimicked no one, much as you want to believe he did in the over 700 songs he sang and produced.
@@keetonplace Elvis being white is no problem to me or any persons color however I know it may be hard for u to believe your king was only the king because of black bodies like Roy Hamilton n this Gent. Plus I'm from Memphis I know the history Ma'am And this is what America has always done n still continues to do n that is rob us twice in every deal
@@keetonplace and giving yourself producers credits or giving your manager 50% is no task when your only mimicking another artists work 50% to manage SOMETHING SMELLS FUNNY
@@901Babyboy Producer's credits went to Felton Jarvis. But everyone knew, including Felton, that it was Elvis doing all the producing in studio and on stage while actually performing. Every note. Every voice. An orchestra, a band and a choir plus himself, he was producing, and never once gave himself a credit for that. It is known that he was producing before any artist ever did their own. The 50% is just being ripped off.
@@keetonplace ok I’ll say this because I am enjoying your insight and I can see ur a true fan business practices back then didn’t include fairness to ppl of color n I’m pretty sure if things had been those songs wouldn’t have been bought and I’m not saying elvis didn’t do his part when he went to record those song because he recreated masterpieces
He had no say in it. The Colonel, who took 50% of Elvis earnings, did it. Do you really think a man who was in tons of films he hated had any say on publishing rights?
This was part of the way things were...THEY KNEW that they were creating something with this man. That's what they set out to do. They wanted a White Boy who had Rhythm that would attract White Girls & White Women. Racist Amerikkka did not want their white women drooling over Chuck Berry, Little Richard, James Brown, and others. In fact, many Southern Radio Stations would not even play songs by Black Artists on their stations. Otis was not the only one that helped mold Elvis' career. For Otis, it was economics. Having Elvis record his songs was quite profitable, which is why he agreed to the deal. As he stated, he had to record each song before it was played for Elvis so that Elvis could put the same Rhythm in the song. Also, other Blacks were brought in to teach Elvis how to dance, wiggle, and have stage presence. He was nothing MORE THAN A CREATION...then dubbed "The King".
As Blackwell said Elvis sold millions of records of his songs, Otis was happy, So dont blame Elvis for a thing. Elvis was not an imitator, Elvis was not a songwriter.
It's fascinating how so many people on here seem to miss that point. These claims that Elvis stole the songs are odd and I can only assume it's coming from people who didn't actually listen to Otis' words in this interview, or for some reason they choose to ignore what he said.
Whites love what we create but not us. I’m glad black tik Tok black creators boycotted by not showing this talents so whites couldn’t steal it and act as if they invented and made money from it and look they fell right on their faces!!! I loved every moment.
Should have 6,000,000 views. The architect of Rock.................
My grandpa is a legend
Greetings from across the pond. I used to dance to your grandad's record "it's all over me" at northern soul all nighters many years ago. Total class. Keep the faith
Yes Tonee, he sure is. Massively talented and kind man.
GOD BLESS OTIS BLACKWELL - - WHAT A MAN - - HE GAVE A LOT TO NOT ONLY ELVIS PRESLEY - - BUT TO THE WORLD - -
TONEE , please tel me more about your Grandpa - mister Otis Blackwell, thank you , Joe
HE IS and F ALL OF THE LAUGHS!!!!
I can understand the laughs and it IS NO laughing matter to me. YOUR GRANDPA IS A LEGEND!!!!!!!
I was lucky enough to meet Otis Blackwell in a recording studio in 1988. Otis heard one of the songs I wrote, and he walked over to me, shook my hand and said, "My name is Otis Blackwell, and I think that you're a great songwriter." Being physically touched by Otis, and hearing him compliment me that way, is one of my favorite memories!
Cool 😎
@org org yeah. The actual person behind Elvis's impersonations.
@@punkanelliefonkbush8811 Shows you obviously have not listened to much of Elvis' music, but feel the need to tear him down. If you knew anything about Elvis, you'd know that the majority of covers he did, he made his own. He produced both in studio and on stage, every note, every singer and still managed to put on magnificent shows. Ask Paul Simon how he liked Bridge by Elvis, as well as many others. Most people were very happy for Elvis to do their songs. Bob Dylan said a highlight of his life was Elvis singing his songs. The Beatles said there would be no Beatles without Elvis. Lieber and Stoller loved writing for him. Stoller was just at Elvis Week in mid August. Mark James, writer of Suspicious Minds and others for Elvis has been coming to EW for 20 years, paying tribute to him at a large chapel gathering at the university there, usually with tears in his eyes. You really have no idea. I haven't the space for more, but could go on forever. You are a troll who hates Elvis. You are not informed in any way. People like you should just be a little quiet...or go learn something. Otis loved writing songs for Elvis and was afraid if he met him, it would break the good thing they had going. John Lennon, when out and dressed up, wore a diamond ELVIS lapel pin. So, really YOU are in the minority. And I am talking famous, talented people, which you aren't.
@@keetonplace Elvis never had any music of his own. King of cover songs.
❤
I admire Letterman show for giving this man the recognition he deserved. Also his version here is absolutely fantastic. I’ll buy its disc now. RIP Otis, thanks for all the music.
SOULJAH ROCKER
One of the greatest songwriters of all-time
Sorry not to know he wrote all those great songs...
What a treasure Otis Blackwell was ☑️
But how could anyone not know when Otis Blackwell's name is on all the records of all the songs he wrote ? 😆
@@truthhitman7473 Exactly his name is right on there on the Vinyl 45 copies. Could people read? lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/4WMGVFoytZBrxsyhU7CilKp5lWBKVdfIQbOIR36cUGVVRt2pSp4-ofPZJmWJ76ZoXQZr24TzxGcbHR7--Fm9H0G25Hq33GzGMtwZFMgWaUu7-gEQ3dfgHMV2YzoaLQj_VQS4vJrWpi18QAC6ufYSm8YrzGY95Ko4koWNBukKa_Conx4FglhN5qK8ggTtrSCNXgazVg
@@truthhitman7473 I interviewed Otis back in the day. The point was: In order to get Elvis to record one of your songs you had to agree to include Elvis as Co-writer...even though he didn't write shyte. What Otis did NOT SAY in the Letterman interview is that ther reason they wanted Otis to sing the songs was so that Elvis could COPY that Black Rhythm that was so appealing to audiences. Also, Other Blacks were brought in to teach Elvis how to dance & gyrate on stage. So, the whole IMAGE OF ELVIS was a CREATION designed to appeal to young White Girls & White Women, as AMERIKKKA could not have it's females screamin' & creamin' over Little Richard, Chuck Berry, James Brown, and other Blacks.
@@bryandiaz7054 I interviewed Otis back in the day. The point was: In order to get Elvis to record one of your songs you had to agree to include Elvis as Co-writer...even though he didn't write shyte. What Otis did NOT SAY in the Letterman interview is that ther reason they wanted Otis to sing the songs was so that Elvis could COPY that Black Rhythm that was so appealing to audiences. Also, Other Blacks were brought in to teach Elvis how to dance & gyrate on stage. So, the whole IMAGE OF ELVIS was a CREATION designed to appeal to young White Girls & White Women, as AMERIKKKA could not have it's females screamin' & creamin' over Little Richard, Chuck Berry, James Brown, and other Blacks.
@@windel12002
Most artists back in the 1950s had to give up their copyright to certain singers, which was the deal made by the managers. Otis had a CHOICE. He could have wrote for his black brothers Chuck Berry and Little Richard , who were famous and successful. Stop trying to give the imppression no black singers were famous and making money. There was Nat King Cole, Same Cooke and Ray Charles , etc, who were having hits and getting paid during Elvis Presley's reign.
Get your facts right.
And NOOOOOOO ! No black person was brought in to teach Elvis how to dance. That is such a made up statement 🤣🤣 Show me a video of one, just ONE black person Elvis copied. I'll wait. NO. Elvis was spontaneous with his moves on stage. He was original. There was no one like him, which is one of the reasons why he transcended race. Get your facts right.
Elvis was making HITS in his home town BEFORE he became famous, which one of the reasons why he was signed up to a bigger label in RCA records. He created his own image the moment he made his first TV appearence. He naturally out shined all the other artists. Elvis worked HARD to get where he was. Get your facts right.
LISTEN to what James Brown said about Elvis , since you wanna mention the name James Brown. ua-cam.com/video/i9SEpujPoLc/v-deo.html
Get your facts right.
Otis Blackwell should be more known, this guy helped create the rocknroll country sound. Hope he got payed his royalties fairly hopefully his family gets some of that estate.
Sure should I agree with you
Otis got third royalties, thats how it worked with the Colonel .....as Otis said himself ... "I wrote my songs ,recieved my money and boogied all night!"
The reason Otis is known today? Elvis Presley sang his songs. It made him a rich man and he adored Elvis.
Show business for all of the exciting and thrilling presentations of talent and awe inspiring performances is such a cruel and wicked and perverted industry.
So many artists and songwriters have been ripped off and abused and robbed.
Otis was a special credit to early rock..No doubt about it,his songs will live forever.
Credit that was about it, never got paid, maybe he was just happy to white folks appreciating songs
An incredible songwriter....
barrygioportmorien1 and singer as you can see.
Otis was just as great a man, as he was a songwriter!
This is just too awesome for words!!! I’m saddened to learn that Mr. Blackwell and Elvis never met!!! ☮️🖖🏽
Otis wanted it that way
Otis told me, that he didn't want to meet Elvis, and he told me why, but I won't go into that here.
@@charlesbadgley7117 Geez, you started an itch I’ll have to scratch! I’ll have to research that info cause I’m intrigued as to the reason! ☮️🖖🏽
@@ralphfurley123 The truth is often ugly, and this one is too! The Colonel Tom Parker told Otis he wouldn't use his songs unless Otis agreed to put Elvis down as a Co-Writer. Elvis knew he didn't Co-Write those songs! The answer to this question is simple racism and greed. When I met Otis in 1988, Otis was in court trying to have Elvis's name taken off of each of his songs!
@@charlesbadgley7117 Oooh, that sounds like the Colonel’s MO! All I could find in my research so far is that Mr. Blackwell was “superstitious” about meeting Elvis.
But your story makes some sense! The Col. made it a practice to squeeze out as much from the composers as possible, including co-writer credits! The Col. tried to use the same tactic with Dolly Parton when Elvis wanted to record her song “I’ll Always Love You”, which would later become a mega hit and a signature song for Whitney Houston. Parton did not budge or succumb to the Col.‘s pressure! She wanted Elvis to record the song, but didn’t want to give up any ownership rights of her song! Good for her, although I would’ve loved to have heard Elvis sing her song! The Col. was a cutthroat businessman!
As for the racism part of it, I can’t comment on it cause I don’t have knowledge regarding it! I don’t doubt that Mr. Blackwell had been victimized and taken advantage due to the color of his skin! And I won’t doubt that the Col. would stoop down to that level! As far as Elvis, I don’t think he was a racist! Respected people in the African American community like Muhammad Ali, Jackie Wilson, BB King, James Brown, Mahalia Jackson, Sammy Davis Jr just to name a few, would not have befriended Elvis if he was a racist!
It’s an intriguing story! I feel bad for Mr. Blackwell cause I don’t think he received the credit nor the success that he so richly deserved and earned! I for one, thank him for his contribution to the arts! We are a better world because of Mr. Blackwell! ☮️🖖🏽
Hats off to Otis Blackwell! A great song writer for many other artists. A great singer too! ❤
Otis Blackwell what a legend! this is awesome! Holy Grail of Rock n Roll
Rest in peacefully in heavenly home paradise Otis Blackwell God bless your soul's beautiful voices ❤️
Thank you David!
I'm here because of what Michael Jackson said... Wish my Mom could see this
ua-cam.com/video/PATqvcxs5Qw/v-deo.html
I interviewed Otis back in the day. The point was: In order to get Elvis to record one of your songs you had to agree to include Elvis as Co-writer...even though he didn't write shyte. What Otis did NOT SAY in the Letterman interview is that ther reason they wanted Otis to sing the songs was so that Elvis could COPY that Black Rhythm that was so appealing to audiences. Also, Other Blacks were brought in to teach Elvis how to dance & gyrate on stage. So, the whole IMAGE OF ELVIS was a CREATION designed to appeal to young White Girls & White Women, as AMERIKKKA could not have it's females screamin' & creamin' over Little Richard, Chuck Berry, James Brown, and other Blacks.
I don't know what Michael said, but Michael always gave respect. Remember, The Osmond Brothers were created as a counter to the Jackson Five. They only had One Hit "One Bad Apple", and that song was written for the Jackson Five.
Way back, whites often copied Blacks: When Black musicians couldn't play at White Establishments but played in their own 'Colored' auditoriums & theaters, many whites would come and copy/steal what they saw. They would see them dance and then either pay them to teach them the moves or steal them. Either way, when they went back to their white audiences they were seen as Great Dancers because white audiences had never seen the Blacks whom they copied. The same was true of many of the Big Bands. Some of the Blacks who wrote music for their own bands didn't know anything about copyrighting music and just wrote music for the fun of it, and when heard by one of these white bandleaders and paid a small amount for the sheet music, these white bandleaders once they realized that the music had never been copyrighted would file calling it "Their Music"...and again, white audiences hearing this music for the first time would have NO CLUE that it was stolen from Black Musicians...
Thank God, some Blacks did know how to copyright their songs: Remember the music to the music "The Sting"? Marvin Hamlisch claimed that HE was the songwriter and got all kinds of awards and accolades for the music....then later it was revealed that he had stole the music of Scott Joplin.
@@windel12002
The deal as co -writer was not exclusive to Elvis, tho. That was the music business back in the 1950s. There were plenty of other singers the writers could have went to, such as Ray Charles, James Brown, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jackie Wilson and many others.
Also, Elvis had his own style. He didn't copy anybody or sound like anybody. The only thing he copied was the genre, which is not a crime. So because Elvis is white he shouldn't have accepted the songs given to him ?
No. Otis sang the songs in the style he thought Elvis would sing it. But Elvis always sang it his own way and much better. Otis couldn't sing like Elvis that's why he never made it as a singer like Sam Cooke and others did. But he was a good song writer. PLUS Elvis was already famous before he sang songs written by Otis Blackwell.
Elvis's FIRST number one hit was Heartbreak Hotel, which was written by two white people. Fact.
MICHAEL JACKSON copied white singers and dancers himself therefore MJ is a bit of a hypocrite talking about Elvis. Here's the proof. Blame It On The Boogie was written by a white man named Mick Jackson. Fact. The Jacksons stole it.
ua-cam.com/video/xOf5e89MS2c/v-deo.html
It was Rod Temperton, a Scottish white man, who wrote Rock With You and Thriller. Fact. Thriller is what made Michael Jackson into the global super star he became. MJ also copied Bob Fosse, a white man who created his own dance moves, which Michael Jackson STOLE.
I say stole because I'm using the same yard stick people use against Elvis. But notice how they don't like it when that stick is pointed at MJ. Here is the PROOF MJ copied Bob Fosse. ua-cam.com/video/QUlEBhGgEe0/v-deo.html
@@truthhitman7473 what makes this clip stunning is that you can hear the original writer singing the lyrics he wrote in the style that is his own personal style. After hearing Otis perform, Elvis’ version of “Don’t be Cruel” sounds just like a white man imitating a black singer. Why do you think the producers recorded Otis singing a demo for Elvis? It was and still is common for pop stars to perform music written by others. But using the vocal demo of a writer to imitate the intonation and accent lacks creative integrity. I lost a lot of respect for Elvis and felt tremendous pity for Otis Blackwell. Even David Letterman seemed to recognize the lack of recognition that Otis got for his writing compared to Elvis as he was asking each question with growing incredulity.
@@distprod
Which only means you ignored everything I said in my previous statement, which includes EVIDENCE of Michael Jackson's outright hypocrisy.
Otis Blackwell was a failed singer who resorted to being a song writer for other artists, which included Elvis Presley. Blackwell's version of Don't Be Cruel sounds nothing like Presley's version. And notice how everyone sang Rock n Roll covers of other songs but nobody sang a cover of Don't Be Cruel after Elvis sang it. That's because NOBODY will ever sing it like Elvis Presley.
Therefore when you made the claim that " Elvis’ version of “Don’t be Cruel” sounds just like a white man imitating a black singer," You make yourself look SO disinguous and biased, especially when NO WHITE SINGER BEFORE OR SINCE ever sang like Elvis Presley. Elvis Presley's talent transcends RACE.
Get it right.
Just watched Ken Burn's fourth Country Music episode. Shame on him for omitting Otis Blackburn's influence on Elvis!
Man He had so Many 50’s Legends on his Show!You can tell He Loves & Respects Early Rock N Roll!
Thanks for posting! I read about Otis Blackwell a long time ago but hadn't seen this interview. It's startling how much Elvis emulated Otis in his style. An unsung architect of rock 'n' roll.
Elvis emulated Otis Blackwell? Don't make me laugh I've got chapped lips. He wrote songs for Elvis and Elvis interpreted them his own way. Blackwell even sang this song here the way Elvis recorded it, including the Jordanaires backing style.Let's pretend they were both unheard of and they recorded the song their own way. Which one would be the hit version?
Frank your delusional… he straight stole this mans style
@@frankhyland6333 Otis said in the video that Elvis recorded the songs exactly as Otis would record the demo. Sorry you want to hold on to your golden boy memories of Elvis but the man was an untalented and unoriginal mouthpiece used to sell black music to white people who refused to accept the music from the black people themselves. Sounds like you are one of those people.
@@frankhyland6333 Elvis imitated another Black man named Roy Hamilton!
@@AliveBlessedGrateful Nah! He respected Roy Hamilton as a performer and friend. Elvis did use part of his vocal methods on one of his recordings, but that's all. No way did he imitate him.
Never knew about him. He needs to be recognized today and in a HUGE way. The masses should know this. So Elvis was the look and Otis was the style and actual talent. The fact that he is a black man makes this SUPER important.
@TIME he did not 😂 Arthur crudup neither got royalties for Elvis covering his songs
@TIME Your apologetics are nonsensical. It is admitted by those who knew Elvis --like George Klein-- that Elvis was influenced by black men like Roy Hamilton and Otis Blackwell. Sam Phillips of Sun STUDIOS in Memphis admitted on PBS tv documentary that he got Elvis because he needed a white man to front that "Black sound". Elvis was a decent man about race relations. He was a great performer and he did credit his musical style to Black people. He has my respect -as a black man-for admitting that during his lifetime. However; I find it strange how you ignore that the industry was and is very racist and controlling of ownership of music and songwriting .
@TIME ELVIS has had to fight for his entire career, with first whites saying his music was of the devil and breaking his records on TV. Filmed from the waist up on Ed Sullivan. Geeeze. Called a racist to this day when he had blacks on stage with him who adored him until the day he died, who if here, would tell you all off. He did so many things for blacks that people don't know about that it becomes a bit laughable to hear the racist crap from people who don't have a single clue about this beloved man, Elvis Presley. He always prevails, because he was such a good man. 45 years later, and crapped on all his adult life.
@@dannytennial5311 Just also know that it wasn't just blacks who influenced Elvis, though they played a role when he was young. I just watched "In His Own Words" by Elvis and he tells about his influences, including Mario Lanza and the Metropolitan Orchestra, as well as country, jazz and the white gospel singers like JD Sumner and the Stamps quartet, as well as gospel. There was so much more to Elvis than black music and that's why he is so unique and popular and loved 45 years after he's gone. He was a mixture of so many influences, unlike any other singer.
@@keetonplace So Gospel is white man music. fool
I was at this show, I think this this was the third time I was in the live audience. I got to NBC very early and was able to score a ticket for that day's show. Thanks for posting this and brining back great memories.
Wow, that most have been great
Thank you for this post!! I learned a great deal.
MY FRIEND MET OTIS BLACKWELL YEARS LATER AS AN OLD MAN THROUGH HIS NIECE. HE BOUGHT HIM A BOTTLE OF LIQUOR AND HUNG OUT WITH HIM. BECAUSE MY FRIEND WAS AN ELVIS PRESLEY FANATIC. HE WANTED TO LEARN HOW TO WRITE A HIT SONG. OTIS BLACKWELL SAID "IF IT WASN'T FOR ELVIS SINGING HIS SONGS" THEY WOULD HAVE NEVER HAVE BECOME FAMOUS. THEY WOULD HAVE SAT RIGHT IN THAT MILK CRATE YOU SEE THERE, AND THEY NEVER WOULD HAVE BECOME ANYTHING. HE EVEN GAVE MY FRIEND A SHEET MUSIC FROM THAT MILK CRATE OF A SONG HE WROTE.
Did he get paid, for you to even write says what? Elvis was a thief that took advantage of a simple Blackman
@@mrchris6684 OTIS BLACKWELL WROTE SONGS FOR OTHER PEOPLE TOO. BUT HE DID ADMITT TO MY FRIEND. IF IT WASN'T FOR ELVIS SINGING HIS SONGS. THEY NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN HITS. ELVIS TURNED HIS SONGS INTO HITS. HIS SONGS WOULD HAVE SAT IN THAT WOODEN MILK CRATE AND DID NOTHING.
@@mrchris6684 He did get payed yes. Elaborate on how Elvis was thief please? I'll go ahead and use the same logic as you then and make the accusation that MJ was a thief then also, what do you respond that? I don't believe MJ was a thief, but I can use the argument as u do with Elvis and call him a thief. So let's see what you say, and if the double standars applies.
Easy to make accusations about a person you know nothing about. Always easy to hate on a famous person, rumours get started, to later be presented as facts. Maybe you've heard the rumour of Elvis saying : "the only thing a black person can do for me is shine my shoes" A lot of people hate Elvis simply cause they heard this rumour. This rumour has been disproven over and over, yet it gets repeated by people like urself who have not educated urself about Elvis at all. Go read up on Elvis and then come back. Ever think you might be wrong, and simply a very judgemental person? I know a lot about Elvis, and i know that anyone who knows anything about Elvis and still calls him a thief or racist, should take a good look in the mirror. Cause if we call him those things, then those words have lost their meaning.
Final note: If you need tips on where to start, then you can start by searching Elvis and the black community on youtube, watch that, then come back and respond to me, and we will see what you say.
@@danieln5415 Good try, but these people respond only to gossip and rumor and never do the research for real facts. The real facts are out there in books, on videos, just everywhere. I have a good book beside me called Race, Rock and Elvis by Michael T Bertrand. I met him at an Elvis Week in Memphis years ago and he signed the book for me. He was a professor at a Southern university. It is a wealth of information that I refer to often. But they aren't interested in facts. They are filled with jealousy that a white man can be so popular, even in death. Nothing you or I can do. Let them wallow in their hate and lies. Elvis loved blacks. It's a little sad, but I don't feel sorry for them.
@@mrchris6684 was Charlie Pride a thief, genius?
I'm sure this will be some STELLAR community college logic.
very enjoyable....thanks
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
From a mad keen 76yo Aussie fan.
GOD--What an amazing songwriter & performer.
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
From a mad keen 75yo Aussie fan.
So sad to see the disadvantage that’s been taken of people like him. I hope he got royalties for everything that the Elvis sang from his songs
*This was an amazing man..... Obviously in this interview he was on some good old classic antidepressants. AKA Cocaine.(**1:53** **2:20**) Doesn't change the fact this was an amazing song writer.*
You can tell Letterman was on to him.
!Quote I was in a friend's studio when a buddy of his called and told him. 'I got some news for you. Do you want me to tell you now or later?' I said later because I was in the studio when President Kennedy was killed and also when Martin Luther King was killed, so I knew the effect bad news can have on a session. When the session was over he told me and I thought he was joking and it didn't hit me until I lay down to sleep. The one other time that I experienced that was when my mother and my son died. It wasn't because he wouldn't he doing any more of my songs. It was like a piece of the whole business. I mean some people you just figure are never going to die. Inside, they'll always live. When they're gone, a certain piece goes and you just can't believe it.Unquote
Reaction of Otis Blackwell, the African-American songwriter, singer, and pianist, whose work significantly influenced rock and roll, to the death of Elvis Presley
It amazes me that no one gives credit to Elvis's original back up band the Jordinaires .Who greatly assisted Elvis's music and before Elvis were used by the original creator of rock Rosetta Tharpe? As back up singers and musicians.
Elvis definitely credited the Jordanaires & Elvis PROBABLY liked Rosetta Tharpe as well
One thing that I do not like and that still happens is when an artist demands to get writing credit that they do not deserve. Sadly many writers sellout because it could mean big bucks depending on who records your song but that should NEVER be allowed.
I hate that, too .. It just isn't right ... One writer that would not do that, is Dolly Parton .. Elvis wanted to record, I Will Always Love You, by Dolly .... Dolly wouldn't give up any of her publishing rights, to Col. Parker ... So, it was never recorded by Elvis ... I don't blame her a bit, and admire her, for standing up to them ...
I actually thought this was a recent situation but this video made me aware it has been happening for a very long time. Glad Dolly stood up for herself.
It broke her heart, to not have Elvis record it, but, she was not willing to play that game ... I think she got over it, when Whitney recorded it ... lol.. I'm sure she made millions off of that, and didn't have to share it ..
It is just the right thing to do. Some writes a song and you cover it you pay the proper charge, asking or demanding writing credits is wrong just wrong. I am glad Dolly stood up for herself, that also is the right thing to do.
@@elvisfan1958 "Them"? I hope you are not including Elvis in that. Colonel Tom Parker took care of the publishing deals. Remember, Elvis Presley was in countless films he did not want to be in. He had little say in what he did and was deprived of a lot of great things due to The Colonel's greed.
Return To Sender... great tune.
Great comments to a great songwriter, few are lacking the true facts..................
I interviewed at our Radio station back in the day. He wasn't sniffing...:-).
great job, otis blackwell & the late note band
w Hiram!!
Wow! Blackwell looks really good here!
Thanks a lot man
Omg. He can sing well. So he had two talents.
Are u here because of MJ saying Otis wrote many of Elvis' songs but died penniless?
That's exactly why I'm here...
I am
Yes lol you read my mind
ua-cam.com/video/PATqvcxs5Qw/v-deo.html
I'm here
People shitting on Elvis because Otis Blackwell sold Elvis songs for him to produce. I mean, there is argument that more people should know of this guy, but that doesn't detract from the fact that Elvis made them both a lot of money. It's a team effort. The songs were not stolen. They were partners in this.
Amen
Half of the publishing rights were stolen!
@@JoyHarrison Elaborate on what you mean . How were they stolen? Otis didn't sell them, they were just taken?
@@Chris-Christopher- He was pressured/forced to give up half of the songwriting credits to Elvis in particular although he didn't help him to write these songs.
@@JoyHarrison is there any examples of him saying that? Is it explained how he was pressured or forced to do this?
May you Rest In Peace, Otis, Amen!
Otis seems to be singing it in Eflat. I believe Elvis did it in D. I wonder what key the demo version was in.
Otis Blackwell also wrote Great Balls of Fire.
Co-wrote with Jack Hammer.
Wow!! Amazing!! ❤️He Sounds Great!!💯❤️💯❤️🤗
Let's hope at least one of Otis family is still getting royalty$.
If not they need a lawyer 😮
the people at that show got really lucky that night !!!
Thank you David Lletterman for exposing this kind of exploitation of black entertainers in the business.
Is it exploitation if Otis made lots of money from the deals?
@@Chris-Christopher- Otis net worth upon his death was $1.5 million. He was also a great record producer and was inducted into multiple Hall of Fames!
BULLSHIT! Elvis was white. YOU can't stand it!
@@IthacaPegasus Yes, Otis seemed quite happy with the deal to me. He could have moved away from Elvis to many others had he chosen.
. Even Quincy Jones stated in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that he refused to work with Presley because he was “He was a racist mother.” Although, it should be considered that the outlet noted Jones' statement about witnessing Presley being coached by songwriter Otis Blackwell in the 50s is contradicted by an interview with David Letterman in 1987 where Blackwell denied ever having met Presley.
He’s adorable and massively talented!! I sure hope he was paid his fair share in long run. I do hate hearing he had to share credit with anyone who didn’t help him compose, even Elvis.
It was only for 3 songs. Once Elvis found what his manager was doing he stop it. He wrote 8 songs in total specifically for Elvis and was paid well. Otis died with a net worth of 1.5 Million.
Otis made millions from Elvis. He did not die with millions. He was a good man, being lead in the conversation by idiot Letterman. Other interviews are much truer and better.
American music icon Otis Blackwell
Otis Blackwell had a small roll in the movie Let's Rock as the bandleader of two Roy Hamilton's songs from that movie. Here Comes Love & The Secret Path Of Love. Otis & Roy live & rest in God's power forever. ❤️
Came to this late but notice people saying Elvis obviously copied Otis Blackwell singing style. Elvis recorded That’s Alright Mama ( his style being obvious) two years before recording Don’t Be Cruel so can only assume Elvis had a time machine so he could copy Otis in 1956 and then go back to 1954 and kick start his singing career.
No he copied Roy Hamilton singing style, he just emulated Otis Blackwell style on don't be cruel
Freakin amazing !
Nice voice.
This is what Otis Blackwell said, ''I wrote my songs, I got my money and I boogied.'' Otis got paid millions when Elvis released Don't Be Cruel. Otis was a songwriter for Elvis Presley. Otis also wrote songs for other artists but his most successful songs were the ones that he wrote for Elvis to record. Without Otis, Elvis wouldn't have Don't Be Cruel, Paralyzed, All Shook Up, and other songs. He still would have Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog, I Want You I Need You I Love You, Love Me Tender, Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear, Jailhouse Rock, and others but Otis played a part in Elvis's career in 1956 and 1957 along with Leiber and Stoller, Aaron Schroeder, and other songwriters that wrote for Elvis. Elvis had some pretty good composers writing great songs for him. Elvis was the one who produced them and wanted them to have the sound that he liked. He was able to pick which songs he wanted to record and what songs he didn't. This is another reason why Elvis became big. RCA let Elvis do whatever he wanted to do. RCA would get about 5-6 songs for Elvis and would tell Elvis, pick any song you like. Elvis chose them and recorded them. Elvis had a great ear to pick the songs that he wanted to record. Unlike today's pop artists that have a bunch of producers in the studio (some of them are doing nothing but are there just for royalties) Elvis was pretty much the producer in the studio and him and his band were freely allowed to do whatever they wanted to do. By the mid-1960s, many of Elvis's composers left him behind and he was left with shitty composers writing him junk movie songs. By 1968, he started getting good songwriters again. R.I.P Elvis and Otis Blackwell.
One of the best songwriters who's songs Elvis ever recorded was the great Don Robertson.
@@barrygioportmorien1 I love that songwriter too. I'm Counting On You, There's Always Me and Anyplace thats part of you are all wonderful songs.
It was clearly stated in this video that Elvis stole his entire songs, vocal arrangement and style. He was poor at the time, like many black men were due to discrimination and the refusal of employment, a practice which that still go on today. Which I believe is why he agreed to such a awful exploitative business deal but that’s how whites do “businesses”. All they gave Otis was a $25 advancement? WTF?!!He even said he submitted songs to Elvis many of which Elvis actually never even got in the studio to do. A egregious practice which white record labels would often do, which was to put white faces and names on black music because “whites like what black people create but not black people”. This was true for Otis as he had tried to have his own album. As previously stated, all this was clearly stated in this video and other videos saying Elvis stole from Otis(who was the true king of rock and roll) and Otis taught him how to sing. To say otherwise means you are in denial and you guys are using other unhealthy defense mechanisms such as distorting reality or somehow rationalizing to yourself that this crime wasn’t what it was or wasn’t as bad even though what happened to Otis(and other black men and women) was made crystal clear. You must have no conscience or humanity to not see what was done to Otis was not only deceptive, morally wrong and cruel but economically exploitative. This man died penniless as MJ stated which also means his generational wealth was stolen. If it hadn't been for Micheal Jackson we wouldn’t have ever been known his name. TRAGIC. This genius who gave us his gift of exceptional music to the ENTIRE world, the pioneer to one of the greatest genres in history and some of you still deny that which makes you just as a disgrace as Elvis.
@@sakhu8945 Um, no, you’re assuming a lot of incorrect things. Otis was an exceptionally talented songwriter who got the exact same offer as any other songwriters who wrote for Elvis. However unfair the agreement that was struck, it was unfair for all songwriters at the time. The business deal Otis struck had nothing to do with race. It had everything to do with money and nothing whatsoever to do with race. If Otis didn’t like the offer from Elvis for his songs, he didn’t have to take the money.
@@bryandiaz7054 Love those songs!
Check out his greatest hits album, one of the unknow creators of rock and roll
He was my first cousin my mother’s nephew
Hello Barbara 👋👋👋how are you doing today hope you’re safe
I wrote fever too I found out he did ied pennypess because of tom parker elvis' manager.
I understand what you’re writing, but others might not. You might want to edit it so that it’s clear to anyone reading it.
Btw, I agree with you re Parker.
DON'T BE CRUEL !!!
Handy man. Great song recorded by James Taylor.
Jimmy Jones Originally recorded it in 1960
Who needs Elvis,
Watching this makes me sort of sad....
I'm a huge elvis presley probably the biggest in South Africa and I'm just glad Otis gave us Elvis
Me too.
People say Otis died broken but his net with when he died was 1.5 million.
@@Naldo4real Otis did not "give us Elvis". Elvis had #1 hits 2 years before Otis came along. From all I read, Otis loved Elvis.
Otis Blackwell ❤
Otis Blackwell was the ghost writer behind the fame of Elvis Presley. The singing style is more than just just flattering! They never ment for anyone else to get credit for making the songs.
You're talking out of you're bumhole!, leiber stoller wrote a shit load of music for Elvis aswell as a load of other songwriters you're out of you're depth you just sound like a fool!
I used to go to a venue in London ( West Kensington) called Songwriters ,every Weds and you’d hear songs you recognised but not the singer. One day a famous Tom Jones song was performed and the singer said “ I was so happy Sir Tom acknowledged me for this song and my guide vocals which helped him sing it. That’s what a performer does ,recognise the original writer. Elvis . Not a word.
How is he the ghost writer if he got credit? lol. Let's not overstate the matter: Otis wrote a few songs for Presley over the period of many years, and after he had already had a bunch of hits. Otis wrote two of Presley's greatest hits ever: Don't Be Cruel and All Shook Up. In the 60s, he delivered another hit for Elvis Return To Sender. There were also a few others in the crappy movies Elvis used to make. But Otis wrote hits for MANY people, was a pro-songwriter and to sum him up as "behind the fame of Elvis Presley" is the babble of a know-nothing, sorry, bro. I don't even LIKE Elvis Presley that much, but know your facts. 99% of the people who hilariously piss and moan about Elvis don't. The guy was a kid who was a singer who had success. Get over it. Otis had a long, prosperous career in the music biz. And rock and roll always was a mix of black and white talent, whether or not it's Muscle Shoals band playing on all those Aretha and Wilson Pickett records, or Tom Wilson discovering and producing Simon & Garfunkel, Frank Zappa & the Velvet Underground. Or Quincy Jones masterminding Leslie Gore's "It's My Party". Or Leiber and Stoller masterminding all the Coasters and Drifters songs. Sorry to burst people's bubble about so-called "black music" and so-called "white music" as it pertains to "rock and roll music", the greatest of all musics.
@@TTM9691 BRAVO !!!!
@@drstew1 I'm not sure from ur comment if u meant the performer wrote the song or Tom Jones, but either way. How do u know Elvis didn't recognize the writers? Because that is actually not true at all. Elvis gave a lot of credit to them and mentioned their names many a times. Unfortunately u cant have video of everything like these days. But even in todays music, how many people dont do covers etc. Do they in every performance start by giving credit to the writer? No they don't. I mean I think you'd be surprised at how many hits are actually covers. I like how people hold Elvis up to this high standard, when in reality most artists are not even giving credit where credit is due lol.
Amazing!
R.I.P uncle Otis
A true legend
RIP grandpa!! You'll always live thru your music.
@@omegapeoples8092 Can u find out for us why your Grandpa Otis claims he wrote 'Searchin' the great hit by the Coasters and i ofcourse believe him, but it has writers as 'Lieber and Stoler'
Can u find out for us why your uncle Otis claims he wrote 'Searchin' the great hit by the Coasters and i ofcourse believe him, but it has writers as 'Lieber and Stoler'
Man! Mr. Blackwell swings!
WOW.
And this is the voice Elvis copied. Because the Demos sounded just like this.if only Elvis had the integrity to mention him. R.I.P Otis Blackwell
Elvis didn't copy anyone. Ridiculous!
JerryJimmson 😂
@@JerryJimmson he really did. Otis and James Brown.
@A O not one mention
@@drstew1 What do u based that on? Cause that isn't true lol. How do u know Elvis didn't recognize the writers? Because that is actually not true at all. Elvis gave a lot of credit to them and mentioned their names many a times. Unfortunately u cant have video of everything like these days. But even in todays music, how many people dont do covers etc. Do they in every performance start by giving credit to the writer? No they don't. I mean I think you'd be surprised at how many hits are covers. Do the performer always start the performance with giving credit? No they dont. Did michael Jackson give credit to all the white people who wrote some of his songs? I liek how people hold Elvis up to this high standard yet when I for example use the same measurement stick for MJ, you deny it, and why? Yes cause MJ isnt white. It's racist.
1:53
2:19
The audience knew.
Man, I was hoping that it wasn't so, but… yeah, cocaine …
Yea
Yeah, I laughed my ass off.
This is just 1 story. All of the stars had their names put on the publishing. It was the case, and it is the case now. Very few singers can write hit songs.
SOULJAH ROCKER
The so called King of Rock and roll never publicly gave credit to the man who taught him how to sing.
The great unsung master Otis Blackwell...
RIP.
Basil Shahid Settle down. You need some perspective.
Just what exactly would you call giving credit? Because literally millions of people saw Elvis's public acknowledgement to Otis Blackwell as the songwriter every single time they played one of his records... (Otis' name was listed on every record as songwriter).
As for "taught him how to sing"...
Laughing My Ass Off
Look, Elvis already had the Soul & Blue note in his voice long before he ever even heard of Otis Blackwell. EP was recording almost 3 years prior to someone giving him one of Otis' demos to listen to.
There were Gospel singers and Blues singers that knew Elvis back then and have even talked about this.
BB King, Early Wright & Reverend Herbert Brewster were just a few of those that have spoke of this.
A guy was just talking about this the other day on the radio schooling some people about it on a talk show. Man anyone can Google it and verify info.
As he explained on radio - The myth is Elvis got his singing style from Otis Blackwell, but don't believe the hype. Chuck D himself found this out when BB King and James Brown called him out for dissing Elvis years ago on the Fight the Power album. And they explain to him how Elvis grew up as a child in Tupelo singing gospel in the church and came by his singing style honest. They also told Chuck how many of those other Blues & R&B guys had mad respect for Elvis back in the day. That white boy took an awful lot of hate from racist white folks because he was very publicly, and privately, pro-black.
I give Chuck credit tho. Since then he has acknowledged Elvis with great respect in various interviews.
Love Otis, but he wasn't being genuinely forthright and explaining things here.
Other interviewers that knew their history better than Dave have sat down with Otis over the years and went deep with Otis.
In some other interviews Otis admitted the same thing that many other songwriters admitted... which was they submitted there demos to Elvis by trying to do their best Elvis impersonation on the vocal recording of their demo. If you wanted an artist to take your demo serious and give it a listen you needed to make an effort to try to sing in their vocal style.
Even some white songwriters that wanted Elvis to record their songs did this.
Many of those other songwriters have admitted it over the years in interviews. Otis himself in the past has also, but he did not do it here with Dave.
But that was just how music business was back in the day. Requires a basic knowledge of the music industry back then to even understand.
If you are a songwriter and you want the famous artist (whomever they are) to sing your song (because there was hella big money in it to get them to record your song) then you better submit a vocal demo trying to sing your song in *their* singing style .... and that's exactly what Otis did.
It's the same thing songwriters did when submitting demos to Sinatra, etc.
In a 1981 interview Otis also talked about how right before Elvis died he was making plans to hook up with Elvis and finally meet. And he explained how Elvis's sudden death hit him almost as hard as when his own mother died. Otis said it crushed him emotionally because he had great respect for Elvis.
There's also people from the music industry that knew Otis personally and said Otis regretted putting off meeting Elvis for years, and he always spoke nothing but respect.
Don't forget Otis got paid crazy big money.
People need to stfu & pull the stick out their ass on Elvis.
Very well said, Soul Man !
How about we give both men their rightful credits for their individual talents and put away our divisive attitudes that do nothing but keep people separated? Besides, God instilled in them what they ultimately possessed. We had nothing to do with it what so ever.God bless Otis and Elvis,and thanks a million for the great tunes you both helped to bring forth to your adoring public.You are forever appreciated, equally.
kahlildopeboi dopeboimagic you know about eıvıs
Basil Shahid eivıs love black people and biack musıc so ever. who ever spread the rumor he was racıst ıs a ıdiot. and who ever beılieves ıt stiııı ıs a bıgger one it was already cleared up he wasn't
It's the age old formula since the 50's. Take a Black man's music and let a white man sing it, then it becomes a Hit!
Elvis grew up in a black-white ghetto and he attended black and white churches. Those are his roots as much as it is for black people. If he had been black no questions asked. He loved this music so how can one call it stealing? To quote James Brown from 1977, "I wasn’t just a fan, I was his brother. Last time I saw Elvis alive was at Graceland. We sang ‘Old Blind Barnabus’ together, a gospel song. I love him and hope to see him in heaven. There’ll never be another like that soul brother.”
Otis was obviously a great talent, but Paul Shaffer’s band along with those tight vocals true to the original just require a WOW!
40 years ago as of 2024
🔥 🔥
RIP OB
Relaxed, authentic, natural, version of Don't Be Cruel. Better than E's version, in my humble opinion.
I prefer Elvis'
There's an affectation in Elvis' voice that I never cared for. But he definitely was a phenomenon and I will give him props for that.
What letterman did not say is if you put forward a song demo you try and sound like the artist going to sing it to get his or her attention
Elvis literally stole his whole sound from Otis Blackwell. I actually prefer Otis over Elvis. Otis sounds so good there’s no reason why he shouldn’t of performed his own songs and became famous. But I get it the 1950s treated the black man like 💩
That don't make sense. Big Mama Thornton was the first to sing Hound Dog before Elvis but she never wrote the song two Jewish white boys did. She had to hear their demo first. So according to your logic, did Big Mama Thornton steal the sound from two Jewish white boys?
Each member of band would probably not have job if not for Otis.
That was the practice at the time -- if a major singer recorded your songs & you were not a major writer (Leiber & Stoller, Doc Pomus) -- a major singer would share in the credits since they were applying their interpretation & rendition -- which sold the song. Especially someone as successful as Elvis.
While Elvis was one of those artists who published some unknown singers to give them a break (Hill & Range Pub./Elvis Presley Music) he fought for their equality & eventually this practice ended.
As far as Elvis copying Otis Blackwell -- if you want to believe that then (I would rather say Otis influenced him) then you'd have to include Dean Martin & Roy Hamilton. Many others have said Elvis emulated them. Otis doesn't have the Elvis power or range. He has a little of the tonality -- so did Johnny Burnette.
Elvis interpreted & Otis' songs were all excellent. Elvis admired his work. The possibility that without all those hits by Elvis, Otis would not have been as well known as he became. Blackwell's own records never cracked the Top 40.
Several other major singers did cover Otis' songs (some just as a co-writer) like Peggy Lee's "Fever," (of which Blackwell used a pseudonym as a co-writer -- John Davenport), Conway Twitty, Cliff Richard & 3 for Jerry Lee Lewis among others.
With the song "All Shook Up," Elvis received a co-write because Elvis rewrote part of the song to fit his style (with Otis' consent). I knew this back in the early 60s. No secret.
"Don't Be Cruel," was originally submitted to Frankie Valli's early group The Four Lovers but Otis took it back to submit it to Presley.
Nicely explained. I got so tired of reading anti-Elvis crap, it was good to read a more sympathetic voice.
@@dongiller - And Elvis didn't write his own songs. And he stole the songs he sang from black artists.
If that's true, so did Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Ray Charles, Johnny Mathis, even Michael Jackson (Rod Temperton wrote "Thriller" not Michael), Dean Martin, & Tony Bennett -- none of these artists were known as songwriters. They were interpreters & stylists. It's nothing new that a singer sings someone else's song.
Many of those black artists who wrote great songs would have remained obscure if someone like Elvis didn't cover their material (Big Boy Arthur Crudup).
James Taylor even said in an interview that after he heard Elvis' version of "Steamroller Blues," he started to sing it the Elvis way.
It's tiring to have to always explain these things to people.
And as far as The Beatles -- they were terrible interpreters of other people's songs. They were good with their own material but to this day I think their cover of "Twist & Shout," is not better than the Isley Brothers' original. And Hank Ballard's original "The Twist," is not superior to Chubby Checkers.
Also -- when black writers didn't get paid -- payment comes from the publisher (often black-owned) not Elvis -- it was those people who didn't give them their rightful residuals. A little research always reveals this.
Otis says he "taught Elvis to sing" -- a little bruised ego here -- first of all Elvis was singing long before he covered any Otis Blackwell song. And Otis admits he never met Elvis. So how did he teach Elvis anything?
Elvis interpreted from what he heard. Otis played a role. That's all. Elvis wasn't singing like Otis as time went on -- it was far closer to a Dean Martin-Roy Hamilton style. As years went by Elvis was like no other. It's why he was so successful & people emulated him.
I should've been a lawyer, Don.
I disagree with you re Beatles: For the most part their covers were spectacular. The only one I’ve always hated was “Mr. Moonlight.”
Elvis had a completely different style. All one has to do is listen to the demos and then listen to Elvis's version. Elvis took his songs to another level, which is why NOBODY could ever sing them like Elvis Presley. Not Little Richard, not Bo Diddly, not Chuck Berry, nobody.
Otis did it better!!
@@artisan1880 You're in denial.
@@truthhitman7473 you have the wrong name, because you know nothing about the truth! Otis sang it better! Especially since it was his song, and Elvis copied his singing and dancing style. Nothing...I mean nothing was original about Elvis's singing or dancing. He studied, stole, and copied from men like Otis!! Let's not forget he was a pedo!
*WHO CUT SOUNDS BETTER OTIS OR ELVIS*
*OTIS VOCALS QUITE SIMILAR TO ELVIS BUT I LIKE THE SONG....ONLY THAT PRESLEY GOT MOST OF THE CREDIT*
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
The band were "Buzzzinga"!
We need someone to write the auto
The real elvis.
No way
That wasn't Elvis who said thst it was his manager ,
To all the Elvis lovers out there no disrespect but this is why the rest of us always said he was overrated.
#BRNWNR
Where did Michael Jackson
Talk about Otis and Elvis?
He was more than a amazing song writer because he gave Elvis everything to get the job done so all he had to do was mimic the man like just about every artist of that time redoing black artist work
Elvis was white, and I know that really bothers you, but he mimicked no one, much as you want to believe he did in the over 700 songs he sang and produced.
@@keetonplace Elvis being white is no problem to me or any persons color however I know it may be hard for u to believe your king was only the king because of black bodies like Roy Hamilton n this Gent. Plus I'm from Memphis I know the history Ma'am
And this is what America has always done n still continues to do n that is rob us twice in every deal
@@keetonplace and giving yourself producers credits or giving your manager 50% is no task when your only mimicking another artists work 50% to manage SOMETHING SMELLS FUNNY
@@901Babyboy Producer's credits went to Felton Jarvis. But everyone knew, including Felton, that it was Elvis doing all the producing in studio and on stage while actually performing. Every note. Every voice. An orchestra, a band and a choir plus himself, he was producing, and never once gave himself a credit for that. It is known that he was producing before any artist ever did their own. The 50% is just being ripped off.
@@keetonplace ok I’ll say this because I am enjoying your insight and I can see ur a true fan business practices back then didn’t include fairness to ppl of color n I’m pretty sure if things had been those songs wouldn’t have been bought and I’m not saying elvis didn’t do his part when he went to record those song because he recreated masterpieces
That is what Al Jolson did back in the early part of the 20th century...
Elvis name had no business being on as a writer though
He had no say in it. The Colonel, who took 50% of Elvis earnings, did it. Do you really think a man who was in tons of films he hated had any say on publishing rights?
Beyonce does the same thing. She thinks that buying the rights to a song makes her a writer.
This was part of the way things were...THEY KNEW that they were creating something with this man. That's what they set out to do. They wanted a White Boy who had Rhythm that would attract White Girls & White Women. Racist Amerikkka did not want their white women drooling over Chuck Berry, Little Richard, James Brown, and others. In fact, many Southern Radio Stations would not even play songs by Black Artists on their stations.
Otis was not the only one that helped mold Elvis' career. For Otis, it was economics. Having Elvis record his songs was quite profitable, which is why he agreed to the deal. As he stated, he had to record each song before it was played for Elvis so that Elvis could put the same Rhythm in the song. Also, other Blacks were brought in to teach Elvis how to dance, wiggle, and have stage presence. He was nothing MORE THAN A CREATION...then dubbed "The King".
That was parker's busines not Elvis, get your facts straight.
Otis was forced to do that, otherwise they wouldn't use his songs.
He's the reason...Elvis Became Famous
Timmy Thomas jr elvıs had many hıts and not all wrıten by otıs blackwelş
Sean Fitzpatrick the best ones were by that brotha
Timmy Thomas jr I respect all people talent has no color
+Timmy Thomas jr. WRONG.
+Timmy Thomas the best songs were written by Lieber and Stoller. Songs like Hound dog and many others.
OTIS HAD BAD EYE'S HENCE THE SHADES
As Blackwell said Elvis sold millions of records of his songs, Otis was happy, So dont blame Elvis for a thing. Elvis was not an imitator, Elvis was not a songwriter.
It's fascinating how so many people on here seem to miss that point. These claims that Elvis stole the songs are odd and I can only assume it's coming from people who didn't actually listen to Otis' words in this interview, or for some reason they choose to ignore what he said.
Yet, Elvis rendition of the song is sooo beautiful!
the most copied people on the planet earth, but also the most hated...wow isn't that strange? how the people who hate you copy you the most...lol
Whites love what we create but not us. I’m glad black tik Tok black creators boycotted by not showing this talents so whites couldn’t steal it and act as if they invented and made money from it and look they fell right on their faces!!! I loved every moment.
Trust me on this. You all are not copied by anyone I have seen. If you are hated, better take a look in the mirror and wonder why.
@@keetonplace trust the biggest liar and thief on the planet? 🤣
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