GEN X Don’s FIRST time REACTION to Elvis Presley - If I Can Dream!
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- Опубліковано 11 тра 2024
- #elvis #reaction
GEN X Don’s FIRST time REACTION to Elvis Presley - If I Can Dream!
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Elvis and the Black Community is a MUST watch!!
I keep saying and it's not really a long video would be an interesting reaction.
💯 ❤
PARTS 1 AND 2, UNLESS YOU WATCH THIS, YOU WILL NEVER KNOW THE TRUE STORY OF ELVIS!!!!!
how many people make up the black community? give me a number
This song alone proves why Elvis will always be the King. No other performer comes close. No one.
Those early 50s Elvis songs were not silly. They were revolutionary. Without Elvis contribution modern music would not be where it is today.
Thank you.
💯
As John Lennon said, “ Before Elvis there was nothing.”
how come you are not using the stolen dead mans page? AFRAID OF GOING TO JAIL?
Indeed
You just don’t see or hear Elvis, you feel him ❤ please do more Elvis reactions. You’ll thank me later.
omg, so true
Yes, this song is a dedication to MLK Jr and Bobby Kennedy. MLK Jr was assassinated just 8 miles from Graceland. Both deaths affected him deeply. I grew up in Memphis and was lucky enough to see him in concert in 1973. His kindness was everywhere and he never forgot where he came from and the fans who made him a star. Also, he was called "The King of Rock n Roll" but did not like it and refused to have anyone close to him call him "King". He always said "there is only one King, Jesus Christ".
MLK was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in Downtown Memphis. That’s about 10 miles from Graceland.
@@indiandeuce edited to say miles
Elvis was magical at this time of his life. He was ruined by the people who were supposed to have his best interests.
My cousin Alvis was a few years older than Elvis. Both were fairly uncommon names then, but not unheard of. Yes, that is Vernon’s middle name - Elvis’ father.
He actually wrote this specifically for Martin Luther King Jr when he was assassinated and they were good friends. HE WAS BORN IN TUPELO MISSISSIPPI AND LOVED GOING TO THE BLACK CHURCHES IN HIS COMMUNITY. THAT'S WHERE HE LEARNED TO SING. Sorry for the caps. Just realized they were on.
Please check out Elvis and the black community. You will learn soooo much
The dream continues. It didn't end with MLK. It didn't end with Elvis. The dream cannot die because we all need it.
Oh HE has some deep songs. Lot of gospel music. But do in the ghetto. His love songs were beautiful. 🐐
Best singer of all time in my opinion.
Elvis was one of the first people to have black singers in his orchestra the sweet inspirations
Elvis didnt get old, he passed away at 42, i remember when i turned 42 and realised how young he was when we lost him
Yes, so young. 😥
They originally didn't want him to perform this song, he went ahead and done it anyway behind their backs.
Saw Elvis in person 3-times. He was the real deal.
Elvis recorded, what 700-800 songs. You haven't heard anything yet. 😊 He is in all 5 music Hall of Fames.
Guys it was a tribute to MLK but also a plea for peace during those turbulent years that I lived through. Elvis was hurt when MLK was assassinated.
t also encompassed the assassination of Robert Kennedy which Elvis & Steve Binder saw on the TV news when it happened, but it was not really a tribute to any one person or persons -- it was a song about the hope for peace & harmony in the world which was reminiscent of King's speech for the same reason.
Elvis was , and still is , and always will be THE MAN ... TCB forever !
This shows his soul and his gospel background.
Thank god for this men ❤
The best artist ever ever
Elvis recorded 700 songs. You guys haven’t heard anything yet. So many good songs. He is at his best live in concert.
His gospel songs are outstanding How Great thou art one of my favourites. ❤️🏴
Hats off to the song writer. This song was written for Elvis, specifically for this TV show, just a day before the show.. His manager Tom Parker wanted the show to end with Elvis sitting around a Christmas tree with little children singing Christmas songs. Elvis asked the songwriters for a song about overcoming racism and injustice. His manager wanted him to stay out of any type of controversy or political message. He had to go behind his managers back to get this song done. There is a lot of pain in his voice as he sings it. The red handkerchief around his neck was worn to symbolize the bloodshed that was taking place in Vietnam at the time, and the wounded and dead American soldiers.
Elvis's backup singers were mostly African American women and in the 60's some places did NOT want to allow them inside and Elvis said if they aren't welcome here then I am not performing! My Dad was enamored with Elvis and made me into a HUGE Elvis groupie! I have seen every Elvis movie and the Elvis memorabilia I had was ridiculous. I think I had every article and magazine write up about him even the ones from the crazy ones like Star and National Enquirer. My one prize collectible is my Musical Elvis Whiskey Bottle that is still in the box and full of Whiskey--the seal is still entact! Unfortunately all of my boxes of Elvis articles were in albums and boxed up in my Dad's basement and I lost them all to water damage in 1999 when he had his house fire. But my Whiskey Bottle and the blanket, clothes and stuffed Teddy Bear, thank God, were at my house.
Elvis was born on Tupelo, MS. He was an America citizen who grew up very poor and lived in the projects. He was influenced mostly by black artists who sang on the streets and speak Easys.
Elvis brought me to your channel. He is the GOAT in music. More Elv1s please.... He is still loved worldwide and will never be forgotten! (🇿🇦🌍)
Elvis is the most iconic person of the 20th century, he changed music and culture forever. He started, made rock and roll into a genre. He influenced all rock bands after him. His voice, looks, hair, fashion on and off stage, dance moves (Michael Jackson and others used hus moves), charisma, stage presence cannot be matched till this day by any other artists. He sings live awesome. No auto tune, gimmicks or crap they use today. Sings rock, country, r&b, gospel, ballads, pop, rockabilly and contemporary music. He combined country, r&b and gospel and made rock and roll. He opened the door for black artists and many others who wanted to be in the music industry. He was the original O.G. He recorded over 700 songs, made 29 movies, 2 tv specials, all hits, and many firsts in the world. So much more to be said. People need to look him up
100% correct ahh let’s make it 200%
You are spot on on your description. I also believe that Elvis never got the credit he deserved for being a producer. Oh the record labels tried to give him producers, but they were put on the sidelines pretty quickly in title only . That was quickly established with Elvis. Elvis was running the show from top to bottom ,start to finish, every little nuance in that band came from Elvis.
In case no one else mentions it. Elvis was not dark-haired he actually dyed his hair He's a natural blonde. Look at his childhood pictures and you'll see.
And he didn't have a natural tan. Look at the movie of his called "Elvis On Tour" from 1972 and there are times in which he looks quite pale.
He also had beautiful blue eyes
Elvis was only heavy for the last year of his life (a lot of bloating due to health issues as well). He died in August 1977. It’s difficult to watch his last performance (see Unchained melody) about 6 weeks before he died, but his voice was still magnificent.
Elvis and his still born twin were born into poverty in Tupelo MS. At 13 he and his family moved to Memphis TN where he sang in a black church choir. This is where he fell in love w gospel music. He recorded his first song at Sun Studio in Memphis. Where Johnny Cash and other famous artists recorded hit records. Later he recorded some songs at Stax records which was a R& B label in Memphis. My dad worked for Stax and Dick Clark so he got to meet Elvis and many others. Also this song that Elvis is singing is about Martin Luther King Jr.
Respectfully need to correct some things.... hope you don't mind.
It was in Tupelo where he grew up listening to the Grand Ole Oprey on the radio with his parents, lively gospel music at the Assembly of God church his parents took him to, black gospel music at a black church he also went to on his own, and black rhythm and blues in an area of town called Shake-rag. He grew up right next to the black community. He was very poor and lived on the "other side of the tracks", as they used to call it, where poor whites were looked down upon by better off whites. His friends growing up were black and poor, like him. He had a black family living next door who would bring food to his family as they were so poor they didn't always have enough food to eat. He often went to Shake-rag with his friend to listen to the black rhythm and blues. So he was exposed to country, gospel and rhythm and blues among other types of music from a young age, which is how he developed a love of all genres of music. He was able to blend five major genres to come up with his own unique style but his first love was always gospel music. He heard it at his parents church but also went to a black church where he sang in the choir. He also went to all night gospel sings which was popular at the time. Throughout his career he would stay up all night singing gospel music to unwind after shows. In fact originally he wanted to be a gospel singer and had tried out for a gospel group at the time but was told he wasn't good enough. 🤣
Ironically, though he had hits in all five major music genres during his career, it was only for his gospel music that he won Grammies.
After his family moved to government housing in Memphis he started going down to Beal (sp?) Street and would sneak into nightclubs to listen to the black blues artists. He'd also go to a clothing store that catered to black entertainers cause he loved how they dressed and adopted their style of clothing. Which, btw, made him standout as different in the all white high school he attended, where he was bullied and never accepted.
Imagine 2 of them!
Elvis was in church all his life
Elvis fell in love with Gospel music as a young child growing up in Tupelo. He had many black friends and went to black churches with his friend Sam He always loved the spirituals they sang there.
Elvis had it ALL. Great voice, and sex appeal!
Elvis was for all ppl...He was an amazing individual who loved everyone..He always said " It's very easy to be kind to ppl that's the way I was raised n it's never an effort, it's very simple".So that alone tells us the man he was....He fought for racial justice through his songs n the ppl he had working for him, even telling them not to call him their boss.He said " I'm not your boss I am your brother."..He stood for so much besides a fantastic singer n performer..Thank u for ur reaction...
Elvis gospel, a must.
Elvis Presley's ethnicity makes him a true American from our wonderful melting pot of peoples.
PUKE.
Melting Pot is such a accurate discription of America, melting away all the individuality of everyone an leaving behind a Shit Grey/Brown.
Mean while in Canada we say we are a Kaleidoscope, all colours coming together to make something amazing while leaving the individual colours whole to emit their own uniqueness. We don't require people stripe away what they where before coming here.
Honestly, Elvis was North Western European descent. In a book it is said ( I don't know how accurate it is ) that his maternal 3x great grandmother was Native American. That's pretty distant. I'm not sure where the Jewish came in, I only read from a Jewish person that it could not be proven he had Jewish roots, but it is possible obviously. However, the majority is NW European descent just like the majority of Americans back then.
@@Gantzz321 Shit Grey/Brown? WTF are you on about?
Elvis was raised in the poor black areas of Mississippi and Memphis, Tn. His exposure to music was from this and the church. And this is not a tribute to Dr. King, it's a plea to continue his work. To the World, Elvis was an icon, the king. To the people of, Memphis he is so much more. We see into his soul, feel his heart. To us he's not the king, he's our son. And we miss him so very much.
Thank you for saying "... not a tribute to Dr. King, it's a plea to continue his work" because there was more involved -- Kennedy was assassinated, the Vietnam war was raging, there were other assassinations, a world in chaos, so it encompassed much, much more. Thx.
He fought the sponsors to put this song on the special.
He was a very simple, kind man.
Try some of His gospel. Amazing! (By the way, I believe that’s the only singing that he ever won a Grammy for. Your viewers can correct me if I’m mistaken).
My buddy and his partner had an interaction with him that became extended, and he echoed those sentiments about him. (I won’t bore you with details. They were working and rescued him from an unintentional riot He caused in Los Angeles, thinking he could sneak into a movie theater by himself! 😂). His resulting generosity was astonishing!
His criminal doctor had him on speed for performing and then downers because he just couldn’t sleep. As a cycle increased, he began to blow up in weight and it eventually caused the heart to give. Just sad.
Elvis Recorded Almost 800 Songs so his Discography was huge. Elvis sang all genre's of Music, he literally could sing anything and Sing it well. ❤
You should Seriously check out more of the Elvis Rabbit hole
🌿🍒🌿🍒🌿🍒🌿🍒🌿
Elvis Presley
"Bridge Over Troubled Water"
1970 Live
Las Vegas
(New Mix Great Sound)
ua-cam.com/video/mLbOBoa8vD8/v-deo.htmlsi=SsBVP-7mFKI-Tu4X
Elvis Presley
Without Love
(There is Nothing)
Elvis Back In Memphis Album
1969
ua-cam.com/video/2cOhnhUTZwE/v-deo.htmlsi=5Dzl5ArzdAVRF7ix
Elvis Presley
"JAILHOUSE ROCK"
68 Comeback Special
Live (1:52 min)
ua-cam.com/video/xqBdTn3_0Rw/v-deo.htmlsi=cnX4FWwObOd1Wmr3
Elvis Presley
"One Night With You"
68 Comeback Special
Live
ua-cam.com/video/xiwhiVNK5dY/v-deo.htmlsi=pI6G2gFjiT1kPcna
Elvis Presley
"TRYING TO GET TO YOU"
68 Comeback Special
Live (2:58 min)
ua-cam.com/video/KZ64T6gEdC4/v-deo.htmlsi=NfD8oXv_2rJ8Xytx
The epitome of COOL! Belts the song out bigger than life. Composes himself quickly and then calmly says "Thank you, good night!"
I love it when reactors stay to hear the "Thank you. Good night". That makes me smile. Thanks Mom for keeping your 45's. So many great songs I might never have encountered from the 50's to the 70's, Elvis included. Wooden Heart is the big one for me, just because I asked my parents for an Elvis album as a kid and they got me one that had that (I think it was a kid-oriented album, not the movie album).
I consider Elvis Presley the best one to ever do it. Elvis was called the King on stage by a fan and he was recorded as stating that there "IS ONLY ONE KING, Jesus Christ." Elvis was HUMBLE. He was PART OF the engineering of Rock and Roll which CAME FROM Gospel, the Blues and Country music. (the blues were created by blacks and Christian music and Country created by whites)
THAT is what causes the confusion, so anyone with an agenda can use the evolution of the Blues and Rock music as "stealing" when it was just music and YOUNG musicians and creative people taking music in a new direction.
Elvis was performing Gospel in the 1940s before Little Richard or Chuck Berry ever cut a record and gospel was at the core of Rock and Roll as much as R&B or Country/Rockabilly. So Elvis was a forefather and pioneer of Rock and Roll and he was instrumental in getting black music, the Blues, Gospel music, Jazz and Rockabilly music heard on a grand stage during a period of segregation and racism. Elvis was synergy, he was fusion, he was totally non-racist. In fact he was the opposite of racist. He provided a platform for this music and wanted ALL of America to get a taste of it like he did. He created a whole new style of dance and clothing and hair and the way he performed on a stage was even more unique.
When someone tells me Elvis STOLE black music... I reply back NO, he came up WITH THE BLUES and was responsible for fusing it with other genres and that brought a LOT of new faces and wallets to black music that no other artist had ever done. The reason black LEGENDS LIKE BB KING, MUHAMMAD ALI, LITTLE RICHARD, CHUCK BERRY, RANDY JACKSON, JACKIE WILSON liked or loved Elvis was because as BB King said Elvis TRULY MEANT IT. He took the music SERIOUS and shared it with the whole world. "Elvis was a giant and influenced everyone in the business." - Isaac Hayes
Greatest of ALL time! Sexiest of ALL time too! lol
Elvis actually had light hair...he dyed it!!! He was born very poor and lived among other black and white folk in Tupelo and as with so many started singing gospel in church ...
Elvis was named after his father. Vernon Elvis Presley... Elvis was a very uncommon name. Before Elvis Presley came on to the scene, hardy anyone had ever heard of anyone named Elvis. Elvis continues to be an uncommon name, even today. Elvis had German, Scottish, Irish and French ancestors, and was Cherokee Indian from his mother side ...No one sings like Elvis. He's the greatest of all time ❤
Thank you
Not only Martin Luther KING but '"Bbby Kennedy Jr. Awas also assassinated this same year. You can see the tears in his eyes, the stayed strong throughout this song. When he finished the song, he went backstage and totally lost it crying. He wanted to sing this tribute as best he could. I don't know how he held it together like he did. Bless his soul!!!!!!
Agree , he was talented , so much charisma 💫💫💫💫, so handsome , loved his fans and gave all he had to entertain ..So many took advantage of him especially his manager …
My cousin Alvis was a few years older than Elvis. Both were fairly uncommon names then, but not unheard of. Yes, that is Vernon’s Presley’s middle name - Elvis’ father.
I have never heard of seen that ever! Even his grave doesn't say that. It's Elvis Aaron.
Not sure if you knew the whole story on this song. Not only was this a tribute to MLK but also JFK and he went behind his managers back and misled the network about what he planned to sing. He was supposed to do a Christmas song but he got together behind their backs with some of the crew and musicians and when the lights came up instead of Christmas songs with the musicians and back up vocalist he told them no one but me on stage for this and then he went on to perform this charged but meaningful song.
It was the assassination of Robert Kennedy that Elvis & Steve Binder saw on the TV news that lead to what it lead to.
You must be getting that info from the fictionalized Elvis movie. It's not true.
@@timcarr6401 I know what Parker wanted, I know what Elvis said to Binder, as he poked Binder in the ribs, & going against Parker, I know what the sponsor Singer wanted & didn't want, etc., etc. Now see producer-director Steve Binder's lengthy, detailed video "Gates of Graceland: Secrets of the '68 Special," for the story of how & why it all came together, plus Binder's video interviews, & you can read his book which is basically the story in written form about the culmination of it all. It was Robert Kennedy's assassination 2 mos. after King & Binder & Elvis sitting up until 3 or 4 a.m. discussing the world situation after they saw the TV news in the studio of Robert Kennedy's assassination.
He is the GOAT!!
The truth he wasn't just elvis elvis he WAS ELVIS the greatest icon up at the top of the tree along with mickey mouse&coca cola,the Gospel production from the same tv special is one OT the greatest set pieces in TV history u guys need to watch&react,there is was& will always be one ELVIS PRESLEY
Elvis forever🤍⚡️
He came on the scene like no one before or after him. No internet no auto tune. Seeing him in person was like no other artist I have ever seen before or after him. He was just stunning.
.
His hair was naturally lighter. There are photos of him with his sandy blond/light brown hair. He dyed it black and he said that it made his eyes look bluer.
Elvis has a few comebacks. He's got a very interesting backstory.
His '68 comeback special was because he had been doing movies for damn near a decade and he was coming back to music. He hadn't had a public performance in 7 years or something.
Elvis …. King of rock and roll.. I was born on his birthday. . Say nothing bad about the man he was awesome.
A lot of reviewers including yourselves are all taken back when they see this performance, it's not what they expected from Elvis. But Elvis fans know that he has done 100s of these type of performances.
His management did not want him doing this song, especially in this nationwide TV show. They didn't want him being seen as taking any sides in the racial conflicts of the day. He insisted on doing it during this time of high turmoil to do what he could to help heal the country. This was the last song of the show and was the most significant.
Not his manager because on paper his father was is manager. It was Col. Tom Parker that didn't want him to sing this song.
The king ⚡️ What a iconic performance 💯
Elvis was a friend of BB King and this was his tribute to MLK
they were not friends, they met a couple of times.
Elvis style was a blend of the music he grew up on, Country music, blues, white and black Gospel. It was this mix that was new.
FYI : recorded over 700 songs...in 5 Halls of Fame...picked as 'entertainer of the 20th Century' by 2 publications(with reader input)...Graceland(his home in Memphis) is the 2nd most visited home in the U.S.(2nd only to the White House)...1973 Aloha from Hawaii concert viewed by over 1.3 billion people by satellite to 40+ countries(1st concert to be satellite beamed around the world). also, watch 'Elvis and the Black Community' 2 parts...eye opener for sure!
He's one of the top 5 celebrity's in America history for giving to charity's. His estate still gives.
I am posting this again as I posted this reply to someone who commented on Don's rude comments. I was waiting for someone else to say something! I now see another has commented as well, which prompted me to do so. I echo their thoughts. 'Thank you for your comment! I was waiting for someone to say something first! I am a senior and was fighting with myself, hearing my mother who always said "two wrongs do not equal a right.". Sometimes though you just HAVE to say something and as you have done so, you have helped me to do so as well. I cut my teeth on Elvis.:-) I saw all of his movies over and over, and was fortunate to see him live several times .I have 3/4 of his 45s and albums. There was absolutely nothing like seeing him live and never will be again! It was magic! There will never be another Elvis!!! He was not only a beautiful, kind person but a man who changed the course of American pop music and was a legend in his own time! Yet someone who cannot begin to compare with what he has done, has the nerve to insult him! I have studied him all my life. Each time a new record was out, the woman at the local record store would call me. LOL I have original movie posters from when I worked at the theatre as a teenager. :-) I saw someone from high school a few years ago and she said 'every time I hear Elvis I think of you.". I barely knew her LOL, so I suppose everyone knew I lived and breathed Elvis. :-) I went to Graceland for my honeymoon and Vester, Elvis' uncle, was tending the gate. He let us in! I RAN up the hill and he yelled..."I would have taken you up in the golf cart." LOL You could not go into the gate back then.. ....but enough about me! I say all this to say, I was TOTALLY offended by Don BEFORE today with the Meatloaf reaction and vowed to never watch again! He had the nerve to say "he looks like he swallowed fat Elvis"! I was aghast ! If I did not enjoy your reactions so very much Black Pegasus, I would have stopped watching then. I was so offended that I did not watch for awhile. Only to tune in tonight to these insulting comments about his name, his weight and the banana sandwich! My Christian self cannot say what I would like to say but Black Pegasus, I respectfully ask that he refrain from such comments.I would prefer that he never be on another Elvis reaction. In my opinon he does not deserrve to be. Quite frankly I may no longer watch when he is with you. There is no fan base like we Elvis fans! We are definitely aging, but will defend him 'til the day we leave this earth. We do not condone insults! You may indeed lose some watching, if his comments continue. I do not wish that for you. You are such a nice, respectful young man. I enjoy your reactions and congratulations on the new little one!'
Elvis left everything out there on the stage, he never held back......
I would really like to see you as a baby boomer born in 1955 who grew up with Elvis music I would really like to see you dig deep and go down the Elvis rabbit hole cuz if you do you will not ever be disappointed by anything he does or sings or any of his Good deeds how he treated people you will never be disappointed😊❤
I have always felt like, in this performance, he wasn't just singing, but he was vervently praying.
Best live performance in human history.
It was written 2 months after Martin Luther Kings assassination,. Elvis was born in Tupelo Mississippi and moved to Memphis Tennessee when he was 14.
He was born in Tupelo Mississippi. His Dads middle name was Elvis. He was named Elvis Aaron his twin was named Jessie Garon. Elvis's great grandmother on his Mothers side , was a Cherokee named Morningstar, Elvis looked ALOT like her.
Elvis had a maternal 3x great grandmother who was native ( as stated in a book ). There is no photo of her though, because when she lived there was no such thing as photography. That name and photo are fake and added on. So I don't know how he can look like her.
Anyone who only knows about Elvis from the songs they played on the radio, the Elvis impersonators or the media knows nothing about Elvis, his vocal ability or his lifetime achievements. It's a darn shame because this man could sing anything, make it sound great and touch your soul. He was the biggest star the world has ever known. He had hits in all 5 major genres during his career and was inducted into all 5 major halls of fame (along with a lengthy list of many other halls of fame and walks of fame). His music is so diverse, his range amazing and his voice only got better with age. And he always sang with passion and emotion that captivated you and touched your soul. He not only had an amazing voice, but by all accounts from those who were with him at the time, he produced his own music without ever being given the credit. He also directed his band and back up singers on stage. Not to mention his numerous good qualities that made people love him so devotedly, like how he treated people with respect, was humble, genuinely cared and loved people and was generous to a fault to family, friends and strangers. On top of all that, he was handsome and his charisma was off the charts, unequaled by anyone during his lifetime (according to insiders in Hollywood and the music industry and all who met him) or since. He was the whole package. That's why he's so beloved by multiple generations of fans long after his death. You cannot possibly know Elvis without looking at his entire music catalog from beginning to end, watching interviews he did and watching videos of people who knew, worked with or for him, were helped by him, were fans who knew him and spent time with him or really just anyone who ever met him. Much has been recorded by Elvis historians and fans who have worked hard to preserve his legacy and the memories of those who met him. Once you see the full picture of Elvis you'll begin to understand why this man is as famous and beloved by his fans 60+ years after his death as he was when he was alive. He was special and unique. There will never be another one like him. He set the standard that everyone after him strove for. Even other famous singers, musicians and Hollywood stars at the time were in awe of him.
I don't blame younger generation's for not knowing who Elvis was or not understanding why his fans say he was the world's biggest superstar ever. I think Hollywood, the music industry and the media did their best to minimize him and his impact and worldwide superstar status because he never became one of them. He stayed true to his roots and surrounded himself with family and friends who came from the same roots.
Elvis wasn't perfect... he was a man and human being subject to the same weaknesses and frailties like the rest of us. Sadly there is much misinformation and misunderstanding out there about the dark side of his life. But it was only in the last couple years of his life that he went downhill. And the weight wasn't fat but due to severe health conditions and the medications he was taking for them. His use of prescription uppers and downers caught up with him at that time but he also had serious genetic health conditions unrelated to his drug intake. If you look at the full picture, you'll see a man who was the first to navigate superstardom of that magnitude without anyone to learn from and yet he did it gracefully and without changing until the last few years of his life. He only began to deteriorate when his drug use increased to cope with the demands, pressures, health problems, disappointments & frustrations with his career (due to his manager), divorce and betrayals in his inner circle. He was a broken man just going through the motions, forced to continue to push himself at a brutal schedule instead of taking time off to attend to his health because so many people depended in him. (He supported extended family as well as many others who were in need, not to mention all the singers, musicians and others who worked for and depended in him for their livelihoods). He had become a caricature of himself and the media made a laughing stock of him, choosing only to report what would make him look bad. At some point I believe he just gave up and that's when his dependency on prescription drugs to keep going became worse, but it was a confluence of factors coming together that lead to his early demise.
Elvis was all about feeling - that and his voice made him unique
Elvis is the greatest selling artist of all time. Over a BILLION records sold worldwide. Yet his career spanned a little over twenty years. He never did a concert outside of the US..although he wanted to. He won at least one Grammy for his gospel music. He was very spiritual.
Last count 2 and a half billion. It's hard for them to keep up with record sells
Elvis recorded at least 700 songs. As a child of the 60s , I don't believe that I've heard them all.
I agree. I'm 63, and every once in a while, a song pops up that I've never heard before.
My favorite Elvis song of all time! I love The American Trilogy also!!! ❤❤
There will never be a better solo artist then Elvis Presley no one person has ever affected the world away Elvis Presley did ! Count them 18, number one singles !! 40 top 10 hits !! Absolutely insane ! In 1974I had the privilege to see Elvis Presley live my sister Laureen took me I was 13 years old ! Five rows from the stage unfortunately, I missed some of the show because women were taking their clothes off and throwing them at him ! And my sister was trying to cover my eyes I said listen I love Elvis, but I never seen these in person !! 😂… but all joking aside an experience that I will never forget seeing the king live🤴
Saw him live in Vegas in 1969. Amazing show. Been a fan since the mid 1950's.
Elvis recorded Mac Davis’ song “In the Ghetto”, which was a big hit for him. For the longest time I thought he had written it about his early life in Tupelo and Memphis, TN.
This...
Elvis started singing in church.... attended African American churches growing up and started his career singing gospel music
Yes, Elvis was a ghetto boy. He grew up in the blues neighborhood of Memphis and attended a black church where he got his gospel roots. He was the first white man to use black singers as part of his band. This song is definitely a tribute but keep in mind. Martin Luther King Junior was killed 15 minutes from Graceland, Elvis’s home. You see why this song was perhaps his greatest performance ever!
Elvis is one of the few that are in both the rock and country hall of fame. His music crossed over many genres but one of his favorite was gospel music.
you can find him in all 5 Hall of Fames.
The really important thing about Elvis is he really changed the landscape of American music. He was capable of performing many styles of music and making them more popular and mainstream. Blues, rock, country, and piano bar music, even has a few great Christmas albums. Example….. there wasn’t a ton of rock music until Elvis came along.
Elvis grew up singing gospel music in mostly black churches and always considered himself a gospel singer first and foremost. The rock 'n roll was just something he did to pay the rent. There's a great video somewhere online showing how he used to corral all his backup singers backstage after a concert and "persuade" them to gather around a piano with him and sing gospel songs, often until daylight.
In my opinion, this is the best live performance of all time.
Gospel was his foundation and first love.
When Elvis decided to do this song, he was told it would end his career. He said he did not care it wanted to sing it.
Wow! 🤩
The song - as Elvis Presley sings and performs it - really blows me away!
Outstanding! 👏 🥰
People think Elvis did 50's rock and that was all. Elvis had A 23 year career. Born in 1935. His parents were so poor they buried his still born twin brother in a shoebox. He sang every kind of music from gospel to opera. He loved MLK and financially supporting him. He grew up in Mississippi, his mother'sgreat grandma was full Cherokee Indian. He has sold over 2 billion records. He is known in every country by his first name. Watch this whole TV special, especially "trying to Get To You" From the 68 Comeback Special. He made 31 movies. He changed music and culture. He was an advocate for civil rights, and was so generous. See "Elvis Presley King of Kindness". He was sick from '74 to 77 when he died of a heart atrac k. He was bloated from liver failure, not fat. Thanks.
Elvis was a beautiful specimen physically and then to learn him as a person and what he stood for makes him beautiful both inside and out….he was a big advocate for the black community
Elvis was a genuinely nice caring person. You should listen to his gospel songs. Beautiful!
Definitely watch Elvis and the Black Community
He did 31 movies prior to this...this was his musical comeback
Col Tom Parker and many others did not want Elvis to sing this song, because this was a Christmas special. However, Elvis Presley stood his ground and performed this song, which talks about peace during a year of great unrest in America (1968).
It wasn't called comeback special until years later, but it was his return to the stage. He hadn't performed live for 8 years. Movies and studio work.
He has beautiful Christian albums
Takin us to church in his Easter white suit. I saw him perform in Houston, 1971.
It was labeled comeback special because he had been in the Military, then when he came home he was making movies for years. Growing up there were white and black poor people. The children all played together as it should be.
You must do LIFE and Don't cry daddy 🙏
We must never forget all he has contributed to the arts (plural)
In answer to your question, the song was written for Elvis for the closing song of this special. It was written after the RFK assassination, which occurred during the time they were filming this TV special, if I'm not mistaken. It expressed Elvis' own feelings and thoughts about MLK Jr and RFK that he expressed that day.
The Colonel had ordered Elvis and the producer to end it with a Christmas song but Elvis wanted to make a statement to bring unity to the country, so he went against the Colonel. Only Elvis could have sung this song at that time. And since the man who wrote it had been there when Elvis and a group of men involved in the production of this show were talking about both assassinations and how they felt, it can be said that it truly expressed Elvis' own thoughts and feelings.
Elvis grew up literally dirt poor. If you like this song, listen to "In the ghetto". It will give you chills. You could tell he saw that life first hand.
Elvis was drafted into to the Army at the height of his career. Afterwards his crooked manager had Elvis do tons of movies instead of performing live and recording records . Then Elvis bucked up against his manager demanding that he go back to what he loved which was performing. That's what the Comeback Special was all about. Elvis remained tremendously popular throughout the 50, 60x and early 70s
Elvis was overcome with emotion after singing this and dropped to the floor in foetal position , and cried ! He knew his message was out there. He often went against his managers wishes , just to sing songs to make money.
Suspicious Minds by Elvis is another must. You might be surprised if you did a deep dive into Elvis’s works. He is so much more than Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock. ❤
You’ve got to check out his ‘68 Comeback Show. He’s sitting in a stage maybe 2-3 ft off the ground, he’s joking around with his band members.
It’s just an awesome show.
He’s wearing a black leather suit, with his dark hair, WOW!!!
I could listen to him sing the damn phone book, his voice is just so….. angelic.
Try listening to any of his Gospel music, so beautiful!
Elvis is my husbands baptised nameand our sons middle name is Elvis.
LOVE ELVIS PRESLEY ❤❤❤❤❤❤
To my mind, this performance is Elvis at his best, both vocally and in emotional expression.
I agree, vocally, but I think emotionally its a tie with Ghetto for me.
@melissawood1506 Yes, I thought of that one as well.
There are lots of talented performers, and many that have great charisma, but Elvis was so well loved because he was a very genuine person who had a good heart.
I saw Elvis in 1972 in Denver just before he started gaining weight. It was an extremely good concert. I grew up on Elvis when he started back in the 1950s and followed him until he died. My son was with me at the concert in 1972 and he was just as big of a fan as I was.
Elvis's great -great grandmother was Cherokee if that answers some of the ethnicity questions. He was born in Tupelo, Ms
3x great grandmother to be exact.