R2OK!

gfloyd · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 8:37 pm Post subject: Elvis 30 years on

I see that Radio 2 are going to comemorate his death 30 years ago next month with a few specials. The best two appear to be:

Elvis And Me
Saturday 11 August
8.00-9.00pm BBC RADIO 2

Presenter Suzi Quatro describes herself as Elvis's No. 1 fan, although many would challenge her for that title! She has written a still-unreleased tribute song called Singing With Angels, which she recorded with James Burton (Elvis's guitar player in the Seventies) and the Jordanaires, who provided backing vocals on so many of his records.

The programme covers Elvis's entire career, from the life-changing impact of his early records, through to his live Las Vegas spectaculars of the Seventies.

Presenter/Suzi Quatro, Producer/Kevin Howlett

and

Elvis – The 68 Comeback Special
Tuesday 14 August
10.30-11.30pm BBC RADIO 2

The amazing impact and legacy of a TV special filmed for NBC called Elvis, now better known as Elvis's 68 Comeback Special, is explored in this documentary.

This show stands as one of the great television moments in rock music history and a stunningly brilliant milestone in Elvis Presley's career. While Elvis undoubtedly rocked the world in the Fifties and was a leader among musicians who brought about a revolution in music and pop culture, the Sixties saw him concentrating mainly on his movie career. Though this was very successful, it had become a grind and had not given Elvis many opportunities to prove himself as a serious actor. By 1968, it had been more than seven years since Elvis had appeared on stage in front of a live audience. In this television special, Elvis played his greatest role – simply being himself.

Producer/Des Shaw
_________________
His name was ernie ........ and he drove the fastest milk cart in the west.....

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

At least we will hear it done proper. Very Happy

SantaFefan · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 8:55 pm Post subject:

Elvis. Big star in my life and definitely split into three eras for me.

Loved the early Sun stuff, can't get enough of it and will never tire of it.

Sixties movies and good songs, always watch them whenever they're on tv.

The later Las Vegas years, overweight and sickly. Hated it.

SantaFefan · Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:02 pm Post subject:

The 68 special was indeed a superb show.
I'm pretty sure I watched the original screening but certainly do remember grinning from ear to ear at the sheer joy of watching Elvis at his best, getting better and better as the show developed.
Classic television.

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:35 am Post subject:

At the risk of being lynched:

Third-rate country singer died of whatever 30 years ago - so what!
_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

gfloyd · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:54 am Post subject:

SantaFefan · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:30 am Post subject:

SantaFefan · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:34 am Post subject:

... and Johnnie Walker plays Teddy Bear.... Laughing

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:11 am Post subject:

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

30 years ago, July 1977, Elvis released 'My Aim is True' album, which is an excellent album.

...but that was Costello Laughing

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:52 pm Post subject:

I liked "Oliver's Army"
_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

SantaFefan · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:55 pm Post subject:

I liked "Pump it up" but I'd put "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" by the real Elvis against it any day! Very Happy

gfloyd · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 12:59 pm Post subject:

SantaFefan · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:04 pm Post subject:

I agree that most of the later stuff could be descibed as dull but in no way could that be applied to his early songs? they practically jumped off the turntable! Laughing

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

Briant · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 1:55 pm Post subject:

Any doubters of the man's talent should turn the TV onto Channel 4 now and catch the film 'Loving You.' Elvis at his very best!

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 2:22 pm Post subject:

SantaFefan · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 5:47 pm Post subject:

gfloyd · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 5:55 pm Post subject:

Behind Geddon's Wall · Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:19 am Post subject:

" An American Trilogy" was a direct rip-off of the much superior Mickey Newberry version.
_________________
Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil

Briant · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 5:42 pm Post subject:

I thought the Suzi Quatro programme was fine, with interviews with James Burton, Jimmy Webb, Tim Rice, Paul Evans and others. I also enjoyed seeing Elvis as 'Kid Galahad' on Saturday afternoon on TV. Some good boxing sequences along with the 'wimpy' songs! Laughing

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

Did I heasr correctly that Kate Thorton is doing a show to celebrate Elvis 30 years on ?. Was she alive before his death ? Laughing

John W · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK

I remember watching the '68 show when it was first aired, I was 15 and up to the age of 9 had been brought up on Elvis, Gene Pitney and Jim Reeves through records my sister bought. I was in awe of Elvis in that show but it was soon downhill all the way with the white suits and Vegas stuff, pity.

So my fave Elvis songs are It's Now Or Never, Are You Lonesome Tonight, Surrender, though I remember Wooden Heart and Ol' Shep (which used to make my dog-daft sister cry!). I love his rock'n'roll 50's hits, later bought a few on 78s.

One of the first tunes I ever played while learning keyboard was Love Me Tender, I still love playing it.