1969 was a great year for Elvis Presley personally, physically, mentally, and professionally.
Elvis’ 1968 Singer TV Special entitled “Elvis” had the highest TV ratings of the year. Elvis showcased his magnetism and his four and a half octave vocal range with ease. The show contained Elvis singing; some of his prior hits, gospel, and one of the greatest songs/performances when he ended the show with “If I Can Dream” dressed in a white suit giving his all in a powerful and emotionally moving way.
I am “young” enough to remember watching this special on TV (note: I have been a diehard Elvis Presley fan for six decades now) and Elvis was simply…amazing. I could not wait to be able to purchase the album that contained songs from the TV special.
In 1969 Elvis had been married for (approximately) two years to Priscilla who he met in 1960 while stationed in Germany during his US Army tenure (i.e. 1958 – 1960). He and Priscilla were blessed to have a beautiful baby girl (approximately) the year before. Elvis had years of pent up frustration with the lack of quality songs he was given to record. Elvis was in peak physcial condition and he radiated sex appeal.
Via YouTube here is Elvis’ (audio) of his first live perfomance in (approximately) nine years. I hope you enjoy this as much as I have. Even after all these years Elvis’ singing is unrivaled.
Like many of the “baby boomers”, talk about an oxymoron because I feel anything other than babyish man age is a …., Elvis Presley made new records – toured throughout the United States – had movies that first ran in theatres and then on TV (yes we had THREE total TV stations growing up and everyone of them cut off at 11pm – those were the days) – and his music played on radio stations.
Inasmuch as I have a great knowledge, and affinity, for Elvis Presley the person (disclaimer – as much as you can learn from studying something for 6 decades with an emphasis on first had sources) Elvis was “lightning in a bottle” onstage.
Man he didn’t sound like nobody. He didn’t move like anybody. He didn’t walk like anybody. He didn’t look like anybody. He didn’t sing like anybody. He wasn’t raised like anybody. He was Elvis and he was wholly unique.
Throughout Elvis’ school years he went to dances/proms but never danced. He told his dates “I don’t like to dance and/or I can’t dance”. Since he was Elvis, even then, I think he could have said anything and the dance/prom would have been thrilling/enjoyable for his dates. And yet onstage he moved with passion. With rhythm With grace, With melody. He moved and his voice sounded as good if not better live than his recordings. Another rare charistic.
This day is Elvis’ 81st birthday. My prayers go out to Lisa Marie, Graceland, Marty Lacker, Billy Smith, Red West, Sonny West, Sandie Kaye Stevens, Sandi Pichon, Joe Esposito, Jerry Schilling, and all of his loved ones and relatives for they shared their lives with Elvis as well as hopes and dreams. They, as did their families, rode the waves of Elvis’ greatest successes – his setbacks – his mood swings – his fears, etc. There is a true sacrifice, on many levels that last a lifetime, even when it comes to Elvis Presley.
My prayers go out to the loved ones, friends of, relatives of, those who knew Elvis and have (sadly) passed away. Out of respect we have honored them by name on our site http://www.ElvisCollector.info but their contribution to Elvis’ life, and that of his fans, is as alive today as it was when Elvis breathed upon this earth.
If you want to know about Elvis you can watch many of his candid interviews, concerts, TV appearances, etc. One of my favorites is Elvis That’s The Way It Is followed by Elvis’ 1968 Singer TV Special entitled “Elvis”.
If you want to learn about the complicated and multi talented man I highly recommend seeking out, and supporting, these people: Marty Lacker, Billy Smith, Red West, Sonny West, Sandi Pichon, Sandie Kaye Stevens, Joe Esposito, Jerry Schilling, and the author of several exemplary books about Elvis by Alanna Nash. There are also some great Elvis Presley websites, many are listed on our site http://www.ElvisCollector.info under the “links” page, and include Phil Arnold at http://www.Elvisblog.net and Russ Howe who knew Elvis personally and has been apart of many successful endeavors about Elvis.
As I end this post I am thankful to everyone who takes the time to visit this blog and our affiliated sites as well as our Officially recognized by Graceland Elvis Presley Fan Club of Elvis Collector Worldwide Fan Club.
As much as I know about Elvis it is nothing compared to the multi-talented and diametrical strong presence named Elvis Presley onstage and off. But I have enjoyed his music since I was a child and I share my insights herein.
On January 8, 2016 it will have been 81 years since Elvis Presley was born.
For all the lives he bettered. For all of those he cared for. For all of the great entertainment (i.e. tv, in concert, movies, records, cd’s, dvd’s, downloads, etc.) he created. For all of those he loved. For the millions upon millions of fans. For all of those he worked with. For those, and more, we say “thank you” as well as acknowledge (what would have been) Elvis’ 81st birthday.
Elvis was, point blank, the greatest entertainer who ever lived.
Elvis Presley was wholly unique. He was always on the cutting edge of fashion, music, art, décor, and technology.
Here are just a few examples of the technology Elvis enjoyed:
Car phone(s) installed in his cars including limos. This was extremely rare even for the richest of Americans at the time.
First remote control TV then called a “clicker”.
Elvis owned the largest TV screens along with the state of the art audio systems for his cars and homes.
First VCR that Sony ever offered in the United States. There are stories that Elvis was offered the first unit and he soon mastered it and it became one of his favorite entertainment devices.
Wide screen projector located in the Jungle Room at Graceland.
3 TVs on wall aligned on a wall where he would watch all 3 football games at the same time. This room was located at Graceland and the genesis was the same type of setup as did the (then current) President of the United States.
Elvis loved music and had, among other things, record players – juke boxes – stereo systems – and had several portable transistor radios with earbuds.
He owned one of the first digital watches though he preferred the classic watches of quality and owned many.
Instant photographs. Elvis bought, and took, hundreds if not thousands of Polaroid pictures and owned numerous cameras.
Home movies. Elvis owned many top of the line video cameras and used them to capture everything from birthdays to his engagement to Priscilla to horseback riding to special moments with Lisa Marie.
Elvis owned one of the first residential closed circuit camera security system at Graceland where he could access it from his bedroom and in the kitchen area.
We will always have respect, admiration, and appreciation to; Marty Lacker, Red West, Sonny West, Billy Smith, Joe Esposito, Jerry Schilling and (who passed away but will never be forgotten) Lamar Fike.
To those who are unfamiliar with these men, individually or collectively, we encourage you to seek out, support, etc. the; books, articles, interviews, youtube videos, etc.. Each one was a true friend, some for decades, of Elvis Presley and shared his; life, hopes, dreams, ups and downs, etc.. Elvis trusted these men as they were firsthand witness to the life of Elvis Presley onstage and off.
They are integral assets to the life, onstage and off, of Elvis Presley. They sacrificed relationships, time, etc. in order to assist Elvis both as co-workers and as friends.
If you haven’t already, and want to learn more facts/context about Elvis, we encourage you to read the books authored by Alanna Nash, Sandi Pichon, Betty Harper, and Sandie Stevens.
Gladys Love (Smith) Presley was the beloved mother of Elvis Presley.
On this, the 66th anniversary of her (sadly) death, I was thinking of her – her mark on this earth – her caring – her worrying – her grace – and all that she endured (being poor and then wealthy beyond comprehension) throughout her (when she died on August 14, 1958) 46 years on this earth.
To learn more about Gladys Presley I highly recommend the incredible series of books, about Elvis and those he loved and befriended, authored by Alanna Nash. Her books can be found, among other outlets, on Amazon as well as app stores.
This scene, which starts right after Elvis puts a coin in the jukebox, is nothing but RAW talent. From the style of singing, to the movements, to the (at the same time) graceful and masculine expressions.
Please watch this scene, especially starting from the TWO MINUTE mark, and let me know your comments afterward.
Loving You was a great movie for Elvis but (sadly) he would not watch this movie after his beloved Mother (i.e. Gladys Love Smith Presley) died on August 14, 1958 as she appeared in another scene in this movie clapping her hands while Elvis sang and danced (note: in blue jeans which he hated as he said “growing up blue jeans and overalls was all we had. Man once I had made a few dollars I said never again with them blue jeans. Flashy clothes onstage, as flashy as I can get em. Off stage I like nice clothes, clothes that fit, but I leave that flashy stuff for the stage otherwise they could stay home and listen to my records”). She was part of the crowd scene and is noticeable, you have to look close and quick, on the right hand side (watching the film) in a hat lovingly watching her son.
Even after these (approximately) FIFTY FIVE years since Elvis performed this song/dance in Loving You it stands the test of time and it was…all Elvis.
To find other interesting facts about Elvis, when you are not following my blogs (which I am TRULY THANKFUL TO YOU FOR) and/or visiting our websites, please check out books by; Alanna Nash, Marty Lacker, Joe Esposito, Sandi Pichon, Sonny West, Red West, Billy Smith, Lamar Fike, Jerry Schilling, Paul Litcher, Russ Howe, etc. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND these authors, individually and collectively, and I am thankful for all of their; time, talents, passions, opinions, recollections, etc. concerning the life of the greatest entertainer who ever lived…Elvis Aron Presley.
Elvis Presley & technology
On behalf of our blogs, websites, forums, fan clubs, etc. we want to wish you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.
The Elvis Expert 