I don't know about all that. I mean did Elvis say he was king or did the media, fans, and Colonel Tom Parker? I also think there is quite a bit of revisionist history in the appropriation argument. In my admitted limited knowledge, Elvis respected and revered the African American artists that inspired him. Needless to say, it is a story full of a lot of gray which is confounded by contradictory statements from folks about it all and the inability to talk to the players now. It certainly isn't a case where Eric Clapton would use the music, prop up the icons, and then want to restrict the rights of humans with the same skin color. Anyhow, here is a little article on how complicated the matter actually is:
I don't care one way or the other and tried to preface it with some kind of statement to that effect because I didn't want to elicit a bunch of opinions people have on a topic I don't care about.I don't know about all that. I mean did Elvis say he was king or did the media, fans, and Colonel Tom Parker? I also think there is quite a bit of revisionist history in the appropriation argument. In my admitted limited knowledge, Elvis respected and revered the African American artists that inspired him. Needless to say, it is a story full of a lot of gray which is confounded by contradictory statements from folks about it all and the inability to talk to the players now. It certainly isn't a case where Eric Clapton would use the music, prop up the icons, and then want to restrict the rights of humans with the same skin color. Anyhow, here is a little article on how complicated the matter actually is:
Elvis: What Did Black Artists of the Era Really Think of Presley?
Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley biopic shows the singer in harmony with artists such as B.B. King and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. But how true is that portrayal?www.vanityfair.com
um... have you used the internet before today (or met me)
I mean I knew at least one person on here would have something to say, which is why I tried but failed with my less than careful wording. I suppose if I had any strong feelings on Elvis one way or the other I'd have more of an opinion. I do think regardless of his personal intentions it was a lot easier for a Southern white boy to get rich on the music than it was for a Black musician. And a lot of that falls on the business folks and a really racist American public. So it is sad to me that a lot of deserving musicians were overlooked just because of that. But clearly that was a social issue and far more than anything he was responsible for personally.um... have you used the internet before today (or met me)
I agree on your point here. It's still a fascinating subject. How opinion has changed on his legacy, etc. He's not as important to the generation as Little Richard or Chuck Berry, but as to the proliferation of the genre he is as important. It is fucked up that Nat King Cole would get bitched at for playing rock because it was White music. Just like it is fucked up that there are people that are like Rap music doesn't belong in the Rock Hall - it's a fucking direct evolution of the genre... without rock there is no rap, pure and simple. But racists are weird and cause issues for everyone.
