Elvis Parsley Flashcards
Where was Elvis born
Tupelo Mississippi - 1935
What BA Radio station broadcast in Elvis’ region
WDIA
What was Elvis’ upbringing
poor, good mother, dodgy father
What record label originally signs Elvis
Sun Records
Who owns Sun Records
Sam Phillips
Who is the assistant at Sun Records
Marion Keisker
Where is Sun Records located
Memphis Tennessee
What kind of artist did Sam Phillips want?
White man who can sing like a black man
Who first noticed Elvis
Marion Keisker
When did Elvis Presley sign?
1953 at the age of 18
What was the original Elvis trio?
Elvis, Scotty Moore, Bill Black
Who was Elvis’ guitar player
Scotty Moore
Who was Elvis’ bass player
Bill Bladck
Why did Elvis originally not have a drummer
Sam Phillips assumed he was a C&W artist
What other notable artists signed to Sun Records
Johnny Cash
What is the first single Elvis produces?
Thats All Right Mamma / Blue Moon of Kentucky
When was Elvis’ first single released
July 1954
Where does Sam Phillips send Elvis’ first single
Dewey Phillips, Red Hot and Blue Radio show
How many times was Elvis’ first single played in a row on Red Hot & Blue?
14 times by audience request
What question does Elvis get asked in his first interview?
What High school did you go to (are you black?)
What was the B-Side of Elvis’ first recording
Blue Moon of Kentucky (July 1954)
How does Elvis transform Blue Moon of Kentucky?
C&W -> pop song. Turns a 3/4 song into a 4/4 song.
What rhythmic elements does Elvis add to Blue Moon of Kentucky?
Slap base during solo. Adds Rhythmic Energy. Elvis drops half the words of the song, as these are less important than the rhythm. Adds percussive sounds to the vocals to drive the song (vocals are the new drummer)
What does Elvis do between 1954 and 1955
Travel and records
Who is Elvis’ drummer
DJ Fontana
When does Elvis add a drummer
1955
Between 1954 and 1955 how many records does Elvis release
6 records (12 songs)
Does Elvis write songs?
no, he records covers where he stylistically changes the songs to make them Rock n’ Roll songs
By what point is Elvis a regional star?
1955 (has some national C&W success)
Why does Sam Phillips get rid of Elvis?
Sun Records cant handle a star of Elvis’ magnitude
Who does Sam Phillips sell Elvis to
RCA
How much does Sam Phillips recieve for Elvis?
35k (most ever)
Who is Elvis’ new manager at RCA
Colonel Tom Parker (1956)
When does Elvis begin TV appearances
1956 (11 times in the year)
At what point is Elvis a major, national star?
end of 1956
What was Elvis’ first major hit?
Heartbreak Hotel
When was Heartbreak Hotel a major hit?
April - May ‘56
What hits did Elvis have in 1956
Heartbreak Hotel, Houndog, Don’t be Cruel
When did Don’t be Cruel and Houndog chart?
Aug - Dec 1956
How did Elvis affect the moral panic?
“Gyrating” on National TV
Where was Elvis’ questionable TV appearnace
Texaco Star Theater with Milton Berle
What advice did Milton Berle give Elvis
“Leave the Guitar off stage, let them see you move”
What song was the problem song
Houndog
What show does he appear on 2 weeks after his Texaco Star Theater appearance
Steve Allen Show
What changes were made for his Steve Allen Show appearance
Toned down (tails + actual houndog). Strict orders to not film the bottom half of Elvis
What changes does Colonel Tom Parker make to Elvis?
Moves him to pop (doesnt chart R&B after 1957)
When is Elvis drafted
1958-1960
When is Elvis’ last public appearance for 7 years
March 1961
What does Elvis do between 1961 and 1968
Bad movies
When is Elvis’ comeback special?
- Brings back the old band (Bill Black is dead)
What does Elvis do between 1970-1977
Las Vegas residency. Gets hooked on perscription drugs (also gets fat)
When does Elvis die?
Aug 16, 1977
Is Elvis special?
No, product of his environment.
