As Elvis never wrote any of his songs, was he little more than a tribute artist?

Question

...can you lot not recognise a wind up when you see one? How could he be a tribute act?...a tribute to who?

Answer 1

Not sure about tribute artist . A lot of Elvis' songs were rumoured to have been written by black americans who never got any of the credit.

Quoting from ref 1:
"Some black historians criticize Elvis Presley for stealing and appropriating African-American music and dance and calling it his own. Helen Kolaoke was quoted as saying that "for black people, Elvis, more than any other performer, epitomizes the theft of their music and dance."

See also ref 2. for the eye-opening article.

Answer 2

Most singers do not write their own songs. A tribute artist is a person or a band who sings many of another person or band's songs (most of which are written by other people) in "tribute" to them (attempting to recreate the vocals and/or look, etc.). Therefore Elvis impersonators in Las Vegas are tribute artists, but not Elvis himself because most of the songs he recorded were first recorded by him, even though written by someone else.

Answer 3

Elvis did write some of his songs and he co wrote many of his hits also.

One thing you have to remember is elvis did not want to be famous like the idiots that go on these tv talent shows, he was asked to get a recording contract after doing one for his mother's birthday.

and how can you call him a tribute act? who was he a tribute act to?

and most of the songs he sang were written for him, who cares if he didnt write it himself.

how many others do?

Answer 4

He contributed to the writing of quite a few, including, most famously 'Love Me Tender'.

But the man's talent and influence extend beyond his ability to write songs or not. I mean, would you say that Frank Sinatra was only a 'tribute artist' too?

Answer 5

What do you not understand about a singer sings songs and a songwriter writes them. How many artists would be out there now if they had to write their own songs? How many songs would be written if the writers had to sing them?

There would probably not even be a music industry!

Answer 6

He's the King, of course he's more than a tribute artist.

Answer 7

Elvis did write a lot of his own song, where do u get your info from? Elvis is The King and there will never be another one like him.Check the linkhttp://experts.about.com/q/Presley-Elvis-562/Elvis-songwriting.htm

Answer 8

Many vocalists are not songwriters, lyricists or authors of music. Many songwriters, lyricists and authors of music cannot carry a tune if it had handles. There are some that can do a combination of these arts, and very, very few that can do a combination of these arts and do them all well.

Answer 9

Actually he did write 1
Mama Liked The Roses

Answer 10

Well, have u seen the list of songs he have sung?

I mean theres a huggge list.

Also his movies with his singing and his good looks made him more famous. So yeah.