Why or why are you not an Elvis fan?

Answer 1

i was raised listening to Elvis. my very first concert when i was 12 was Elvis's last concert of his life. pretty good memory for me.

Answer 2

Elvis worked in different areas at different times. In his pre-Army days, the music was great, and despite the fact that he never wrote any of his own music, he did have the decency to credit the people who did. Big Mama Thornton for Hound Dog and Carl Perkins for Blue Suede Shoes. Other bands, who will remain nameless because they did finally come through with the credits nearly 20 years later, did not do so. I'll give you a hint, Joy to the World was written by Hoyt Axton, but it wasn't credited to him until much later.

The movies were plain awful, in my opinion. I can't judge the stage performances since I never saw him live. The video I've seen of these performances seems to focus more on glamour than music. Though I will say this of his post-Army work, that Kentucky Rain and In The Ghetto were good songs.

Personally, I prefer the singer-songwriter to the singer only, like Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, the Everly Brothers, Beatles, etc.

In the early days, Elvis did definitely put the "hip" in hipster, and that definitely did jump start rock and roll, moving it away from swing and rhythm and blues. Besides, as John Lennon said, before Elvis there was nothing.

Answer 3

I recognize Elvis as the force he was. I love some of his songs. I think some of what he did was crap. But his place in music history is secure. Music hysteria? I dont get it. And I grew up watching him since the fifties.

Lots of people say Elvis is the king of rock and roll. But that's not true. There were many artists of his era who were more talented. But he was marketed by people who knew how to do it. Carl Perkins, Little Richard, Fats Domino, The Everley Brothers, Eddie Cochrane, Gary US Bonds...the list goes on...were all better and more derivative. But Elvis got the hype. I'm not saying he wasn't good. Because he was. There are "hidden" tapes of him doing intimate shows for small audiences that are just wonderful. But alot of what he gets credit for belongs to other people.

Am I an Elvis fan? I suppose so. But I don't have shrines and feel no need to go to Graceland on his birthday or anniversary of his death. As a musician, I'd rather listen to Buddy Holly or Carl Perkins. As a "fan," I could listen to Houndog, Jailhouse Rock or Suspicious Minds all day long.

EDIT:

Some great answers here by people who know their rock and roll! Also a great question, because it makes ya think.

Answer 4

I'm a fan, mainly of his early rock 'n' roll stuff, because he was the main catalyst in making music by black artists (rock 'n' roll was almost exclusively the domain of black people before Elvis appeared) acceptable to middle class white Americans, and then the rest of the world. Of course there were other people involved in this process, Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins etc., but Elvis was the one with the looks, charm and personality to further the cause more than anyone else. Put quite simply, without Elvis there would be no Beatles, no Rolling Stones, no glam rock, no punk rock, no new romantic, no brit pop, no hip-hop, no rap etc, etc.
Because of this I can forgive him for all those awful films and the excesses of his Las Vegas period.
RIP Elvis!

Answer 5

I grew up listening to Elvis-my brother was a big fan. I enjoy listening to him still. I'm a fan-but like one of the answers you got, I'm don't have posters or Elvis memorablia. Now my 27 year old has several of his collectible figures and dolls. But they are put up out of the way. He was a great singer-he truly cared for his fans and he gave all he when in a concert to prove it. When he sang he sang to them. None of this pre-recorded stuff like todays entertainers. His voice was deep and sexy. Just listen to I Can't Help Falling in Love With You, or In the Ghetto, Peace In the Valley, Kentucky Rain or Love Me Tender. He sang from the heart. Who should we go on about?? Britney, Paris, Lindsey, Zac Efron, Posh and David. Elvis came from poor beginnings and he never lost the humbleness of it. Always remembering where he came from. And what always touched me was he loved his Mama. Non fans even try and make that sound perverted. He didn't start rock and roll, but he sure paved the way for the so called stars of today. He had to guts to stand out and be different and create his own style, So in my opinion that makes him King. No one else dared to be different, Even when he was being put down for his provacative moves, He keep on. So yes. He will be honored as a truly great entertainer. The ones of you who are not fans-go praise Michael Jackson or some other pervert.

Answer 6

I am not a Elvis fan,

But i do love some of his songs, as does my 7 year son. he often has Elvis playing in his bedroom.

Answer 7

There is simply NO excuse for not being an Elvis fan! His music is timeless and sounds infinitely better than most of the crap that gets put out today.

I love listening to it because it really gets me going! I love to play "Burnin' Love" at the end of a workout when I think I don't have anything left in me. That song always gives me an extra boost!

Answer 8

1950s all crooners then came Bill Haley he was great then came Elvis and he was fantastic.music changed 4 us as we were nearly leaving school.after that Elvis was king.rock and roll has kept on trucking since then and after 30 years Elvis is making millions still

Answer 9

I guess I'm not an Elvis fan because he wasn't alive during my lifetime and I never really hear his music except on the oldies on the radio.

Answer 10

I am an Elvis fan because he is good in singing and dancing.

I am not an Elvis fan because he's into drugs and had a funny death.