 | SOUNDTRACKING Soundtracking is a weekly column featuring indie, alternative, and all around amazing music - published by music correspondent Laura Cushing on Gather.com. Soundtracking includes interviews, CD reviews, band and concert news, music trivia, playlists and much more!
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This Week on Soundtracking - Elvis vs Elvis
Click HERE to load the supplement that goes with this article
This week, Soundtracking features Elvises (Elvii?) - and your chance to win a prize pack featuring a signed Elvis Costello poster and a digitally remastered Elvis Presley Viva Las Vegas CD!
Elvis!
The name "Elvis" has an almost magical connotation in today's society. The iconic image of the Elvis is often associated with glitz, glamor, and rock and roll. Etymologically speaking, the origins of the name 'Elvis' are shrouded in mystery. There are three possible sources for this name - it is thought to relate to the name Alvis, Elwin, or even the surname Ewes.
If it stems from 'Alvis', the name Elvis would be Old Norse, meaning "all wise". In Norse mythology this was the name of a dwarf who was to marry Thor's daughter Thrud. Thor was not pleased with this, so he tricked Alvis by asking him questions until the sun rose, at which time the dwarf was turned into stone. If it stems from Elwin, it stems from Old English - a derivative of Ælfwine , which means 'Elf-Friend.'
The King:
The name Elvis was given to a baby boy born on January 8th, 1935. Elvis Aaron Presley, born in humble circumstances, went on to iconic fame as the king of rock and roll. Elvis's persona became larger than life. In a 1972 interview, Elvis is quoted as saying, "The image is one thing and the human being is another... it's very hard to live up to an image." Elvis's image remains larger than life - though the truth was often stranger than the fiction. Presley once wrote to President Nixon asking to be a narcotics agent, and the president provided Elvis with a special drug commission badge that included a permit to carry a concealed weapon in all fifty states.
Elvis Presley's legacy remains a cultural phenomena. There are Elvis impersonators, skydivers, and wedding chapels. Some conspiracy theorists beleive that Elvis never really died. Explanations range from burnout and retirement, to governemnt coverup, to alien abduction.
The Other Elvis:
In 1954, Elvis Presley recorded That's Alright (Mama), with a B-side of Blue Moon of Kentucky. Both 
songs began to chart throughout the South. Also in 1954, across the waters in England, a future Elvis came into the world. Declan Patrick MacManus was born to bandleader Ross MacManus and record store manager Lillian MacManus. Like Presley, Declan was an only child. Declan grew up to to be a musician - originally performing under the name DP Costello.
By 1976, Elvis Presley's life was in decline. Ailing, bloated, and drug addicted, he was having a hard time performing live shows - slurring through a lot of the words, and performing for less than an hour in total. In 1976, Declan's fame was just beginning. He signed to an independent label, and his manager suggested he take on the first name of the iconic Presley, changing his stage name to Elvis Costello.
While Elvis Presley died in 1977, Elvis Costello's career was just developing. Elvis Costello has had numerous successful records in both the UK and US, was once banned from Saturday Night Live (for twelve years) for singing an anti-media song, and was inducted in 2003 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "I've always thought of myself as a ballad singer who could sing rock 'n' roll, not the other way around," is the way Elvis Costello once described his career.
Elvis Costello may not have the iconic status of Elvis Presley, but he is certainly a legendary singer/songwriter/musician of our times.
Honorable Mention:
There is a third musical Elvis - Elvis Perkins, son of actor Anthony Perkins. This young Elvis, born in 1976, is a folky singer-songwriter. Listen to his band Elvis Perkins in Dearland here. Elvis Perkins recently released an album entitled Ash Wednesday, a chronologically sequenced album of songs written before and after his mother's death. Elvis's mother, Berry Berenson was aboard the ill-fated American Airlines Flight 11 during the terrorist attack of 9/11/01. The album includes backing vocals by Shana Levy of Let's Go Sailing and Becky Stark of Lavender Diamond.
Watch Elvis Videos:
Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel
Elvis Presley - Jailhouse Rock
Elvis Presley - Unchained Melody live (1977)
Elvis Costello - Radio Radio (live on SNL)
Elvis Costello - Monkey to Man
Elvis Perkins - All The Night Without Love
Listen to our Elvis Playlist:
Click HERE to load the supplement that goes with this article
Learn about Elvises:
Elvis Presley official site
Elvis Costello official site
Elvis Presley trivia
Elvis Costello trivia
Elvis Presley wikipedia
Elvis Costello wikipedia
Win An Elvis Prize Pack!
Soundtracking is pleased to announce our very first giveaway! Thanks to the generous folks at Gather, we have an Elvis prize pack to give away to one lucky winner. From Elvis Costello, a SIGNED poster! And from Elvis Presley, the digitally remastered Live at Las Vegas CD. Here's how you can win:
1. Be a member of the Soundtracking group
2. Comment to this article with a comparison between the two Elvises (Presley and Costello). These can be serious or funny. Enter as many times as you like, but one comparison per comment, please. You can base these on facts, or just your opinions.
3. A winner will be chosen from the comments and announced in the next Soundtracking!
4. Winner must provide a mailing address to recieve prizes, which will be sent from Gather's offices to the winner.
Here's some comparisons to get us started:
Elvis vs Elvis!
Presley - born in 1935, died on the toilet / Costello - born in 1954, still alive and making music (probably not on the toilet)
Presley - only child / Costello - only child
Costello - would likely vote Presley as the greater Elvis / Presley - would likely vote himself as the greater Elvis
Presley - known for animal magnetism and spiritual openness / Costello - known for technical mastery of songwriting
Presley - rockabilly roots / Costello - punk roots
Presley - went from suave to bloated / Costello - still kinda geeky
Presely - known for blue suede shoes / Costello - known for black horn-rimmed glasses
Soundtracking Group!
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Catch up on Soundtracking, read about upcoming participation opportunities, or post your own music related articles.
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CDs and promotional materials, interview and/or review requests can be sent to:
Soundtracking
PO Box 141 Newtonville, NJ 08346-0141
Email: Soundtracking@labarc.com / AIM: Lab Arc Designs
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| Laura Cushing, Music Correspondent - Soundtracking | ||||
Laura's column, 'Soundtracking' is published every Saturday in Gather Essentials:Music. Soundtracking is your guide to indie and alternative music -- featuring musician interviews, CD reviews, MP3 mixes, and discussions. Laura Cushing is a 37 year old writer from the New Jersey Pines. In addition to music journalism, she writes fiction and poetry. Keep up with Laura's music series by joining her network, or subscribing to her content. | ||||
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Comments: 71
Elvis Presley for over 54 years and will always love
him. He is the King of Rock and Roll and to me that'a
the way he shall stay. Thank you so very much!
~Barbara~
I know we talked about the musical aspect (audio) in the past and I think the way that you did it here was excellent. I'm not quite sure if this is something that is yours and yours only or if you can share...Whatever the case, let me know...Great Job, not to mention great subjects....
Presley wasn't a songwriter at all.
but Presley can turn any song into an unforgettable classic.
Presley's Pelvic thrusts are far superior.
Thanks.
E. Presley lived in Graceland
E. Costello sang " Ill never Fall in Love again in the Austin Powers movie that was a play on the 1976 Movie the Spy who loved me.
E. Costello a Virgo
I can tell you something about Elvis Presley that few people know. When I first worked for a very large music store in San Diego, CA called Thearle Music Company.... I was in charge of the 45 records and the LP albums back then. I had gone to work there on August 1, 1955 shortly after graduating from college. I was also a cashier and interpreter for all languages for the entire store which included sheet music, the first color television sets, tape recorders, and musical instruments.
The very first record I was asked for on the telephone surprised me. It was "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" by Elvis Presley. I had never heard of him. What was even more strange about this is .... I had been a newspaper columnist since I was fifteen and was very up on music and was a singer and used song titles to lead off my stories.
So I went over to the 45 singles and found that we had Elvis' record. I set it aside for the customer, but then I searched around and found some 78 Sun recordings by Elvis there also.
Fast forward to January 8, 1956. The record buyer Eugene Bauer, called me upstairs. He happened to be the choirmaster at my church. I can't remember what he called me up there for, but there were several men in his office. And he introduced me to Elvis and his buddies. I went back downstairs and shortly thereafter, Elvis, Red and the rest of the guys came walking down the stairs to where I was standing in front of the cashier's booth.
Elvis Presley was wearing a dark green silky shirt and slacks with dark green suede shoes. His hair was ots natural brown and he was a very nice looking 21 year old gentleman. He introduced himself again, was very polite, saying Ma'am and proceeded to put his hand on the back of my neck. He was about 6 feet tall and I was in spike heels, but was only 5"2". He asked me if I would introduce him to everyone and show him around the store. There were 20 employees in our section alone and it took me quite a while to do all this. He probably walked around with me for twenty minutes, at least.
Elvis was in town to do a concert that night. His album was being made ready f to sell the next day after the concert. It was the LP of "Heartbreak Hotel". So now Elvis asks me if I would go with him to his hotel and he would give me some autographed pictures to bring back to the store!
Would you believe that I had a lunch date with my fiance whom I had just become engaged to on January 1st, so I politely told Elvis no, but thank you. He insisted that if I changed my mind, that he would be on the second floor of the US Grant hotel. He gave me the room number and they left. Everyone was standing around having a fit and wanting to go instead of me, but he hadn't asked them.
Would you believe it gets worse.... My fiance didn't show up for lunch and I was waiting outside the store for an hour. I should tell you, I was born the same year as Elvis, on November 3. 1935. I was just 20 and had rarely dated, so wasn't the most socially wise girl. But I had a very jealous fiance, whom I later married, so l knew I couldn't do what Elvis asked.
Now the next day all bedlam broke loose at the store. Elvis LP albums were selling so fast the cash register was smoking and we had to keep taking all the cash over to the safe as this was record breaking after the concert the night before. It impacted the store so much, that RCA Victor suits (the management team) brought us boxes and boxes of more albums from Los Angeles that very same day.
You should understand also that this was BEFORE Elvis was on the Ed Sullivan show.
Now I honestly don't know how I will relate this to Elvis Costello. I could add some things about Lisa Marie Presley, but that wouldn't count. She is planning something very big for his 30th anniversary of his death this week. And I previously saw her in person walking hand in hand with Michael Jackson, right after they were married, near where I live, which is in California not far from Neverland.
E. Costello recruited these side men to play on his album 'King of America'.
This is the first time I've told the story in its entirety to anyone. My mother who is 93 always tells people that Elvis kissed me, but that didn't happen. Having "Elvis' hand on the back of my neck I've not forgotten. It was customary in those days for a guy to do that with his girlfriend.
Also about Lisa Marie, she is a real genuinely nice woman. You can read her blogs on MySpace. Elvis was very fortunate to have her for his daughter and vice versa.
Incidentally, my mother's mother was born on January 7th, the day before Elvis' birthday. And my grandmother raised me for the first four years. I believe we connect up with people in unusual ways.
Elvis C married 3 times and had 3 children
Elvis C had an album called Armed Forces.
Elvis C's "I Throw My Toys Around" is featured in The Rugrats Movie
Elvis P did not get what he deserved when Kurt Russel kicked him in the movie "It happened at the Worlds Fair"
on Arsenio Hall while campaigning for his election.
Chelsea Clinton is good friend to Diana Krall's ( Elvis C's wife) and she participated in a fund raising with Elvis C. for Hillary Clinton's campaign.
Elvis C. inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2003
I have a friend who swears that Elvis C. was at a party he was at in San Fransico in 1980, but he doesn't know for sure. All he knows is that he didn't stay, he took a look around and left.
Costello said, "And I don't feel any form of music is beyond me in the sense of that I don't understand it or I don't have some love for some part of it."
Presley said, "Do what's right for you, as long as it don't hurt no one"
Costello said, "These are the sort of things that push you on in music - the curiosity, a passion for new ideas."
I like Costello as Elvis. In fact, I guess I like Costello as Costello too!
Elvis C also pimped cars but the Lexus
Elvis P's commitment to the martial arts has been rewarded with a place in the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in New York. Elvis P joined forces with other legends of martial arts, like Jackie Chan.
Elvis Costello became the mortal enemy of Jackie Chan. In the winter of 1962, Costello and Chan tripped into each other, and a brawl started. Soon, everybody was kung-fu fighting. Kicks and punches were flying all over the place. However Chan quickly imposed himself onto Costello, who was almost blind after losing his glasses during the bitchslapping.
Elvis Costello's trademark is his black horn rim glasses.
out here in Germany:
'peinlich' but Elvis as the singing GI in 'GI blues' was fantastic. He was like a panther and had charisma. Even the Russia newspaper brought out an article of how he was misused by the capitalists, using the situation to their purpose, of course. I'm for Elvis Forever! I grew up singing his 'Cray-fish' and 'Blue Hawaii' and lots of other songs in the foothills of the Himalayas. Thank
you Elvis for the good time and feeling you gave me, where ever you are in the cosmos, we'll remember you always.
Satis
As for Elvis Costello, I have liked him since the beginning. I love many of his songs and one of my favorites is "Watching the detectives". He was innovative then and still remains that way. I think he rocks!
Elvis C has the chance to look at it one day.
My boyfriend's mother has a picture LP that my boyfriend sent her when he was stationed in Germany. She also has a lot of the older LPs. My cousin had every Elvis record that came out when we were growing up in the 50s and 60s. My daughter's boyfriend has many albums, cassettes, and memorabilia of Elvis. His son is named Aaron.
Elvis was named for his father, Vernon Elvis Presley. In the beginning, the Presley's wanted Elvis' middle name to be Aron and that is what is on his original birth certificate. He later wanted it changed to the more Biblical Aaron, but discovered state, official records already had it spelled that way. Knowing his wishes, that is how the family had it spelled on his tombstone, and is how he is referred to today.
Jessie was named for his grandfather, Jesse Presley, although spelled differently. Most reliable sources now spell it Jesse, but the memorial marker at Graceland has it as Jessie. His actual grave is still in Tupelo, MS and is still unmarked. Most sources now also use the Jessie spelling to avoid confusion.
There was a 'duo' performed during the American Idol charity weeks, by Celine Dion and Elvis that brings goosebumps to my arms. It looks so real.
I really don't know anything about Elvis C. I always thought the black framed glasses were in reference to Buddy Holly. Did not see anyone reference that, so maybe I am wrong there. Just seemed there was something mentioned along those lines when I first became aware of him. But have really never listened to him, so cannot do an actual comparison.
Guess that's my two cents worth - would really like to win the contest, but know I don't have much chance being as I know only one side. Still just had to add my part to this.
We will never again see anyone as loved and admirred as Elvis P. was.
When I first seen E.C. on M TV I thought it was some sort of joke. I have since learned to appreciate his talents.
into the Elvis Presley fan club, since she was
four years of age. I have gifted her with most
of my Elvis Presley collection already. Her 10th
birthday is coming up soon this would mean a
great deal to her. Hey, she even dressed up as
Elvis Presley for Halloween! The black leather
jacket with the white scarf and the black boots
the same sunglasses too. She had hair like him
too with the sideburns! She's such a ham! We
both adore this great man so much. He will be
alive in our hearts forever!
Thank YOU!
Long Live the King!!
How I miss my Elvis.
Thanks for the article, it's a bit more detailed than mine. LOL
Dropping by with a 10 for you
Flippity Floppity, Zippity Zee
And a great big HI from Pooh and Me!
glitter-graphics.com
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