Elvis Presley News: delivered by email News Feed SMS

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple Talks about Elvis

By: Elvis Australia
Source: Classic Rock
January 18, 2008 - 3:54:00 PM
Elvis Articles

Email this article
Printer friendly page

Michael Parkinson once asked the famous New Zealand soprano Kiri Te Kanawa about the greatest voice she'd ever heard, probably expecting her to name Luciano Pavarotti or Maria Callas, but she said: 'The young Elvis Presley, without any doubt'.

Elvis' voice was unique. Like so many others he had natural, technical ability, but there was something in the humanity of his voice, and his delivery. He was very influenced by Southern blues, and he helped to prove that you could have this bizarre mixture of country 'n' western, blues and folk music. Recordings were very honest in those days, and they stand up remarkably well.

I was an avid collector of Elvis' early stuff; for a young singer he was an absolute inspiration. I soaked up what he did like blotting paper. It's the same as being in school - you learn by copying the maestro.

His personality was also extremely endearing. The shaking of his hips was deemed sensational back then, but unlike Little Richard or Chuck Berry his interviews were very self-effacing. He came over as gentle and was generous in his praise of others.

It was immaterial to me that Elvis didn't write his own songs. Those were very different days, and he selected whatever suited him best from material supplied by publishing houses and teams of writers - all of whom were extremely conscious of his style of delivery.

Although he appeared in some awful movies, Elvis could also be pretty damn good as an actor. Love Me Tender [1956] and Jailhouse Rock [1957] were both really good but King Creole [1958] was my all-time favourite.

Those early records are still incredible. They can re-mix them and make them hits for the younger generation, and Elvis will always be the King. The reason is simple: He was the greatest singer that ever lived.

Ian Gillan is lead singer with Deep Purple.

This article © Copyright Elvis Australia : No part of this article maybe re-printed for public display without permission.

	[Home] [Elvis Shop Home] [Contact] [Top]
Elvis Presley News: delivered by email News Feed SMS

Recommended Shop items : CDs, DVDs and Books

Boxcar Enterprises Elvis : Aloha Via Satellite Deluxe Hardcover Book
Elvis : Back In Memphis : FTD Special Edition 2 CD [7" Classic Album Presentation]
Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old) : FTD Special Edition 2 CD [7" Classic Album Presentation]
The Complete Louisiana Hayride Archives 1954-1956 CD From MRS : CD / 100 page book

The MRS / JAT Productions release of The Complete Louisiana Hayride Archives 1954-1956 CD is a dream come true but I can't as there was no anticipation something like this would ever be released. For years now we have had the basic el cheapo compilation of the basic tracks but now we have a full CD with a running time of over 75 minutes that gives a very good overview of Elvis in concert in the 1950s. This CD is presented exactly the same as the MRS releases Off Duty With Private Presley Book Deluxe CD set, Tupelo Welcomes Home Elvis Presley Deluxe CD set and Such A Night in Pearl Harbor CD and 100 page Book set.
The Elvis Files : Elvis from 1953-1977 [Photo Books]
The Elvis I Knew by Charlie Hodge DVD [Elvis Presley Documenetary and Concerts on DVD]
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD [Elvis Presley Documenetary and Concerts on DVD] [Below]

Video Preview: Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD

Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD + 16 page booklet. Never before have we seen an Elvis concert from the 50's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered Unreleased Film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don’t Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. This is an excellent release no fan should be without it. The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people.

Loading the player ...

Macromedia Flash Player 9.1+ required to play this video. Apple iPad Compatible. If connection is slow, once downloading has completed, you can play it uninterrupted as many times as you like. Read more .