Elvis Presley

1. What's your favorite band? If the real question is "who is your favorite musical artist," then the answer is Bruce Springsteen. If they really insist on a band, it would either be The Velvet Underground or Sleater-Kinney. 2. Do you play an instrument? I played bass in a garage band as a youth. 3. Sing? I can carry a tune. I wouldn't consider that noteworthy, but the one time I went to karaoke with friends, I found that I was in the minority.
4. Write lyrics? ... MORE

Rode through the Mojave Desert this past weekend, going from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and back again on business (with a side order of pleasure). It was a 24-hour round trip marked by arid climate (temperatures reaching 112); tacky glitz; the occasional celeb strutting around the disco’s V.I.P. section or sitting in the front row at the boxing match; and a transient population of wide-bodied Middle Americans sucking down drinks, fast and slow food, and the high-oxygen... MORE

Well, okay, by this point in his career (April 4, 1960) no one really schooled The King, but check out how Jordanaires' bass vocalist Ray Walker (second from the left above) sings along and around Elvis in the latter half of the song. It's a master class in background singing!... MORE

I should confess in advance that 1968 is probably my favorite year for music. Note I didn't say best ... but so many of my favorites come from this year. Van Morrison's Astral Weeks, which always makes my all-time top ten lists. My favorite Stones' album, Beggars Banquet. Lady Soul and Music from Big Pink, the Velvets and Hendrix, Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and the Beatles' "Hey Jude," Sly and the Family Stone and Dusty Springfield, and a lot of albums b... MORE

January 8th was also the birthday of another important popular culture and musical icon...Elvis Presley! Some fun facts: -He was known to many as "The King of Rock N' Roll" -To date, he is the only performer to have been inducted into four music halls of fame. -He was the second of identical twins—his brother was stillborn and given the name Jesse Garon. -A nervous Presley's legs were said to have shaken uncontrollably during his first live performanc... MORE

Perhaps not surprising from a guy whose favorite Christmas movie is "Bad Santa," here's my favorite Christmas song. The King himself, with a bag full of raunchy double entendres and the Jordanaires as his jolly elves. Hang up your stockings, baby, 'cause Elvis is comin' down your chimney tonight.... MORE

To: Thomas Robbin, RCA Catalog Development From: Svvenn Hollggaarrdd, President, The Elvisian Academic Society We realize that RCA has a strong interest in perptuating its successful Elvis Presley reissue program, and per your instructions, we have combed the vaults with an excruciating diligence, in the hope of finding some previously unreleased tracks. Private collectors were also contacted. Sadly, the investigation did not unearth any masters of significance. What fol... MORE

You'll never Walk Alone...my favorite Elvis song ever...just remember what he is singing about, no matter where you go, God will be there with you, "so take courage, for I will never leave you, nor forsake you" Jack's electronic verse finder, Tyler Durden... MORE

Amazing Grace...as much as Elvis loved his momma, he understood amazing grace, not only from her, but from God as well, not the best example of god's power, but of God's forgiveness, what a great career he had, only haunted by the fact that the way he was living would make his momma cry... Jack's uncanny psychic abilities, Tyler Durden... MORE

How Great Thou Art....yup, can you feel the holy Spirit?? no, well I can, God has been doing a work in me lately, and it's been some hot fire, but I can feel HIM scooping the Dross off the top...know what I mean?? Jack's refinement in the Fire, Tyler Durden... MORE

Yes, even Elvis had to record a Dylan cover. His reading of this enigmatic little song is loose, relaxed and mediocre. Agree? Disagree?