Introduction
Thank you, Wendy King, for sending your fantastic article to share with SIDEBURNS Magazine readers.
Looking for Elvis
by Wendy King
Debra Cubitt and Linda Sutherland at the 2019 NFEF. Photo Credit: Lori-Anne Crewe, LA Crewe Photography.
What would entice me back to school at this late stage?
A lecture called “Looking For Elvis” presented recently by Lakehead University’s Orillia campus.
It was hosted by music historian Dr. Mike Daley of Toronto. He regularly lectures at universities around Ontario on various music topics including Elvis and the Beatles. He also plays in a number of bands and has often backed Jeff Healey.
To suggest I was nervous about his presentation would be an understatement.
You know how we “Elvis people” are. I was tempted to bring an air horn along and blow it whenever a mistake was identified. This was not necessary as he was factually accurate. (there may have been a couple of heavy sighs which I will tell you about later)
My companions, Marianne Rose, Debra Cubitt and Linda Sutherland took front row as all good Elvis fans should.
Wendy King with Ultimate ETA Gordon Hendricks at the 2017 FLaming Star Festival. Photo Credit: Louis Young, Louis Young Photography.
With our Elvis purses and jewellery and our note pads we were the definition of keeners.
It was a great crowd in the lecture hall for this talk.
Basically, Dr. Daley discussed how Elvis became ELVIS and his cultural and musical influences. As he mentioned various musical milestones he pulled out his guitar and sang the songs.
Here are a few quotes that struck me.
“Elvis: the one name says it all. It was like he arrived at exactly the right minute. We were looking and waiting for Elvis. Rock and Roll, as a look, idea, sound and threat appeared in the figure of Elvis.”
We were reminded how Elvis was brought up in the church and how on Sunday morning he would attend First Assembly of God church and then hurry over to another part of Tupelo to catch the black gospel sounds he loved so much.
Linda Sutherland, president of ETA Matt Cage’s fan club, with Matt at the Hamrony Square, Brantford, show, 2018. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur/SB Mag.
Dr. Daley suggested Elvis “didn’t sound black or white and had his own way of doing things.”
I also found it interesting how he explained why Sam Phillips was not wrong to sell Elvis’s contract from Sun to RCA. We all know the basic story that Sam was running out of money and had dreams of handling other artists. When Elvis hit it big in Memphs and the South, Sam had a problem. He and Marion Keisker were the entire operation. He was having to pay bigger production companies to press the records, pay the shipping and then wait 90 days per retailer to get his pay. Basically, the money wasn’t coming in fast enough and Sam was facing bankruptcy. So, the sale of the contract allowed him to put money into Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and others plus pay off debts and buy into a little Memphis based hotel chain called Holiday Inn.
I thought that made more sense than other suggestions I had read.
Dr. Daley also pointed out that Elvis really knew how to use a microphone. He studied Bing Crosby and learned you don’t have to sing loudly. With proper mic useage, a performer can get intimate with a crowd. As we all know Elvis was the master of connecting with his fans.
The only thing I took issue with was the speaker’s suggestion had a “weird and unhealthy” relationship with his mother.
I don’t agree. While it was incredibly close I reject it was unnatural. In Tupelo, they had 1 bed. One. I remember stories of my grandparent’s generation having many kids, boys and girls, in the same bed. It was just the way it was.
Wendy King with Ultimate ETA Gordon Hendricks at the 2018 Collingwood Elvis Festival. Photo Credit: Carolyn MacArthur/SB Magazine.
Their closeness came from them being on their own so much in his formative years when Vernon was imprisoned for changing the amount on a cheque in Tupelo. Not to mention, Gladys had lost Jesse in childbirth so of course she feared losing her surviving son.
Anyway, I think Southern boys, in particular, have a unique and deep respect and devotion to their moms. Visit there and you will see it in very visible ways.
Having said that, the rest of the talk was done mostly without judgement.
The university staff treated us to some Elvis style snacks at the break.
Peanut butter,banana and bacon sandwiches, Southern barbecue potato chips and Jailhouse Rock cookies. That was a nice touch.
Coming also to Orillia:
“Elvis and the Man in Black” on Friday, June 28 at the Orillia Opera House.
It is described as Elvis and Johnny Cash music interpreted through dance and choreographed by Laurence Lemieux and James Kudelka.
$30. For more info:www.orilliacentre.com
Edits by C.MacArthur.