Dani's Word
Elvis is no king of mine!
Danielle Skinner
Issue date: 2/25/09 Section: Opinion
So many people assume that talented White artists were the creators of rock-n-roll because of the popular rock songs played on the radio today, but this isn't the case. Black people created rock-n-roll in the late 1940s and early 50s. Everyone loved it, including White musicians. Unfortunately, some of them loved it so much they stole it.
In the latter years of the 1950s, Big Mama Thornton, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard were talented artists of the rock-n-roll genre. They were original and unique, but their style of music could not be tolerated by most of the White community. The sheer thought of a White individual grooving to a Bo Diddly smash hit was appalling. In the book "Race, Rock, and Elvis," author Michael T. Bertrand asserts that segregationists such as Asa "Ace" Carter thought rock-n-roll to be the "basic heavy beat of Negros and brought out animalism and vulgarity."
Even though rock-n-roll was considered "Black music," it was good enough for White artists to steal, including Pat Boone, The Beach Boys, and Elvis. Pat Boone stole "Tutti Frutti" from Little Richard, The Beach Boys stole "Surfing USA" from Chuck Berry, and Mama Thornton sang about a hound dog before Elvis did. Elvis also recorded "Hot Dog" in 1957. Maybe he forgot that a singer by the name of Young Jessie recorded that hit the year before.
I am particularly mad that Elvis stole music because he is now considered the king of rock-n-roll. Little Richard deserves the title of king of rock-n-roll and he has earned that title with flying colors. He has a style that's original and has demonstrated his capabilities and talents in hits such as "Good Golly Miss Molly" and "Shake It All About," which are songs that other artists like Elvis Presley have redone. Little Richard also knew how to put on a show. Movies that portray Little Richard performing show him hurdling over grand pianos, jumping into the splits and "shaking his pelvis." Sound familiar? Elvis and other White artists not only stole Black music, they stole the way Black artists performed.
In the latter years of the 1950s, Big Mama Thornton, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard were talented artists of the rock-n-roll genre. They were original and unique, but their style of music could not be tolerated by most of the White community. The sheer thought of a White individual grooving to a Bo Diddly smash hit was appalling. In the book "Race, Rock, and Elvis," author Michael T. Bertrand asserts that segregationists such as Asa "Ace" Carter thought rock-n-roll to be the "basic heavy beat of Negros and brought out animalism and vulgarity."
Even though rock-n-roll was considered "Black music," it was good enough for White artists to steal, including Pat Boone, The Beach Boys, and Elvis. Pat Boone stole "Tutti Frutti" from Little Richard, The Beach Boys stole "Surfing USA" from Chuck Berry, and Mama Thornton sang about a hound dog before Elvis did. Elvis also recorded "Hot Dog" in 1957. Maybe he forgot that a singer by the name of Young Jessie recorded that hit the year before.
I am particularly mad that Elvis stole music because he is now considered the king of rock-n-roll. Little Richard deserves the title of king of rock-n-roll and he has earned that title with flying colors. He has a style that's original and has demonstrated his capabilities and talents in hits such as "Good Golly Miss Molly" and "Shake It All About," which are songs that other artists like Elvis Presley have redone. Little Richard also knew how to put on a show. Movies that portray Little Richard performing show him hurdling over grand pianos, jumping into the splits and "shaking his pelvis." Sound familiar? Elvis and other White artists not only stole Black music, they stole the way Black artists performed.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Patricia
posted 3/02/09 @ 9:19 PM CST
I agree with this cleverly written report.
I respect Elvis and all but the fact of the matter is that he never wrote or produced a song! Little Richard was doing his thang back in the days but in 50's (rascist) America, Elvis will be more celebrated. (Continued…)
Debbie
posted 9/09/09 @ 1:57 PM CST
Actually, Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber wrote the song, and had Jessie record it, as well as Elvis and Mike Sanchez.
Bubba
posted 9/12/09 @ 6:15 AM CST
Debbie is correct. Leiber and Stoller wrote the song. They also wrote Hound Dog, and 2 Elvis movie soundtracks.
Danielle,
Elvis' Hound Dog does'nt have the same lyrics as Thornton's 1952 version. (Continued…)
Sylvia Nankyer Payton
posted 9/14/09 @ 2:43 PM CST
September, 14th 2009
Dani's World: "Elvis"
Well said "Bubba". But I do not think your daddy "thought Elvis was an idiot". You see, I am also a fan of your daddy's Music. (Continued…)
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