#brian presley

[ijustreallylikepirates]

I have the preppiest pictures guys 🥰

[freddiemercurylegendabovelegends]

Remembering Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8th, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi

🔸Interviewer: What was the first rock show you saw?

Lisa Marie Presley: "Probably Queen. I think I saw them in 1978 or 1979 at The Forum. I remember bringing Freddie Mercury a scarf of my Dad’s and I gave it to him after the show. I loved it. I loved the theatrics. I loved Freddie. I thought Queen were awesome. I’m a big fan of theatrics. Like Marilyn Manson’s live show. I’ve seen him like eight times now"

Full Interview 👇

http://www.popentertainment.com/lisamariepresley.htm

🔸That Freddie Mercury loved Elvis is evident in the fact that Crazy Little Thing Called Love is included on the LP and performed prominently during the current tour. In addition, Elvis’s Jailhouse Rock has become a standard in Queen’s set.

People in Los Angeles were surprised to see Freddie Mercury with a guitar in his hands at Queen’s recent Forum concerts. For the first time ever, Freddie Mercury is playing guitar during a Queen concert. He uses an Ovation twelve-string acoustic on 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love'.

‘It took sheer guts and bravery,’ Freddie told Circus, recalling the first time he walked out on stage with a guitar. ‘The first couple of nights were nerve-wracking, but it was okay after that. You see, I wrote 'Crazy Little Thing' on guitar and played rhythm on the record, and it works really well because Brian gets to play all those lead guitar fills as well as his usual solo. I’m somewhat limited by the number of chords I know. I’m really just learning, but I hope to play more guitar in the future.’

Extract from

Circus Magazine - 09/30/1980

Lights! Action! Sound!

It’s that crazy little thing called Queen!

by Lou O’Neill Jr.

🔸Interviewer : What made you want to go into music and become a rock star ?

Freddie: "I don’t know. I think I always liked to sing, I wanted to sing and I didn’t look upon it as a career but I just, you know. When I was a little baby I was in the choir and things like that and I just, I liked to sing, I don’t know, call it natural gift or whatever, you know, I’m not afraid to say it. It’s just I like to sing and then I suddenly realized that I could actually write songs and then make my own music rather than before I would, you know, sort of copy Elvis Presley songs and things as I do, then I realized that I could actually write my own songs and do it my own way. Then suddenly, you know, there was a little taste of success so… Everybody wants to be a star, you know, in whatever way they all want to be successful, you know. You look at films where they all want to be a successful actress or actor. So you know, of course I never ever thought I was going to make a career of it. Suddenly I realized that this is the best thing I could do. And whenever it’s interesting that’s always what you really like doing, isn’t it ?, so what I’m doing right now is what interests me and I’m very happy that people buy my records and they like me and the day they stop buying my records I’ll go ‘Buy some more’, or give it all up"

- Freddie Mercury

Interview 1985

[shelbgrey]

[joons]

Have Brian Wilson and Elvis every been connected in any way? Like, did they ever meet, listen to each other's music, etc.? If not, what do you think would have happened if they had?

Brian adored Elvis, as most teenagers did in the early '50s and '60s. Brian covered "Blue Christmas" in 1964 and often cited Elvis as one of his musical inspirations. Brian loved him for his vocal abilities, not just his status as a rock-n-roller: "I liked Elvis Presley’s songs," he said. "... I thought Elvis was a very underrated singer, he was a very good singer. He was more of a star. He was known more for his fame than his voice. I think he deserved more credit for his voice."

Brian's affinity for Elvis is evident in his stage setup for his Smile concerts in 2004, which was the first time his incomplete masterpiece (originally set for release in 1967) was performed in its entirety for the public. Brian, like Elvis, has dealt with extreme stage fright for most of his career, so for inspiration, he includes notes from his band and an image of Elvis on his keyboard.

According to band members Mike, Al, and Bruce, Elvis did know the Beach Boys and got to meet some of them in 1968 when he was preparing to resume live appearances and recording tracks for the Comeback Special.

AL JARDINE: Bruce (Johnston) and I met Elvis in the late '60s. He was working in the studio across the hall from us at Western. Bruce and I went over and introduced ourselves and he was very delighted to see us. He was trim and great looking, just like his album covers. He hadn’t gone back out on the road yet. We encouraged him to get back to work and he took us up on it. MIKE LOVE: He was in the big room at Western and had his cape on at the time (laughs). He was preparing to go back out on tour and he was asking us, “Well, what’s it like?” He was a really kind gentleman. He couldn’t have been nicer. He definitely knew who The Beach Boys were. You couldn’t not be aware of who The Beach Boys were in the '60s.

Brian was not with them at the time and never got to see Elvis perform live, but their careers continued to connect in interesting ways. Jerry Schilling, a member of the Memphis Mafia and good friend of Elvis, departed Elvis' group in 1976 to begin managing the Beach Boys full time. He became good friends with the band, especially Carl Wilson, the youngest Wilson brother. "After Elvis, Carl was my closest friend," Jerry said. After Elvis' death in 1977, Carl offered to visit with Vernon Presley, Elvis' dad, to spend time with him and get his mind off his grief.

Jerry Schilling was also married to Myrna Smith, a member of the Sweet Inspirations, a gospel group that provided backing vocals for all of Elvis' stage shows. Myrna wrote the lyrics for many of Carl's solo projects, including a tribute song for Elvis that was being considered as the theme song for the 1981 documentary This Is Elvis. Carl wrote the music, played guitar and sang backing vocals, and Myrna wrote the lyrics and sang. The song was abandoned, but the demo tapes were recovered not too long ago.

JERRY SCHILLING: The song ... tells who Elvis was … the lyrics and the music. It’s simple, it’s sweet, and it’s deep. It’s emotional to talk about it, because all three of these people – who were so close to me in my life – are all gone. But boy, this is a great piece of all of their music left behind honoring Elvis, and done by Carl and Myrna.

Elvis and Brian also both got to work closely with guitarist James Burton. Burton was much more of a long-term staple for Elvis, but he played in sessions for Smile and remembered how Brian would invite musicians to his home and make them spend the night so they could play at all hours.

Now, we get to the best part: Brian and Elvis did meet once, and it's one of my favorite stories of all time. Here is Brian telling the story on The Tonight Show.

It's been told a few different ways (Brian, bless him, is sort of an unreliable narrator, so bear this in mind), but every version is just incredible.

JAMES BURTON: I walked into the big studio, and Brian Wilson was in there mixing a record that I played on. And he said, "Whatcha doing here, man?" [I said,] "I’m in the next room with Elvis rehearsing." He said, "Oh! Please, please take me to meet Elvis." I took him in and he walked up to Elvis and was just looking at him. And Elvis stuck his hand out to shake hands and he couldn’t move. Daily Express/Elvis Birthday Celebration at Graceland, 2020

•••

JERRY SCHILLING: We were at a rehearsal session at RCA Studios in Hollywood, and Elvis always prided himself on our security. There was security at the studio as well. This big, overweight, bearded guy came into the studio and went right up to Elvis and went, "Hi Elvis, I'm Brian." And Elvis was very upset with us thinking, "How did this guy get in here and who is he?" So Brian said, "I'm recording next door. Would you come over and listen?" And Elvis looked at us; it's almost in spite of us since this guy had gotten through. He said, "Yeah, I'll go over."  So we went over, and Terry Melcher, Doris Day's son, was producing. Terry played a track for Elvis, and Brian said, "Do you think we have anything?" And Elvis said, "No." And we went back to our studio. Later, the security guys told us it was Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. elvis.com.au

•••

BRIAN WILSON: I was recording with Terry Melcher at RCA Victor Records in 1975. We were working on the song “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” Terry said, “Hey, Elvis is in the next studio recording.” That was a big surprise to hear he was in the studio next to me. So I walked into the studio and said, “Hi, I’m Brian Wilson,” and he goes, “Hello, Duke.” I don’t know why he called me Duke. I said, “Would you like to hear what I’m doing in the studio?” and he said yes. So we walked over to my studio and listened to what I was doing and then said he had to leave. It was a thrill to meet him and he was real happy to meet me. Rock Cellar, 2013

•••

BRIAN WILSON: Yeah, around 1969 we were recording in the same place as Elvis, and I asked him if he’d come across the way to our studio. He shook my hand and goes, “I’ve heard a lot about you. How you doin’, Duke?” He called me “Duke,” don’t ask me why. (laughs) So I figured okay, Elvis is like me, a joker, so I’m going to play a little joke on him. I knew he was a black belt, so I faked a karate chop and a kick at him. He blocked them both easily, and I started cracking up, to show him I was kidding, but he didn’t think it was funny and said, “Hey, Duke, don’t do that.” I said, “Hey man, I’m just kidding around.” So we talked about music for a few minutes, about “Good Vibrations,” and then the conversation sort of died down, so, to liven things up, I threw another karate chop at him. He backed up in his chair, says, “I’m a little worried about you, Duke,” and then signaled to his boys that they were leaving. I never saw him again. I regret that. He was quite an artist. Interview with Alex Simon, 2012

•••

What has been your most embarrassing moment? BRIAN WILSON: When I karate chopped Elvis Presley. He called me "Duke" - I was so nervous I acted stupid. It was in 1975 at RCA Victor Studios. After I did that, he said, "I gotta get outta here." The Guardian, 2004

BLESS HIS HEART.

This was definitely in 1975, not 1969, while Elvis was working on "Pieces of My Life" from the Today album. Around this time, Brian was mostly just fussing around in the studio, trying to come up with the Beach Boys' next album and attempting to produce small songs for other acts. Brian says he met Elvis while recording "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," which most likely means not his 1964 version but the version he was producing for California Music, a supergroup involving Terry Melcher, Bruce Johnston, Dean Torrence, and others.

This is the song he played for Elvis, most likely.

BRIAN: Do you think we have anything? ELVIS: No.

I agree with E, I think; you had to have the biggest brain imaginable to understand Brian's sound in the mid-'70s. The songs he'd come up with over the next two years are awesome, but weird, and you can tell this is an early effort in a period where he wasn't really trying very hard to complete anything. Actually laughing so hard at Elvis listening to this and just 😬

I don't think Elvis was actually mad or anything, there are a thousand stories of him and his bodyguards reacting quickly to any sudden movement and then relaxing once they realized it was just an overeager fan, and Brian is the biggest wild card, lmao. I'm sure if Elvis had no idea who he was at the time or how he got in, he was probably a bit unsettled but didn't want to be rude. Also very likely that Elvis was bored out of his mind recording in this time period and just wanted an excuse to procrastinate.

Getting back to the other ways they're connected, I love what Brian said, "Elvis is like me, a joker." That's so true. They are both always the Weirdest Person in the Room, which you can SEE in this brief meeting. It kind of makes me think they wouldn't get each other unless circumstances were ideal to really let loose. They both had bonkers, deadpan humor that would go over most people's heads, and they both loved playing pranks on people. I think they would enjoy talking about music and spirituality as well, though Brian would have to keep it to non-drug-related revelations. They are also both girl dads, and it makes me happy just to imagine Lisa, Carnie, and Wendy all playing together. Carnie and Lisa were almost the exact same age, born just two months apart. 🥺

And, to wrap up this incredibly pointless deep dive, what I would wish most is that them knowing each other would have sped up their mutual healing. Brian to me represents the impossible, one-in-a-million shot where the cycle of exploitation that befalls sensitive, genius people in the industry breaks, and someone who was taken advantage of regains control of their life and makes their art on their own terms. Like Elvis, Brian also dealt with enormous creative pressure at a young age, crippling stage fright, a sense of alienation from his peers, a longing to go beyond formulaic music and tap into deeper emotions, binge eating and general disregard for his own health, problems with overmedication, and eventually an abusive manager who controlled all aspects of his personal life. And just ... somehow, he got out of all that and got another chance. I dearly wish Elvis had had more time. Both their stories show how precious life is and how important it is that our loved ones advocate for us, even when we're unable or unready to advocate for ourselves. And to keep responding to the joy and humor and heart in ordinary experiences and people, even when life feels hard.

And they're both so funny, pleeeeeease.

[singeratlarge]

SUNDAY MUSIC VIDEO MATINEE: “Dumb Angel” live in concert— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1adaRT-TVpU   …This surrealistic pop song* came to me from a dream about where I grew up in Avis, Pennsylvania. In the dream, Brian Wilson showed up at my door, smoking a cigarette and driving a big car. He drove me and some kids to a Bible study at the CMA Church in Avis (now torn down). In the church sat Lewis Carroll, and near him was Elvis Presley, crying with his head in his arms. How I de-coded this dream is another story. 

In the context the word “angel” references the old Hebrew definition of cherubim as God’s messengers. The angel in this song is dumb, as in not being able to speak, yet he still delivers a message. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1adaRT-TVpU

* “Dumb Angel” was also the original working title of The Beach Boys masterwork, SMILE. On a cosmic jukebox, this song would play next to songs from the 1967-68 SMILEY SMILE/WILD HONEY/FRIENDS period of Beach Boys.

#dumbangel #angel #dream #avisPA #pennsylvania #brianwilson #beachboys #lewiscarroll #elvispresley #johnnyjblair #singeratlarge #biblestudy #smile #smileysmile #wildhoney #friends #chapel #ChristianMissionaryAlliance #CMAChurch

[corcarel]

my style is fluctuating so bad rn, so i practiced some stylized face studies. IDK man I’m just trying to fix my “every drawing has the same face” problem *sob sob* 

[theatrepup]

So I came across this NiX Rock n Roll comic recently. This guy is tempted to buy an amazing record collection from the Devil, who looks a lot like Brian Jones. Just a warning, the ending is rather sick (and not especially clever). I just liked the art work and cute references to "Sympathy for the Devil." ;D

[angels-and-demons]

Masky: one for the money, two for the show (Elvis)

Hoodie: one for the money, two for the show (Taylor Swift)

Nico: one for the money, and two for the show (Lana Del Rey)

Doby: one for the money, two for the hoes (Tyler the Creator)

Toby: One for the money, two is for the show (Escape the Fate)

[gerogerigaogaigar]

Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream

Not quite massively mainstream, but still a step above indie. A little too hazy to just be alternative rock, but not enough to be a full on shoegaze album. Somehow Siamese Dream manages to fall outside of the boxes it was aiming for, but the result is Smashing Pumpkins' most artistically sound release. They're more polished than on Gish, but it just helps put a finer point on their strengths. Corgan's voice is just far enough up on the mix to be fully intelligible, but not dominating it. The guitars are heavily layered and take up all the space they can in the mix whether the gentle acoustics of Sweet Sweet or the intensely heavy Geek U.S.A.. Corgan may be a megalomaniac, but this album really shows that he had a strong artistic vision at one point.

Snoop Dogg - Doggystyle

Where others were trying to be the toughest cop killingest rappers in the game, Snoop opted to be the weed smokingest biggest balls rapper. While still playing in the kayfabe of 90s hip hop he carves out a new niche as a disaffected cool guy who loves weed and doesn't really care what other people think. Snoop stands out from his peers not just because he perfectly embodies the Death Row Records G-Funk sound, but because his attitude necessitated a different type of flow. Snoop is so laid back in his delivery and rarely expresses anything other than mild amusement that anyone would be dumb enough to not want to be him. Somehow the attitude is infectious rather than annoying, and it drives the album to new highs that were unassailable even by Snoop himself who never quite topped his debut.

Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation 1814

The release of 86s Control cemented Janet Jackson as a pop giant, but it was the follow up that proved she was probably the most talented member of the Jackson family. Fully embracing the New Jack Swing sound that she had pioneered on Nasty, Rhythm Nation is full of funky Hip Hop beats. This album defined pop music in the 90s, practically everyone started incorporating Hip Hop into R&B. But none of the imitators ever found a balance of edginess and sweetness, of hard beats and bubbly pop that Janet Jackson managed on this record.

Brian Eno - Another Green World

This is Brian Eno in transition for sure. The ambient sounds of Discreet Music are barely present, but the quirky pop sensibilities of Here Come The Warm Jets fully abandoned. But there are no stepping stone albums in Eno's discography. Another Green World is just as much a fully fleshed out idea as anything else. In this case ethereal beauty is the driving force. There are still some pop sensibilities on songs like St. Elmo's Fire and I'll Come Running, but they lack the outright goofiness of his earlier work. Instead the album is driven by it's instrumentals and in true Eno fashion there are a swath of guest musicians here to flesh out the sound. Phil Collins, Robert Fripp, Percy Jones, and John Cale all make contributions and it really provides a lush atmosphere. Basically everything that Eno recorded, collaborated on, or produced is a masterpiece and Another Green World is one of his best.

Bob Dylan - John Wesley Harding

I feel like this is an underrated gem from Dylan's collection. It's main claim to fame is that it has the less popular version of All Along The Watchtower. I think Dylan actually nails the depression era hobo folk singer thing that he was clearly going for at the beginning of his career. Dear Landlord, I Am A Lonesome Hobo, and I Pity The Poor Immigrant all have strong Pete Seeger vibes while Drifter's Escape and I'll Be Your Baby Tonight are straight up country songs. It's a sharp turn from his electric era and I think Dylan is at his best when he's taking sharp turns.

Roxy Music - Avalon

I wasn't familiar with this album so I was surprised and quite happy to see that it's wholly unlike any other Roxy Music album I've heard before. Gone is the wry wit and glam quirkiness and in its place is raw romantic sincerity and smooth synths. This album has that sterile synth sound that I associate with albums that 70s prog bands put out in the 80s but it really works here. I think there's just more texture to the sounds, instead of plastic it sounds ethereal, haunted kinda. Like the kind of eerie unease that comes with letting yourself be truly known.

Bob Dylan and The Band - The Basement Tapes

I honestly think that Dylan's work with the band The Band is his best stuff. Both groups compliment each other really well and they seem to let loose when they team up. The basement tapes in particular feel a lot more fun than any other album by either artist on their own. Dylan is bluesier and The Band are a little less maudlin, like they were trying to make music in each other's style and both hit the same middle ground. It's prolly a little long, coming in over 70 minutes of music with an admittedly low level of variety, but the energy will definitely keep any blues rock or folk rock fans engaged for the full run.

Santana - Abraxas

Carlos Santana is a talented but uninspired guitarist. Come at me dads. I actually like this album a lot though. While Santana may only have one and a half guitar solos in his back pocket he also has a good sense for vibes and some great percussion. And his two smash hits are covers that blow the originals out of the water so he's doing something right. I only come down hard because Santana is treated like a guitar god or something and he really isn't but his style has influenced other better guitar players so I won't dismiss him outright.

Bill Withers - Still Bill

Bill Withers had an incredible way of dropping monstrous pop hits and still flying under the radar. It feels like instead of a string of hits he's just a one hit wonder five times in a row. Withers has all of the energy of early 70s funk and all the soul of a 60s Stax release. While overshadowed by some of his contemporaries Withers still should be seen as a titan of Soul music and this album shows it. Even funkier than his debut and led by a couple of beastly good singles. Use Me has the coolest funk grooves and Lean On Me is pretty much the platonic love song of all time.

Elvis Presley - s/t

How can I be even handed when taking about rock and roll's greatest colonizer? This album is unreviewable, do I like the music on it? Yes, I actually do. But even if I hated it you should still listen to it for the historical value. This album marks the beginning of the modern music industry. The sale of Elvis Presley's recording contract to colonel Tom Parker and RCA Records is a moment that changed musical history and this album, the result of that sale, is necessary listening for anyone that cares even a little bit about popular music. Elvis is non negotiable. You can't talk about Rome without talking about Caesar and you can't talk about popular music without talking about Elvis.

[krispyweiss]

Rolling Stones “Turn America on to its Own Music” in “Chronicles” Episode 1

- Online series runs six weeks

Before the Rolling Stones stole from American blues artists, Keith Richards fancied stealing from Mick Jagger, who was toting Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters albums when the two first crossed paths on a train.

“I’m looking at this guy (thinking), ‘What you’ve got under your arm is worth robbing,’” Richards says in an audio clip inside “Rolling Stones Chronicles” episode 1.

Soundtracked with “The Last Time,” the short film marks the beginning of a six-week series and sets forth the Stones’ formula for early success.

“Their contribution to the whole musical history was actually to turn America on to its own music,” the narrator says.

The episode is interspersed with video and still images of the young Stones and elder statesmen discussing the doldrums of pre-British Invasion, late-’50s, early-’60s rock. There’s talk of groovy records and going to prom and Little Richard notes that Elvis Presley and Pat Boone sold more copies of “Tutti Frutti” than he did.

“They opened a door that was locked that I couldn’t get in,” Richard says.

Subsequent episodes will be based around “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “She’s a Rainbow,” “Street Fighting Man,” “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and “Gimme Shelter.”

2/13/23

[draculovemp3]

my 6 favorite Christmas albums (+my 3 favorite songs)

Elvis Presley - Elvis’ Christmas Album

Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas

The Beach Boys - The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album

The Ronettes, Darlene Love, The Crystals, Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans - A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector

Jackson 5 - Jackson 5 Christmas Album

Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas

Queen - Thank God It’s Christmas

Justin Bieber - Mistletoe

Wham! - Last Christmas

[sofisofitas]

I was thinking about Elvis Presley's music, and I realized that he has something splendid in each of his songs. No matter how long the song is, it's going to have something going for it. And although they are all magical, each one has something that makes it stand out more than the previous one. In short, they are all extremely admirable. So Elvis is one of the best. But according to me, according to my tastes, Queen is also a very good band, who have and had extremely good potential. So Queen is also an admirable band, having its own magic. What am I going with this, I, with what little I know about music and without intending to offend, Queen and Elvis being two of my biggest musical interests, I would love to know your opinion.

[hardtickettohomevideo]

Schlocktoberfest XIV - Day 28: Sasquatch Sunset

Sasquatch Sunset (2024) Trailer:  *Spoilers Throughout* What’s This About: A family of Sasquatches in the woods run afoul of People. Here are some of my observations as I watched the film: Every day, I look at the world from my windowBut chilly, chilly is the evening timeSasquatch Sunset’s fine (Sasquatch Sunset’s fine) I should get my head examined for picking this since its stars my least…

[shelbgrey]

Rock n Roll request page:

Who I write for:

Buddy Holly

Ritchie valens

Brian Setzer

Elvis Presley

Eddie cochran

Guns n Roses

Message me for suggestions

[joons]

The fact that Brian Wilson had a little motivational Elvis picture on his keyboard when he was debuting Smile in 2004 makes me so happy.

[singeratlarge]

SONG OF THE WEEK: “Dumb Angel” https://johnnyjblairsingeratlarge.bandcamp.com/track/dumb-angel-3 —April is National Child Abuse Awareness Month. On that point, I offer a character in my song “Dumb Angel.” In the old Hebrew language, an angel was a messenger. More specifically, cherubs account directly to God. My “angel” in this song is dumb, as in mute. Hence, “Dumb Angel.” 

One day, the lyrics burst out of me as a “dream interpretation,” wherein Lewis Carroll, Elvis Presley, and Brian Wilson* paid a visit to Avis, Pennsylvania, a small town where I grew up. Much later, someone asked me what the song meant. Only then did it strike me that the song is “code” for how I coped with the light and dark sides of things that happened to me as a kid. In effect, the “Dumb Angel” is about healing from trauma, then rising above. An angel was always watching me! For the complete back story, go to the link below (feedback welcome).

* “Dumb Angel” was also Brian’s original working title of The Beach Boys masterwork, SMILE.

#dumbangel #brianwilson #denniswilson #beachboys #angel #hebrew #lewiscarroll #elvispresley #avis #pennsylvania #dream #trauma #johnnyjblair #singeratlarge #baroquepop #poprock #californiapop #sunshinepop #harpsichord