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Home , All Shook Up (musical), Arthur Crudup, Blue Hawaii, Blue Hawaii (soundtrack), Clambake (soundtrack), Elvis (miniseries)

October 2014

A Monthly Publication of the U.S. Consulate Krakow Volume X. Issue 120 K I N G

OF

R O C K

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R O L

Andy Warhol’s portrait of depicted as a cowboy. (AP Photo) L In this issue: Elvis Presley Zoom in on America The Elvis Presley Phenomenon Elvis Presley is not only the most popular rock ‘n’ roll singer of all time. He was also one of the first global ce- lebrities made possible in the second half of the 20th century by the development of mass media.

Tupelo, a of 35,000 inhabitants located in , After graduating from L.C. Humes High School in Mem- between Memphis, and Birmingham, Alabama, phis, Elvis took a number of jobs, including work as a mov- is best known for being the birthplace of Elvis Presley. The ie theater usher and a truck driver. He also continued to King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was born here on , 1935. play music and, before long, , owner of Sun Even though his adult life was associated with Memphis, Record, invited him to rehearse with guitarist where his family moved when he was 13, Presley did not and bassist . Their first recording session on July forget about Tupelo. In 1956, when he was 21 and already 5, 1954 was unsuccessful and the were about famous, he came to Tupelo to perform at the Mississippi- to go home when Presley took his and started play- Alabama State Fair & Dairy Show. He had performed at ing ’s “That’s All Right.” Moore recalled: the same fair when he was 10 years old. Upon arrival, Elvis was greeted with a large banner that said “Tupelo All of a sudden, Elvis just started this song, jump- Welcomes Elvis Presley Home,” and presented with a gui- ing around and acting the fool, and then Bill picked up his tar-shaped key to the city. One of the local restaurants of- bass, and he started acting the fool, too, and I started play- fered “Elvis Presley Specials with ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ prices.” ing with them. Sam, I think, had the door to the control A documentary film, The Homecoming: Tupelo Welcomes booth open ... he stuck his head out and said, ‘What are Elvis Home, made in 2006, recalls the occasion. you doing?’ And we said, ‘We don’t know.’ ‘Well, back up,’ he said, ‘try to find a place to start, and do it again.’ Elvis was very close to his parents, Gladys and Vernon (from : is Here to Stay: An Anthology, ed. William Presley. His mom gave him his first guitar when he was 12 McKeen) years old. An often told story is that Elvis owes his career to a recording he made privately for his mother in the local Phillips recorded them and soon after that “That’s All studio: it was then that people first took no- Right” appeared on a popular local radio show, Red, Hot, tice of his voice. Gladys Presley died at the age of 46 while and Blue. Listeners phoned in curious to find out who sang Elvis was serving in the army. Her death was a terrible the song. The recording became a local hit. Presley then blow to him. He never really came to terms with this loss. reached the top of the charts in 1955 with His 1970 hit song, “,” was about the song “.” In 1956 he scored his first num- her. ber one song on the so-called “Hot 100” with “.” , an early style of rock and roll music that was especially popular in the American South, fascinated Pre- Presley’s rise to fame was due in part from his ability to sley. Rockabilly blends American folk and musical combine country singing with rhythm and and rock styles (such as bluegrass and country) with rhythm and ‘n’ roll music, which was just beginning to reach great pop- blues. The term “rockabilly” was a combination of “rock” ularity. But Presley’s fame also was due to his personality (from “rock ‘n’ roll”) and “,” a slang term for people and stage presence. Put simply, he dressed and moved on living in the rural south. Western swing and boogie woogie stage in a way that was completely new to American - music also influenced rockabilly. ences. While older audiences had mixed opinions about

(left) A historical marker denotes the childhood home of Elvis Presley in Tupelo, Mississippi. (right): Fans tour the dining room at , Elvis Presley’s Memphis home. (AP Photo)

page 2 Presley, younger audiences - especially girls - loved this movies. His least favorite film wasClambake (1967), while new style. his favorite film was (1958). At times Presley had to accept a movie role to pay off his debts. In 1957 he After the success of his early songs, RCA Victor signed bought a ranch in Memphis: to pay off his debt he agreed Elvis Presley to a recording contract in a deal arranged by to play in , for which he was paid one million . Parker became the singer’s manager dollars. for over two decades. During his lifetime, Elvis earned an estimated $4.3 billion. He was not, however, a good man- Elvis’s fame meant sacrifices in his private life. His mar- ager of his finances. riage with Priscilla Beaulieu did not withstand the hard- ships dictated by his career. Their long relationship sealed Presley’s most popular during the , which by marriage in 1967 ended with a divorce in 1973. From earned him the status of a “living legend,” include: “Hound this marriage Elvis had his only child, , Dog” (1956), “Don’t Be Cruel” (1956), “” born in 1968. Life as a can bring with it a lot of (1956), “Love Me Tender” (1956), “” (1957), stress. To cope with the pressure and stress, Elvis resorted and “Jailhouse Rock” (1957). to taking prescription medications, which had a negative effect on his health. Weight was another health problem Presley also remained the top recording artist in the for Presley. Elvis put on a lot of weight over the years. His . He began the decade with hit songs “It’s Now or stage appearance changed greatly. Even though he lost Never” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” In total, Presley the boyish looks that characterized his two decades as a released a remarkable 136 gold records and ten platinum film star, Presley still had a powerful stage presence. His records. one-piece jumpsuits with tall collars and puffy sleeves; his embroidered velvet shirts; and his glimmering gold belts Presley’s fans wanted to see him as much as they want- have come to symbolize fashion style and are the ed to hear him sing. Millions of viewers tuned in to watch costume of choice of most Elvis Presley . his television appearances. Elvis Presley’s movies are a separate phenomenon. His first film was Love Me Ten- In spite of his declining health in the 1970s, Elvis continued der in 1956. It was met with such enthusiasm from fans to give concert performances in sold-out arenas. In fact he that when it played in theaters, it was impossible to hear died in his Graceland Mansion on , 1977, one the film’s dialogue over the screaming voices of fans. In day before he was supposed to start a new concert tour. all Elvis appeared in 33 movies and was a top box office draw for two decades. His films were popular in spite of Presley’s premature death at the age of 42 caused scenes the fact that most received bad reviews from movie critics of unparalleled mourning. Elvis’s legend lives on as much and were criticized for their weak story lines. The 1962 in his death as it did in his life. Graceland Mansion, which movie Girls! Girls! Girls! was the only Presley film to be Presley purchased in 1957, is the top tourist attraction in nominated for a Golden Globe award. Memphis and continues to be visited every year by tens of thousands of fans from America and around the world. One good thing about Presley’s movies is that they show- cased his music and featured new songs. Presley record- Presley was the first-ever inductee into three music halls ed the for all but one of his films - 1965’s Tickle of fame: the Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Me. All the songs on that film had been recorded previ- Hall of Fame and Country Hall of Fame. ously. Elvis himself had mixed feelings about many of his

Two stamps depicting Elvis Presley. (AP Photo) page 3 Elvis Presley is shown at the in the rec hall, Headquarters Com- Elvis Presley is seen in 1957. (AP Photo) pany, Third Armored Division, in Friedberg, Hesse, West Germany in the Spring of 1959. (AP Photo)

Priscilla Beaulieu Presley, left, and Elvis Presley cut the six-tiered cake Elvis Presley is shown on February 5, 1968 with his wife Priscilla and shortly after their wedding at the Aladdin Hotel-Casino in on their newly born daughter, Lisa Marie (AP Photo) May 1, 1967. (AP Photo/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

page 4 Elvis Presley’s guitar and Grammy Award at the Newseum. (AP Photo) A gold belt owned by Elvis Presley. (AP Photo)

A Mercedes-Benz 600 car, once owned by Elvis Presley. Presley kept the car, which was one of two 600 Mercedes he owned, for two years before giving it to a friend. (AP Photo)

Filipino Elvis Presley impersonators pose prior to a performance to pay The grave of Elvis Presley is decorated with tributes left by fans at tribute to the King of Rock ‘n Roll. (AP Photo) Graceland, his Memphis, Tennessee home. (AP Photo) page 5 Elvis Quiz Take the quiz. Choose the correct answer a.b or c. Sometimes more than one answer is correct.

1. At the time of his death, Elvis had sold more than: c. It Happened at the World’s Fair a. 600-million singles and albums 9. This movie was listed as one of the The 100 Most b. 100-million singles and albums Enjoyably Bad Movies Ever Made in the book The c. over a billion singles and albums Official Razzie Movie Guide:

2. Elvis’s debut in the movie industry was the movie: a. Harum Scarum b. Clambake a. Love Me Tender c. b. King Creole c. Fun in 10. Elvis was a fan of this sport:

3. In all Elvis Presley starred in ... movies: a. b. wrestling a. 10 c. football b. 33 c. 44 11. Elvis’s most famous dance in his movies was in this film: 4. Presley’s movies did very well at the box-office earning more than: a. King Creole b. G.I. Blues a. $ 10 million total c. Jailhouse Rock b. $ 25 million total c. $ 150 million total 12. Elvis’s favorite car was:

5. Elvis’s comeback in the 1970s began with live con- a. Cadillac certs in: b. Chevrolet c. Pontiac a. New York b. 13. Elvis got his first guitar from: c. Las Vegas a. his father 6. Elvis Presley’s Memphis home is: b. his mother c. the owner of Sun Record, Sam Phillips a. Graceland b. Manhattan 14. King of Thailand and Princess of , Nor- c. Paradise way and Sweden visited the studio to meet Presley on the set of this film: 7. Apart from Elvis sang other musical genres: a. G.I. Blues b. Love Me Tender a. gospel c. Blue b. blues c. pop 15. In this movie Elvis played himself:

8. The first movie filmed after Presley was discharged a. from the army on 24th March 1960 was: b. Elvis: That’s the Way It Is c. Live a Little, Love a Little a. G.I. Blues b. King Creole 16. Which of the nicknames below was not given to c. Love Me Tender Elvis Presley:

9. The famous diptych of Elvis Presley as a cowboy a. The Pelvis made by came from a film: b. The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll c. Guitar Boy a. b.

page 6 Activity Page Win a Prize! Exercise 1 DO YOU KNOW ELVIS PRESLEY’S October 2014 SONGS CONTEST Read the lines from Elvis Presley’s famous songs and match them with the titles of the songs on the right: What is the most famous nickname of Elvis Presley? 1. “You can do anything but lay off of my Blue Suede Shoes” a. “Are You Lone- some Tonight? “ Send the answer 2. “May your days be merry and bright, / And may all your (with your home address) to: Christmases be white”. b. “Love Me Ten- der” [email protected] 3. “Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree / Won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me” c. “Suspicion” Deadline: November 15 4. “Let’s rock, everybody, let’s rock. / Everybody in the whole d. “In the ” cell block” Win a Prize! e. “Blue Christ- 5. “Well, since , / I found a to mas” The answer to dwell.” the September f. “I Slipped, I Stum- 6. “You have made my life complete, / and I love you so.” contest was: bled, I Fell” 7. “My mama, she done told me, papa done told me too / g. “Return to Send- Abigail Adams “Son, that gal you’re foolin’ with / She ain’t no good for you” er”

The winners are: 8. “Can’t buy a house, can’t buy a lot / Ain’t got a bean, I ain’t h. “She’s Not You” got a pot” i. “That’s All Right” Kamila from Bilgoraj, Elzbie- 9. “I look at you and wham, I’m head over heels / I guess that ta from Warszawa and Mag- love is a banana peel” j. “Jailhouse Rock” dalena from Starokrzepice 10. “Wise men say only fools rush in / but I can’t help falling k. “Don’t Cry Dad- in love with you” CONGRATULATIONS!!! dy” 11. “Ev’rytime you kiss me / I’m still not certain that you love l. “White Christ- The prizes will be sent to you me” mas” by mail. 12. “I gave a letter to the postman, / He put it his sack.” m. “It’s Now or Nev- er” 13. “Now that your near / the time is here at last.” Zoom is online at n. “You Don’t Know www.usinfo.pl/zoom/ 14. “Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there? / Is Me” your heart filled with pain, shall I come back again? Free subscription o. “I Can’t Help [email protected] 15. “She even kisses me like you used to do. / And it’s just Falling in Love” breaking my heart” Contact us at p. “Heartbreak Ho- 16. “And anyone can tell / You think you know me well” tel” [email protected] 17. “As the snow flies / On a cold and gray mornin’ r. “Blue Suede American Information / A poor little baby child is born” Shoes” Resource Center Krakow 18. “The old home town looks the same, / As I step down s “Poor Boy” Konsulat Generalny USA from the train,” ul. Stolarska 9, t. “Green, Green 31-043 Krakow 19. “Daddy, you’ve still got me and little Tommy / Together Grass of Home” [email protected] we’ll find a brand new mommy” page 7 An ice sculpture of Elvis Presley stands in the Polish capital after heavy snow Warsaw, Poland, Tuesday, January 12, 2010. (AP Photo)

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