Fonte: https://www.elvispresleynews.com/elvis-vegas-interview/
Elvis Presley Las Vegas – Elvis Presley Vegas – Elvis Vegas – Elvis Live Elvis Concert - Dopo il concerto di apertura a Las Vegas nel 1969, Elvis Presley rilasciò un’intervista rara:
Elvis in Las Vegas – Elvis Vegas conferenza stampa 1969 – Elvis in Concert
Subito dopo lo spettacolo di apertura di Elvis Presley a Las Vegas presso l’ International Hilton il 29 luglio 1969, ormai non più sotto contratto con Hollywood e con il successo del 68’ Television Special fresco di messa in onda, troviamo un Elvis maturo ravvivato dal suo ritorno alle esibizioni dal vivo su un palco.
Per l’opening night, Elvis aveva eliminato il grasso di Hollywood. Ora magro e bello, sano e rilassato in un semplice abito nero, sostiene le domande della stampa con tutta la spavalderia di un'icona mentre si siede e prende un lungo sorso d'acqua.
Senza il beneficio che una domanda potesse bruciarlo, Elvis è entrato nel suo gioco. "Su come sono entrato in questo business e come ho iniziato, dove e quando, e così via... si è scritto così tanto che la gente nemmeno conosce la vera storia" ha spiegato Elvis nel suo freddo accento del sud.
"Quando ero un ragazzo, mi sono sempre visto come un eroe nei fumetti e nei film. Sono cresciuto credendo in questo sogno... Appena uscito dal liceo guidavo un camion. Sai, ero solo un povero ragazzo di Memphis, Memphis", ha detto Elvis, rimarcando il nome della sua casa con un esagerato accento del sud. "Guidavo un camion e mi esercitavo per diventare elettricista". Sorrideva. "Suppongo che, lungo la strada, mi sono in qualche modo connesso nel modo sbagliato", ha sottolineato Elvis ridendo.
"Un giorno, sono entrato in uno studio di registrazione e ho fatto un disco per un tipo che si chiamava Sam Phillips della Sun Records. Ha fatto uscire il disco in circa una settimana. Avevo ripreso a guidare il camion e me n’ero dimenticato. Cavolo, quel disco è uscito e, a Memphis, andava davvero alla grande. Hanno iniziato a suonarlo, ed è diventato molto richiesto. Non so perché? (ride) I testi non avevano significato. Ero solo un ragazzo, che cantava awopah-awh-a-awh su un disco," Elvis ha detto imitando i suoi vocalizzi.
"Comunque, hanno pubblicato il disco e, nel Sud, è diventato abbastanza importante e richiesto. Ma avevo mantenuto ancora il mio lavoro. Guidavo un camion di giorno e lavoravo nei nightclub di notte... e cose del genere”.
Il documentario del concerto del 1970 è stato revisionato, ristampato ed ora è in vendita! Il pubblico che potrà vedere il risultato di quest'ultima offerta, potrà godere dei superbi istinti musicali e del puro carisma dell'uomo che, negli anni '50, da solo, definì il Rock-n-Roll.
Diretto da Denis Sanders, il documentario, inizialmente pubblicato nel 1970, racconta le trionfali apparizioni di Elvis a Las Vegas, ampiamente acclamate dai fan di Elvis.
La nuova versione è stata largamente rielaborata, con l’aggiunta di più di mezz'ora di un nuovo concerto, nonché riprese delle prove ed è più concentrata sul processo creativo di Elvis che sulla sua celebrità. Il nuovo progetto è stato guidato dal produttore Rick Schmidling, l'editore Michael Salomon e il mixer Bruce Botnick.
A differenza dell'attore dei precedenti 29 film in formula hollywoodiana, in questo documentario Elvis prende vita davanti alla telecamera, sia quando si diverte con i suoi musicisti durante le prove sia quando si perde nella musica sul palco. Elvis è al suo meglio dal vivo, davanti a un pubblico.
Non appena "Heartbreak Hotel" nel 1956 creò il The Pelvis, Elvis si era diretto verso Hollywood. Poiché il rock 'n'roll veniva visto come una moda passeggera, Elvis aveva convinto il suo manager, Col.Tom Parker, ad attivarsi per la realizzazione del suo sogno di diventare un attore, come lo erano i suoi eroi James Dean e Marlon Brando.
Sicuramente Elvis ha fatto qualche film decente, ma ogni speranza di essere un attore serio è stata presto sabotata da Parker, che voleva garanzie a lungo termine, grandi quantità di soldi, oltre che il controllo creativo dei film. Così, la promessa di film quali "Loving You", "Jailhouse Rock" e "King Creole" ha lasciato il posto a racconti di viaggio, belle donne, e colonne sonore asinine. Presley si lamentava in privato, ma nell’arco di 16 anni, aveva continuato a girare 31 film a Hollywood.
Elvis riceveva recensioni entusiastiche e stabilì record al botteghino che nemmeno Frank Sinatra era riuscito ad eguagliare.
Dopo un secondo spettacolare ingaggio all'International nel gennaio 1970, Parker firmò per realizzare un documentario sul terzo ingaggio di Presley all’International, con la MGM. Col senno di poi, il documentario avrebbe potuto essere più possente qualora Sanders l'avesse girato durante il secondo ingaggio.
Spinto dalla sfida di esibirsi ad un pubblico dal vivo dopo un decennio di distanza, Elvis era completamente concentrato nei primi due ingaggi. Tuttavia, entro l'estate la sfida era già finita, ed Elvis stava rapidamente diventando una caricatura di se stesso. Eppure, alcuni suoi momenti sono emozionanti, soprattutto quando l’Elvis-uomo non ingabbiato, riesce a rendere tutte le sue canzoni un'esperienza unica.
"Nel 1956 incontrai il colonnello Sanders" Elvis scoppiò in una risata "No, no, Parker, voglio dire Parker. Ha organizzato per farmi andare in televisione." Elvis fece un respiro profondo ricordando quello sgradevole episodio quando fu costretto a cantare HOUND DOG ad un bassotto con il cilindro in testa.
"Così mi hanno messo in televisione. E si è scatenato di tutto. E 'stato folle. Vi dico di sicuro. Ho fatto l’ Ed Sullivan show, quattro volte. Ho fatto lo show di Steve Allen. Ho fatto lo show di Jackie Gleason. Mi hanno fatto cantare ad un cane e mi hanno filmato da qui in su" disse Elvis mettendosi la mano alla cinta.
"Per tutto il tempo, mi dicevano. “Hey! Tu! Stai fermo! Stai fermo!” E loro continuavano a chiedermi “Di dove sei ragazzo bianco?” Dissi loro, Memphis, Memphis. Pensarono: «È un manichino, lo metteremo dietro." Elvis scoppiò a ridere. "Devo dirtelo", continuò Elvis in tono cupo. "La prima volta che ho fatto un'audizione per il talent show di Arthur Godffrey mi hanno rifiutato! Hanno detto, “Fallo uscire di qui! Fallo uscire!" Hanno preso quel coglione, invece! Come si chiama?
Elvis guardò verso suo padre per avere la risposta. Vernon alzò le spalle. "Pat Boone, sì, era Pat. Per me andava bene, perché aveva una bella voce...” " Comunque, più tardi mi mandarono a Hollywood. Per fare film. Era tutto nuovo per me. Avevo solo 21 anni... Quando urlarono “azione” Aaah non sapevo cosa fare. Così ho urlato, Memphis! Memphis!" scherzò, mentre si strofinava la spalla destra. "Mi hanno guardato e hanno detto: questo è tutto ciò che possiamo ottenere da lui... '"
"Ho fatto quattro film, e nel 1958, sono stato reclutato... sono entrato nell'esercito e ci sono rimasto un paio d'anni. È stato un sacco divertente... Mi hanno tagliato i capelli e tutta quella roba lì. Ero un soldato, ora." Elvis si alzò e salutò. "Sì, signore!" .... "Subito dopo, ero fuori servizio e facevo film di nuovo. Il mio primo film si chiamava GI BLUES e pensavo di essere ancora nell'esercito", disse Elvis, sbattendo le palpebre e girando la testa come se non sapesse dove fosse. "Ho fatto dei bei film che mi sono andati molto bene, come "Blue Hawaii"... e anche qualcuno preferibilmente da dimenticare!"
Quando gli è stato chiesto se pensasse che fosse stato un errore pubblicare quei terribili album di colonne sonore, Elvis ha ammesso: "Sicuramente a Hollywood ho perso la mia direzione musicale. Le mie canzoni erano come quelle di un nastro trasportatore di produzione di massa, proprio come lo erano la maggior parte dei miei film... Ora sono tornato e sono sulla strada giusta..." Ha alzato il bicchiere, ha surriscaldato la stampa. "Quei film mi hanno sicuramente messo in difficoltà. Voglio fare ammenda. Mi mancava molto lavorare dal vivo, di fronte a un pubblico, ecco perché sono qui..." Elvis si è alzato e ha fatto un inchino. I giornalisti si sono lanciati in una standing ovation. Con voce soffice e gentile, ha finito esclamando. "Spero di non averti annoiato troppo, con la storia della mia vita ."
di Lea Frydman
Traduzione di Loretta Fornezza
******************************************
Qui l'articolo originale
Fonte: https://www.elvispresleynews.com/elvis-vegas-interview/
Elvis Vegas Interview
Elvis Presley Las Vegas – Elvis Presley Vegas – Elvis Vegas – Elvis Live Elvis Concert After opening concert in Las Vegas 1969 Elvis Presley gave this rare interview
Elvis in Las Vegas – Elvis Vegas Press Interview 1969 – Elvis in Concert Throughout his lifetime Elvis gave very few interviews. When he did, the questions where so blase we discovered little about the man behind the legend. In this rare interview, the first in 9 years Elvis spoke determined to set the record straight while displaying an ability to joke about himself. Following the opening of Elvis Presley Las Vegas show at the International Hilton on 29 July 1969. No longer contracted to Hollywood and with the success of 68′ Television Special looming fresh, a mature Elvis was reawakened with his return to performing live on stage.
For opening night, Elvis trimmed off the Hollywood fat. Now slim and handsome, looking healthy and relaxed in a simple black suit, he held off the press questions with all the bravado of an icon while he seated himself and took a deliberate, long sip of water.
Without the benefit of one question being fired, Elvis went into his spiel. “How I got in this business and how I got started, where and when, and so forth… Its been written up so many times, people don’t even know – the true story,” Elvis explained in his cool Southern accent.
“When I was a boy, I always saw myself as a hero in comic books and in movies. I grew up believing this dream… When I got outta High School I was driving a truck. Ya know, I was just a poor-boy from Memphis, Memphis,” said Elvis, denoting the name of his home with an exaggerated Southern accent. “I was driving a truck and training to be an electrician. He grinned. “I suppose I got wired the wrong way round somewhere along the line,” laughed, Elvis.
For opening night, Elvis trimmed off the Hollywood fat. Now slim and handsome, looking healthy and relaxed in a simple black suit, he held off the press questions with all the bravado of an icon while he seated himself and took a deliberate, long sip of water.
Without the benefit of one question being fired, Elvis went into his spiel. “How I got in this business and how I got started, where and when, and so forth… Its been written up so many times, people don’t even know – the true story,” Elvis explained in his cool Southern accent.
“When I was a boy, I always saw myself as a hero in comic books and in movies. I grew up believing this dream… When I got outta High School I was driving a truck. Ya know, I was just a poor-boy from Memphis, Memphis,” said Elvis, denoting the name of his home with an exaggerated Southern accent. “I was driving a truck and training to be an electrician. He grinned. “I suppose I got wired the wrong way round somewhere along the line,” laughed, Elvis.
“One day, I went into a recording studio and made a record for a guy named Sam Phillips on Sun Records. He put the record out in about a week. I went back to driving a truck and just forgot about it. Man, that record came out and was real big in Memphis. They started playing it, and it got real big. Don’t know why? (laughs) The lyrics had no meaning. I was just this kid, who went awopah-awh-a-awh on record,” Elvis said impersonating his vocals.
“Anyway, they put the record out and it got pretty big in the South. But I still had my job. Awh was driving a truck daytimes and working nightclubs at night… and things like t
The 1970 concert documentary has been re-mastered, revised and is on sale now! This latest offering audience’s get to see the superb musical instincts and raw charisma of the man who, single-handedly defined Rock-n-Roll in the ’50s.
Directed by Denis Sanders, the documentary chronicles Elvis’ triumphant Las Vegas appearances – which were widely cheered Elvis fans when first, released in 1970.
“Anyway, they put the record out and it got pretty big in the South. But I still had my job. Awh was driving a truck daytimes and working nightclubs at night… and things like t
The 1970 concert documentary has been re-mastered, revised and is on sale now! This latest offering audience’s get to see the superb musical instincts and raw charisma of the man who, single-handedly defined Rock-n-Roll in the ’50s.
Directed by Denis Sanders, the documentary chronicles Elvis’ triumphant Las Vegas appearances – which were widely cheered Elvis fans when first, released in 1970.
The ‘new’ version has been vastly reworked with more than half an hour of new concert and rehearsal footage that focuses more on Elvis’s creative process than his celebrity. Producer Rick Schmidling, editor Michael Salomon and rerecording mixer Bruce Botnick, spearheaded the new project.
Unlike the actor of the previous 29 Hollywood formula films, Elvis comes alive in front of the camera in this documentary, whether horsing around with his musicians during rehearsal or losing himself on stage in the music. Elvis is a t his consummated best in front of a live audience.
As soon as, “Heartbreak Hotel” established the Pelvis in 1956, Elvis headed for Hollywood. Just as rock ‘n’ roll was viewed as a passing fad, Elvis enticed his manager, Col. Tom Parker, to help make his dream come true of becoming an actor like his heroes James Dean and Marlon Brando.
Unlike the actor of the previous 29 Hollywood formula films, Elvis comes alive in front of the camera in this documentary, whether horsing around with his musicians during rehearsal or losing himself on stage in the music. Elvis is a t his consummated best in front of a live audience.
As soon as, “Heartbreak Hotel” established the Pelvis in 1956, Elvis headed for Hollywood. Just as rock ‘n’ roll was viewed as a passing fad, Elvis enticed his manager, Col. Tom Parker, to help make his dream come true of becoming an actor like his heroes James Dean and Marlon Brando.
Sure Elvis made a few decent films, but any hopes of being a serious actor were soon sabotaged by Parker, who wanted long-term, big-money guarantees rather than creative control of the films. So, the promise of such films as, “Loving You,” “Jailhouse Rock” and “King Creole” gave way to travelogue tales, pretty women, and asinine soundtracks. Presley complained in private, but he continued to make 31 Hollywood movies over 16 years.
Elvis received rave reviews and set box-office records that even Frank Sinatra couldn’t match. After a second spectacular engagement at the International in January 1970, Parker signed with MGM to do a documentary of Presley’s third International stint . In retrospect, the documentary might have been stronger if Sanders had shot it during the second engagement.
Driven by the challenge of performing to a live audience after a decade away, Elvis was thoroughly focused in the first two engagements. However, by the summer the challenge was gone, and Elvis was fast becoming a caricature of his former self. Still, some insightful moments are thrilling, when Elvis like a man un-caged, makes all his songs a unique experience.
In 1956 I met Colonel Sanders,” Elvis burst into a laugh. “Nay, nay, Parker, I mean Parker. He arranged to have me go on television.” Elvis drew a deep breath remembering the unsavory episode of being forced to sing HOUND DOG to a basset dog dressed in a top hat.
“So they put me on television. And the whole thing broke loose. It was wild. I tell ya for sure. I did the Ed Sullivan show, four times. I did the Steve Allen show. I did the Jackie Gleason show. They had me singing to a dog and filmed me from here up,” Elvis put his hand to his waist.
“All the time, they were telling me. ‘Hey! You! Stand still! Stand still!’ And they kept asking me, ‘we’re you from white-boy?’ I told them, Memphis, Memphis. They thought, ‘he’s a dummy, we’ll just put him in back.” Elvis broke up and laughed. “I gotta tell you,” continued Elvis in a somber tone. “The first time I auditioned for the Arthur Godffrey talent show they turned me down! They said, ‘m-a-n get him outta here! Get him out!” They took that jerk-off, instead! What’s his name?
Elvis received rave reviews and set box-office records that even Frank Sinatra couldn’t match. After a second spectacular engagement at the International in January 1970, Parker signed with MGM to do a documentary of Presley’s third International stint . In retrospect, the documentary might have been stronger if Sanders had shot it during the second engagement.
Driven by the challenge of performing to a live audience after a decade away, Elvis was thoroughly focused in the first two engagements. However, by the summer the challenge was gone, and Elvis was fast becoming a caricature of his former self. Still, some insightful moments are thrilling, when Elvis like a man un-caged, makes all his songs a unique experience.
In 1956 I met Colonel Sanders,” Elvis burst into a laugh. “Nay, nay, Parker, I mean Parker. He arranged to have me go on television.” Elvis drew a deep breath remembering the unsavory episode of being forced to sing HOUND DOG to a basset dog dressed in a top hat.
“So they put me on television. And the whole thing broke loose. It was wild. I tell ya for sure. I did the Ed Sullivan show, four times. I did the Steve Allen show. I did the Jackie Gleason show. They had me singing to a dog and filmed me from here up,” Elvis put his hand to his waist.
“All the time, they were telling me. ‘Hey! You! Stand still! Stand still!’ And they kept asking me, ‘we’re you from white-boy?’ I told them, Memphis, Memphis. They thought, ‘he’s a dummy, we’ll just put him in back.” Elvis broke up and laughed. “I gotta tell you,” continued Elvis in a somber tone. “The first time I auditioned for the Arthur Godffrey talent show they turned me down! They said, ‘m-a-n get him outta here! Get him out!” They took that jerk-off, instead! What’s his name?
Elvis looked to his father for the answer. Vernon shrugged his shoulders. “Pat Boone, yea, it was Pat. That was okay by me, cause he had a pretty good voice…””Anyway, later on they send me to Hollywood. To make movies. It was all new to me. I was only 21 years old… When they yelled ‘action’ Aaah didn’t know what to do. So I yelled, Memphis! Memphis!” joked, Elvis jerking his right shoulder. “They looked at me and said, ‘Is that all we can get outta him…'”
“I made four movies, and in 1958, I got drafted… I went into the army and stayed a couple of years. That was loads-a-fun…They made a big deal outta cuttin’ all my hair off and all that jazz. I was a soldier, now.” Elvis stood up and saluted. “Yes sir!” …. “The next thing I knew, I was out of the service and making movies, again. My first picture was called, GI BLUES and I thought I was still in the army, ” said Elvis, blinking madly and turned his head around as if not knowing where he was. “I did some good picture that did very well for me, like Blue Hawaii… and some pretty forgettable ones too!”
When asked whether he felt it had been a mistake to release those terrible soundtrack albums, Elvis admitted, “I sure lost my musical direction in Hollywood. My songs were the same conveyor belt mass production, just like most of my movies were… Now I’m back and on the right road…” He raised his glass, toasted the press. “Those movies sure got me into a rut. I want to make amends. I really missed working live, in front of an audience, that’s why I’m here…” Elvis stood up and took a bow. The reporters gave him a standing ovation. In a soft polite voice, he ended. “Ah hope I didn’t bore you too much, with mah life story…”
“I made four movies, and in 1958, I got drafted… I went into the army and stayed a couple of years. That was loads-a-fun…They made a big deal outta cuttin’ all my hair off and all that jazz. I was a soldier, now.” Elvis stood up and saluted. “Yes sir!” …. “The next thing I knew, I was out of the service and making movies, again. My first picture was called, GI BLUES and I thought I was still in the army, ” said Elvis, blinking madly and turned his head around as if not knowing where he was. “I did some good picture that did very well for me, like Blue Hawaii… and some pretty forgettable ones too!”
When asked whether he felt it had been a mistake to release those terrible soundtrack albums, Elvis admitted, “I sure lost my musical direction in Hollywood. My songs were the same conveyor belt mass production, just like most of my movies were… Now I’m back and on the right road…” He raised his glass, toasted the press. “Those movies sure got me into a rut. I want to make amends. I really missed working live, in front of an audience, that’s why I’m here…” Elvis stood up and took a bow. The reporters gave him a standing ovation. In a soft polite voice, he ended. “Ah hope I didn’t bore you too much, with mah life story…”
