Letter: The men who launched Elvis
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Now that 20 years have lapsed since the King of Rhythm and Blues died, it is time to tell the truth about Elvis.
Elvis was the first white Rhythm and Blues singer, everyone would agree on that; but he didn't play the music. The music was played by the first white Rhythm and Blues band and that band gave Elvis his original sound.
Elvis found getting the blues sound of the vocals hard and some of his early blues recordings took him over 100 takes to perfect. However those original recordings made by Elvis and the white studio musicians stand as the best white Rhythm and Blues ever recorded.
The band went on to record under the name of the Bill Black Combo, and their vocalist, Elvis, went on to be the King of Holliwooden music. Elvis stood at the Blues crossroads and sold his soul to become king of all the world. But what did it profit him? He'd lost his Soul.
PETE BAXTER
Hove,
East Sussex
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments