Elvis Was
The Originator of the White Jumpsuit!
By Jonathon Bates
Elvis Presley will go down in history as, The King Of
Rock-And-Roll. His music and life was truly legendary. One of
the things that made Elvis so unique was how he dressed. Elvis
was noted for the white jumpsuit, as he wore in the 1970s. Did
you know that Elvis actually helped design the jumpsuit?
Before Elvis, it would be difficult to find
other entertainers who dressed in the white jumpsuit. When Elvis
made his comeback in 1968, he wore a black leather suit.
However, following this time, Elvis began wearing the white
jumpsuit. Naturally, Elvis had a personal tailor who took
suggestions from the king for creating and customizing the white
jumpsuit.
Elvis stated that he wanted a costume that
was unique, and flashy. He wanted something different. He also
wanted a piece of clothing that was similar to a karate outfit,
so he could move around with ease. Elvis described that he
wanted it to be able to breathe. He requested bell bottoms,
flared wrist cuffs, and the high collar.
Did you know that Elvis was the creator of
the high collar style in coats and costumes? Do you know why
Elvis wanted the high collar? It was because he felt that his
neck was too thin and long.
I believe it was just one of those
self-conscious things that Elvis was concerned with personally.
The high collar was to make his neck appear, not as long.
Elvis also added the flashy details, along
with the big belt. On some of the jumpsuits, Elvis added
tassels. It is said, that Elvis went through many styles,
examples, and prototypes of the white jumpsuit before he made
his final decision on what he would actually wear on stage. When
his tailor came up with what we know of as the jumpsuit, Elvis
was pleased with this look and chose it.
Throughout the years, Elvis assisted in
designing additional jumpsuits, of different colors, styles,
with different details. However, all of the jumpsuits have
similar aspects, and were always flashy and "Elvis-like."
Elvis' choice in the jumpsuit costume made
quite an impact on his fans and the public in general. Many
other entertainers copied off of Elvis' look, style, and costume
following Elvis' comeback.
For example, the Osmond Brothers wore
jumpsuits on stage when they were popular. Bobby Sherman copied
Elvis' look, as well. They all had the dark hair that contrasted
the white jumpsuit, which added resolution, and made them
standout better on stage.
The Brady Bunch even copied this style in
a few of their television episodes. They also more matching
jumpsuits on some of the tours they completed, along with their
television specials.
Elvis finalized his jumpsuit look, with
adding the silk scarf. Elvis was the originator of wearing the
silk scarf on stage, as well. Elvis wanted something that he
could wipe his sweat with. The silk scarfs further contributed
to the contrast of his outfit, while providing him with
something to wipe his sweat, and throw out in the audience, as a
novelty stunt.
When fans started requesting Elvis to wipe
his sweat and throw the scarves out, he had hundreds made, and
made it a part of his regular routine on stage.
Now, Elvis impersonators all over the
world are seen in white jumpsuits. In fact, Elvis impersonators
have worn so many different styled white jumpsuits, they've
almost worn the look out.
However, Elvis was the true originator of
the white jumpsuit. His innovative thinking is what created that
look. No doubt, that look is what contributed to what makes
Elvis Presley so unique in our minds.
Jonathon Bates is a reporter and
researcher of past myths and legends of Rock and Roll, and
publisher for various news programs and publications. His
weekly column can be read at
http://www.searchforelvis.com
|
The Truth About Elvis Aron Presley: In His Own
Words; Part One
By Jonathon Bates
The author of this book absolutely sparks the imagination of
readers with new information revealed about Elvis Presley. Donald
Hinton, MD, is a medical doctor who has specialized in the field
of psychiatry. The physician lives in the State of Missouri and
practices medicine at two different hospitals. But this is not
what his new book is about. Dr. Hinton claims that a mutual friend
introduced him to Elvis Presley.
Dr. Hinton explains that Elvis Presley is
indeed alive and well. However, he suffers from chronic pain
syndrome. When a mutual friend introduced him to Elvis, he
discovered some differences with the man claiming to be the former
King of Rock-and-Roll. It seems that Elvis has changed his name to
Jesse. This is the name of Elvis' twin brother, who died at birth.
From this point on, I will address Elvis, as Jesse, as Dr. Hinton
has done.
When Dr. Hinton met Jesse, he examined him
as a patient. He discovered that Jesse suffered from chronic pain
syndrome. Even though this is not his area of specialty, the
physician was able to treat Jesse for his problem. During the time
he treated Jesse, he developed a close relationship with him. Dr.
Hinton claims that it's easy to see that Jesse is Elvis. Aside
from aging, the man is obviously Elvis Presley.
Dr. Hinton claims that Jesse was able to go
to his former home, Graceland, and find a pair of cuff links in
his former bedroom. He claims that Jesse gave him the cuff links
as further proof of his identity. When Dr. Hinton tries to probe
Jesse as to how he's financially surviving these days, he finds
out that Jesse has a number of liquid assets and cash to last him
for a long time. However, he was vanquished from his former home,
Graceland, when Elvis Presley Enterprises found out about him.
Dr. Hinton explains that he was intrigued
that Jesse has no credibility in the eyes of his former friends
and family. However, given the evidence provided by Jesse, he
found it not impossible for his story to be true.
Dr. Hinton claims that Jesse also offers
various FBI files that would be difficult for anyone else but
Elvis to get. Dr. Hinton claims that Jesse is living a very
secluded life, but enjoys day-to-day activities that Elvis never
could experience.
Although the book is about Dr. Hinton's
relationship with Jesse, it is considered an autobiography.
I really liked the detail that Dr. Hinton
provides in his book regarding the different times he met and
visited with Jesse, along with some details regarding the FBI
files. He gives details about Elvis's voice and uncanny
similarities between Jesse and Elvis. His detail seems to make his
story very credible.
However, what I don't like about the book is
that he doesn't give specific information as to what Jesse is
doing presently. He also doesn't give specific information where
Jesse is living. It seems that Jesse has several different homes,
each in different states.
At first I thought that the book was an
attempt to capitalize on Elvis Presley. Even though I have not
dismissed this suspicion, it cannot be denied that Dr. Hinton has
provided information to his readers that would not be available
unless one had a connection with Elvis.
Obviously, the truth exists. However, as in
many other books and claims, you must come to your own conclusion.
Jonathon Bates is a reporter and
researcher of past myths and legends of Rock and Roll, and
publisher for various news programs and publications. His
weekly column can be read at
http://www.searchforelvis.com
|
New Elvis
Presley Song Emerges
By Jonathon Bates
In May 2006, information was released to the press and public
regarding a song that was cowritten by Elvis Presley. The songs were
never published or released until now. Paul Terry King recently
announced that he, and Elvis Presley, cowrote the songs titled,
'Rollin' Up Hill' and 'If I'd Only Bought Her Roses', in the fall of
1970.
Paul Terry King, a songwriter of several
popular country and pop songs in the 1960s and 1970s, recently
submitted a press release specifying details about the songs. Mr.
King claims while working with artists at American Recording Studio
in Memphis Tennessee, he worked with Elvis Presley, and cowrote two
songs titled 'Rollin' Up Hill' and 'If I'd Only Bought Her Roses'.
Paul Terry King explains that this was several of many recording
sessions, one of which produced the hit song, 'Suspicious Minds'.
Paul Terry King claims that Elvis visited him
in Nashville to write other songs, as well. He states that he and
Elvis had many conversations about world politics, current events,
religion, family and children, marriage and love, and several other
subjects.
Mr. King explains that Elvis had an explicit
interest in writing music, as well as recording and performing.
However, he was unsure about releasing any self published works at
the time due to uncertainty as to how well it would do, and how his
manager would respond.
However, Mr. King goes on to explain how the
songs were created. Elvis came to his home in late 1970. He tells
the story that he and Elvis conversed for many hours into the night,
and early morning, as several new music works emerged. Mr. King goes
on to explain that Elvis was much more talented than people pay him
credit. Elvis was a good actor and continued to hope for better and
more dramatic roles. He also aspired to develop into a good
songwriter as well. The song 'If I'd Only Bought Her Roses', is
about a man who desires to have another chance with his only love,
and wishes he'd done things differently. Note that it is not hard to
imagine Elvis in that certain frame of mind with what he was
experiencing in his own personal life.
The other song, 'Rollin' Up Hill', is about
overcoming life's obstacles in the midst of a man facing all odds
against him. The driving force by which he wins the race is the
power of love, which the song clearly communicates.
The song 'Rollin' Up Hill', is the song I was
able to hear and sample. There was talk about a Elvis Presley
reality series taking place in Las Vegas among various Elvis tribute
artists.
The winner receiving prizes and publicity,
including the honor of recording the two songs which Elvis cowrote.
However, even though the taping of the show was begun in August of
2006, it was not revealed to me the reason why it wasn't finished.
However, the songs were not recorded by any of
the Elvis impersonator's who attended the rehearsals in Las Vegas.
Instead, the songs were forwarded to, and recorded by, William
Riopelle, a former Elvis Presley tribute artist, now living in Fort
Smith, Arkansas.
William Riopelle, performed as an Elvis
Presley tribute artist for several years and performed many places.
Of his many experiences, some of the highlights were performing in
Las Vegas in the show Legends In Concert, recording a rockabilly
tune at Sun Records in Memphis now called Sam Phillips Recording
Studio, and being managed by George Klein, a disc jockey in Memphis
Tennessee, who was a very close friend of Elvis Presley. Indeed,
George Klein, was Elvis' best man at his wedding, and a pallbearer
at his funeral.
George Klein is not a man who typically gets
excited about Elvis Presley impersonators. However William
Riopelle's talent was so original and unique, that George Klein made
an exception in his case.
William Riopelle, who no longer performs as an
Elvis Presley tribute artist, has moved on to other things and has
since received various science degrees in college, and an advanced
degree in physical therapy as well. Indeed, an Elvis Presley Tribute
Artist with a brain! William Riopelle once went by the stage name of
'Billy Elvis.'
He is said to have changed his name to Billy
Detroit at the advice of George Klein, who urged William not to use
the name of 'Elvis' in his own name. George Klein believed in Mr.
Riopelle's talent enough to get a songwriter to write a demo song
for him and request a free recording session from Sam Phillips, the
man who discovered Elvis Presley at Sun Records Recording Studio in
Memphis Tennessee in 1954. Although the recordings were heard by
various recording labels, ultimately they rejected William
Riopelle's works due to the fact that he sounded "too close to Elvis
Presley" and they thought the public was not ready, or interested,
in an Elvis sound alike.
However, since Elvis Presley's popularity has
not shown any signs of decreasing over the years, and has even
increased, the interest in an authentic Elvis Presley sound alike
may be beginning to emerge.
Indeed, the public would certainly be
interested in hearing a song which Elvis Presley cowrote. I believe
the public would be interested in anything that Elvis Presley wrote.
Although there are Presley insiders who would
validate Paul Terry King's story, there are others who would disdain
it. Like any controversial story regarding Elvis Presley, it is very
likely that you will once again have to be the judge.
A sample of the song 'Rollin' Up Hill', has
been made available for free, and can be heard on the Internet by
Paul Terry King. Details about listening to the song can be found in
the resource box below.
