Biographics never been this early... thank you Simon in this time of the corona virus you give me a dozen other things to think about thank you so much, I’ve subscribed to all your channels and was there for the entrance of the zebra mask
Think how sad that was.. on his 1968 "comeback tour" he was only 33, and people had already been talking about him as a has been. As someone who's just shy of turning 39 that's incredibly depressing - both that I've not managed to accomplish anything remotely that significant and that someone still so young was facing that kind of existential crisis. And then to die at age 42 - when, if you see pictures of him then, you'd swear he was in his 60's at least. It shows what toll that level of stress, depression and substance abuse can take on someone who arguably should really have been just crossing into middle age. I think you did a good job though of capturing that- excellent work again. Keep it up man.
The irony that his mother bought him a guitar instead of a bicycle because she thought it would be safer, yet his music career caused him to die young.
Elvis’s fatal flaw was that he was easily manipulated, most of all by Col. Tom Parker and Dr. Nick. He also never got over the death of his mother, which haunted him his entire life.
PellzoPiri151 I don’t necessarily think he was suicidal, but like Simon said he was self destructive and surrounded himself with the wrong people. I think Priscilla was the only one who truly cared for him, and he pushed her away. Simon did nail the part about the fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I tried making one once, I couldn’t eat one bite. It made me sick looking at it.
@@PGar58 well, at the end he probally gave up more but like i said what i recall it was somethng he supossed to had claimed that he dident want to pass his mothers age...but thats true unfurtunely i belive she should had been hounest like him about the sexpart if it was so import maybe she was the only one that 'was' there for him i dont know..what i do know tho is he supossed to be of romani 'traveller' heritage alothought i can see how maybe the manger is aswell if gonna be steroetypical haha..alas is dident know that much about him than the army pills etc suopssedly 'opioid-stumick' hence the toileit rumour... either way may hes soul find peace for he soul with our heavenly god..from an elvis to another :)
by influnce i suposse affected is more the word i was goin for... not saying she's to blame or anything but think her deaeth toke hard on him..espeacilly if he was as lonely as u speculating about princilla and such..seems to be the case..money cant buy happieness but he allways be the king..
My grand dad and great aunt knew Elvis in Tupelo before he was “The King”. Not really best friends but everybody knew everybody back then. They heard they’d moved off but wasn’t sure where. Next time they heard from Elvis he was being introduced on the radio. They knew he sang and played guitar when he was in Tupelo but were shocked to hear him on radio. When my aunt said “ hey, they’re playing Elvis Presley on the radio”. Her dad (my great grandfather) said “that’s Gladys and Vernons boy?” That how he knew him. Just some kid in town. Lol.
You forgot to mention an objectively endearing side to him: his kindness and generosity. He got a massive kick out of helping people and changing their lives for the better, as soon as he came into the money he was donating to multiple charities and if you ever met him and you or anyone in your family had health problems you immediately got what would be branded ElvisCare today.
Because the lows form a more linear story, most of a celebrities charitable endeavors are done on the side so it's simply easier for a cliff notes recap like this to go from lows to highs and back
It’s like the old SNL sketch where Jon Lovitz played Ringo. ‘I’m just happy to be here.’ It’s probably on here. Phil Hartman was Albert Goldman, Dana Carvey was Paul and Kevin Nealon was Elvis. One of the best sketches ever.
When I saw the thumbnail, I nearly jumped out of my seat man. I wrote a 7 page essay about Elvis Presley my junior year, and it only made me love him more. Shoutout to all my fellow classic rock fans out there :)
What a shame Elvis' twin brother died at birth. Just imagine two identical Elvis Presleys performing on stage at the same time. The country could barely handle one of them.
Check out the movie The Identical. It's like a what-if scenario of Elvis in his twin brother surviving only difference is the filmmakers couldn't use Elvis.
I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s . It didn’t matter what he looked like. Elvis had a voice that touched people. I still listen to his music today!! My children love his music too!
@@robertortiz-wilson1588 Well, when he first started out, some folks thot he was pretty arrogant and stuck up. But as time went on he really mellowed out and became more likeable.
neoasura Back in 1988 the Post Office gave the public a choice of two different Elvis stamps: either classic Elvis or Vegas Elvis. Classic Elvis won in a Landslide.
I think that young people nowadays (like me) never knew him during his decline. We only have the stories of him in his prime, because those are the stories people like to tell. Until this video I had no idea he had an eating problem, I figured he just overdosed or somthing. I've only ever heard of THE KING, not some sad, broken old man.
I was lucky in that I saw Elvis in concert 3 times before his death, they were all fantastic and electrifying shows, I’m glad I got to experience that time in history. We would camp out a week in advance just so we would get front row seating.
@@mrsx7944 Yes, I consider myself lucky that I was alive in a time when I got to experience 3 Elvis concerts, I.E. the king of rock & roll. If you weren’t alive at that time and you never experienced it there’s no way you’ll ever understand. So if I had a time machine one of the things I would do after meeting Benjamin Franklin would be to go see more Elvis concerts.😃
@@Sandy.J.Lloyd.Sr. I was trying to explain to my younger family members how it was when Elvis was in his prime. He's such a huge part of American pop culture he practically defines that specific era. I was born too late to see him live but I wish I could've. I've heard straight men say EP in his prime was the best looking man they ever saw.
@@mrsx7944 There’s no one like him today, Michael Jackson and Prince came close and I really enjoyed their concerts but with Elvis, you could feel the electricity and excitement in the venue. He had something else, something I can’t explain, when you went to one of his concerts you knew you were going to be part of something special, something you couldn’t get anywhere else. It was great and like I said I feel lucky that I got to be part of it all.
I grew up with a mom who was easily Elvis #1 fan and even now I hear his voice and so many good memories arise. It's just a shame what fame can do to some souls
Babe Ruth, Elvis and Aretha Franklin all passed away on August 16th. So based on an article I read by Scott Ostler in 1990 every August 16 I celebrate Babe, Elvis and Aretha Day. Swing for the fences and don’t step on any blue suede shoes. RESPECT.
Denita Arnold Sorry to hear. Kind of the same I had a good friend pass away on my brothers birthday, and I said when I found out ‘For the duration it’s going to be a bittersweet day.’ Hopefully you honor your dad on that day, and every day. He’s in good company.
People say that the 68 comeback was his last great moment but everyone forgot 1969 his first few shows were great and his recording sessions were fantastic . His album " from Elvis in Memphis" is one of the greatest music pieces of the late 60s
"Big fight in Elvis's head between 'Commercial Success' and 'Artistic Expression' " Anyone who judges him because he instinctively went with 'commercial success' hasn't lived on the edge of extreme poverty & insecurity - as he did during his formative years.
He was a tortured soul. He sang of hope love and faith in God, he lost his way but there was goodness in him his ballads like “ fools rush in” are lovely compositions in songs like this he could sound Sinatra like .
It should be "in" Germany. You say "at" buildings (e.g. "I was at my friend's house"), and only say "in" if you want to emphasize that it is "inside" the building (e.g. "It was strange in that house" - this is implying that the interior of the house is bizarre). It's not always that exact, but that's a good guideline.
When I was in the Army (My first job was 14R M6 Bradley Linebacker Crewmember. It no longer exists) and being around Cav Scouts and Tankers, there was always the story floating around that Elvis drove a tank into a building. I never dug too deep into this, but I never found anything that to prove/disprove this story.
To be completely fair, eating tons of junk food wasn't considered remotely as big of a deal during the 1950s (when Presley came of age) as it is today. After all, that was also the time when restaurant chains such as McDonalds became widely successful. Even here in Europe, people went a bit insane during those years. My mom told me that the 1950s and early 1960s became known as the "Fressjahre" (lit. the guzzling years) in Germany and Switzerland. Once people had recovered from WWII, cities had been rebuilt and consumerism had taken off, everyone made it into their hobby to eat as much unhealthy stuff as they possibly could. For example sugary, creamy cakes such as the Black Forest Cake were now affordable for everyone and my mom told me how people would casually order 2-3 pieces every time they went to a café or a restaurant. Many doctors at the time even claimed that sugar was healthy for you (and smoking too). There was very little consciousness or social discourse surrounding health and diet. Being fat was viewed as a status symbol because it meant you can afford stuff. Thus, it's easy to judge those people with the privilege of hindsight and the knowledge of our time but it was really a different era.
This is the most respectful and heartfelt message I’ve ever seen, very straight forward and touching. Though know Elvis’s life very little but feel ridiculous every time found people making joke on him during his difficult life time. Thanks for making this, great story.
I know my mom was an Elvis fan. I liked some of his songs. I just always thought it was sad what happened to him. Obviously, he had some inner demons he was dealing with. I was 11 years old when he died. I still remember my friend coming outside of his house saying...the king is dead...I was like....King who? The King of what? He just said..the king! The king! He was 11 too. Lol
I would be 11 about three weeks later. My brother and I went to get a newspaper and when we got back our mom told us Elvis died. BTW Groucho Marx died three days later.
Desperately would love one for her! I've looked a bit into her story recently and damn if it doesn't choke you up--a strong, unique, and beloved performer who really set the bar for using your talents to change the world.
Can you do a biography on Franz Liszt? He’s not the most well known historical figure, but in the piano world he’s one of the most important composers and performers
Here are some facts on the king of rock n roll: 1. Jesse died while still a stillborn and was buried in an unmarked grave. Elvis tried to locate his brother's grave but was unsuccessful 2. Elvis was one year old when a tornado outbreak hit the US during the tupelo-Gainesville tornado outbreak. The tornado missed the shotgun house Elvis was living, sparing it from destruction. Gladys claims she notices that somehow God has spared him because he has something in store for him. She was right 3. Elvis is nuts about guns. One example, when he and his buddies place lightbulbs in the swimming pool while in the dark and fire their bullets and score a hit. He even shot at a TV as a remote control off button 4. Elvis drove his first car from his dad and later had one as a teen. But it didn't last long as the car soon caught fire 5. Elvis's first job was as a driver at age 19 earning $33 per week 6. His music teacher thought he couldn't sing, even though he sang in front of her to prove her wrong. His grade on music is a C-. He auditions to be one of the music bands but was rejected because the band lead singer thought he couldn't sing too 7. He once won a singing contest as a kid. In fact, his B-Day present was a guitar and learn how to play it from his uncles and neighbors 8. He traded his old guitar for a new one, and the owner of the store where he traded it threw it out. It could be worth a fortune if he kept it! 9. Elvis got into a fight with a gas station manager because he was drawing crowds disrupting his business. He got off light
He learned to sing singing gospels at his family church. In fact his first songs were in gospels. Elvis himself wasn't super religious despite his mother's frets to get him attached to God.
BronyDan A story that deserves to be told; but there’s so many that I think would draw the views Simon wants to see. Never hurts to ask though. This one is gonna get a boatload of hits.
Idk why ppl in these comments say simon was being disrespectful. I dont see anything but simon presenting important parts of elvis's life. Ppl mad for no reason 😂
ELVIS PRESLEY was a gorgeous most spirtural humble hearted a charmastist person who ever hit Hollywood or the music industry. He also was very private a unique a strange a loved to sing a make people happy.
He dyed his hair black because he idolized Roy Orbison who also dyed his hair. Parker was the greatest and worse thing that could have happened to Elvis. Strange to say, we see Elvis, Michael Jackson, Janis Joplin,, Mama Cass, how many others who blazed so brightly then went out, way before their natural time. You have to wonder what could have been if given a different path with different advisers.
Oh yes, Simon please do George Carlin, one of the best comics to have ever hit a stage!!!! That man was so incredible in his ability to connect the dots that us public were never supposed to even see. Absolutely hilarious in his shredding and brutal honesty.
He was NEVER AND NEVER WILL BE A JOKE. PERIOD. HE WAS THE MOST HANDSOME SOUL AND WONDER HUMAN BEING TO HAVE EVER EXISTED💯💟 Long Live His Handsome King 👑
I am born,raised and still call MEMPHIS HOME, and Graceland was built in a GREAT and safe neighborhood when it was built. However today the Same House,On the Same Street,Same city, now is 1 of the most dangerous parts of Memphis. People visit Graceland now just to hear him roll over in his grave between the hours of 12 and 330pm
No mention of the Alhoa from Hawaii special? Yes his best years were in the 50s but the early 70s shows were also sensational. Elvis made Las Vegas Las Vegas! The alhoa special was the pinochle of his career, yes, after that he did decline due to creative disappointments and not touring outside of the US.
1:40 - Chapter 1 - Livin' in a shotgun shack 5:05 - Chapter 2 - Home of the blues 8:25 - Chapter 3 - That was the summer of 64 12:00 - Mid roll ads 13:25 - Chapter 4 - The king of controversy 17:00 - Chapter 5 - What happened to good old rock'n'roll ? 20:40 - Chapter 6 - The king is gone (but not forgotten)
ELVIS PRESLEY did what every he want to do it his life Elvis put his FAN'S 1ST before any thing else no other superstars do that today He was always be KING 🇦🇸🇦🇸🇦🇸
Thank you so much for the amazing content you guys create. Stay safe out there and I hope you'll keep the amazing content coming in these times! It'd make life in quarantine a lot easier to endure! Regards from Ireland
He met his wife when she was only 14. I think after seeing everything he did during his service with his own military service and having to carry his legacy on his back maybe the only thing he truly wanted was for a girl to truly love him for who he was... also I’m sure she reminded him of his loving mother; caring, protective and sweet.
You are correct.. that was what Priscilla wrote on Elvis and me book.. why they instantly connected, because she's Army brat who also find it difficult to get used to the culture in Germany, Elvis was looking for some body he could related to, although he didn't show it to public he was actually depressed he just loss his mum, both were seeking for a company, and shared similar tastes in music, Priscilla loss her biological dad when she just a baby, these loss of both parents was and probably one of the similar fate that connected both of them, Priscilla shared that she met him not as the popular singer he was, Elvis was simply a soldier boy 😊 And the rest was history.
Personally I love his 60s ballads not the movie ones but the more heart felt ones or his gospel anf my all time favorite being Moody Blue the last song he apparently recorded
Ain’t nothing wrong with 70’s Elvis Many incredible performances outside of Vegas. He pioneered the residency that artists like Celine Dion, Rod Stewart and so on enjoy. And the jumpsuits were amazing.
My Aunty is/was (she's still alive) a complete Elvis and Engelbert Humperdink Groupie. I was born in the 60s, so I was around during the demise of Elvis, but by 1973 when I became interested in music, there was more than Elvis. He was past tense. I never got into his stuff other than his really early music. He is a legend though.
There's a story in my family that my paternal grandmother was friends with one of Elvis's teachers in elementary school. That's about all the detail I can reliably give on the subject at the moment. Hopefully, I can find out more from my aunt before her memory goes too much. Even as a believer in the afterlife, I doubt my Grammar's spirit will visit me to clarify how many degrees of separation there are between me and the King of Rock'n'Roll.
Simon did a mini-bio of the Beatles on one of his channels, which was written by Eddie Deezen (Eugene from Grease). It was excellent and very through and a lot of fun. Check it out.
I’m here watching this in some sort of shock to a degree. I grew up watching Elvis in the white bell-bottom suit and his songs . I as a young kid was always told I look and sounded like Elvis. For me we look nothing alike but my mom did say she fixed my hair like him and I wore things like dress up pants to school as a kid and as a teenager. I remember my teacher telling me in the 2nd grade I sing good , I remember she wrote it down on a Christmas Ornament we made in school, which I hung up in my tree. That’s the thing me and Elvis have in common that a teacher pulled us aside and said we sing good. Even today I sing 2 of his songs and I do sound like him. Im glad I do but I don’t show no one , I just like to practice alone in my home , where I’m a Recluse from the world. Watching this I didn’t know about Elvis had a eating disorder and that he was a recluse. I didn’t know why he stop seeing Priscilla Presley and I didn’t know when he was a kid he was poor, that’s shocking. I was told he had a heart attack when I was 7 and he was dead but my mom just said he went to bed and didn’t wake up. My mom has his same birthday, so I always thought it was cool , we had a connection. Nice video , I can’t want to see more . Good day .
Only focused on the negatives 😂 Voice was the best at the end of his life, he just got into playing racquetball to start getting back into shape and was going to build his own racquetball club in Vegas before he died
This is less of a biographic and more of a "last-minute essay". Like they weren't looking at his life as much as they were jumping from events in a timeline that followed a pattern that best suited their idea.
@@RayGainbows it still is what happened at the end. While bringing up the good is nice. You really can't just ignore that downward spiral before he died.
My six degrees of separation is very short. Growing up, our next door neighbor's mother was a nurse who help at his birth. Less than a week after his death, I had a dental appointment. My dentist informed me that Elvis had sat in that same chair just a week before his death.
Simon makes the perfect argument that Elvis should be remembered as a contemporary of Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis -- the young Elvis playing those small theaters with Johnny Cash and the rest of them
Thank you for this, as always, great video. I was one month old when Elvis met his maker. It's #1 on the list of artists I never got to see perform live, and wish I had.
In today’s world 🌎 although he is the undisputed King of Rock he would be considered tame…. Showing how each era generations change and grow. I’m excited to see the new Elvis movie 🎥 I’m a child of the 80s Duran Duran MJ King of Pop and of course Madonna. I know lots of people made fun of an older heavier Elvis I am excited to see the beginning of his life and career.
Dr. Simon Whistler - your ad reads are orders of magnitude - more compelling than any other such endeavor out there. Your channel is the only one where I won’t fumble around with the timeline widget in an attempt to evade having to endure whatever tripe those on screen might be peddling. The content is stellar too - but what could I possibly productively add to a discussion of that? Nothing. Erm… yeah so yeah, please continue to not stop with all of this. Yes!
This one was very sad. Too often you take a person who has a talent and enjoys doing it, but there are greedy people lying in wait hoping to get their monetary cut of the talent. Many stars come from broken or poor homes and do not have the voice of reason to guide them to make the best choices. If anything, the families push them into stardom too hoping to get their monetary cut of the person's talent, too. What happened to Elvis is a story told many times the world over, only the names are different. When you turn something you enjoy into a job, it sounds like a good idea at the time but money sucks the fun out of it. Most musicians will tell you that the best time they had was when they barely had two nickels to rub together but the music was everything. The whole system is corrupt with and has tragic consequences for performers.
@@explorer1968 Sorry, I kinda misread your comment, I agree with the first part, four years of superstardom, I slightly disagree with the two decades of slow decline, I believe he had a number of brilliant highlights, that are knocked because they are not all R'n'R; 68 Special, 69 live shows, early Vegas, MSG, Aloha. I think the biggest decline was from 74-77. I missed the last bit🙄, and totally agree, Elvis is still King, forever!👑✌
Please start doing more musicians. I was born in 1986 but I have been a huge Elvis fan all of my life! Even with all my knowledge of Elvis I still learned some things and I loved this perspective on his life, it’s a little more of a downer than I usually hear and a lot more accurate. Thank you!
nah, ringo was the most popular guy in america when they first arrived there. i remember hearing girls screaming "ringo has a sexy nose" and "ringo! ringo! ringo!" before john was surprised during one of the concerts.
Check out Squarespace: squarespace.com/biographics for 10% off on your first purchase.
Biographics never been this early... thank you Simon in this time of the corona virus you give me a dozen other things to think about thank you so much, I’ve subscribed to all your channels and was there for the entrance of the zebra mask
Mr bald plz do Ibn Battuta
2 suggestions for future episodes: Laozi, and Zhuangzi
Think how sad that was.. on his 1968 "comeback tour" he was only 33, and people had already been talking about him as a has been. As someone who's just shy of turning 39 that's incredibly depressing - both that I've not managed to accomplish anything remotely that significant and that someone still so young was facing that kind of existential crisis. And then to die at age 42 - when, if you see pictures of him then, you'd swear he was in his 60's at least. It shows what toll that level of stress, depression and substance abuse can take on someone who arguably should really have been just crossing into middle age. I think you did a good job though of capturing that- excellent work again. Keep it up man.
can you do a bio about phil. natl. hero Jose P. Rizal thank you
The irony that his mother bought him a guitar instead of a bicycle because she thought it would be safer, yet his music career caused him to die young.
If his mom had bought him a bike, would he been alive today? Definitely.
Elvis actually wanted a small hunting gun but his mother thought it wasn't safe so she bought him a guitar. It wasn't a bicycle.
yeah, Elvis wanted a gun. not a bike
If Elvis mom would have brought him that bike he would’ve been the first bmx rider. He would’ve set the standards
Mansa Musa yea mate would have been the king of bikes 😀
You forgot to mention the young crippled boy that taught him how to move his hips
But he sure as hell was runnin fast
Elias Spitzer Run Forrest, run!
God, I love that you made that comment!! Forest Gump is literally one of the best movies ever made.
Forrest Gump may be the dumbest son of a bitch but he's sure is fast
@@lillyl6901 my all time fav. It's just soooo good. Never gets old
Elvis’s fatal flaw was that he was easily manipulated, most of all by Col. Tom Parker and Dr. Nick. He also never got over the death of his mother, which haunted him his entire life.
yeah he wanted to die younger or something if i recall right...she had alot of inlunce in his life..
PellzoPiri151 I don’t necessarily think he was suicidal, but like Simon said he was self destructive and surrounded himself with the wrong people. I think Priscilla was the only one who truly cared for him, and he pushed her away.
Simon did nail the part about the fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I tried making one once, I couldn’t eat one bite. It made me sick looking at it.
@@PGar58 well, at the end he probally gave up more but like i said what i recall it was somethng he supossed to had claimed that he dident want to pass his mothers age...but thats true unfurtunely i belive she should had been hounest like him about the sexpart if it was so import maybe she was the only one that 'was' there for him i dont know..what i do know tho is he supossed to be of romani 'traveller' heritage alothought i can see how maybe the manger is aswell if gonna be steroetypical haha..alas is dident know that much about him than the army pills etc suopssedly 'opioid-stumick' hence the toileit rumour... either way may hes soul find peace for he soul with our heavenly god..from an elvis to another :)
by influnce i suposse affected is more the word i was goin for... not saying she's to blame or anything but think her deaeth toke hard on him..espeacilly if he was as lonely as u speculating about princilla and such..seems to be the case..money cant buy happieness but he allways be the king..
That, and polypharmacy.
My grand dad and great aunt knew Elvis in Tupelo before he was “The King”. Not really best friends but everybody knew everybody back then.
They heard they’d moved off but wasn’t sure where.
Next time they heard from Elvis he was being introduced on the radio. They knew he sang and played guitar when he was in Tupelo but were shocked to hear him on radio.
When my aunt said “ hey, they’re playing Elvis Presley on the radio”. Her dad (my great grandfather) said “that’s Gladys and Vernons boy?” That how he knew him. Just some kid in town. Lol.
Nice story... 🎶
That's a cool story. Imagine knowing Elvis as "Gladys and Vernon's boy"!!
Small world. I'm from Tupelo too
That’s awesome
You forgot to mention an objectively endearing side to him: his kindness and generosity. He got a massive kick out of helping people and changing their lives for the better, as soon as he came into the money he was donating to multiple charities and if you ever met him and you or anyone in your family had health problems you immediately got what would be branded ElvisCare today.
This guy obviously focuses on the negative aspects of Elvis’ life. Why is that?
@@tommyk6719 I know, right? Even worse, the negative aspects have been flogged to death already.
Because the lows form a more linear story, most of a celebrities charitable endeavors are done on the side so it's simply easier for a cliff notes recap like this to go from lows to highs and back
Yes!
"Teenage girls screaming their heads off for any beatle who wasnt ringo" LMAO
Leonardo Ramos Once again, Simon FTW
was that an intentional typo?
@@gmoops8986 no but i might keep it like that it's way funnier
It’s like the old SNL sketch where Jon Lovitz played Ringo. ‘I’m just happy to be here.’
It’s probably on here. Phil Hartman was Albert Goldman, Dana Carvey was Paul and Kevin Nealon was Elvis. One of the best sketches ever.
The shade
The man was blessed with an un-natural amount of charisma and a beautiful voice. He will always be the king.
He was absolutely beautiful. Most gorgeous man show business ever produced.
And he was spoken about in such a disrespectful manner in this video, very disappointing
@@jamesmcnaughton5092 yep😔, by a man who lives in his mommy’s basement 😡
@@jamesmcnaughton5092He was stating facts
Simon is going to be the only one safe thru all of this. he never leaves his basement
Lol
Bless
Doesn't he have a salon?
Whoops. Wrong person.
😆
Maaaan he got a nice ass basement I wouldn’t leave either
When I saw the thumbnail, I nearly jumped out of my seat man. I wrote a 7 page essay about Elvis Presley my junior year, and it only made me love him more. Shoutout to all my fellow classic rock fans out there :)
What's up 😁
What a shame Elvis' twin brother died at birth. Just imagine two identical Elvis Presleys performing on stage at the same time. The country could barely handle one of them.
Check out the movie The Identical.
It's like a what-if scenario of Elvis in his twin brother surviving only difference is the filmmakers couldn't use Elvis.
@@alienboy1322 Hmm I never heard of this film. Looks like it got bad reviews, but I might check it out.
I say that too.can you imagine...lord have mercy is all I can say
@@dawnrseaman3803 imagine a world with TWO identical Elvis's 😍😍😍😍😭😭😭. That's too much to think of.
maybe that was the way he became famous.
everything happened for a reason right?
_"ELVIS IS NOT DEAD, HE JUST WENT HOME..."_
*~ Men In Black (1997)*
Went home to Hell thats the only place he is
@@easymoneysniper2788 ....
@@easymoneysniper2788 you don't know where he is in hell or heaven
I remember the day Elvis died, my dad stopped the car and cried. He was 14 years old in 1954
I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s . It didn’t matter what he looked like. Elvis had a voice that touched people. I still listen to his music today!! My children love his music too!
Whether you love him or hate him, you have to admit... the dude could sing!
And he was drop dead, without a doubt GORGEOUS.
@@mrsx7944 ABSOLUTELY!!! I STRONGLY AGREE!!!💯
Who would hate him? A commi?
@@robertortiz-wilson1588 Well, when he first started out, some folks thot he was pretty arrogant and stuck up. But as time went on he really mellowed out and became more likeable.
@@garyoa1 oh okay, thanks
Um no..when people hear Elvis, they don't think of a "fat, sweat dude in Vegas" most people think of Elvis as the one in his prime.
neoasura Back in 1988 the Post Office gave the public a choice of two different Elvis stamps: either classic Elvis or Vegas Elvis. Classic Elvis won in a Landslide.
To be fair I think of both but Elvis in his prime more
Grievous Reborn They’re both who he is. But I think people want to remember him when he was at his apex
That is highly dependent on how old you are and where you grew up. Most of the people around me think of the old, fat guy first (unfortunately)
I think that young people nowadays (like me) never knew him during his decline. We only have the stories of him in his prime, because those are the stories people like to tell. Until this video I had no idea he had an eating problem, I figured he just overdosed or somthing. I've only ever heard of THE KING, not some sad, broken old man.
I was lucky in that I saw Elvis in concert 3 times before his death, they were all fantastic and electrifying shows, I’m glad I got to experience that time in history. We would camp out a week in advance just so we would get front row seating.
Lucky!
@@mrsx7944 Yes, I consider myself lucky that I was alive in a time when I got to experience 3 Elvis concerts, I.E. the king of rock & roll. If you weren’t alive at that time and you never experienced it there’s no way you’ll ever understand. So if I had a time machine one of the things I would do after meeting Benjamin Franklin would be to go see more Elvis concerts.😃
@@Sandy.J.Lloyd.Sr. I was trying to explain to my younger family members how it was when Elvis was in his prime. He's such a huge part of American pop culture he practically defines that specific era. I was born too late to see him live but I wish I could've. I've heard straight men say EP in his prime was the best looking man they ever saw.
@@mrsx7944 There’s no one like him today, Michael Jackson and Prince came close and I really enjoyed their concerts but with Elvis, you could feel the electricity and excitement in the venue. He had something else, something I can’t explain, when you went to one of his concerts you knew you were going to be part of something special, something you couldn’t get anywhere else. It was great and like I said I feel lucky that I got to be part of it all.
@@Sandy.J.Lloyd.Sr. how old was he when you saw him live?
I grew up with a mom who was easily Elvis #1 fan and even now I hear his voice and so many good memories arise. It's just a shame what fame can do to some souls
My mom would have been tied with your mom then 🥰
Babe Ruth, Elvis and Aretha Franklin all passed away on August 16th. So based on an article I read by Scott Ostler in 1990 every August 16 I celebrate Babe, Elvis and Aretha Day. Swing for the fences and don’t step on any blue suede shoes. RESPECT.
Didn't know that. Sadly my dad passed away on that same day in '89
Denita Arnold Sorry to hear. Kind of the same I had a good friend pass away on my brothers birthday, and I said when I found out ‘For the duration it’s going to be a bittersweet day.’
Hopefully you honor your dad on that day, and every day. He’s in good company.
I just saw the film. Just felt that I should rewatch this, now that it have a somewhat better understanding.
People say that the 68 comeback was his last great moment but everyone forgot 1969 his first few shows were great and his recording sessions were fantastic . His album " from Elvis in Memphis" is one of the greatest music pieces of the late 60s
"Big fight in Elvis's head between 'Commercial Success' and 'Artistic Expression' " Anyone who judges him because he instinctively went with 'commercial success' hasn't lived on the edge of extreme poverty & insecurity - as he did during his formative years.
John Lennon also said, "Before Elvis, there was nothing."
Fact.
True. Big bang, dinosaurs, meteor kills dinosaurs, king Henry VIII, WWI & WWII... Elvis. History of the planet. Simple
“It’s not how much you have that makes people look up to you, it’s who you are”
Elvis Presley
Alright, time for the “man in black” Johnny Cash to get his biographic
Yes!!!
I approve utterly.
Agree. Love Johnny C. The epitome of cool.
Jerry Lee and Carl too
He was a tortured soul. He sang of hope love and faith in God, he lost his way but there was goodness in him his ballads like “ fools rush in” are lovely compositions in songs like this he could sound Sinatra like .
Definitely goodness in him. He seemed like such a kind, good hearted soul.
FREDDIE MERCURY NEXT PLEASE!
Yess please!!!
Is this Real Life? Is this a Fantasy? 🤔
@@arami187 Mr Bad Guy!
David Bowie plz
Yes Please ;D
Now that makes Elvis singing "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" a whole lot darker...
In Germany the king had a white BMW, eventually he painted red to stop girls from writing their phone numbers on the car .. with lipstick 😉
It should be "in" Germany.
You say "at" buildings (e.g. "I was at my friend's house"), and only say "in" if you want to emphasize that it is "inside" the building (e.g. "It was strange in that house" - this is implying that the interior of the house is bizarre). It's not always that exact, but that's a good guideline.
@@azuregriffin1116 wow thanks! it's a mistake I make * ( 😉) some times, thinking in my language writing in English .. I will remember it next time 😊
@@Pavlos_Charalambous it's also 'make' a mistake. Because a mistake is a noun, not a verb.
@@depauwgerlings it's "do"? Thanks anyways
@@Pavlos_Charalambous no it's not. You don't 'do a mistake' you 'make a mistake'. Google it.
The best singer of all time
"This is the big time, Jacko!
No dress rehearsal,
I'll light you up like a Pepsi commercial!"
*OOOOOOOOOOH*
*IT'S ABOUT TIME FO' A THRILLA*
*DIDN'T LOSE ANY CHOCOLATE*
*I JUST ADDED VANILLA*
When I was in the Army (My first job was 14R M6 Bradley Linebacker Crewmember. It no longer exists) and being around Cav Scouts and Tankers, there was always the story floating around that Elvis drove a tank into a building. I never dug too deep into this, but I never found anything that to prove/disprove this story.
To be completely fair, eating tons of junk food wasn't considered remotely as big of a deal during the 1950s (when Presley came of age) as it is today. After all, that was also the time when restaurant chains such as McDonalds became widely successful. Even here in Europe, people went a bit insane during those years. My mom told me that the 1950s and early 1960s became known as the "Fressjahre" (lit. the guzzling years) in Germany and Switzerland. Once people had recovered from WWII, cities had been rebuilt and consumerism had taken off, everyone made it into their hobby to eat as much unhealthy stuff as they possibly could. For example sugary, creamy cakes such as the Black Forest Cake were now affordable for everyone and my mom told me how people would casually order 2-3 pieces every time they went to a café or a restaurant. Many doctors at the time even claimed that sugar was healthy for you (and smoking too). There was very little consciousness or social discourse surrounding health and diet. Being fat was viewed as a status symbol because it meant you can afford stuff.
Thus, it's easy to judge those people with the privilege of hindsight and the knowledge of our time but it was really a different era.
This is the most respectful and heartfelt message I’ve ever seen, very straight forward and touching. Though know Elvis’s life very little but feel ridiculous every time found people making joke on him during his difficult life time. Thanks for making this, great story.
I know my mom was an Elvis fan. I liked some of his songs. I just always thought it was sad what happened to him. Obviously, he had some inner demons he was dealing with.
I was 11 years old when he died. I still remember my friend coming outside of his house saying...the king is dead...I was like....King who? The King of what? He just said..the king! The king! He was 11 too. Lol
I would be 11 about three weeks later. My brother and I went to get a newspaper and when we got back our mom told us Elvis died. BTW Groucho Marx died three days later.
@@PGar58 I forgot about Groucho Marx dying soon after.
My father lived in Menphis in the late '50s and met Elvis. He used to tell me how down to earth Presley was.
Perfect BioGraphics. I’m surprised you haven’t done Elvis before. Well worth it.
You should do Billie Holiday now. So much story to tell, died around the same age.
Yes! Absolutely. Her story is amazing.
Desperately would love one for her! I've looked a bit into her story recently and damn if it doesn't choke you up--a strong, unique, and beloved performer who really set the bar for using your talents to change the world.
13:40 Damn! What did Ringo do to you? That gave me a good laugh.
Didn’t he get the most fan mail? 😂😂
I remember my dad telling how devistated my grandma was when he died, he was a genuine icon
Can you do a biography on Franz Liszt? He’s not the most well known historical figure, but in the piano world he’s one of the most important composers and performers
Simon is a great storyteller and really transports you to the '50s and Elvis Mania.
Here are some facts on the king of rock n roll:
1. Jesse died while still a stillborn and was buried in an unmarked grave. Elvis tried to locate his brother's grave but was unsuccessful
2. Elvis was one year old when a tornado outbreak hit the US during the tupelo-Gainesville tornado outbreak. The tornado missed the shotgun house Elvis was living, sparing it from destruction. Gladys claims she notices that somehow God has spared him because he has something in store for him. She was right
3. Elvis is nuts about guns. One example, when he and his buddies place lightbulbs in the swimming pool while in the dark and fire their bullets and score a hit. He even shot at a TV as a remote control off button
4. Elvis drove his first car from his dad and later had one as a teen. But it didn't last long as the car soon caught fire
5. Elvis's first job was as a driver at age 19 earning $33 per week
6. His music teacher thought he couldn't sing, even though he sang in front of her to prove her wrong. His grade on music is a C-. He auditions to be one of the music bands but was rejected because the band lead singer thought he couldn't sing too
7. He once won a singing contest as a kid. In fact, his B-Day present was a guitar and learn how to play it from his uncles and neighbors
8. He traded his old guitar for a new one, and the owner of the store where he traded it threw it out. It could be worth a fortune if he kept it!
9. Elvis got into a fight with a gas station manager because he was drawing crowds disrupting his business. He got off light
He learned to sing singing gospels at his family church. In fact his first songs were in gospels. Elvis himself wasn't super religious despite his mother's frets to get him attached to God.
@LilComeinClutch Yupp we're not a part of Tornado Alley for no reason
@@UnchainedAmerica I've always heard the exact opposite. That Elvis was serious about his religion.
@@UnchainedAmerica Elvis was a Christian and had a relationship with Christ.
@@mrsx7944 He was
I would like to see an episode on Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd, he just seems like an interesting character to talk about.
The Crazy Diamond
BronyDan A story that deserves to be told; but there’s so many that I think would draw the views Simon wants to see. Never hurts to ask though. This one is gonna get a boatload of hits.
Yes please Simon.
Idk why ppl in these comments say simon was being disrespectful. I dont see anything but simon presenting important parts of elvis's life. Ppl mad for no reason 😂
My dad says he was the greatest entertainer of all time. Based on all the videos I’ve seen I cannot disagree.
ELVIS PRESLEY was a gorgeous most spirtural humble hearted a charmastist person who ever hit Hollywood or the music industry. He also was very private a unique a strange a loved to sing a make people happy.
He dyed his hair black because he idolized Roy Orbison who also dyed his hair. Parker was the greatest and worse thing that could have happened to Elvis. Strange to say, we see Elvis, Michael Jackson, Janis Joplin,, Mama Cass, how many others who blazed so brightly then went out, way before their natural time. You have to wonder what could have been if given a different path with different advisers.
Tony curtis
The brightest stars burn out fastest, and that's not not just emotional bs that's an astronomical fact.
Oh yes, Simon please do George Carlin, one of the best comics to have ever hit a stage!!!! That man was so incredible in his ability to connect the dots that us public were never supposed to even see. Absolutely hilarious in his shredding and brutal honesty.
Buddy Holly would be cool, hell also Ritchie Valens!
I second Buddy Holly
Charlie Patton or Ike Turner
He was NEVER AND NEVER WILL BE A JOKE. PERIOD. HE WAS THE MOST HANDSOME SOUL AND WONDER HUMAN BEING TO HAVE EVER EXISTED💯💟 Long Live His Handsome King 👑
@artimus it was her choice dude she decided to walk down the aisle with him anyways...
@artimus but she was 21 already geez and i meant as a entertainer not bothering his own personal life
Agree!! Beautiful man inside and outside
I am born,raised and still call MEMPHIS HOME, and Graceland was built in a GREAT and safe neighborhood when it was built.
However today the Same House,On the Same Street,Same city, now is 1 of the most dangerous parts of Memphis. People visit Graceland now just to hear him roll over in his grave between the hours of 12 and 330pm
No mention of the Alhoa from Hawaii special? Yes his best years were in the 50s but the early 70s shows were also sensational. Elvis made Las Vegas Las Vegas! The alhoa special was the pinochle of his career, yes, after that he did decline due to creative disappointments and not touring outside of the US.
George carlin, johnny cash, or George Harrison please!
Butter Pikmin agreed
Good fucking list
George Jetson
1:40 - Chapter 1 - Livin' in a shotgun shack
5:05 - Chapter 2 - Home of the blues
8:25 - Chapter 3 - That was the summer of 64
12:00 - Mid roll ads
13:25 - Chapter 4 - The king of controversy
17:00 - Chapter 5 - What happened to good old rock'n'roll ?
20:40 - Chapter 6 - The king is gone (but not forgotten)
Everyone still remembers Elvis for his music not because he was slightly overweight. The man is forever a legend.
ELVIS PRESLEY did what every he want to do it his life Elvis put his FAN'S 1ST before any thing else no other superstars do that today He was always be KING 🇦🇸🇦🇸🇦🇸
Thank you so much for the amazing content you guys create. Stay safe out there and I hope you'll keep the amazing content coming in these times! It'd make life in quarantine a lot easier to endure!
Regards from Ireland
I love Elvis music
He met his wife when she was only 14. I think after seeing everything he did during his service with his own military service and having to carry his legacy on his back maybe the only thing he truly wanted was for a girl to truly love him for who he was... also I’m sure she reminded him of his loving mother; caring, protective and sweet.
He'll always just be a singer who did drugs and married an underage girl.
Brandy Teache
Well taking a look at your YT account you will always be a fat, ugly SJW who hates the King of rock and roll lol.
You are correct.. that was what Priscilla wrote on Elvis and me book.. why they instantly connected, because she's Army brat who also find it difficult to get used to the culture in Germany, Elvis was looking for some body he could related to, although he didn't show it to public he was actually depressed he just loss his mum, both were seeking for a company, and shared similar tastes in music, Priscilla loss her biological dad when she just a baby, these loss of both parents was and probably one of the similar fate that connected both of them, Priscilla shared that she met him not as the popular singer he was, Elvis was simply a soldier boy 😊 And the rest was history.
Another late, great musician you should cover for Biographics, Simon, is the legendary Tejano singer and Mexican-American icon, Selena.
Personally I love his 60s ballads not the movie ones but the more heart felt ones or his gospel anf my all time favorite being Moody Blue the last song he apparently recorded
Ain’t nothing wrong with 70’s Elvis
Many incredible performances outside of Vegas. He pioneered the residency that artists like Celine Dion, Rod Stewart and so on enjoy.
And the jumpsuits were amazing.
@20:22 That’s $7.5 million in today’s money (2020).
"...that sent teenage uterus's wild."
Well, there's a statement I wish I had never heard.
I'm very confused about what that even means😣.
today we talk about the king himself and yesterday was the killing of the divine Julius
My Aunty is/was (she's still alive) a complete Elvis and Engelbert Humperdink Groupie. I was born in the 60s, so I was around during the demise of Elvis, but by 1973 when I became interested in music, there was more than Elvis. He was past tense. I never got into his stuff other than his really early music. He is a legend though.
Hey Simon can you do an biographics on Freddie Mercury as hes the best that ever was and ever will be
Naah, the guy who sings Pokemon theme song is the best around.
@@Viroh 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 nah
@@takonadareishvili1743 nah
I still can't believe m, that nobody saw his fal to death and that nobody stood up to help him😢😢😢
1 million subs! Way to go. This was one of the saddest stories I’ve heard
Bruce Springsteen was the Elvis that started rockin’ and then never stopped rockin’, perhaps just like he should’ve.
There's a story in my family that my paternal grandmother was friends with one of Elvis's teachers in elementary school. That's about all the detail I can reliably give on the subject at the moment. Hopefully, I can find out more from my aunt before her memory goes too much. Even as a believer in the afterlife, I doubt my Grammar's spirit will visit me to clarify how many degrees of separation there are between me and the King of Rock'n'Roll.
Please do a Biographics on Freddie Mercury! One of the greatest voices and showmanship, ever!
If those preachers were up in arms about Elvis think if how they would react to Slayer
SLAYYYEEEERRRRR! 🤘🤘🤘
GOD HATES US ALL
SLAAAAAAYYYYYYEEERRRRRR
@Steve Duke that's the Idiocracy type of apocalypse
They went mas about the Buzzcocks in the 80s
Can you do one on the Beatles? This one was excellent.
He already did a Biographics on John Lennon.
Simon did a mini-bio of the Beatles on one of his channels, which was written by Eddie Deezen (Eugene from Grease). It was excellent and very through and a lot of fun. Check it out.
"You ain't nothing but a hound dog"- Big Mama Thornton
She didn't write the song. It was two Jewish guys from new york and it was not her version elvis based it on.
@@javi__... I know she didn't write it..just the original performer
Well now we need a Tom Parker biographic if there isn't one already, sounds like an interesting man
Did anyone notice his mother looked just like Rosie O’Donnell I their photo together
marvet 2006
For sure! 👌🏼👍👍
Even the lips are so very much like Rosie’s !
Yikes 🤷🏻♂️🤨
I’m here watching this in some sort of shock to a degree.
I grew up watching Elvis in the white bell-bottom suit and his songs .
I as a young kid was always told I look and sounded like Elvis.
For me we look nothing alike but my mom did say she fixed my hair like him and I wore things like dress up pants to school as a kid and as a teenager.
I remember my teacher telling me in the 2nd grade I sing good , I remember she wrote it down on a Christmas Ornament we made in school, which I hung up in my tree. That’s the thing me and Elvis have in common that a teacher pulled us aside and said we sing good.
Even today I sing 2 of his songs and I do sound like him. Im glad I do but I don’t show no one , I just like to practice alone in my home , where I’m a Recluse from the world.
Watching this I didn’t know about Elvis had a eating disorder and that he was a recluse. I didn’t know why he stop seeing Priscilla Presley and I didn’t know when he was a kid he was poor, that’s shocking.
I was told he had a heart attack when I was 7 and he was dead but my mom just said he went to bed and didn’t wake up. My mom has his same birthday, so I always thought it was cool , we had a connection.
Nice video , I can’t want to see more .
Good day .
Only focused on the negatives 😂
Voice was the best at the end of his life,
he just got into playing racquetball to start getting back into shape and was going to build his own racquetball club in Vegas before he died
This is less of a biographic and more of a "last-minute essay". Like they weren't looking at his life as much as they were jumping from events in a timeline that followed a pattern that best suited their idea.
@@RayGainbows it still is what happened at the end. While bringing up the good is nice. You really can't just ignore that downward spiral before he died.
My six degrees of separation is very short. Growing up, our next door neighbor's mother was a nurse who help at his birth. Less than a week after his death, I had a dental appointment. My dentist informed me that Elvis had sat in that same chair just a week before his death.
Simon makes the perfect argument that Elvis should be remembered as a contemporary of Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis -- the young Elvis playing those small theaters with Johnny Cash and the rest of them
I visited Graceland a couple years ago. It was so small compared to modern day millionaire mansions.
I wish he’d do one on Princess Diana. She was awesome!
He was also very generous.
I'm now waiting for Buddy Holly, Richie Vallens and The Big Popper biographics and a Woodstock Geographics
You should do Miles Davis, B.B King, amd Billie Holiday because they were as influential as Elvis.
Thank you for this, as always, great video. I was one month old when Elvis met his maker. It's #1 on the list of artists I never got to see perform live, and wish I had.
In today’s world 🌎 although he is the undisputed King of Rock he would be considered tame…. Showing how each era generations change and grow. I’m excited to see the new Elvis movie 🎥 I’m a child of the 80s Duran Duran MJ King of Pop and of course Madonna. I know lots of people made fun of an older heavier Elvis I am excited to see the beginning of his life and career.
"Livin' in a shotgun shack" - The Talking Heads
Kylefassbinderful Same as it ever was.
@@PGar58 Time isn't holding up, time isn't after us
Letting the days go by...
@@makidtrej ...Water flowing under ground
LMAO I love the internets
Dr. Simon Whistler - your ad reads are orders of magnitude - more compelling than any other such endeavor out there. Your channel is the only one where I won’t fumble around with the timeline widget in an attempt to evade having to endure whatever tripe those on screen might be peddling. The content is stellar too - but what could I possibly productively add to a discussion of that? Nothing. Erm… yeah so yeah, please continue to not stop with all of this. Yes!
Simon I love you but please never use the phrase "teenage uteruses" again
EzioHanitore Yeah but that’s what makes Simon Simon. 😎
“They’re the cleanest. Best pleasure”
Don't be such a snowflake Ezio. Ffs.
Bwahahaha! That was a funny phrase. Had me thinking of Frank Zappa songs.
*inhales......TEENAGE UTERUSES
This one was very sad. Too often you take a person who has a talent and enjoys doing it, but there are greedy people lying in wait hoping to get their monetary cut of the talent. Many stars come from broken or poor homes and do not have the voice of reason to guide them to make the best choices. If anything, the families push them into stardom too hoping to get their monetary cut of the person's talent, too. What happened to Elvis is a story told many times the world over, only the names are different. When you turn something you enjoy into a job, it sounds like a good idea at the time but money sucks the fun out of it. Most musicians will tell you that the best time they had was when they barely had two nickels to rub together but the music was everything. The whole system is corrupt with and has tragic consequences for performers.
Four short years of superstardom and almost two decades of slow decline, still Elvis is the King!!
I disagree!
@@janc5121 When BTS or any other of the modern idols is still remembered within 50 years in the future, people will believe you...
@@explorer1968 Sorry, I kinda misread your comment, I agree with the first part, four years of superstardom, I slightly disagree with the two decades of slow decline, I believe he had a number of brilliant highlights, that are knocked because they are not all R'n'R; 68 Special, 69 live shows, early Vegas, MSG, Aloha. I think the biggest decline was from 74-77.
I missed the last bit🙄, and totally agree, Elvis is still King, forever!👑✌
Please start doing more musicians. I was born in 1986 but I have been a huge Elvis fan all of my life! Even with all my knowledge of Elvis I still learned some things and I loved this perspective on his life, it’s a little more of a downer than I usually hear and a lot more accurate.
Thank you!
As long as there are women, Elvis will live♥️🎼♥️
Yes nothing like an overweight has been to make the woman go nuts
@@theshape3988 funny thing even during his fat period (1975-1977) women were still screaming for him
Maybe it's just the asexual in me, but I never found a drug addicted person who married an underage girl sexy. He sings alright but... Blegh.
Brandy Teache Yeah, it’s the asexual.
@@brandielee7971 he didn't marry an underage girl he married a 21 year old
I remember getting MY 1st guitar back in Late 2001 and been playing since age 12; *For over 18yrs*
I play METAL mostly...
No Comment. Fleetwood Mac and other early southern Blues/Gospel artist.
My Mom was an lelvis fan, and so were her siblings. I grew up on his gospel music.
13:40 "...any Beatle who wasn't Ringo" LOL you're definitely not wrong about that, ouch lol
Were you alive back then? He's very definitely wrong.
James Clendon LMAO oh man you replied to this. Difference of opinion I guess.
nah, ringo was the most popular guy in america when they first arrived there. i remember hearing girls screaming "ringo has a sexy nose" and "ringo! ringo! ringo!" before john was surprised during one of the concerts.