Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Elvis

What's the real story with Elvis Costello and SNL?

DecemberBoy — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:57:11 -0800

Does anyone know the real story behind Elvis Costello's performance of "Radio Radio" on Saturday Night Live, specifically the real reason he wasn't invited back for so long? OK, so I've always heard that the reason Lorne Michaels was so upset with him was one of two reasons, or a bit of both. Everything one could find with, say, a Google search for "elvis costello snl" will tell one of these two stories, without quoting anyone or citing any sources, so I'm hoping for actual quotes from people involved, etc.

1. "Radio Radio" has very anti-media, anti-corporate lyrics, and the network had specifically refused to allow Costello to play it for that reason, he agreed to do "Less Than Zero" instead, then played it anyway. This got Michaels heat from above. The problem with this story is while "Radio Radio" is certainly something that 1970s network exec types might balk at, SNL was doing far more controversial stuff than that, and it doesn't seem like that big a deal compared to all the blatant drug references, etc. that they got away with every week.

2. Costello had done "Less Than Zero" at all the dress rehearsals, etc. and the show's format, which has to be accurate down to the second, had planned for "Less Than Zero", then he played a completely different song and fucked up the whole show. The problem with this story is that I have Season 3 on DVD, and in the episode with Costello (hosted by Miskel Spillman), "Radio Radio" is the second song he does (after "Watching The Detectives"), and it's done right before the closing credits. The only thing it could have screwed up is cutting the closing "I'd like to thank...", etc. scene's time. Now, it could be that the DVD version of the episode is edited from what originally aired, but the musical guests on SNL did play their second song right before the end of the show quite often.

If anything, given the hip, countercultural image that SNL tried to cultivate in the 70s, you'd think that everyone would have been happy. It's certainly one of the show's most celebrated moments. So why was Costello blackballed for over 10 years? Is the whole "he wasn't invited back" story even true at all? Maybe he just didn't happen to play on SNL for that long.

Where should we have Elvis renew our vows in Vegas (cheaply)?

kristymcj — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:46:39 -0800

We're celebrating 10 years this July and want to have Elvis celebrate with us! Price and good pictures is all I'm concerned with.

Which Elvis Presley biography should I read ?

Baud — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:07:09 -0800

I don't want to start a flame war among the fans but... it recently dawned on me that the late Elvis Presley's life must have been fascinating. Amazon tells me there are several hundreds biography to choose from. I don't want to start a flame war but... it recently dawned on me that the late Elvis Presley's life must have been fascinating. Amazon tells me there are several hundreds biographies to choose from.

What I am most interested in :

The show-business side of his career, the path to success, how to build and maintain a myth, what is it like to be such an idol.

What I am not interested in :

blind hagiography that forgets to be critical, backstabbing, unsubstantiated gossips, conspiracy theories, etc.

What I am only mildly interested in :

the music. My interest would be the same if he had only an acting career.

So... is there one or a few books that meets my needs ? Thanks in advance, hive mind !

Why (and how) do we identify with characters?

LucretiusJones — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:49:17 -0800

I'm looking for theoretical / psychological explanations of how and why people identify themselves with characters in books or with pop cultural figures. One of my students last year regularly wore an "I am Hermione" shirt to class. I've met an Elvis impersonator who took the bond to religious levels. I want to understand what makes identification tick in a sounder or more theoretical way than I've found so far. I'm currently going on Hayakawa's model that identification goes according to

1) Recognizing yourself in a depiction
2) Having a character that fulfills some wish or fantasy

Can anyone get me more insight from any field? I'm particularly interested in how short-term identification may help make or change long-term identity. Personal anecdotes on works you've identified with strongly are welcome.

Warden threw a party in the county jail!

sourwookie — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:57:27 -0800

Any idea where to find a black-and-white horizontally-striped t-shirts reminiscent of old style prison outfits--like what Elvis had in Jailhouse Rock? I've found whole costumes (jumpers, etc.) but I just need t-shirts.

Has anyone successfully faked their own death?

Ndwright — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:44:34 -0800

Has anyone ever succeeded in faking their own death? We've often heard that Andy Kaufman/Elvis/Hendrix/whoever actually lives. I started wondering if anybody famous has ever succeeded in faking their own death. Then, after a quick glance through AskMe, I began to wonder, has anybody at all succeeded in faking their own death for any length of time?

(for those of who don't want to read the AskMe link, the man in the question who attempted to fake his death was found out shortly after the question was posted)

Elvis be gone!

plague — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:49:23 -0800

There is a very loud, very bad Elvis impersonator within spitting distance from my office window. I work very hard in a high stress position at a non profit, and he is really ruining my job satisfaction. The cops won't do anything, I've tried. I don't get paid much, so I can't afford to bribe him. I have tried listening to music through headphones to drown him out but that's almost as distracting. I really don't want to have to talk to him - the reason I got into my line of work was to avoid talking to people. How can I get this jerkface to go away?

Is the 1956 recording of Hound Dog by Elvis Presley out of copyright in the UK?

hoverboards don't work on water — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 03:05:37 -0800

Is the 1956 recording of Hound Dog by Elvis Presley out of copyright in the UK? This article says the UK copyright term is 50 years for musical recordings, and that some Elvis songs are due to go out of copyright "this decade". On the other hand, this wikipedia article paints a slightly more complex picture. Moreover, I can find no reference to a public domain Elvis collection, which I would've expected to find if the songs really were out of copyright now. What's the situation?

A Hunka Burnin' Love (in Austin)

lunalaguna — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 11:37:51 -0800

Where do I get Elvis-themed goodies and decorations in Austin? I need Elvis-themed gifts for a coworker's birthday tomorrow. We're totally out of time, so ordering online is not an option. A colleague went on a wild goose chase for Elvis paper dolls over lunch and was, of course, unsuccessful. I'm aware of the music gift shop on 6th street, but I think everything there is going to be too pricey. Suggestions in north Austin are much appreciated.

The King's jumpsuits

wsg — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 23:20:08 -0800

There was a site posted at mefi a few years back that cataloged all of Elvis' jumpsuits. It was (obviously) the best site in the whole world. I can't find it now. I found something, but it wasn't it. The site featured many great color and B&W photos of The King, his jumpsuits, and band at many venues over many years.

Tiny Elvis

jimmereeno — Sun, 11 Dec 2005 01:04:43 -0800

Help me find a video of any of the the Nicholas Cage SNL skits where he plays "Tiny Elvis". I've done the quick Google and Yahoo video searches and only came up with the transcript. thanks in advance "Hey, man.. look at that salt shaker, man. That is huge!"