You are probably familiar with the way Johnny Cash opened his concerts. He would walk out on stage, go to the mike, and say, “Hello, my name is Johnny Cash.” Elvis Presley was obviously aware of this mannerism, because he opened several of his live shows a very similar way. That’s right. Elvis walked on stage and announced, “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I’m Johnny Cash.” I guess he found it a good way to break the ice and get beyond pre-show jitters.
The following information in this column was gleaned from the wonderful book, “ELVIS: Word for Word” by Jerry Osborne, which contains over 300 verifiable quotes by Elvis. While there are many sources of Elvis quotes in books and on the web, but I don’t know of any other reference containing Elvis’ stage chatter during concerts. Osborne and his staff listened to audiotapes of more than 100 Elvis’ performances. However, Elvis did about 700 live shows from 1969 to 1977, so there were probably many other funky introductions by Elvis we will never know about.
The first time “ELVIS: Word for Word” notes him using the Johnny Cash line was on August 19, 1970, and the book shows Elvis used that intro again a total of at least eleven times. The last time was June 3, 1975, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Elvis must have enjoyed using the Johnny Cash theme, because he embellished it over the years. At different times while performing at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, he had double fun by welcoming the guests to other Vegas hotel/casinos, the Golden Nugget and the Frontier, as well as the Lake Tahoe International in another city. While performing in Portland, Oregon, Elvis said, “My name is Johnny Cash. It’s a pleasure to be here in Oakland.” In Seattle, he said, “I did a movie here in 1912 I think it was…It Happened at the World’s Fair.” My favorite variation came just two days after Elvis first used the Johnny Cash line. He said, “I’m Johnny Cash. I used to be Fats Domino, but I lost weight.”
Prior to starting the Johnny Cash theme, Elvis had a good bit of practice fooling around with the audience. On August 28, 1969, early in his return to live concerts, Elvis said he wanted to introduce the members of the band. After he did so, he said, “Now that they know each other, we can go on with the show.” A few months later, he amused himself with the names of drummer Ronnie Tutt and bassist Jerry Scheff during the introductions: “So that’s Tutt and that’s Scheff. That’s Tutt Scheff, any way you look at it, boy.” (Think about that one for a minute.)
One night, he had fun with James Burton, who he introduced as Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Charlie Hodge, who he introduced as Willie Booger. Another time, Elvis introduced James as Chuck Berry and piano player Glen D. Hardin as Steve Allen. Elvis got Charlie Hodge again in 1971 during band introductions. Elvis went through the sequence, “On guitar, James Burton,” “On rhythm guitar, John Wilkinson,” and so on. Elvis finished with, “On alcohol, Charlie Hodge.”
After using the Johnny Cash line successfully, Elvis branched out and started introducing himself as other performers. There was Glen Campbell in 1970, and Jerry Lee Lewis, Frankie Avalon, and Johnny Rivers in 1971. However, the novelty must have worn off, because the book notes no more trick introductions by Elvis until 1974.
On February 6 of that year, he came on stage at the Las Vegas Hilton and used the name of another Vegas legend, “My name is Wayne Newton. I just work here.” Three months later, it was, “My name is Wayne Newton. I’ve got a brother named fig.” In September, Elvis said, “Good evening. You think I’m Elvis Presley… I’m Wayne Newton. You came to the wrong place.” In April 1975, at a concert in Jacksonville, it was, “My name is Wayne Newton. I’d like to tell you it’s a pleasure to be here in Tampa.” The last time Elvis introduced himself as Wayne Newton was on June 21, 1977, bringing the total to at least twelve. It was the last recorded Elvis trick introduction on stage.
As far as is known, only one other performer received more than two mentions by Elvis. His friend Tom Jones inspired at least four funky introductions. On August 28, 1974, Elvis introduced Jones who was sitting in the audience at the Vegas Hilton. Elvis told everyone to catch Jones’ show opening at Caesar's Palace the next night. The ones who did, received a special treat when Elvis surprised Jones and came out on stage, too. For the next three nights, Elvis opened his own show by saying, “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Tom Jones. You came to the wrong place.” Near the end of 1975, Elvis said, “Welcome to the show. You know who you are…and I think you know who I am…Tom Jones, you’re right.”
Elvis introduced himself as several other singers and one bird in 1974: Pat Boone, Sammy Davis, Little Richard, and the NBC Peacock. Of course, that comment was inspired by the jumpsuit he wore that night.
Comedians also got the Elvis intro treatment. Flip Wilson in 1976 was one. Bill Cosby got it twice in 1974, including, “My name is Bill Cosby. Elvis closed last night.” And there was even one non-entertainer: “I’m Jimmy Carter’s smarter brother.”
Jerry Osborne’s book “ELVIS: Word for Word” has been an invaluable help in writing this blog column. For years I have been aware of his many books directed to rock fans and historians and to rock and roll record and memorabilia collectors. I met him backstage last year at an Elvis Week concert. He’s a nice guy. I think it’s interesting that Jerry Osborne's book includes five quotes where Elvis mentioned him. For some reason, he left out the one where Elvis introduced him as Donnie Osmond. (Only kidding.)
© 2008 Philip R Arnold All Rights Reserved www.ElvisBlog.net
ELVIS COMMENTARY MINI-NUGGETS — # 9
That Guy Looks Familiar: There is an interesting story about how Elvis hooked up with Ed Parker, his long time Karate instructor. Parker and several advanced students were giving a Karate demonstration at the Beverly Wilshire Health Club. Elvis, who was staying at a nearby hotel, heard about it and came over to the demonstration. Elvis walked up to Parker and said: “Hi, my name is Elvis Presley and I wondered if you would mind if I watched your demonstration.” This story really tickles me. Here is Elvis, probably the most recognized man in the world, and he says, “My name is Elvis Presley.” Can there be any doubt how humble and unassuming Elvis was – in spite of his immense fame.
Elvis’ Favorite TV Shows: A few weeks ago, I was looking through Priscilla Presley’s old book “Elvis and Me” for some background on the dancing lessons she took as a young lady. In one chapter, she talked about all the TV shows she and Elvis watched (because they were his favorites, of course). Here’s the list.
Laugh-In
The Untouchables
The Wild, Wild West
The Tonight Show
Road Runner
I watched them all, too. How about you?
Elvis’ Favorite Classic Movies: Priscilla also mentioned several old movies that Elvis loved:
Wuthering Heights
It’s A Wonderful Life
Miracle on 34th Street
The Way of All Flesh
Mr. Skeffington
Les Miserables
Letter From An Unknown Woman
“Eh-hulla havva huh baluuuuuuue kariss muss: This is what the idiots at Spinner.com think the first line of Elvis’ “Blue Christmas” sounds like. They call it the best example of the King’s signature breathalizing – whatever that is. On a more positive note, Spinner.com rates “Blue Christmas” as the #3 best Christmas song. Good call, but there’s an even better Elvis song of the season. ElvisBlog.net rates “Santa Claus Is Back In Town” as the best Christmas song ever.
Would Elvis Really Eat at This Place: The Third Avenue Café in Louisville, KY has a thing about Elvis. Their website has a caricature of Elvis seated at the table, knife in one hand, fork in the other, ready to go. They also have a mannequin suited up as the white-caped Elvis that sits at a window seat (or in the outside seats during the summer). That may not seem so interesting — until you realize that the restaurant specializes in vegan and vegetarian food. Seems strange that they would want to connect with a person who ate meatloaf at every supper for two years and ate a pound of bacon at breakfast most of his life.
Well, Maybe Not: If you have ever seen video of Elvis performing “Polk Salad Annie” on stage, you know he gives it quite a workout. In 1971, he said this about the song: “If you ever have a weight problem, just do this a couple of times a night.” Maybe, but we know that doing it once a night didn’t get the job done.
Two-Headed Elvis Clone: Titles like that used to be limited to the supermarket tabloids, but the Internet has changed all that. If you Google “Two-Headed Elvis Clone,” they come up with 156 references. Here are my three favorites:
Space Alien Weds Two-Headed Elvis Clone
Two-Headed Elvis Clone Marries Ghost of Marilyn
Jennifer Aniston Weds Two-Headed Space Alien Elvis Clone
There is also a blogger on LiveJournal.com who says in his bio that he is the child of a two-headed Elvis clone and a Martian. If you think that’s bad, try Googling “Elvis’ Two-Headed Alien Love Child.” There are even five entries for that one.
Elvis Reincarnated As A Tree Branch?: American Forests is a sensible, conservation organization that cares about trees. On their website, they have a section called “The Trees With Soul – Highlighting Historic Trees.” Here’s what they report about the day of Elvis’ funeral. “Inside the house [Graceland]… a private funeral was held. Afterward, as the coffin was being carried out the door, a limb from one of the big oak trees out front snapped and fell, barely missing the funeral party. Elvis’ friend Lamar Fike didn’t miss a beat. ‘We knew you’d be back,’ he wisecracked. ‘Just not this soon.’”
Elvis told This Story, So It Must Be True: In 1975, Elvis went to a football game. While he was in the bathroom, a woman came up to one of his friends and said, “I hear Elvis Presley’s here at the football game.” The friend said, “Yeah.” She said, “I hear he’s in the bathroom.” He said, “Yeah.” She replied, very seriously, “I didn’t think he did that.”
© 2008 Philip R Arnold All Rights Reserved www.ElvisBlog.net
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