Sunday, April 20, 2008

The King of cool


I am going to talk tonight some more about the performers who influenced Elvis. Dean Martin was some Elvis really held in high regard and wanted to immolate him when he was trying to break into the business. One the night Elvis recorded That's All Right, he has spent most of the night singing ballads and stuff of that nature. I have read it is possible he even tried a Dean Martin song. This would not surprise me a bit. Elvis even did a number at Sun that Martin did,I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine. That song is personally one of my favorite Elvis tunes from the Sun era.


Many people do not realize just how much Martin influenced Elvis. Elvis sang a lot of Martin's while trying to catch on around Sun. If you notice Elvis' style of singing ballads in the 50's you can certainly hear the Martin influence. Elvis would go on to sing many songs in his time Martin recorded at one time or another. Martin wanted Elvis to be on his first TV show in the 50's but Parker wanted a ton of cash and Dean was not having that. It is a shame it did not happen. That would have been something really important to Elvis. In a book about Martin, it tells a story that you can absolutely believe about Elvis. in the 60's Elvis used to ride by Dean's house all the time, but never got gather the nerve to go up to see him. Elvis was the shy type, and probably would have been scared to death. Even though Elvis was the biggest thing ever, he had his own hero's. Dean Martin was one of his biggest. Once in 1970 during a Vegas concert Elvis noticed his idol in the audience and broke out into Everybody Loves Somebody. I have never heard this, but would love to get the chance. As important as the influence of Gospel, Blues, and Country are, the crooners can't be over looked. Elvis wanted to be a balled singer long before he became a rock and roller. Dean Martin was one of those singers Elvis greatly admired. Below is the version of I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine. It is brilliant. Also I can't do a blog about Martin and not post my favorite song as well. Please watch both and enjoy the King of Cool, Dean Martin.

You can tell Elvis was certainly doing his version with Martin's in mind. Also just notice his delivery and such. Then listen to some of Elvis' ballads from the 50's.

That song has always been on of my favorites of all time.

1 comment:

dino martin peters said...

Hey pallie Mike, dude a stellar post 'bout Elvis' love of our Dino...perhaps you have heard this story...it was Elvis who tagged our Dino as the "King of Cool." Elvis said, "I may be the King of Rock and Roll, but you are (meanin' our Dino) the King of Cool. Thanks for sharin' the huge influence that Dino played in Elvis' career. Never was, never will be anyone as cool as the King of Cool...oh, to return to the days when Dino walked the earth...