Yeah, he invented rock and roll and then came to personify a form of stardom that no longer exists. As Lennon once put it, “Before there was Elvis there was nothing”.
Hard to deny and here is a reason ofor you. This 1956 Otis Blackwell # 1, arranged by Elvis Presley (he took co-writing credits, but that was then), “Don’t Be Cruel”
The Hugh Jarrett’s bass lick all over Don’t Be Cruel” is such a thing of beauty, if you get the chance try and just listen for it. It opens the song and pins itself like glue to Presley absolutely perfect vocal. It is all dips and hiccups, and hooks on hooks on hooks.
The melody is unreal, it is so good it sticks till this day and the doo wop back up by the Jordaniers is prime pop 50s style.
A huge hit in 1956, it is why Presley was more than the King of rock, he was also the King of pop. It is doo-wop not rock, or if it is rock, it isn’t, say, “Hound Dog” or “Blue Suede Shoes” -rather it is indelible countrypolitan (remember, the Jordanaires began their career backing Patsy Cline).
And it is an act of shamanism. It takes the sweetest of sentiments andbecause it is Elvis it adds a dollop of sex, and is one long sigh and feint. And then there is the “ummmm” bang in the middle.
A Classic, and one more reason Elvis Was King.