And Elvis, too…

Posted by on Jan 8, 2016 in Bad copying, Books, COPYCOPYCOPY, Copying, Elvis, Hound Dog, I'll have what she's having, Social Influence, Social Learning, Variation | No Comments

maxresdefaultIt’s the big man’s birthday today, too

I’ve written at length in CopyCopyCopy about Elvis and copying and making new stuff so I thought I’d just share this clip of him doing Hound Dog on the Milton Berle Show in June 1956

The half-speed pelvis-shaking routine at 1.40’+ is lifted from the fabulously named Freddie Bell and the Bellboys, whom Elvis and the band saw several times in April 1956 on tour in Las Vegas. Here’s the audio of their studio cover but the live version is much as we know from how Elvis famously did it live.

By way of comparison, here’s the original recording by Big Mama Thornton (the song was actually written for her by Leiber and Stoller). And here’s one of the response songs that typify the genre in the early 50s (with lyrics written by Sun Studios Boss, Sam Phillips)

Copy copy copy.

Making error and variation.

All good. Well, when done with flair and talent…

Happy Birthday, King Copycat.