Most Underrated/Overrated Artists

Franco Pepe Kalle · 10-08-2012, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burning Down

I would describe their parents as the "hoity toity" people. Racism was running rampant back then, and rock and roll was considered "black" music. To be a white kid listening to rock and roll was considered rebellious, and Elvis made that music accessible to everybody. Adults back then were just more set in their ways - clean cut, wholesome, listening only to big band jazz and Sinatra.

REALLY? Rock and Roll music was hardly considered BLACK Music. BLACK music at that time was Blues (original R&B) before Elvis managed to screw up the music and make into its own genre known as Rock & Roll. Rock & Roll however did become some unique music because of Chuck Berry but he and Little Richard were the only ones doing Rock & Roll music while most of the artists were white.

mr dave · 10-08-2012, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Pepe Kalle

REALLY? Rock and Roll music was hardly considered BLACK Music. BLACK music at that time was Blues (original R&B) before Elvis managed to screw up the music and make into its own genre known as Rock & Roll. Rock & Roll however did become some unique music because of Chuck Berry but he and Little Richard were the only ones doing Rock & Roll music while most of the artists were white.

That's because the term 'Rock and Roll' had not been coined yet. The biggest thing about Elvis when he was first discovered was the fact that he was a white man that sounded like a black singer. He did not screw anything up to create something, he listened to what the suits around him told him to do and followed their instructions. He was little more than the original Justin Bieber.

duga · 10-09-2012, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr dave

He was little more than the original Justin Bieber.

This is true. After all, the guy was just a trucker who had the look they wanted.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 10-09-2012, 09:24 AM

I personally think Elvis is underrated.

I think the whole cult of personality thing that's grown around him with fat impersonators and all those terrible movies eclipsed the fact he made some really awesome tunes.

Who cares if he didn't write them, not many artists did then. And if people hadn't ripped off black artists there wouldn't be any rock music anyway. It's not like he's the only one guilty of it.

When you strip it down to the bare essentials the body of work he did for Sun Records was amazing. And that's all I really care about when I put on an album.

duga · 10-09-2012, 09:46 AM

Sure, I can't deny his influence... But he was still manufactured for the white kids. Sun Records was like Sub Pop before grunge got big, so they needed the shot in the arm.

I'm originally from Memphis, so you can imagine the ridiculous number of those Elvis impersonators and people asking me if I've been to Graceland have tarnished my image of the whole thing.

Plankton · 10-09-2012, 10:05 AM

Got my hair cut from the Barber that cut Elvis' hair when he was in the service. When my term of 3 years was up, I couldn't listen to ANY Elvis after being on the same post as he was.

From Wiki:

Quote:

After being drafted in 1958 Elvis Presley joined 3rd Armored Division who were stationed at Ray Barracks. He choose to not receive any special treatment and was respected for not joining Special Services, which would have allowed him to avoid certain duties and maintain his public profile. He did not live on base at Ray Barracks, but was able to live in the nearby resort city of Bad Nauheim. Presley's battalion, redesignated the 4th Battalion, 67th Armor,"Bandits," would be later commanded back-to-back by West Point classmates and future Army Generals Albert Bryant, Jr. and Martin Dempsey (the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), who maintained their office above the "Elvis Aaron Presley Mess Hall," partially funded by Presley. Notably, former U.S. Secretary of State and retired General Colin Powell began his Army career as a Second Lieutenant in 1958 at Ray Barracks in the 3rd Armored Division.

Ugh.

These days, I can appreciate his talent, but still kind of cringe.

Rjinn · 10-09-2012, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger ?

I personally think Elvis is underrated.

I think the whole cult of personality thing that's grown around him with fat impersonators and all those terrible movies eclipsed the fact he made some really awesome tunes.

Who cares if he didn't write them, not many artists did then. And if people hadn't ripped off black artists there wouldn't be any rock music anyway. It's not like he's the only one guilty of it.

When you strip it down to the bare essentials the body of work he did for Sun Records was amazing. And that's all I really care about when I put on an album.

Yea that's what I said about him being focused on as an icon rather than a muso.

I'm not much for his music though. There were others around then I'd consider had better tunes, so I don't know if I'd call him underrated in that regard.

Franco Pepe Kalle · 10-09-2012, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger ?

I personally think Elvis is underrated.

I think the whole cult of personality thing that's grown around him with fat impersonators and all those terrible movies eclipsed the fact he made some really awesome tunes.

Who cares if he didn't write them, not many artists did then. And if people hadn't ripped off black artists there wouldn't be any rock music anyway. It's not like he's the only one guilty of it.

When you strip it down to the bare essentials the body of work he did for Sun Records was amazing. And that's all I really care about when I put on an album.

Wow Urban, I have to agree with you. Elvis is so underrated. Sure Elvis gets a memorial place in Memphis but there are not many commercials about him. There are so many commercials about the Beatles. I mean every year, there is a effort to act like only the Beatles are important and forget about the geniuses of Elvis Pressley.

**Goofle** · 10-09-2012, 05:29 PM

Underrated: Luxuria - I have discussed this band probably five times on this site and nobody has responded. I take that as an indication that they are underrated. Then again, if nobody has heard of them, how can I expect them to be appreciated?

They get my vote anyway

Wayfarer · 10-10-2012, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duga

Sure, I can't deny his influence... But he was still manufactured for the white kids.

So are most bands/artists.

Besides, I thought music was supposed to be about, y'know.... music. Why are people so concerned with how certain sounds are made, or who composed them, or what the artist's intentions are for recording them? Hate Justin Bieber's music because it sounds bad to you, not because he's "manufactured" or "doesn't write his own songs". Who cares? The Beatles were manufactured, Frank Sinatra didn't write his own songs, Brian Eno uses autotune and most everyone you listen to is largely in it for the money.

10-09-2012, 09:24 AM	#1734 (permalink)
Urban Hat€monger ? The Sexual Intellectual Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Somewhere cooler than you Posts: 18,605	I personally think Elvis is underrated. I think the whole cult of personality thing that's grown around him with fat impersonators and all those terrible movies eclipsed the fact he made some really awesome tunes. Who cares if he didn't write them, not many artists did then. And if people hadn't ripped off black artists there wouldn't be any rock music anyway. It's not like he's the only one guilty of it. When you strip it down to the bare essentials the body of work he did for Sun Records was amazing. And that's all I really care about when I put on an album. __________________ Urb's RYM Stuff Most people sell their soul to the devil, but the devil sells his soul to Nick Cave.

10-09-2012, 09:46 AM	#1735 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	Sure, I can't deny his influence... But he was still manufactured for the white kids. Sun Records was like Sub Pop before grunge got big, so they needed the shot in the arm. I'm originally from Memphis, so you can imagine the ridiculous number of those Elvis impersonators and people asking me if I've been to Graceland have tarnished my image of the whole thing. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...