I find that not totally honest on his part. Some of the songs Dylan clearly knew what they were about and it’s pretty clear. Others? That’s for him to know and if they resonate with you, resonate with me, so much the better. Same with Cobain. Is it really important to know what the song meant to him, or is it more important that he stood up as an icon in many ways and gave the big, hurt, vulnerable, pissed off, I wanna change the world but I don’t know how to start, I’m apathetic but emotional, and a poet, and a fuck you to the world on behalf of GenXers everywhere? That to me seems the important part. I’d say the same of all of the others I note here, and those I did not note but whom you can easily infer – you know who they are – they stood for something, and so we stand for them.
Thanks for listening,
Article comments
1 - MarkSaleski
very nice. good to see you around here again sadi.
2 - shaky
elvis was recording before little richard so that comment about no elvis only for little richard is wrong!
3 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
hey Mark - thanks - and very nice to hear from you and to be back. So many things have stood in the way - (not my choice: some health nonsense etc and other stuff), but it's really nice to be back so i appreciate the welcome. Onward.... be in touch -- and always my best.
sade
4 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
hi shaky - thanks for setting me straight then: it's good to be accurate. When did Elvis start recording and when did Little Richard start recording? We know Dylan took his cue in some ways for Little Richard since he has said as much - Elvis I don't know so much about - so I'm really curious now and want to know more... so Elvis wasn't influenced by Little Richard? (seriously, i have no idea about this one...) and I would really like the dates as it would be useful information - first recordings, labels etc - I don't doubt you for one second, but you seem to have the info. right there and if you do and it's not a problem, please let me know - thanks for the correction - looking forward to more info.
srp
5 - Paul
Sadi- Perhaps I can give the answer to your questions regarding Presley and Little Richard. Little Richard started his recording on the Peaccock and RCA labels in 1951-1952 but his songs were more gospel based. Only on one song did he touch on a style that he would be famous for a few years later. His records were not national sellers, and did not make much noise. The record company was still trying to figure out how to market him, and they kept trying him to push him towards blues,or Nat King Cole type of singing. He obviously was a gifted piano player, but he didnt become "Little Richard" until he saw another perfromer who played the same clubs named Esquerita. Richard copied his style of dress and flamboyant style from Esquerita ( who died penniless and of AIDS in the 1980's) Little Richard did not make it big until Tutti Frutti in 56. By that time, Elvis Presley had already recorded songs at Sun Records in Memphis. ELvis' first release-Thats ALl Right Mama was recorded in July of 1954, It quickly became a regional hit because the sound was different. ( It was an old blues song by Arthur Crudup, who Presley idolized) but it was done in a new style, not Blues. That style was called Rockabilly-and Elvis' Sun recordings ( along with Carl Perkins recordings) are arguably the best Rockabilly records ever recorded. Presley's other singles on Sun also were regional hits, and he toured the South in 55-influencing new artists like Carl Perkins,Buddy Holly Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash,among others. Presley toured with Country acts on the bill, but as word spread of this young kid doing this music, teenagers ( especially girls) would go crazy-and Elvis' popularity grew.. In late 55 Col Parker took over as manager, and got Elvis to sign with RCA, and Elvis released Heartbreak Hotel in 56. Now, Little Richard and Chuck Berry both had national hits by then ( Berry released his first record-"Maybellene" in 55 (which also was based on mixture of RnB and Country Western) and Elvis was a fan of both artists. Both Little Richard and Chuck Berry have said that Elvis opened the door for them to come thru. Many people are quick to say it was because Presley was white, but keep in mind that Presley was banned in many cities, his records smashed, and he was blamed for juvenille delinquency-he was not popular with the American adults. So to sum up, Elvis was the first to record "Rock and Roll" and his early Sun recordings are classics- I urge you to check them out ,and listen to a 19 year old truck driver change music history in 1954! Take Care!
6 - sadi ranson-polizzotti
hey Paul - wow! thanks so much for this... this is great.One question for you then... why aren't you writing for Tant Mieux, you are so knowledgeable and informed and interesting - and sure, a lot of people would say Elvis opened the door because he was white but you addressed that so that is really interesting. I would still say that this played a hand (i would have to say so, but that's an editorial comment)... be in touch. We always need good and informed writers... and thank you so very much.... this is awesome.... cheers, sade