Doc Shoe's Music Blog

“Rip It Up” by Elvis Presley

Some artists die too soon, while others outlive themselves.  Elvis Presley the Legend outlived Elvis Presley the Artist, and I think he knew it—I think he got tired of living up to his own reputation.  Those early singles he made with Sun Records were so powerful he had to deny them, to protect himself from his past.  How could any man hope to live up to the promise of those records? 

If you’re new to Elvis, start with his earliest work, his best work, the Sun singles.  Think of those records as bricks in the foundation of Rock & Roll.  But if you’ve exhausted those songs and you’re hungry for more, check out his first two LP’s (and the attendant singles) for RCA Victor.  The fire was still burning at that point, but nothing can burn that bright for very long.