The birth of rock ’n roll

Elvis Presley, who died on Aug. 15, 1977–that means 27 years ago–is back in the news again. The King of Rock and Roll’s version of That’s All Right was proclaimed as the song that gave birth to rock and roll. A cover of an old blues tune by Arthur Crudup, it was recorded by Presley on July 5, 1954 at the Sun Studio in Memphis. It was not a hit for Elvis, but it certainly got the ball rolling. It caught the attention of DJs all over the US and later of RCA Records, who thought there was something in the hillbilly truck driver that spelled star. What followed was the biggest phenomenon in the history of popular music.

Of course, not everybody agrees. Some historians say the first rock recording was actually Rocket 88 by Ike Turner in 1951. There was also Bill Haley who hit the charts with Rock Around the Clock and Shake, Rattle and Roll ahead of Elvis in 1954. I admit there is truth to that. But there is also no denying the fact that everybody thinks of Elvis when you say rock and roll. Presley may not have invented the genre but he was certainly its most popular exponent. Turner and Haley had the ideas, the talent and the sound but they did not have the Presley sex appeal that drew fans from a wide spectrum to him like a magnet. Because these fans liked Elvis, they bought his records, enjoyed his songs and went on to listen to more rock and roll.

Today, 50 years after That’s All Right was recorded, interest in Elvis remains at an all-time high. This is of course due to many admirers who have decided to devote a lot of their time to keeping Elvis’ memory alive and make the younger music lovers aware of this man’s contribution to modern music. Here in the Philippines, foremost among these is Chito Bertol, a local Elvis who has retired from performing and the moving force behind the Manila Seedling Bank Foundation. Bertol is also chairman and president of the Elvis Presley Friendship Club Phils. International and if you like Elvis, you should try to keep tabs on Chito and his friends. Here are some of the things they are busy with right now.

To celebrate the fourth anniversary of the Graceland-accredited Club, Bertol has come up with Rare Elvis Duets, the only duet collection of Elvis songs in existence today. The CD however, is only available for officers and members of the Club. So join in if you want one. It has songs culled from Presley’s film and TV appearances and will surely delight diehard fans. Just think. Each time they listen to the CD, they will be able to replay in their minds the movie or video footage where their idol did the song.

Some of the real treats are Crawfish with Kitty White from King Creole, which shows a rare side of Elvis as a singer; the famous rendition of Love Me Tender in counterpoint with Witchcraft by Elvis with Frank Sinatra; and Don’t Cry Daddy, a recording by Lisa Marie Presley with one of her father’s old hits, You Were Always in My Mind. Also included are There Ain’t Nothing Like a Song with Nancy Sinatra and three goodies with Ann Margret from Viva Las Vegas: Lady Loves Me, You’re the Boss and Today, Tomorrow & Forever.

More on the Club’s activities. There will be a concert featuring The Young Elvises of the Philippines at the Quattro Music Bar & Restaurant at 96 Timog Avenue in Quezon City on Sunday, Aug. 15. These are Edmund Arevalo, the Up & Coming Elvis; Lito Jauregui, first prize winner of the Cook Magazine and Eat Bulaga contest; Nina Ureta, third prize winner and the Lady Elvis of the Philippines; Richie Barangan, third placer in the Discovery Cable TV contest and Alex Torres, second placer of Cook Magazine. A club donation of P300 per person is requested of the public for entrance and snacks. CDs and DVDs featuring Elvis, of course, will be raffled off. Call telephone numbers 929-9312, 924-0166 and 929-1681 for inquiries.

For more Elvis news, sounds, trivia, etc., etc., tune in to the Elvis Presley Sunday Specials hosted by Club chairman Chito Bertol. It airs every Sunday, 8 to 10 a.m. over DZSR, 918 AM. Those who want to join the Club can write to Bertol c/o DZSR, 4th Floor, PIA Bldg., Visayas Avenue, Quezon City.