FIRST TIME HEARING Elvis Presley - In The Ghetto (Las Vegas 1970) REACTION

[@juliestogner2542]

Elvis himself was raised the the ghetto of Mississippi

[@karenpowell6063]

And in Memphis , his family moved there when he was like 13?years old. They lived in the projects there

[@StacyMoore241]

And in Memphis, he lived in government apartments until he became famous.

[@rosemarywatson1231]

Elvis understood poverty. Born into it, I can respect him singing this song because of that fact.

[@ugadawgs1990]

Elvis took stands against segregation and racism over & over. He did it publicly, privately, loudly, and quietly. He always stood up for black people.

[@skyhawk4946]

The song was written by Mac Davis. The story of the song. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXi2n4ech6-febs

[@kbrewski1]

The irony about "Elvis fighting racism" is that Elvis benefitted greatly from segregationist racist attitudes by white music producers, DJs, and the television producers who wanted to find a white music star to market to white suburban America in the mid 50s. Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bo Diddley etc didn't get that kind of support and push.

[@christopherking4932]

Tell that to public enemy and others who call him a racist and a thief.

[@Mariethename99]

Elvis was born in poverty in a black community in Tupelo, Mississippi. Elvis knew about the struggles and harsh realities faced by those living in poverty. The track reflects not only the societal issues of the time but also Elvis’s deep empathy for the downtrodden. His manager didn't want him to sing it because of the backlash and Parker feared that the song's heavy themes and political undertones might alienate their core audience, which largely consisted of mainstream listeners who preferred escapist entertainment. Despite Parker's reservations, Elvis ultimately went against his manager’s wishes and recorded "In the Ghetto," which was released in 1969.

[@mikesba]

For more about Elvis’ life, watch “Elvis and the Black Community- that echo will never die”. Growing up in predominantly poor, black neighborhoods in Tupelo, Mississippi & Memphis, Tennessee, he was exposed to gospel, soul & rock & roll. He sang in the choir of a Black Church. He helped bring soul & Gospel into larger audiences.

[@christopherking4932]

Did all that just to be demonized by groups like public enemy and many more

[@Jimwood-k5r]

Whenever Elvis sings without smiling or flirting with the women, it is because he takes that song serious. This song meant a lot to him just like If I could dream did. He also took gospel music seriously.

[@cindyphifer970]

Elvis always the best. Mac Davis wrote this and took it to Sammy Davis Jr first and Sammy told him to take it to Elvis, as Elvis knew this life. Elvis always the best

[@christines1709]

Written by Mac Davis, a very talented singer-song writer

[@julieb.5860]

underappreciated!

[@makingthecoin3647]

​@@julieb.5860absolutely. As a teenager one of my first favorite country singers along with Ronnie Milsap and Don Williams. Also loved his TV specials and film appearances.

[@julieb.5860]

@@makingthecoin3647 there are so many great artists who didn't get their due. i mourn the fact that Leon Russell is unknown by most of the people who adore his songs. I see covers of A Song For You being inspired by everyone but the actual creator, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. So many others as well.

[@okay5045]

I saw Mac Davis live. He had a wonderful stage show and was a great song writer

[@NancyMoran-r3b]

He gave away a few house and a few cars to people. He was humble in many ways.

[@rayjackson6917]

A few? No one knows how many, because he gave things away without anyone knowing. They do know that he gave away at least 200 Cadillac's!!! Truly one of kind! Magnificent in every way! Colleen 🙂

[@kellyb.3600]

I swear this is the saddest song ever. But thanks for the share ❤

[@kevinbultitude6472]

Great man from humble beginnings!

[@justinam7117]

Sadly... still relevant today.

[@NancyMoran-r3b]

Mac Davis wrote this song. He was a singer and a songwriter. Elvis grew up very poor. He understood poverty.

[@MrMferg240]

ELVIS loved black folks. he loved black music which was a huge influence on him. he was one of the most generous people you would ever meet.when on tour he was ready to do a concert and they objected to his black female backup singers, ELVIS told them if my girls can't be on stage with him he was not going on stage either.

[@davidchase1439]

Big myth was spread that elvis stayed black man could not even shine his shoes totally lie he grew up exposed to poor films of all colors grew up in black churches

[@davidchase1439]

When Houston stated his back up singers sweet inspirations not allowed o. Stage due to being black he stated to them if they are kicked out he would take it S him being kicked out thew quickly changed there tune tmregarxing all allowed on stage to sing

[@davidchase1439]

If I can dream was how elvis really felt about race relations

[@erikahutchcraft1742]

Seriously?! Can you re-read and spell check etc. before you post?? Nobody can understand what in the heck your talking about…

[@charlottedixon6628]

😪RIP Elvis🙏♥️

[@debrablumrogers5096]

A beautiful heartfelt song that mirrors how life could be in the ghetto , for ALL who live there.💔

[@jayeginn5963]

Elvis was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, in a 2 room shack of a house his dad built with money he borrowed from his boss. That's how dirt poor they were. He was one half of identical twins; the other boy - Jesse Garon - was stillborn. They were so poor, that Jesse Garon was buried in a shoebox in an unmarked grave. At Graceland they have a plaque with his name on it in his memory. Elvis always got along with the black community and learned a lot about music from his friends of color. Also, according to the one drop rule, Elvis would not be considered white, since he has Cherokee ancestors on both the Smith (his mother) and the Presley (his father) sides of the family. His paternal grandfather, Jesse Dunning Presley, was not happy that his two sons, Elvis' father Vernon and his brother Vester, married two sisters, Gladys and Clettes who were known to have Cherokee blood in their family tree. J.D. Presley was quite the racist a-hole, often drunk and a philandering husband to Minnie Mae (they were actually separated long before they finally divorced in 1954) who was always competing with his sons Vester and Vernon and who was known to abuse his kids when drunk. J.D. was publicly against race mixing and was in denial about the Cherokee blood in his own family tree. It was more publicly known that the Smith family had Native blood in their family tree, so when both his sons fell for 2 Smith sisters and Vernon, on top of that, was still a minor at 17 when he eloped with Gladys who was 4 years older than him, Jesse was totally pissed off. As a child, Elvis already had many friends in the black community at the time his family was one of 4 "white" families that lived in the predominantly black neighborhood The Hill, just across from Shake Rag. His childhood friend Sam Bell said that some of the (black) kids in that neighborhood had lighter skin than Elvis. One of Elvis' bodyguards once said that he thought it was a miracle Elvis got into Humes High School in Memphis, because it was "lily white". Elvis wanted to be more open about his Native ancestry, but his manager "colonel" Tom Parker (real name Andreas van Kuijk) was against it because he was afraid it might cost Elvis fans (and himself money). They did have Elvis play characters in his movies though where he had Native American blood (Flaming Star, G.I. Blues, Stay Away Joe). Once Elvis had his own (apprentice) job learning to be an electrician, he saved up his money and bought his clothes in the same style that many of his friends of color wore. He was called a (forgive me, just stating facts here) "n-lover" and got beaten up several times too. Later, when he was an established star, he would not perform at places where the members of color of his back-up band/orchestra weren't allowed.

[@sebastianblack6506]

All very interesting. I am curious, however, in any members of Elvis's Memphis Mafia were black because they are always portrayed by white men in the movies. Did he have any real black friends as an adult?

[@jayeginn5963]

​@@sebastianblack6506 His inner circle was white, probably because as his fame exploded it was hard for him to make new friends and his last black friends were from Tupelo, when he was a child. Most of his MM members he knew from his Memphis High School days (Red, Sonny, George - although he was not really MM, but a close friend), Jerry Schilling was 7 years younger, but was invited to join whenever they were a player short at touch football when Elvis was a late teenager who was just becoming a local celebrity. Guys like Charlie and Joe he befriended in the army. He was friends with black celebs such as Muhammad Ali, Jackie Wilson, B.B. King and more, but of course they were not in his inner circle and had their own entourages. He was close to his black cooks; treated them the same as the MM members (as in giving them houses and cars).

[@sebastianblack6506]

@@jayeginn5963 Thanks for the response.

[@nycsue]

Just so you know, there is no proof of this Cherokee blood. Someone wrote a book and claimed it, but there is no proof it exists. It's certainly possible, but it seems that every southerner seems to claim Cherokee blood and something tells me that the author of that book took liberties when writing it ( as everyone does when it comes to Elvis ). The point being, we don't know.

[@jayeginn5963]

@@nycsue Billy Smith and his son confirmed it.

[@mikemaricle9941]

Cold Kentucky Rain

[@JamesJohnson-ig6of]

Being raised around children of a different color and race, ELVIS never knew the difference because they all wore the same shoes. "ELVIS AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY" is an historical documentary of life growing up in a segregated South. Legends like BB King and numerous others in show biz talk about the real ELVIS. He attended Black Churches as a boy and was asked to participate in the choir. Already those around him was aware of his musical talent. In 1975 ELVIS was asked and was scheduled for a Concert in Texas. He was told "Well you can leave the Black girls home." His reply, "Then I'm not gonna be there." No one knew more about racism because he had faced it head on all his life. Many other videos show the different sides of ELVIS; the man who donated huge sums of money to St. Jude's Children Hospital; buying his cook a brand-new house and buying cars for those who had nothing. *PLEASE REACT TO THE ABOVE VIDEO I MENTION! THANX GUYS!!

[@AngelaGoodwin-fh6fw]

Elvis' musical taste came from a real place. He was surrounded by not only Country music, but Gospel and the Blues as well. He lived in a black neighborhood when he was very young and there is a video of one of his childhood friends talking to "Elvis" director Baz Luhrmann about their time together as kids. His name was Sam Bell. I hope you'll watch this as well as "Elvis and the Black Community".

[@vonnietorraville1058]

His people asked for him to not to sing this song 🎶 but Elvis said he was going too do the song 🎶 . Vonnie ❤❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

[@goldenretrieverpuppies958]

Elvis grew up in the ghetto in the black community .. went to the black Churches and sang in the choir..

[@delilahmorrow4606]

Thank you ! ❤ Elvis.

[@stever1791]

What a Great song. No one copies this one from Elvis . it's too Good to be duplicated

[@jodieschossow6497]

Its strange to me that everyone assumes that the song was about a young black man. But never once does Elvis make that distinction. We all need to be t&at way. Without focusing so much on the distiction between us. We are all Human, and we are all children of God, that's what makes us Brothers and Sisters. God Bless you and Keep you 🙏.

[@victorcarrasco3040]

I’m a 61 year old Mexican born and raised in San Diego Ca. And, yes, this song was a message to the world of what life in the ghetto is like for a black culture for I know from the eyes looking in perspective of the poverty and racial discrimination mainly towards the black community. But at the same time the Mexican community went through the same, we call the ghetto Barrio in Spanish. I was raised in a predominantly Black and Mexican community, we shared it and lived together. But there’s ghettos all over the world and those that just know, know. So internationally, speaking for myself can relate. I was that baby that was born when times were difficult and became that young man that picked up a gun and pulled the trigger and lost my freedom. But, I had a baby brother that was born six years later and times were still difficult for two hard working parents of seven. The sad reality is that my little Brother (RIP🙏🏽🌹) at the same age I was when I pulled the trigger died at the home we grew in,the ghetto. Elvis was trying to bring awareness and empathy to the black community when this song was written, but like Corey said, for those who know, know. I’ve been checking your content and you guys are cool and joyful to watch; you have a new subscriber after I end this message. Much Love, One Love 🙏🏽✌🏼😎✊🏽

[@TheVGP-yessiree]

I feel for you and your family, Victor. To have lost your brother at so young an age. Tragic. Sad. A lesson for those who would reflect and ponder reality. Much love to you, sir. I am 63 tomorrow. I've known discrimination all of my life. I was weak. I attempted to take my own life because of it. No one will ever understand unless they've lived it. Like Corey said, "those how know. Know." Peace out dude. Merry Christ-mas. May God always smile upon you and light your path. -eric "He must increase, but I must decrease" ...(John 3:30)

[@nycsue]

Elvis grew up in terrible poverty, as did ( and still today ) many, many white people. Contrary to popular belief, black and brown people aren't the only poor people. Poor whites didn't have anyone standing up for them back then and they still don't have anyone standing up and speaking out for them today. Poverty affects all races.

[@loucad1802]

54 years ago and we still haven't really "listened" to the words.

[@jorgecolon2014]

You need to watch the mini doc ELVIS AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY to better understand what he was truly all about. He grew up in poverty around black folks and he was ostracized by white folk because of his music.

[@alanbifalco3383]

Great reactions fellas!..You have to check out "TRYING TO GET TO YOU" from the 68 Live TV Comeback Special

[@Steve-gx9ot]

Elvis was born poor and never forgot hus roots. Loved to entertain and did Not do anuthing to show kff. He enjoyed the fame but also stayed True and humble. Often mus- understood. He was Not a shallow man.. Wise beyond his years

[@Aminuts2009]

I can't listen to this song with out crying.

[@terrygarcia897]

He didn't steal anything he lived it. You can't teach or learn that you have it in you or you don't have it in you.

[@deborahcornell171]

Please do "Tryin' To Get To You" from the '68 Comeback Special. Lots of reactors do it because so many people love it!🩵✨️🩵

[@kathrynstafford7099]

The 60s and 70s were a time of civil rights and social conscience. It was written by a country singer, Mac Davis. Check him out and why he wrote it.

[@Norwegian733]

Elvis did not only stay in Vegas. Thats for just parts of the year. He did go on US tours with 10- 25.000 fans showing up. Full stadiums on every consert.

[@makingthecoin3647]

Mac Davis wrote this song and offered it to Sammy Davis. But he replied he thinks Elvis should do it because Elvis grew up in very poor rural area. Sammy said he didn't.

[@victoriarios3726]

When was Elvis old? He died at 42. He did perform in other U.S.cities besides Las Vegas over his last 10 years. HE WILL BE MISSED AND LOVED FOREVER.❤ Thanks for the reaction.

[@HeavenlyPresley-Tonya]

He performed in Canada - Toronto Elvis's first Canadian performances were on April 2, 1957 at the Maple Leaf Gardens. He wore his famous gold lamé suit, and played "Blueberry Hill" on the piano. Ottawa Elvis performed on April 3, 1957 at the Ottawa Auditorium. The audience was so loud that it was hard to hear Elvis sing. Vancouver Elvis's final Canadian performance was on August 31, 1957 at Empire Stadium. The show was marred by a riot, with fans rushing the stage and surrounding the band's car after the show. Elvis's Canadian concerts were a pop-culture event that sent fans into a frenzy. He never toured internationally again, and only played shows outside of the United States on these two occasions

[@victoriarios3726]

@HeavenlyPresley-Tonya ❤️

[@kbrewski1]

Elvis started looking 50ish in his mid 30s.

[@victoriarios3726]

@@kbrewski1 Does he look 50ish in this video because he is about 35 here?

[@makingthecoin3647]

​@@kbrewski1let's see your face . Embarrassed?

[@jimquackenbush2821]

I've been waiting for your reaction to this video. To me I see what he's talking about. I see alot of shit in my neighborhood still !😎🤟

[@terrygarcia897]

Dionne Warrick talks about when Elvis helped her get to the top of the charts. Whitney aunt. On KZbin

[@erikrichards5072]

The Dutch "colonel" robbed so many of experiencing E's greatness.

[@stephenhuber1219]

I was hooked on this song when I was 8 in the late 60's. I wonder if an 8-year-old today would like this. Many songs in the 60's and 70's were loved by parents & kids

[@johnathanstruble1064]

The only Grammys he ever won for the gospel.and most deserving. this song isn't gospel, but it does touch the Soul.

[@lsbill27]

What I like about this video is, he's in Vegas singing to an audience of mostly white well to do folks. But, he's singing about the people who are struggling with life. It's something this audience probably don't want to think about but he wants to bring it to them anyway.

[@kennethmcdonald9976]

The youngest reactor seems uncomfortable talking about Elvis? The fact is Elvis grew up dirt poor in Tupelo Mississippi. Elvis' family lived on the edge of Shake Rag. Shake Rag was the black side of town in the 1930s...Elvis had many black friends as a child and was brought up by his mother to be color blind. Blues legend BB King knew Elvis from1953 on and had this to say about Elvis' talent and character King said this: said: " Elvis did not have a racist bone in his body. I know I was around him often. When he sang he had a way of making it sound like you could believe it, so a lot of people like myself liked him" "When Elvis hit he was so great and popular that everything he sang became a hit. To me they did'nt get it wrong when they called him the King" The song, In the Ghetto, was not a song his manager wanted him to record-but he did it anyway. In 1969 most of white America did not want to acknowledge the "cycle of life" that "In the Ghetto" spoke about.....but Elvis did. Poor in 1935 was not like poor in todays world....Elvis' house had no running water nor toilet inside-they had an outhouse. they had no electric refrigerator, no air conditioning, no hot water...their stove served 2 purposes to cook on and to help keep the house warm in cold weather. No TV, for years not even a radio so this was poor like most kids in 2024 could not imagine. Rock n Roll was not just blues,......... it was also country, pop music of the day and black and white gosple all blended together to become a new genre Rock and Roll. Elvis hit in 1954 with "Thats Alright Mama" on Sun Records label in Memphis. The record had a pretty goof size regional hit throughout the south.The day it was recorded Sam Phillips(Sun records owner) took it to a black radio station and asked DJ Dewey Phillips to play it once to get some reaction to it . The switchboard at WHBQ's Red, Hot and Blue show went into overtime as people kept requesting it over and over....and they wanted to know who the voice on the record was. The song played near 30 times in that hour. Many thought the singer was black. (so with only the voice to go by they were not influenced by the color of his skin.) The B-side of "Thats Alright Mama" was a reworking of a country bluegrass song, "Blue Moon of Kentucky" which was sped up and lyrics switched around some.... to get the rock/pop sound they were going for. The orders for this first single in a few days totaled 6000. Sun was not a huge operation so they were always behind in getting the orders out. THE biggest misconception about Elvis is that he was racist-and that is the biggest lie told about ELvis which some people continue to believe. People like BB King who knew Elvis before Elvis was famous are personal witnesses to the fact that Elvis was not in anyway racist. I think a good video for you all to watch would be Elvis and the black community. Big name stars who knew Elvis, his backup singers and others talk about Elvis and his principles and beliefs.

[@kennethmcdonald9976]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3yqZaKbg7ibZtE Elvis and the Black Community The Echo will Never Die

[@katm6086]

It was because he was sick which people didn’t talk about, they just wanted to reflect on the weight. No he feels and shows his emotions.

[@carolhayar3037]

BACKGROUND INFO for the SONG: Written by famous singer-songwriter Mac Davis, it is about his Black childhood friend whose father worked for Davis’ father & Davis could not understand why the boy lived in such poverty in a part of town that was a dirt-street ghetto. Sometimes we need to see a "quieter" Elvis who does slow songs -- i.e., The Wonder Of You. Every song he did, fast or slow was full of emotion and REAL. Nothing he sang with emotion/passion was every phony. And no, he was not tired at that point. Those house lights & stage lights are extremely mega hot -- you could stand nude on stage & you will perspire.

[@tcbsince73]

When Elvis' daughter was born, Nancy Sinatra phoned him to congratulate him. She said that he said that he felt bad for all the children born that day who would not have what his daughter would have. "He particularly talked about the black kids". You can hear this when she was on Conan O'Brien. Two years later he was given In The Ghetto.

[@snapdragon8888]

I definitely think you would get a lot out of "Elvis and the Black Community: That Echo Will Never Die". There is a part 2 that you could follow up with.

[@ripmod1]

All I ever heard in the early 50s were big bands. You can imagine how excited we were when the King showed up. He has no equal!

[@kbrewski1]

CHUCK BERRY> True KING OF RNROLL

[@larryparrish6460]

“Always on my mind “great song

[@mikemaricle9941]

You should checkout "Elvis And The Black Community".

[@AngelaGoodwin-fh6fw]

I second that!

[@wallygator52]

I like that you gents are checking out Elvis. As in some of the previous comments I also think you should watch " Elvis and the Black Community " and see what the people in the black community who knew him thought about him. It's about a 15 minute video and well worth watching.

[@terrygarcia897]

A reporter asked Elvis who is the king of rock n roll and Elvis said fats. It's on film

[@lorisutton5267]

Elvis was Born in the poorest part of Tupelo Ms in a Two room shotgun house with no electricity or running water, built by his daddy and Cousin ,he very well Knew what it meant to be poor and the song, never referred to the black people only , it's just a song that was written by Mac Davis who asked Sammy Davis Jr to record it and he said I didn't live that life and I know who did and he told Mac Davis that Elvis was the man who lived that life TCB 1935

[@TheKopyKatz]

Fire 🔥🔥🔥

[@christophertyler3425]

Bruno Mars got his start being a young Elvis impersonator; great channel guys!!!

[@eorozco2720]

I loved his voice in the 70s and it seems to keep getting better and better Office was very sick. He had a lot of health conditions that caused the weight gain as well exploding it was never necessarily fact it was because he was sick. He had been sick most of his life, but it got worse at the end Elvis cared about all people all the time.

[@Carol0000P]

Elvis was not tired! You clearly have not watched enough Elvis. He not only sang, he interpreted a song. He makes you feel the words. Take a look at these performances and then reevaluate if you still think he was tired…. Early Vegas- That’s the Way it Is Suspicious Minds 1970 kzbin.info/www/bejne/imLKZqeMfL-bnM0si=Mu5pYlKJj14ibzmH Polk Salad Annie kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGXHiaZ6eK2AndEsi=OI-tx5xCqj5pJBqv Bridge Over Troubled Water kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWHHhWRjjM11fK8si=LzW33hBuuGs9OF86 Just Pretend kzbin.info/www/bejne/eabYkot_dpl0Y6Msi=zCG6KgK5zNwg4joi You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4Wvm4Cfeq-qp5Ysi=Azi7-oHzaTQYaxIp

[@NancyMoran-r3b]

Yes. They never do young Elvis in black leather. Or Elvis with his country shirts and guitar or his cute suits. He got fat young. He was only 42 when he died. He put a lot of feeling into this song. He friend write it and he felt a deep connection to it.

[@mattmadden3013]

There really wasn't a young as opposed to old Elvis. Just thin as opposed to fat. He was only 42 when he kicked the bucket. TCB! Thanks for your content & HAPPY HOLIDAYS...

[@voodoochild2968]

"American Trilogy" is a great one to do,live versions are better and there are several out there

[@tinakeith5822]

This is my favorite Elvis song!

[@GaryColemanNC]

If I Can Dream...

[@lisarichardson210]

Many think Elvis wrote this, but it was Mac Davis. His friend lived in the Ghetto and he decided to write this song about his friend’s experience. It’s so like the times now. Makes me cry. 😢 As far as him liking Black music, he imitated Roy Hamilton and Jackie Wilson’s moves and singing style. Please react to those two. Great artists. ❤

[@rhondaserges5136]

Sissy Huston was one of the Elvis singers

[@randyhanner3188]

Elvis was a great defender & advocate fir minorities & the lack of the government giving AF about poor people & underprivileged people

[@JamesJohnson-ig6of]

@randyhanner3188 I like your direct way with words! And you couldn't be more right. As always politicians did and still do appropriate money for wars but not people. There were instances where ELVIS spent so much on complete strangers that his manager tried to put a stop to it.

[@mikemaricle9941]

Race was never mentioned in this song.

[@julieb.5860]

I enjoy Elvis, particularly Suspicious Minds. I fear that by the time this was recorded, he had very little in common with his fans, or that he identified with the 'average' person, much less his own humble roots. However, I don't listen to music because of the singer, outside of expectation, but the message, and this one resonated during our fumbling attempts to try to comprehend what is faced in this country, even today. So unless there are egregious reasons to ignore an artist (which at this time did not apply), it's the message, and how it's received, that is important. In his clumsy entitled way, he still tried to connect with his own good intentions. What???

[@grahammalcolm7130]

The song in its original release was acually slower and elvis sings it beautifully. Him. Singing it on stage was great . Elvis only got heavy in his lasy year 76 but he had many inherited illiness from his mothers side . His voice acually got better in his later years

[@hkt48man57]

Awesome! Great channel showing all sorts of great performances, songs, and reactions.

[@darrinlindsey]

The studio version is sung with a much more heartfelt emotion.

[@AlanfiHolfield]

He was brought up in the Ghetto, Tupelo Mississippi.

[@davidchase1439]

Elvis greatest sinle perforner beatles greatest group

[@MAGIKMARTIAN9526]

YOU GUYS SHOULD CHECK OUT ELVIS AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY IT'S AN EYE OPENER ON ELVIS

[@MAGIKMARTIAN9526]

I'M TELLING YOU IF YOU WATCH ELVIS AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY YOU WILL SEE WHAT HE DONE FOR BLACK PEOPLE FROM THE BLACK PEOPLE THAT HE DONE IT FOR

[@MAGIKMARTIAN9526]

PLEASE CHECK OUT ELVIS AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY

[@DiscoDee74]

Check out 1971 Suspicious Minds live performance! Yes Elvis could still move! You won’t be disappointed ❤

[@carolhayar3037]

Don't you mean 1970?

[@DiscoDee74]

@ You know you are right. I think. I always get mixed up on the year. I love that performance though!!

[@carolhayar3037]

@@DiscoDee74 Yes, it's from MGM's filming for "That's The Way It Is." Did you know there are 2 versions of this from Vegas -- & while the other one is wonderful, it's the one with the fade-out fade-in @ end that's the epitome. Thanks for responding.

[@DiscoDee74]

@ Yes I did! Thank you!

[@DiscoDee74]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/imLKZqeMfL-bnM0si=2KwYCfOMk04YcvNg

[@terrygarcia897]

Whiney Houston mother sang with Elvis.

[@EarthWalker2023]

❤

[@VIDSTORAGE]

It was originally by singer songwriter Mac Davis and he knew Elvis would do much better with it..

[@debigiroux1811]

Elvis was raised in the Ghetto, his father was in prison and it was what he knew and lived.

[@nancy9891]

When he got heavy it was because he was in congestive heart failure. The song was ground breaking because he refused to hide the truth of the ghetto. A big song!

[@adasga]

Basically most impersonators seem to do Elvis from the last 2 years of his life.

[@gregwhite8794]

There is no mention of what color the child is in the song.

[@carolhayar3037]

BACKGROUND INFO for the SONG: Written by famous singer-songwriter Mac Davis, it is about his Black childhood friend whose father worked for Davis’ father & Davis could not understand why the boy lived in such poverty in a part of town that was a dirt-street ghetto.

[@makingthecoin3647]

​@@carolhayar3037Carol your a few steps ahead of those trying to dilute this Man. These are the insecure ignorant bigoted who 50years after his death are still fishing to find a strand of racism in him.

[@JosephCampos-g9j]

Elvis put himself out there I'm sure a lot of people didn't like this Elvis knew a lot of people knew him so his message got out.. you have to give him credit

[@Yogananda-o8i]

I think OlliWoodDDA wondered if there wasn't much internally happening with Elvis when he was interpreting this song at this perfomance - that he was tired and chilling after a faster song. When it cames to the slow songs especially, Elvis inhabited them. He cared about lyrics, ; the subject matter related by 'In the Ghetto' during 1970 is sung with empathy and no drama. In fact, Sammy Davis Jr passed on this because he couldn't convey the necessary feeling required. The only dramatic part we here in Elvis' live interpretation was the controlled band ending. The body language form Elvis was unmistakeably congruent when he interprets words (unless he felt in a joking mood). The eyes, the hands, the tone of the words, the focus, all brought about connection with the viewer and listener. Yes, the heat of the lights and an exuberant performance earlier might have a required a momentary tempo change, but Elvis respected lyrics and he knew that not all songs had to be belted out to chime with people.

[@makingthecoin3647]

MOTOWN. Smoky Robinson, one of there only performers who wrote ALL his own. Barry Gordy had a school of writers+fam who were paid a salary plus owned %of there songs the rest was split between the Performer(s) and Motown. Similar with WHITNEY. Songwriter? Really? Clive Davis had salaried Songwriters to work with or without Whitney. Either way she gets listed as a % owner of the Song. On file all names while many times performer only actually on album. Receipts: Hollywood Reporter, Hollywood Insider, Herb Albert interview, Jose Feliciano Part II, Carlos Santana Voice Newspaper etc. MARVIN GAYE offered a song to perform he loved it but told the songwriter his team (Motown) needs to get 40% of Song rights. Songwriter backed off Dr. HOOK sang it was a big hit.

[@DonnaVito-dv6ek]

Elvis was born and raised in a little community called Shake Rag Mississippi in a African American neighborhood. He had working parents but far from rich .Elvis was a good man that was taken advantage of .Doctors didn't help as he aged with prescription drugs ect... what a interesting life but a very sad ending to the Kings life. ❤

[@tinamarie4993]

❤️👑❤️

[@terrygarcia897]

He's the top 5 celebrities in America history for giving to charity's and strangers. He did hundreds of shows for charity's. His estate still gives

[@jamesvomsaal]

He’s singing it for Humanity ,we all are guilty of turning away

[@adasga]

He should have done a world tour but he did tour outside of Vegas between 1970-77, MSG in 1972 being one I would have loved to see something from in the movie.

[@CindyAnnL]

Unfortunately Colnal Parker was an illegal in the USA at the time. He was the one that would not let elvis tour around Europe or the world because if Tom Parker left the USA he knew he would not be able to get back in. The only other country that Elvis stayed in was Germany and the reason why that was is because Elvis was in the army he got stationed there.

[@elvis78ale]

Thanks ❤

[@vinasel96]

Classes divide us most, not race. I think Elvis realize this. Aways so kind to the working class, not just the elites.

[@RicoMusap-te3om]

Do the litter sister medley from elvis🎉

[@TonyaPoindexter-w5i]

Not an act, he was devoted to black people, in fact he tracked down many of the old black women that was good to him as a kid, some he left a pink caddy, some he paid their rent for a year, some he sent money on a monthly bases, he donated great amounts of money to their churches. He loved his black family, and he never forgot them. E was a man of many loves.

[@markmurphy558]

One of those backup singers you hear is Cissy Houston, Whitney's mother. He was very protective of those singers during their tours through the south.

[@GeezerTony]

He never said black, or any race in this song. It was meant for the underprivileged, whoever they are.

[@lilamuzik3385]

And Elvis was reviled by his schoolmates for playing and celebrating black music and gospel learned in the black churches he snuck into. He loved and admired and was inspired by the struggles of blacks and the poor.

[@hookedonreactions7649]

He had to fight his manager to record this song.

[@lisapriebe7729]

Elvis was a kind, generous and empathetic soul who was pushed, manipulated and used by his manager, "The Colonel" Tom Parker. He loved his country and actually did a tour in the Army in the late '60's rather than get a deferment that he easily could have gotten. When he came back in '68, he did a concert "unplugged." That was probably the purist Elvis ever since his very early days. It was a sad story and downhill the rest of the way as Parker hooked him on drugs to get the most he could out of his cash cow 😢

[@xerxesalmighty9444]

This song wasn’t about Elvis’s experience. Singer/songwriter Mac Davis wrote In The Ghetto (for Elvis) about the cycle of poverty. It was inspired by Davis’s childhood friend, a black kid named Smitty Junior who lived on a dirt street in the ghetto. He wondered why Smitty had to live that way but he didn’t. Elvis put much more into the recording than that live version.