And I'm not asking why YOU hate on Elvis (if you do). I'm asking what Prince has against him. He has trashed him a couple songs....Face Down, Rock n Roll is Alive. On the Musicology tour he began the chords of Jailhouse Rock and then stopped and said "You have to be the Prince before you can be the King."
What's the deal?

Fleshofmyflesh said:

Prince is only human, he may be jealous. It just may be that he likes to play with the whole King, Prince thing and has no one else to refer to.
.....but I don't know.

Miguel

the music industry used him all up and left Elvis for dead?

Snap said:

Snap, please elaborate here.
I'm not sure I know what you mean and I would like to, because I always value your thoughts/opinions.

Fleshofmyflesh said:

I think it could be that Elvis gets a lot of credit for things that he clearly took from other artists.....

I think he's just kidding.
Have you seen Prince's concert in Las Vegas. He impersonates James Brown as senile old man.
Thats his sense of humor I guess

WapoWan said:

But to say FaceDown, DeadLikeElvis?
I just don't see how that's funny.

Rhondab said:

This is a great topic for discussion.
I don't know why people see it this way. Elvis loved the blues. Rock n roll was in his blood. He always acknowledged the fact that he learned music from the Black folks in Mississippi who sat on their porches and played. Elvis never tried to steal or pretend that he invented that kind of music.
He just happened to be white.

Fleshofmyflesh said:

Co-sign.

Miguel

OK... When we hear "face down...." Which "character" is saying that?

I don't think Prince hates on Elvis. It's just that Elvis was the ULTIMATE rock star.

Think of every rock star cliche that there is - Elvis lived them. The rise from poverty,the rebellious shocking of censors and parents,the fashion, the records sold and broken, the money made, the cars, the house, the women, the excess, the drugs, the fall, the death at a young age, etc.

Because of all of that, Elvis is a quick and easy reference point to many things that all big rock stars (like Prince) have to deal with. Prince refrences Elvis because the King was a prime example of what to do and what not to do with your fame and fortune in the rock and roll world.
[Edited 12/15/04 15:48pm]

WapoWan said:

huh? he makes fun of ozzy osbourne, but i don't remember him making fun of JB. are you talking about the vegas DVD?

Anxiety said:

Yes... The part in which he says "... I got a brand new dance..." (Was he making fun of Ozzy? I thought it was JB)

WapoWan said:

that would be ozzy he's making fun of.

Fleshofmyflesh said:

You got it all wrong buddy, I think Prince idolizes Elvis. I just think he didn't want nobody doing him like they did Elvis. Prince has copped Elvis moves since the Purple Rain era to the Present. Even on his latest tour, being huge fans of both, I couldn't miss the costumes being like Elvis' jumpsuits with a toned down effect, complet with bell bottoms. He also gestured like Elvis did with the wide legged stance. I'm surprised by how many people miss his homages to Elvis and never seem to notice them, I notice them every time. He's a great fan.

Prince has covered several Elvis songs and I remember one time at a Paisley Park party Prince said, "Tonight we're going to honor the King...and I don't mean Martin Luther" and then he went into "Teddy Bear".

mozfonky and lovemachine -
I am absolutely intrigued.
I am a HUGE lover of both P and E.
I am loving this, that there may be evidence out there of Prince's affinity for the King.
Can you think of anymore?

Elvis was a hero to most
But he never meant shit to me you see
Straight up racist that sucker was
Simple and plain
Mother fuck him and John Wayne

-Public Enemy "Fight The Power"

Because he was the first with this hairdo.

Elvis does not deserv all the sucess he had, but he is a wonderful entertainer. IF he had 10% of talent of what he had of charisma, he would be a musica genious.

Fleshofmyflesh said:

If you can find the Also Sprach Zarathrusta boot you can hear a pretty cool version of Prince covering Teddy Bear on the New Power Soul tour. It's an audience boot but it's pretty good quality.

Because a "King" outranks a "Prince".....

Prince dont hate on Elvis, Chuck D of Public Enemy hates on Elvis!

Has anyone actually thought that Elvis actually really does SUCK?!
Would anyone have given a flip if he was a 300 lb. balding fat man?
Seriously, his music sucks.. It's for hormonal women and virgins
[Edited 12/15/04 22:08pm]

I've gotta agree with mozfunkey and lovemachine. I've seen Prince cover an Elvis song at a couple of Paisley Parties. I believe Prince (like most people not named Deminarcotix) have tons of respect for Elvis.

Elvis is, was and always shall be... THE King
[Edited 12/16/04 1:50am]

Fleshofmyflesh said:

I thought it was "just like elvis." It's not even Prince saying that

charlottegelin said:

Fleshofmyflesh said:

I think he's just referencing "My Name is Prince" which has the line "You gotta be a Prince before you're King anyway" (or something like that)... which is an MJ dig.
I like Elvis.. especially Fat Elvis.. the man had a great voice and attitude.