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Post subject: Greatest Entertainer/Performer *Ever*?
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:16 pm
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In talking with some other musicians over this past weekend, we came to pretty much agree that Elvis Presley was probably in the top 3 anyway, if not *the* greatest.

Elvis went out of control after his divorce and some say it was then that he lost it. Ever wonder what his last day was like? I found this on the web (so it must be true, right :roll: ), but if so :

Tuesday, August 16, 1977:

12:00 midnight: After his 10:30 pm dentist's appointment is completed, Elvis and girlfriend Ginger Alden return to Graceland.

2:15 am: Elvis calls his doctor to request more painkillers, ostensibly because of pain engendered by the dentist trip. Elvis' stepbrother Ricky Stanley drives to the all-night pharmacy at Baptist Memorial Hospital and returns with six Dilaudid pills.

4:00 am: Elvis wakes up first cousin Billy Smith and his wife, Jo, to request they play a game of racquetball with him. Presley, as usual, plays the game while barely moving, and playfully attempts to hit Billy with the ball. In doing so, Elvis manages to hit himself with his racquet, bruising his leg. The game is called off.

4:30 am: Elvis moves to a nearby piano and performs two unidentified gospel numbers and "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain."

5:00 am: Elvis decides to turn in early (for him), going up to his bedroom with Ginger. He takes one of the pre-packaged packets of pills created by his doctor for twice-daily use.

7:00 am: Elvis takes a second pack of pills.

8:00 am: Still unable to sleep, Elvis asks for a third packet, which is brought to him by his aunt, Delta Mae Biggs.

9:30 am: Elvis takes the book he's been reading, Frank Adams' The Scientific Search For The Face Of Jesus, and goes into his bathroom, "Don't fall asleep in there," she says, knowing his propensity to nod off. "Okay, I won't," he says. Ginger goes back to sleep.

1:30 pm: Ginger awakens and sees Elvis is still gone. When knocking on the bathroom door produces no reply, she enters and finds his lifeless body on the floor in front of the toilet. She screams for Elvis associates Al Strada and Joe Esposito, who arrive and call the fire department. An ambulance is dispatched. Daughter Lisa Marie and father Vernon arrive in the bathroom, but Lisa Marie is quickly removed from the scene.

2:56 pm: Elvis Presley arrives at the Baptist Medical Center in Memphis.

3:00 pm: Elvis is pronounced dead.

4:00 pm: On the steps of Graceland, heartbroken father Vernon Presley tells the assembled reporters: "My son is dead."



Discuss... :?:

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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:24 pm
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For me it's:

John Lennon the greatest singer songwriter and the most influential political artist of our time was pronounced dead at 11:15 p.m. on December 8, 1980.

At least he didn't die from his own self abuse.

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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:24 pm
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All because of a Dentists appointment which triggered the need for painkillers which Elvis O-D'ed on? Did I read that right or am I being stupid again? :oops:


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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:25 pm
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If we were limiting the arguement to rock, then I would agree. Elvis was more or less so good that it made rock and roll legitimate. Kind of like Benny Goodman did for swing.

Personally, I would vote for Louis Armstrong. I see his performing and playing as defining popular american music from that point on.

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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:27 pm
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Or the Chairman of the Board. Frank Sinatra defined entertainment for a good chunk of the 20th century.

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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:18 pm
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I would go along with Miami Mike with Elvis then maybe Dylan and then some where in there Freddie Mercury because there stage shows were the best. I will never forget seeing Queen live that was a show of all shows.

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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 5:26 pm
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Bruce Springsteen

Okay, let's get away from greatest songwriters and artists for a second... I don't mean to split hairs, but Lennon & Dylan are not top-5 performers. Lennon, especially, hated performing live (just ask Paul). Lennon & Dylan are two of the greatest artists of the 20-th century, hands down ... but not so for being a "performer".

Ummmm ... Do I need to put on my flame suit now?

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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:06 pm
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I would put them in this order
1 - FRANK S. "Frankie Baby"
2- Elvis
3-Dylan
4- John Lennon
5 Jimi Hendrix/ Clapton/Jeff Beck
6-SRV
7-Assorted others, to many to name!
Before all above Robert Johnson
I've got to stop I keep thinking of others I left out in the proper order.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:45 pm
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Stage performer? How about a guy with a good singing voice who played to the ladies in the audience, played guitar with his teeth, played it behind his head, did splits on stage, and taught Jimi Hendrix almost everything he knew about performing on stage -- T-Bone Walker.


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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 6:57 pm
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I don't know if I can pick one, single, greatest performer. Since the beginning of music, there's been so many great performers and artists. All of the artists listed already are great, but there's so many other great artists too. I just can't really pick one, great artists.

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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 6:04 am
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My vote goes to Roy Clark. He can do anything on a variety show stage, and he's a true master of his music. His range and versatility are unusual, and he's good at everything he does. I think he's still performing, well into his 70's. An admirable man!


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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:30 am
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jeffo46 wrote:
There are way too many to mention as far as I'm concerned,although I was considering Jenna Jamison.


+1 :P

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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:36 am
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No James Brown??? Ever see Rocky IV?

No Prince?

Pink FLoyd on the PULSE tour...biggest stage I ever saw!!

Earth Wind and Fire?

The Blue Man Group?

Andy Kaufman?

I think everyone, in there own unique way is entertaining :lol:

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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:42 am
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Blue Jay Way wrote:
Pink FLoyd on the PULSE tour...biggest stage I ever saw!!


Floyd was awesome for Delicate Sound of Thunder, too.

And I ALMOST went and saw Roger Waters perform "The Wall" live at the wall in Berlin... instead I bought an engagement ring for my current EX-wife. What the heck was I thinking!!!

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Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 7:50 am
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Jenna Jameson. Lol... :P

A lot of the people already mentioned are great performers and much fun to watch and hear!

So, I don't really know if I could pick just one myself, but i do have one to throw into the mix - stepping to the side of the rock acts just a bit - James Brown!

Image

I actually got to see him perform live in 2002, then in his late 60's, and the man was still a site to see! Get on up!!

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