The Berle shows drew such high ratings that Presley was booked for a July 1 appearance on NBCs Steve Allen Show in New York. Allen, no fan of rock and roll, introduced a new Elvis in a white bow tie and black tails. Presley sang Hound Dog for less than a minute to a basset hound wearing a top hat and bow tie. As described by television historian Jake Austen, Allen thought Presley was talentless and absurd ... [he] set things up so that Presley would show his contrition. Allen, for his part, later wrote that he found Presleys strange, gangly, country-boy charisma, his hard-to-define cuteness, and his charming eccentricity intriguing and simply worked the singer into the customary comedy fabric of his program. Just before the final rehearsal for the show, Presley told a reporter, Im holding down on this show. I dont want to do anything to make people dislike me. I think TV is important so Im going to go along, but I wont be able to give the kind of show I do in a personal appearance. Presley would refer back to the Allen show as the most ridiculous performance of his career. Later that night, he appeared on Hy Gardner Calling, a popular local TV show. Pressed on whether he had learned anything from the criticism to which he was being subjected, Presley responded, No, I havent, I dont feel like Im doing anything wrong. ... I dont see how any type of music would have any bad influence on people when its only music. ... I mean, how would rock n roll music make anyone rebel against their parents?
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 02:42:48 +0000
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