
Phil Spector on Elvis
Rolling Stone Magazine featured an interview with the great producer, Phil Spector in the November 1, 1969 issue. It was conducted by Jann Wenner for the magazine in April 1969. The interview features Spector's famous quote about how "sensational" Elvis was. He also makes some interesting comments about Parker.
Q. What did you think of Elvis' (NBC Comeback) television show?
Spector: "They ruined it; you should have seen it before they edited it. I didn't see the final version. What was originally done was sensational. How it ended up, I can't tell you. I know they cut out three scenes that were unbelievable. I mean they cut out everything that was Elvis, really Elvis. They destroyed a lot of it, so I can't tell you how the final version was. But I think he's a sensation on stage."
Q. Do you think he's gonna come back?
Spector:
"Yeah, he's got a hit now. I don't know what it is, but it's a hit. Oh, he should man. He is never gonna die. Somebody ought to cut an album of him singin' the blues. You know, there's a strong belief—and judging from what I saw and heard at NBC, I believed it - that when he goes into a room with Colonel Parker, he's one way, and when he comes out, he's another way. You know, it's possible Colonel Parker hypnotises him. That's the truth, too, and I can tell you six or seven people who believe it, too, who are not jive ass people. I mean, he actually changes. He'll tell you "Yes, yes, yes," and then he'll go in that room and when he comes out it's "No, no, no." Now, nobody can con you like that. I wonder about that."
Q. What has Elvis got that has survived the worst recording career direction in history?
Spector: "He's a great singer. Gosh, Elvis is so great. You have no idea how great he is, really, you don't. You have absolutely no comprehension—it's absolutely impossible. I can't tell you why he's so great, but he is. He's sensational. He can do anything with his voice. Whether he will or not is something else. He and Dylan I would like to record. Elvis can make some masterful records and can do anything. He can sing any way you want him to, any way you tell him."
Note from the Elvis Information Network: A large number of Phil Spector's key musicians such as Tommy Tedesco, Mike Deasy, Larry Knechtel, Billy Strange, Darlene Love and Hal Blaine were all involved in Elvis' studio sessions, particularly on the NBC TV special.
With thanks to TJ from the FECC website
source: FECC/ElvisInfoNet.net
Rolling Stone Magazine featured an interview with the great producer, Phil Spector in the November 1, 1969 issue. It was conducted by Jann Wenner for the magazine in April 1969. The interview features Spector's famous quote about how "sensational" Elvis was. He also makes some interesting comments about Parker.
Q. What did you think of Elvis' (NBC Comeback) television show?
Spector: "They ruined it; you should have seen it before they edited it. I didn't see the final version. What was originally done was sensational. How it ended up, I can't tell you. I know they cut out three scenes that were unbelievable. I mean they cut out everything that was Elvis, really Elvis. They destroyed a lot of it, so I can't tell you how the final version was. But I think he's a sensation on stage."
Q. Do you think he's gonna come back?
Spector:
"Yeah, he's got a hit now. I don't know what it is, but it's a hit. Oh, he should man. He is never gonna die. Somebody ought to cut an album of him singin' the blues. You know, there's a strong belief—and judging from what I saw and heard at NBC, I believed it - that when he goes into a room with Colonel Parker, he's one way, and when he comes out, he's another way. You know, it's possible Colonel Parker hypnotises him. That's the truth, too, and I can tell you six or seven people who believe it, too, who are not jive ass people. I mean, he actually changes. He'll tell you "Yes, yes, yes," and then he'll go in that room and when he comes out it's "No, no, no." Now, nobody can con you like that. I wonder about that."
Q. What has Elvis got that has survived the worst recording career direction in history?
Spector: "He's a great singer. Gosh, Elvis is so great. You have no idea how great he is, really, you don't. You have absolutely no comprehension—it's absolutely impossible. I can't tell you why he's so great, but he is. He's sensational. He can do anything with his voice. Whether he will or not is something else. He and Dylan I would like to record. Elvis can make some masterful records and can do anything. He can sing any way you want him to, any way you tell him."
Note from the Elvis Information Network: A large number of Phil Spector's key musicians such as Tommy Tedesco, Mike Deasy, Larry Knechtel, Billy Strange, Darlene Love and Hal Blaine were all involved in Elvis' studio sessions, particularly on the NBC TV special.
With thanks to TJ from the FECC website
source: FECC/ElvisInfoNet.net