Having Fun With Elvis On Stage

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As no small number of us are aware, there's an album out there entitled Having Fun with Elvis On Stage. It was Col. Parker's idea to put out a record of nothing but Elvis's onstage patter. To make it even more interesting, it was during the Fat Elvis period, when The King's brain was thoroughly stewed with uppers, ludes, and fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I could be wrong, but I think that Having Fun even charted on Billboard (not the upper reaches, though).

This thing strikes me as being almost impervious to commentary of any sort. Has anyone here even heard thing? Would any modern popstar release anything like it?

― Tadeusz Suchodolski, Tuesday, 26 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Doesn't he go on about some journalist who was bad-mouthing him on this? He says, "I'm gonna pull his tongue out by da roots!"

― Michael Bourke, Tuesday, 26 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

This doesn't address your question, but I just now purchased the DVD of Elvis's "That's The Way It Is", a live 1970 concert. It's the beginning of the white jumpsuit era, but pre-flab, and it's supposed to be great.

Who's onstage patter would be good enough to warrant a whole LP release? The decade's worth of bad movies were Col. Parker's idea, too. Who can imagine what Elvis would have done if he had better (or more tasteful, or artistic, or sympathetic) management.

― Sean, Tuesday, 26 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Nowadays, I could imagine Henry Rollins releasing such a recording. Also, there's a recording of Robert Fripp called "Robert Fripp Unplugged" which is all dialogue. I think his sister, Patricia, compiled it and put it out for release. A band I used to play with once opened for a musician named David Poe and his onstage banter was just as entertaining as the music he was performing.

― brian, Tuesday, 26 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Lou Reed's Take No Prisoners is the closest thing to this I've heard.

― Mark, Tuesday, 26 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Most legendary comment -- "Look at these little red things in my pants here." But I have only seen transcriptions. mp3s, anyone?

― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 26 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Someone in the "KISS Alive!" thread posted that he heard something called "Having Fun With Stanley On Stage," 10-15 min. of Paul Stanley's on-stage banter. If it is at all like his pre-"Cold Gin" rap, it must be fucking hilarious.

I could think of a bunch of popstars who could release an album of nothing but their on-stage schtick. Only most of them would do it totally self-consciously, as if their on-stage banter was actually worthwhile listening (which, of course, means that it isn't, except as evidence of their rampant egomania). Henry Rollins, Eddie Vedder, Thom Yorke, and Fred Durst come to mind immediately, for some reason ...

And no, I've yet to find any MP3s of the Elvis album. And not for lack of effort, I must say!

― Tadeusz Suchodolski, Tuesday, 26 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

i have an Elvis interview record that has a bunch of random elvis interviews by not very important journalists. it has some funny moments although does not sound as funny as this thing

― ddd, Tuesday, 26 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

http://www.elvisunique.com/images/productphotos/havingfunwithelvi svol1lg.jpg

― Tadeusz Suchodolski, Tuesday, 26 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The site from whence the above picture came indicates that there's are at least two more volumes of Having Fun with Elvis on Stage. More accurately, you can buy Vols. 3 and 4 from this site. Where's Vol. 2, I wonder?
― Tadeusz Suchodolski, Tuesday, 26 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

YAAAAW! DON'T MESS WITH THE KING!

― Tadeusz Suchodolski, Tuesday, 26 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Didja check eBay yet, Tad? Knock yrself out.

― Michael Daddino, Tuesday, 26 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

My brother is actually lucky enough to be an owner of a copy of "Having fun with Elvis on stage" and we spent many a younger happy hour laughing ourselves stupid at the contents. There's one classic section where he's trying to start 'Hound dog' and he's saying 'You ain't nothing but a greyhound.... no, that ain't right... you ain't nothing but a groundhog.... naah... man... what is it?...' and he just lists more and more ridiculous animals. Maybe I should ask him to tape it for me or something, it would be superb to sample from.

― Rob M, Wednesday, 27 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Here's a clip.

― Colin Meeder, Wednesday, 27 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Col Tom, spotting that anything with Elvis actually singing on it was contractually promised to RCA, popped it out as a music free money spinning souvenir to be sold at live shows back in the seventies, which is why no one's ever released anything similar since. there are plenty of interview discs out there, (such as the Oasis argument 'Wibbling Rivalry' which actually charted), which don't need clearance as such. There used to be hundreds of them on vinyl in the late eighties, usually on picture discs which featured the most unappetising copyright free photos imaginable.

― Snotty Moore, Wednesday, 27 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I like how he even ends his rants with a "Thankyouverymuch."

― nickn, Wednesday, 27 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

six years pass...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVlkrc7p_1Y

this track is fucking amazing

― chaki, Thursday, 27 March 2008 23:29 (eighteen years ago)

I'm watching That's The Way It Is right now and it's outstanding. See Elvis get shocked by a live mic during the best version of "Little Sister" you've ever heard!

Oh, and there are two volumes of Relaxation of the Asshole, entire LPs of Bob Pollard 'banter'

― If Assholes Could Fly This Place Would Be An Airport, Thursday, 27 March 2008 23:38 (eighteen years ago)

i want having fun with mark e. smith on stage

― haitch, Friday, 28 March 2008 00:00 (eighteen years ago)

more fun with elvis on stage, now with more medication!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXiMfukBZM4

― shanissey, Friday, 28 March 2008 08:25 (eighteen years ago)

five years pass...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3haAGoan5Q

― DDD, Tuesday, 4 February 2014 13:28 (twelve years ago)

I have the CD edition. Many additional tracks, including the all-time classic “Bill Cosby.” TURN OFF THAT PINK LIGHT!

― Here he is with the classic "Poème Électronique." Good track (Marcello Carlin), Tuesday, 4 February 2014 13:42 (twelve years ago)

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