Elvis Presley & The Black Community The Echo Will Never Die (REACTION) This Was So Real 🙏🏽🎥✅ Pt.1 

Man, that was an awesome reaction my friend. You are quite obviously a highly intelligent man. You really understood EXACTLY what these people were dishing out. Shout out to you my friend, you now have another loyal subscriber...Peace to you...

Elvis himself said “There’s only one King, and that’s Jesus Christ. I’m just an entertainer.”

Elvis was a PART of 1950s when R&B, Gospel and rockabilly music came together. Elvis was the most creative and gifted of that era and he molded these genres together in a very creative way that opened a LOT OF DOORS for people of color. He was born in the segregated South during the Great Depression and was dirt poor and actually from the ghetto. Many older white Americans DID NOT WANT Elvis to succeed because he represented an American youth that was open to black music and dance and culture. They did not want to see it on their TVs or hear it. They would say that Elvis' music would lead their kids to juvenile delinquency. Elvis was simply a white boy coming up at a time and place when black and white musicians were coming up with NEW SOUNDS TOGETHER and Elvis' success and his platform included plenty of openings for black artists to flourish, and they did. As the Reverend stated Elvis' sound was very much shaped by the black baptist church choirs and that's why he sounded so different. Elvis was the cat that opened all the doors. Once you understand this, and his youth growing up playing with black and white kids at a time when THAT WAS NOT DONE, Elvis support for civil rights (he would go to speeches and gatherings in his youth), then you realize that Elvis Presley was nowhere near racist, in fact he was very much bringing people at all ends of the spectrum, TOGETHER in harmony. And without EVER getting political. Very powerful.

Elvis didn't know what racism was he was so humble and very generous and gave back to his community and never forgot where he came from at Christmas time Elvis gave to fifty charities and he helped so many people

Elvis grew up in living conditions poorer than the ghetto. He never forgot how it felt to be poor and hungry. His parents raised him to love all people. There are unending stories of his goodness and how he always helped others. He did the right thing in times of segregation. He was not a racist. It's sad that some people believed the lies when he had such a good and loving heart.

Thank you young man for taking the time to learn the truth about Elvis.

Elvis was born in Tupelo, MI and moved to Memphis TN where he went to high school. In both cities, Elvis & his family lived in poor neighborhoods which were primarily black. He sang in the Black Baptist Church regularly. He never forgot his roots and was never a racist. He loved gospel music as well as soul, jazz, rock & roll, etc. Some whites then didn't care for this. It explains why they associated him in with black music. Later It was younger blacks in years well after his death that thought of him as using "their" music. Elvis used those types of music but gave his songs a style he developed. There is a Part 2 to this story.

Elvis was a beautiful man both inside and out ... there's a part 2 of this commentary that will give you even more information about Elvis !

Elvis presley not only changed music and made history he also helped stop a lot of racism at that time he was one great man he had it all ..the voice, the looks, the talent, and his charisma was electric, he was truly a great human being and there's never been anyone like him before or after if u studied elvis a bit more u would know what am talking bout bro 😇 respect from the uk 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

My mother grew up in the 50's and she LOVED Elvis. The older generation (her parents) didn't like him because they thought he was improper. But her generation just loved him. At the time, white entertainers did not move on stage. They just stood there and sang. Elvis moved and girls would scream and throw panties on the stage. The older folks hated it.

That's why Elvis does his contemporary gospel music

Elvis didn't like being Called the king he said there's only one king and that's the good Lord up above 🙏💙🐐

I'm so glad you saw this video. I feel like the more you learn about Elvis as a person the more you'll appreciate and enjoy his music.

His house keeper was black her name was Alice and Elvis went out one day and bought her a house he was a good guy👍🐐💙☘️

In 1957 Elvis exploded in both black and white communities and a white tabloid wrote a hitpiece article called 'What Negros Think About Elvis' that actually praised Elvis' popularity in the black community. But at the end it tried to paint him as a racist and fraud by claiming that he said "the only thing negroes can do for me is buy my records and shine my shoes". But he never said it and Jet Magazine even debunked it as a lie and interviewed Elvis on the set of Jailhouse Rock where he denied saying it and praised black music as his influence. But unfortunately the racist slur was spread throughout the black community by those who didn't like him as being a fact to destroy his black following (especially with black female fans) which it did just that. Thanks to RU-vid that 64 year old lie is being exposed and debunked for all to see.

Shake Rag receives its Mississippi Blues Trail Mark at 4:30 We loved Elvis, and Elvis loved us. Two things they cant take away from him. "Rock and roll phenomenon cracked Memphis's segregation laws." (Memphis World news June 1956) same year (Bear Cat, Walking the Dog) Rufus Thomas introduced Elvis at the WDIA Goodwill Revue where he thanked BB King for those early lessons (Tri State Defender 1956)

Anyone with empathy SHOULD relate to “In The Ghetto,” no matter what “color” they are. I do.

Elvis listened to black radio stations in the fiftys.he gravitated to rythem and blues.he had rythem.back than,they wouldn't play black music than.so when Elvis sang the music than black music came more popular

To show you what type person Elvis really was...My grandmother told us a story when she was in Las Vegas it was WAY EARLY in the morning but Elvis had just finished in one of the show rooms and actually he and his entourage was walking in the casino. My grandmother said hello as she passed them. He stopped turned around and said hello back. I mean it wasn't an end-all conversation but he was that humble of a person, he acknowledged her, smiled, said hello and went on with his business. Some stars today that are not even in the same caliber as Elvis I have seen blow people off, thinking that they are somehow above us.... Great reaction.

This was in the 1950,s

So glad that you reacted to this it shows how Elvis was and he loved and showed love to everyone !

Certain people were extremely serious about bringing Elvis down. He even had death threats against him throughout his career. I highly encourage you to read the article "Elvis and the Black Community: Dispelling the Myths". As my favorite Elvis reactor, I would love to see you be the first to react to the documentary "Elvis: Return to Tupelo". It's about 54 minutes long so you would probably have to do it in sections. It details Elvis's life from birth through the beginning of his career and explains in depth how his upbringing led to him being so unique both in his personal life and as an entertainer.

In those days in the southern states where segregation was lingering found Elvis acted ' black. In his early years the schools were segregated but at home Elvis hung around with his friends who were all black. They took him to where he could listen to blues. This early environment influenced his attitude for the rest of his life. It should be noticed that his father was in prison for some of that time and his family was poorer than the families of his black friends. He was very much his mother's boy who brought him up to be respectful and manerly to everybody. Rather than rumours its interesting to see how his black contemporaries viewed him.

Jackie Wilson, Muhammad Ali, James Brown...all close friends of Elvis...just to name a few. Some research will show how Elvis loved all people. 😊

Awesome reaction bro thank you for reaching to this I hope you’ll react to part 2 👍

One of Elvis's background singers was a ladies named Cissy Houston. Whitney's mother...

That was making black music that the white and the black teenagers he was bringing Everybody together through his music and it pissed off all of those bigots

I have been looking forward to this reaction✌️You have Great Elvis reactions✌️Keep on🇳🇴✌️

Thanks for getting to know who Elvis really was. That's all us fan want.

To answer your question at the beginning (even though I think you figured it out based on your commentary as video progressed) - People didn't think of Elvis as racist. If anything, actually it was other way around. It was racist white folks that had a problem with Elvis. That's sort of what we're seeing here at the beginning of this video is the white backlash against Elvis *and* some of the music he was doing. His embrace a black music, speaking respect for black artists, promoting rhythm & blues in a couple of his interviews, and hanging out in public with black folks, was triggering for some white folks. Segregation was the norm. There were extremely close-minded white folks in the streets, and even some college universities, that were doing symbolic mock lynchings of Elvis to demonstrate their resentment of Elvis and that rock & roll Revolution happening at that time. The hate for EP was real. Little Richard talked about this in 1980's interview w/Ken Paulson, how a lot of racist white folks resented Elvis for being out there, unapologetic for doing Rock & Roll music. It wasn't all fun and games. It was a dangerous time in America ....even for artists. And you're right on the money about once you become that big of an icon there are people that will distort and try to tarnish the legacy. Enjoyed your thoughts & commentary.

This was from the 50’s and 60’s.. they didn’t like Elvis as they thought he was like a black person

Search RU-vid for a video of Elvis singing “If I can Dream”. Choose a video where he is wearing a white suit. Elvis had this song written for him to sing as part of a 1968 Christmas TV special. It is his dedication to MLK who was killed earlier that year. The lyrics are amazing.

Go see the Elvis film!!! Frikkin INCREDIBLEEEE!!

Elvis loved his black family he even bought his maid a house

Elvis was born to scottish Irish parents and lived in the ghetto himself . I was born in the 70s and know all about the racism then, being from a mixed parents, was bought up with elvis Presley music bob Marley and music from both background .

They were against him for many reasons.. Many didn't know he was white because he had a black sound so they thought he was before seeing him and when they saw him thought his moves and dance was vulgar and highly inappropriate were the main reasons

You might enjoy watching Elvis and Muhammad Ali. They were friends and Elvis had a special robe made for Ali.

Like BRUCE SPRINGFIELD SAID IN DOCUMENTARY THE SEARCHER. YOU CAN TAKE THE MAN OUT MEMPHIS BUT CAN'T MEMPHIS OUT OF THE MAN LOVE ALL REACTION VIDEOS. TAKE CARE.

You should listen to Elvis song he wrote called If I Could Dream. He wrote it just after Martin Luther King was assainated and he sung it as a tribute. He did that when everyone told him not to. That was how Elvis made a statement. It is a great song and especially as it was a tribute.

He was very blues oriented and they said he had black ways what ever that meant.

No, the people and the world did not view him as a racist at all. Watch the video... they had a problem with him gyrating his legs and swivelling his hips.

Elvis hated Hollywood to some extent. That’s why he chose to live in Memphis. You can take the boy out of the south, you’ll never take the south out of the boy. Watching from Tupelo Mississippi ❤🇺🇸

Very good reaction young man. React to crying in the chapel by Elvis

The ladies were the Sweet Inspirations , Whitney Houston 's mom was a member .

Thank you for your reactions! Please play WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES, live concert version.

When Estelle Brown, one of the other black singers called Elvis boss. He said, I'm not your boss. I'm your brother!

Some people thought his movements and gyrations were vulgar, they as you can see were trying to ban his music by getting rid of his records

And that's not to mention the amount of material possessions and monetary wealth that Elvis gave away to people and charities is legendary and often not disclosed publicly.

He grew up with black people. And what people need to remember is it was hard to mix black & whites back then. When Elvis started there was still “White Only” & Blacks were segregated. For Elvis to stand up like he did was courageous at that time. It was horrible. People started to stand up - but way after Elvis did.

The black people excepted Elvis

Yes

Think the few were more outraged because white folk was listening and enjoying and popular music grew and grew there will always be the few who have no voice as he proved it and others have , there was a lot of jealousy and with that comes rumours

Elvis was hated by a lot of older white people in the 50's. Cause his roots where black gospel ,blues country .and hey was proud of his musical roots. Hey had that black soul and feeling , and mixed that with country music and jive.

When ELVIS came on the scene the CROWD was racist, not ELVIS. They didn't like the way he moved & sang. Elvis grew up poor & raised around a black community in Tupelo, MS. He was drawn to the music & rhythms surrounding him, plus he actually trained with & sang in a black church. So he adopted the style of what knew & loved, those sounds & rhythms of his youth refusing to change when others objected & caused a rucus.

this is back in thd 50's and 60's .. there was still segregation going on. Elvis grew up in poverty, lived in what was considered "the ghetto" back then in Tenn, and then in Memphis .. he didnt care who you were or what your race was, he loved everyone regardless.

Ther's Pt 2 of this on here.

And I find it odd that some allege "he stole". How does one steal what they're raised on? Weird logic, if I teach you to paint, does that mean your Masterpiece is mine? Of course not. Weird gymnastics. Like saying Eminem culturally appropriated Rap Music, utter gobbledygook.

White audiences thought Elvis was making “black music” accessible to white teenagers, particularly girls. They tolerated Buddy Holly, but Buddy looked like a nerd and Elvis looked like a movie star.

It wasn't all just about racism, don't forget a lot ( not all ) was against rock music itself. Elvis and others had a hard time starting out back then.

What upsets me about seeing this video is the sign reading "whites only!" I lived in Texas during that time,Dallas and Houston,but coming from the north, I didn't know what racism was until we moved there...and I don't want these young reactioners to think the entire country was racist,because it was not! The "deep southern democrats" hung on to their confederate flag long after their loss in the civil war.Entertainers like Elvis,, Ray Charles,Della Reese,The Mills Brothers,Shirley Bassie,Etta James,The Platters,Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis and so many others who were also very popular,much loved and respected in both the black and white communities! Just, not in the south!..I could be very wrong,but the man behind the typewriter in the video looks very much like Senator Robert Byrd,longest sitting democrat in the Senate,and co-founder of the KKK.Also,bye the way, as Kamala Harris pointed out,long time friend and mentor of Joe Biden,who voted and supported every bill against integration that Byrd drafted!...Like Elvis and the thousands of young people you see in the video,,we are "not" the "inherently" racist whites that they would have you believe,,,,that's on them alone!...they Still can't deal with whites and blacks living in harmony,not back then and not now! Anything to divide,they haven't changed! ...so Sorry, I didn't mean to get political here, It just upsets me so much,,I'm just an 'old white woman who loves everybody and I don't like being told that I'm just like the people in this video when I'm not!!....Go Elvis!...and bless you for your enthusiasm young man!

Your first question - -"Do people think Elvis was racist" tells me, you are not listening. Later I could tell u ere hearing and reacting. Best reaction where I couuld see your opinion develop. amazing.

The ugly rumours that Elvis was racist started late in his career and took off after his death, quite sad really.

Basically cause he was hanging out with b.b king and alot of black folks and shaking his legs they thought he was doing to much in the black community so they didn't like it but he didn't care he still did what he wanted to do and they sent him to the army for 2 years cause they said either the army for 2 years or jail for 2 years and while he was gone his mother worried so much she died by drinking herself to death so he had put up with alot back then!

Chuck D eventually apologized for those comments after speaking to people who knew Elvis

There is a part 2 of this video.

Missing key aspects of what Rock & Roll is.... R&B & Rock are not always identical. Although I enjoyed the dozen times I watched this, there is much missing. They make Elvis out to be just an R&B clone. Totally missing from this documentary is that Elvis only covered a fraction of R&B, he began predominantly as a Country artist who fused together Country with R&B. This made the final version of rock & roll and DEsegregated our music. Granted some R&B can easily slide into the Rock & Roll genre, just as some Country music can. While Elvis had R&B influences, he also had just as many Pop ballad & Country music influences, ie: Hank Snow, Hank Williams, Dean Martin, Jimmie Rodges Snow, Flatt & Scrugs (bluegrass).

Elvis grew up in poverty with his dad in prison.

No it was Elvis was dancing and singing and they though he was doing things Black people were doing

They call Michael Jackson the king of pop and He didn't invent pop

Ya t

The racists in America back then viewed him as a “white n-word”. Elvis wasn’t racist. The world was.

Elvis became popular in the 50s when there was still segregation in the South.

No not racist they said he was imulating black folks acting black

I am so sorry you had to listen to this at the beginning of the video it's a shame my own race with against Elvis because what he believed in Elvis wasn't never races if you read a lot you can see he was bullied when he was younger because what he dances sing and dressed I glad I wasn't born then I think Elvis wanted to go he did his purpose on this Earth rest in peace Elvis😢

He wasn't a Racist

Elvis grew up dirt poor