Ray I've been watching your videos on Elvis for quit a while. Would PLEASE do a video on Elvis called Spinout the movie version THANK YUO SO VERY MUCH. [ Mike ]
He said that he couldn't take a break because he had too many people depending on him. He was referring to everyone on his payroll and the families that they had to support.
Re: the male dancer. What you have to realise is that giving a black man centre stage in a national TV show was a HUGE statement at this time in America. It was unheard of and would have been shocking to a white audience. It might seem ridiculous now but it was a massive statement by Elvis and his producers. ❤
Thank you, R'Elvis! I was brought up and educated in a Protestant college....gospel is still my number one preference. And Elvis' gospel songs are first choice. We basically grew up listening to and singing these songs....hallelujah, praise the Lord for Elvis Presley. Amen 🙌🏼💯⚡❤
Elvis was peace freedom justice and humanity... He connected all different people cultures off the world together with his music and charisma. Every unusual human being who understood, that live is in the hand of God and nothing will happen without him and money and fame is just a worldly lie, that only tests our will and tempts us to sin in order to turn us away from God's laws, has died away early. This is extraordinary and remarkable. Is there perhaps a bigger meaning behind it? the most charismatic human being, so naive that he couldn't cure himself with a break?
He loved Gospel music because he really believed in it. He received 3 Grammys for them. Thank you and Fredricho I hope you enjoy Halloween 👻 😂😂😂🎸🕺🏻🎤❤️❤️
one of those singers behind Elvis is actually the great Darlene Love. it's interesting you notice the building of the church. Elvis actualyl did a gospel song called 'working on a building"
Fantastic gospel production number! Years ahead of his time, and Steve Binder a genius. Can't take my eyes off the screen! And he looks and sounds phenomenal! Very nice reaction too. 👍🎧🎙🎵🎶🎺🎷🙏👏
Interview With Anita Mann (who was a dancer/ choreographer who worked with Elvis on several of his films as well on the 1968 CBS). Anita Mann (born 1946 in Detroit, Michigan) is an Emmy-award winning choreographer, as well as a dancer and actress. Mann has been honored by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences as one of America's top five contemporary choreographers. She is also the recipient of five Emmy Awards and accolades from every corner of the industry. Mann began her career as one of the David Winters' dancers on TV shows such as Shindig!, The T.A.M.I. Show and Monte Carlo: C'est La Rose, a Grace Kelly documentary special. Her choreography credits include 5 seasons on the 1980s pop dance television show, Solid Gold, for which she was nominated twice for a Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Choreography, 'The Muppets Go Hollywood' for which she was nominated for her first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography, 'The Cher Show', 'The Jacksons', 'The Academy Awards', 'The Golden Globe Awards', 'Academy of Country Music Awards', 'The Miss America Pageant' which earned her her first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography, 'The People's Choice Awards', 'The Grammy Hall of Fame', 'The Emmy's', 'The Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon' which earned her another nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography, 'The Great Muppet Caper', 'Dick Clark's American Bandstand Live', 'Sesame Street Live', 'The Mighty Morphin Power Ranger Tour', 'Snoopy's World of Magic', 'Arthur Live Tour' as well as countless other live, film and television shows. Anita Mann has danced with and choreographed for Elvis Presley, Lucille Ball, Michael Jackson and countless other stars while maintaining a four decade relationship with all the major networks. Q : Anita please tell us how you first met Elvis. A : Well, it was in 1965, there was an audition for dancers for an 'Elvos movie', actually it was a big casting call from the Screen Extra's Guild kind of thing. And probably about 300 dancers showed up and they put a bunch of dancers in a party scene, I think it was 'Spinout'. And there was just a group call and they had all these girls and guys dancing at a party. You're just kind of like placed there and you ad lib. And I kept hearing the same music and they'd shoot it from all different angles. So I figured to myself I better do the same routine. A few days later the choreographer, Jack Baker came to me and said, 'Mr. Presley would like to talk to you'. I didn't know what to make of this request, you know, and I was petrified. And I went over to meet Mr. Presley with Jack Baker, the choreographer. And they said, 'We have been noticing your dancing' and they said something about the editor had noticed that it was very easy to cut around you because you were doing the same movement all the time. And we were wondering if you'd be interested in assisting Jack Baker on his next film because his assistant was not available. And I was usually on the set early, because I always loved cameras and lights. And I was always on my mark looking around at how they were setting up the cameras. And Mr. Baker said to me, 'I've noticed that you watch all the camera shots'. And I said, 'How have you even noticed me?' And I said, 'Well, I'd love to assist if you'd be patient, Mr. Baker. Cause this would be new for me'. And they said ok, and I assisted him on the next film. So because of Elvis, they really got me started with Jack, who started teaching me how to choreography, he took me on to the 'Lucy Show', and then Elvis kept asking me to work on everything that he did after that. I did the Comeback Special, and he really just put his confidence and faith in me. I can't describe how I appreciate that and thank him, but that's exactly how it started, and it just kept skyballing, skyrocketing from there. That's how I started my career and Elvis was really so instrumental and so important for me in my life. Q : What it was like being on the set with Elvis. A : The one thing I really remember, and I don't know if this is appropriate, but the one thing that stood out in my mind on the set was one time I was called over to where the guys all hung out, they had this chair for Elvis. And he was talking, he was giving a donation to a group of nuns that were on the set. And I am thinking to myself, ok, this man makes a very good living, I would assume. To me, you know, it was Elvis Presley. And he was so busy and we were working so hard. And he was taking his five minute break to talk to each one of these ladies. And find out where they were from. And I was just standing there listening. And that, like, meant so much to me. It was unbelievable experience to watch him give like that. To give money is one thing, but to give of his time, and to give of his soul and to care about where all of these ladies came from, the sisters came from, to me was, that was just such a highlight and memory for me. Q : Did Elvis ever give you any pearls of wisdom? A : Yeah. One of the things that he would always say to me is, 'Is it natural? Does it feel right?' And I would always remember him saying, 'That doesn't feel right, it's gotta be natural'. And that to me was, well, I certainly know why I loved him so much, just to watch him as an entertainer. Because it always looked like it felt right. And that is so important to me, and that's one of the things that I've really carried with me for a long time. Don't make it phony, don't, if it's not comfortable, change it. If it doesn't feel right, the audience will know it's not right. And that was, I think, one of the greatest, for me, pearls of wisdom that I have never forgotten. Q : It's obvious you loved him. Personally, what does Elvis mean to you? A : I was a rock and roller musically. I was born in Detroit. And music had so much meaning to me. I learned to tap dance on street corners, you know, sticking bottle caps in my shoes for sounds. I'm from that environment. And I related so much to him as a soulful human being, maybe a little bit out of step with time. You know, like a little bit, maybe in a different place than maybe the world was ready for. And I don't mean to get that deep about it, but that's how I feel about my music, and that's how I feel about dancing, I was not a great technical dancer, I do care about technique, obviously in the dancers that work for me, and I was frightened that my technique was not as good as it should have been. But my love for the music and for the dance, I think, made me successful. And I related a lot to that kind of style of performing from Elvis. Q : So Elvis changed your life. A : Oh. It sounds ridiculous. But it's absolutely the truth. First of all, I couldn't believe I was on a stage at 18, on a soundstage shooting a film next to Elvis Presley and I was getting paid. Every day you'd just pinch yourself and say, 'How could I be living, this is a dream', you know, it's like, you just can't imagine you're getting paid to do something that you love doing so much. Q : How was Elvis the actor? Do you have a favorite role? A : He as an actor, he surprised me. I don't think he was given the credit. I know that the films were like, I said was it 'Spinout' or 'Speedway'? That makes it seem to me as though it's interchangeable. And some of the films, to be absolutely honest, could have been 'Clambake', 'Spinout', two syllables, you know, changeable. One time it's a race car driver, or one time it's boat, a speed boat builder, or driver. Whatever was going on at that time, there was a genre of film that was very similar, it was like all the beach party movies. I don't remember, although Teri Garr will remember, maybe. But I don't know. If it was 'Beach Blanket Bingo' or 'Pajama Party' or 'Beach Party', you know, like, there was a time that a lot of things were the same. But when I looked at Elvis acting, I really give him much more credit than probably he was getting at the time. And I think he deserves more credit as a better actor than he had gotten. And he always knew his lines, and he really could do it on one take, and he really knew what was expected of him, and he didn't give the director, like, you know, I'm not ready, and none of that attitude, a total pro. And I think his acting abilities are much greater than I think a lot of people will really understand. Q : Can you preface it with, my favorite movie, my favorite song, and tell us what it is? A : Well, my favorite Elvis movie and my favorite song are not the same. But you know what, I loved 'Viva Las Vegas'. I just, I loved it, so my favorite movie was 'Viva Las Vegas'. And I wasn't in it, but I loved it. My favorite song. 'I Can't Stop Loving You' is my favorite song. And it's another song that he did on the Comeback Special, it was probably written by Earl Brown, 'If I Can Dream', I think that's the name of it. That is my all-time favorite song. Part 2 Continued Below 👇
Part 2 Continued: Q : Tell us a little bit about the 68 Special since you were involved in it. Do you have any specific memories of that? A : Oh, I do have some good memories. Elvis said to Steve Binder, the director that, I have a girl dancer that I want in the TV Special. So of course, I was put in it with nobody wanting me to show up. That's the first time I didn't audition for a job. You really are supposed to audition, it's better to audition and go through the right process, that's the way life should work. Not a matter of somebody saying, oh I know somebody. But it just seemed as though I didn't know about the audition, I never knew that there was an audition. And Elvis somehow or another said he wanted me to dance on this. So I went in without meeting anybody. As it ended up, after one or two days of rehearsals, I always worked for those choreographers after that, and we became friends. And everything worked out so beautifully. Elvis was totally responsible for my being on those specials. And I think that there was a number that I don't remember if it aired or not, but my memory was kind of a bordello number, I remember like this kind of like strange set, and we walked in around a chair and it was so good, I thought, and so well done. And so ahead of its time. And, well the whole special was just an amazing special. My favorite thing is him sitting around. I mean, as much as I love the dance numbers and love dancing, but him sitting around with the guys and doing that concert, to me is a classic and will always be a classic. Everything about that TV special was beyond memorable for me. Q : Where were you when you found out we lost him? A : I was actually on the road. I was doing a job and I can't remember what it was. It was a show traveling. And I wanted to spend that night by myself. And I didn't, it was really hard for me to work that night. It was hard to work for quite a while, it was such a shock. But I was not at home, I remember I was on the road, and that made it even harder for me. Q : What do you think there was about Elvis that still makes him one of the best-loved entertainers above so many others? A : I think being a real person, I kind of go back to being out of place, out of step sometimes with the time. Like, being something so unique at a time in life. Makes you stand out more. Although probably he would stand out at any time. But I think that something about his courage and his ability to go out there and be himself and not compromise what he was made him somewhat of an idol, a hero, a person that you worshipped for a lot of reasons other than his talent as a singer. But I think that something about him hits a nerve in people. That he is a real human being that was very approachable and very much like any of us, and, but had a quality that transcended, you know, film, and he could look at the camera, and you look, you thought that he was looking at you. And I think that he just reached everybody on such, I think, it came at a time when, you know, after World War II, at a time that escaping from a lot of things that were going on in the world, was important. And I think that his fun, and his freedom and his real individuality came at a time that the country was really ready for it. Q : Well you're a classy lady and thanks for your memories. A : Oh, thank you, thank you so much. And that's all friends! God bless & goodnight ⚡❤✌🙏💕
@@susyq810 You're so welcome Miss Susy Q 😊🙏💖 As always my most humble & sincere pleasure. Yes so do I. I found that interview to be very interesting myself 😃👍 I thought others would too so decided to share 🎼🎤🎼💕 Hope all is well with you & yours Miss Susy Q 💖🙏💕
Wishing you a speedy recovery from your surgery Ray. Loved your reaction to this production number!! Elvis just has a way of easing every one's soul and making your spirit brighter. He sure was a gift, and you and your family and your reactions are too!
Whoa! ❤ your reaction to Elvis gospel! Saw him twice in concert, he always included a beautiful gospel song. Beautiful, you could hear a pin drop, so much love for our Lord. Thank you!
Great reaction again R’Elvis. Thank you so much for keeping the Legend and legacy of Elvis alive and kicking. The comments alone show how much your vibes are fresh and real and sincere. 🙏👌💕🕺
They(Beatles) met in early 60's They sang, Gabbed till the early morning hours. You really need to watch the whole show. Darlene Love is on the far right. Darlene was apart of the gospel group "The Blossom's". I saw her this past August at "Elvis Week".
Ray has covered quite a bit of Elvis ground, but I sometimes take for granted how much there is still left to discover. I was born in 1970, and I've been an Elvis as far as I can remember. I've listened and searched for all kinds of things and I am still discovering things I hadn't heard or seen of Elvis. It's an awesome journey to be on.
Hope you are doing well & taking it easy at home after your surgery Ray & if you need to take more days off in the upcoming week, don't even worry about it. 🎶I Got Confidence🎶 that the lot of us here ain't go nowhere soon. It's more important you get the rest your body needs after surgery 🌻💕 THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THIS SPLENDIFEROUS REACTION RAY 💙💐💙💐💙💐💙💐 AND THANK YOU MISS JENNIFER FOR THIS REQUEST 💜🌹💜🌹💜🌹💜🌹 Now all we gotta do is wait for Ray to react to the B*rd*ll* scene from the 1968 CBS & 🎶Memories🎶😀👍 Will leave a separate comment for an Elvis Extra 🎼📖🎼 TCB ⚡ & TLC ❤ & peace ✌& blessings 🙏 to you & yours & to one & all here as well 💕
Hallelujah & Amen, brothers & sisters!💙 That man could move your heart & spirit in so many ways. I think Gospel music was Elvis's way of giving his own testimony.✝️💙 Thanks, Ray. You did a little testifying yourself there & it really gladdened my heart & spirit.💙
Hello Ray so glad you are feeling better, please react to Elvis singing "Life." there is a gospel group called Gaither Vocal Band they are fantastic you may enjoy reacting to them singing "Let Freedom Ring"❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thanks Ray !!!! This was all covered in the documentary Reinventing Elvis and this was a very controversial segment at the time but Elvis always pushed the boundaries. There’s another scene of the show of Elvis in double denim and jeez he looks so handsome 💙 Elvis is so cool even to this day. Even his name seems to be one of a kind!!! I’m so excited, got 2 more sleeps until we see Elvis in concert with the royal philharmonic orchestra. Already warned my husband and children I’m gonna be crying 💙
Yes, I've seen that documentary too and this was, as you said, a controversial segment at the time. Notice how diverse the dancers and background singers are. This is completely normal to us now, which is exactly as it should be, but back in those times it was controversial. Steve Binder, the producer and director of the 68 Special, is quoted as saying, “I wanted to let the world know that here was a guy who was not prejudiced, who was raised in the heart of prejudice, but who was really above all that,”.
I agree. I loved Reinventing Elvis. I learned so much about how bad it still was in ‘68. Steve Binder is a genius and he says one of the luckiest in his carrier. One of my favorite parts was when they wanted to cut that Petulia part, SO they ran down there and had the guy get rid of all the other takes. BRILLIANT. LOL
Soooo happy to see you 😊😊😊😊OMG!!! I was laughing so much....The truth is out now for sure Ray...you have a " crush" on Elvis just like most of his fans...😉🥰❤️❤️💞💞this was amazing....I can only imagine his "mgr." having a fit over all of this because it wasn't the type of Christmas special he wanted....it was what Elvis wanted....yay!! or as Elvis would say "yeah baby"!!.😅😅 Thank you Jennifer....what an uplifting and glorious production with our guy and the great dancers...musicians and The Blossoms ...wonderful!!❤❤❤
Get well soon Ray! Just want to ask if you now realize that Allanah Myles song Black Velvet was a tribute to Elvis. Every word was about Elvis. I watched your review and was very disappointed that you didn’t know or realize what this song was about. Please please do another reaction to this song!!
At 13:24 i literally BURSTED in laughter!!!! Fantastic reaction Ray and I sincerely cannot stop singing these songs all day!!!! Come on Reverend Elvis!!!
I have been watching you and your love for Elvis for sometime, after watching you react tonight, you had me laughing so much. You finally convinced me I needed to subscribe. I loved your reaction. You have a new subscriber sir.
Can you imagine Colonel Tom watching this part of the Comeback Special? Elvis was a changed man after his movie career and wanted people to see which way he was going. We loved him then and love him now! ❤❤❤🔥🔥🔥🎵🎵🎵
Ray -- you had me laugh-crying at a few points in this reaction: your jokes and commentary are as entertaining as Elvis at times, and that's saying something! 😆 The "I'm Saved" part of this Gospel medley (i.e. "I used to smoke, I used to drink...") is my favorite, both for how Elvis performs it -- so good -- but also knowing that Elvis loved LaVern Baker's music: listen to her version of "I'm Saved" if you haven't heard it. So good. I think that was partly a tribute to her. (And she loved his music, too.) --Marie
To bad Paul McCartney and John seem to think Elvis died after the army. Envy? Maybe I hate to hear interviews with them talking about Elvis but that’s neither here nor there now. This is a great number and The Blossoms are extraordinary in this.
Lennon said” as boys, everybody wanted to be Elvis” He also said “ Before Elvis there was nothing”. Their derision in the later days of their fading careers was pure drug fuelled jealousy. Will people , young and old , still love them like this 46 years after their deaths?! 🙏👌💕🕺
The Beatles grew up idolizing elvis in the 50s. He made them discover rock and roll. Paul said he became a musician because of elvis. So they always had this unrealistic expectation as "The king of rock and roll" and when he started evolving in different styles they didn't like it. Unfortunately many elvis fans have that mentality
@@brandonayong5823 I agree with you on your take on The Beatles. Thanks for sharing. I too have noticed that same mentality amongst some Elvis fans. Peace ✌ & blessings 🙏 & ⚡❤ to you & yours 💕
Happy Sunday Ray, I hope your health improves and you will surely recover quickly at home. This reaction is also good, you took the words out of my mouth, it looks like a slice of raspberry cake🧁 🤭😋he is magnificent in every situation 😍😍😍, he will surely have important tasks in heaven 💗🍀🌈Thank you 🙏❣️❣️❣️❣️
You are the best, love your reactions, and loved Elvis, as always killing it. They said that Elvis was the nicest celeb they ever worked with he knew Everybody's first name on this production and went to each member of the cast and crew and shook their hand on the first day. In spite of the rumors or xwife he was a good man.
Ray this by far has to be another one of my official go~to when I am feeling down. It's only second to your "Hurt" reaction! Dig this ❤😊 Stay Well Ray & Fam😊
Really enjoyed this, Ray! Elvis really sored in this performance. Looking forward to watching it over and over again. How can you not be lifted by Elvis' beautiful display of his faith. AMEN!!! 💗💓💖
A Major Elvis Concert generally involved him and his band, a male quartet, The Sweet Inspirations, Kathy Westmoreland, a conductor and full orchestra, and a gospel choir. It was well more than a front person, 5 pc. band and a couple of background singers...it was a full and true PRODUCTION. He was one of only a few, if not the only, Rock stars that could stop a show, do a Gospel song, slip back into Rock, and keep the crowd going wild the entire time. Although he didn't write songs, he was a musical genius...who stayed respectful, grateful, generous, loving, and humble.
Hi mi amiguito ray..and beautiful mrs.vibe...❤Como siempre excellent video reaction..ya Leeiste.los libros que te envie...did u ever loud up the video..
At Graceland, in the '68 Comeback exhibit, you will see this red suit, the black leather suit, and the white suit he wore at the very end when he did Of I Can Dream (everyone needs to check out that video!). Those suits were thick, heavy, and hot! Add the hot lighting, and all the energy he put into every aspect, and be amazed this man didn't have a heat stroke!
I hope you feel better soon Ray and who is this Elivs guy? He looks like my cousin Reggie that lives down the block. JK. Love the guy. I grew up listening to him and watching him on TV.
Dude, if you haven't, just watch the entire '68 Comeback Special AND Aloha From Hawaii. Several times each year, I set aside a couple of hours to watch them back to back. As a matter of fact, though available on RU-vid, I have the DVD sets for both, ELVIS 30 NUMBER 1 HITS CD, and ELVIS 2ND TO NONE CD that I spend an afternoon with...oh, but my Aunt (Dad's Sister) and my Mom were the big Elvis fans in the family...I mean each had in their homes an entire room full of Elvis stuff!
Hello there Relvis, I hope all is good with you and that you have had a nice weekend. It's nice to see that you listen to Elvis favorite music genre, he was very good on all that he did, but Gospel was even more special. I read a little about Pricilla's new movie and I really don't like her at all, she is a nasty ... if the movie is like people say... She does not really mention her daughter and make Elvis look like he is a manipulative person, that is very strange to hear, because she still wants to be buried next to him in Graceland, if he was that terrible, why would she be buried next to him? Well I guess she is just very money hungry and want to be remembered for being Elvis wife... Sorry but I had to mention this
Yes, the ex is truly dispicable! Elvis had vision when he sang "you're the Devil in disguise!" Going against Lisa's wishes and still produced this ton of lies movie! 😡 what kind of mother is she??
