Archive for the 'Elvisiana' Category

Garth Brooks vs Elvis Presley

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

Lately, Garth Brooks is everywhere I look.  This guy has really been making the rounds, and I just figured out why.  Apparently, he has become the biggest selling solo artist in history, knocking the late Elvis Presley off his throne.  Is anyone else bothered by this? I normally wouldn’t bring it up here, but it has been a little over a year since we’ve seen a post in the Elvisiana section and I felt that someone had to stick up for the King. 

Okay, sure.  I’ll admit to liking a few Garth Brooks songs, perhaps even several.  I was introduced to Mr. Brooks many moons ago by a young Mark Petersen, and I know he’s had a pretty good career.  But number one of all time?  Really?  I didn’t know that his body of work was so expansive that he could sell so many albums.  Shouldn’t a guy with 10 or more rehashed greatest hits albums at least get an asterix next to his name?  I’m not looking for Congressional hearings on this, but c’mon already! As I glance across my office at the King’s velvet likeness, I just can’t fathom that somewhere somebody would display a velvet Garth Brooks painting.  If Garth Brooks isn’t a pretender to the throne, someone please tell me what I’m missing.

Viva Las Vegas

Friday, February 16th, 2007

This weekend the NBA holds the All-Star Game in Las Vegas. Which of course brings to mind the man who became synonymous with the city, the King. In addition to his status as artist-in-residence at the Las Vegas Hilton (where they continue to secure performances from musical titans; current artist-in-residence? Barry Manilow.), one of his most popular films was set there - Viva Las Vegas. But that film doesn’t begin to encompass the King’s dramatic versatility. Which brings us to the following brain teaser: try to name the Elvis movies featuring the following highly distinct plots:

A) Elvis plays a singing race car driver who falls in love with Ann Margaret

B) Elvis plays a singing race car driver who falls in love with Nancy Sinatra

C) Elvis plays a singing race car driver who falls in love with Shelly Fabares

D) Elvis plays a singing speedboat racer who falls in love with Shelly Fabares

click through for the answer key

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