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Elvis Idols?

January 21, 2005 | People
Looks like the worst fears of many fans is going to come true according to an update on the EIN site. TV Guide in the US has published that Robert Sillerman intends developing "Elvis Idol" (based on the American Idol concept).
Source:Elvis Information Network
pacer1965 wrote on January 21, 2005
Elvis Idol ! Please somebody tell me this is not true
Aarons wrote on January 21, 2005
Warning: Mr Sillerman is going to destroy Elvis's image than anyone else has done before.
Aarons wrote on January 21, 2005
Wasn't music better without the useless Pop Idol, people who go on Pop Idol don't last long anyway.
MauriceColgan wrote on January 21, 2005
Fear not. After the massive worldwide publicity generated by Elvis's original singles we shall see a greater demand for the REAL Elvis Presley voice. Keep up the information on his best work so the youngsters arriving here will know what to buy. That applies to all Elvis message boards.
Jim Semple wrote on January 21, 2005
I dont think this Number One re-release excercise has won many new fans, in particular youngsters at all. The hardcore fans can't even buy the singles, their is zero radio play, and the kids can't even get to see video footage of Elvis on TV. Just look at all the music chatrooms and forums, they can't stand Elvis's music and whilst its great to see him at Number One, its just been one big commecial excercise and a big shambles at that sadly.
Viva wrote on January 21, 2005
I pray to god that this isn't true. If it is we must absolutely bombard epe with mail telling them what we think. Let's wait and see how accurate the report is first.
Mal wrote on January 21, 2005
Maybe Top of the pops is the first round
pacer1965 wrote on January 21, 2005
Pop Idol: If A fool such as I gets to number one.It will be round two next week !
doctor wrote on January 22, 2005
No one should expect the "teens" to be getting into Elvis. Of course they're not going to be liking him, it's part of youthful rebellion. WHat is interesting is that younger kids (8-10 year olds) are getting into Elvis. I speak from experience. They were all exposed to Milo and Otis, ALLC, etc. and really like Elvis. They're the next set of fans. I have about 6 kids in my grade four class who absolutely love Elvis! SOmetimes I have fun playing and singing Elvis tunes with my acoustic guitar. They get right into it, especially Don't Be Cruel. ANd they request Evlis music when we do art in class. SO, hey, wise old fans, have no fear. The King will live forever because his talent and charisma is so huge that no one can stop it--not the colonel, not even Sillerman. Bring on Elvis Idol--it'll only make people want to go out and get the real thing. I think it's great publicity.How many other artists who've passed on can come even close to still generating so much publicity, public interest, and a staggering $40 million plus yearly income? Only Elvis Aron Presley. Long live the King!
dailyone wrote on January 22, 2005
oh no!
peter t wrote on January 22, 2005
american idol ! maybe we,ll get another orion, ronnie mcdowell, or helmut lotti. if i can,t get new elvis , maybe i can get new songs by someone who sounds a little like elvis. i know they won,t have elvis,s sole, but i can dream what elvis might sound like on a great song . better than nothing. p.s. there,s damm little of elvis music i don,t have. i want more. the only thing i can say bad about elvis is he didn,t record 10,000 songs.
William S. Burroughs wrote on January 22, 2005
Well I guess this guy Peter really like to see impersonactors on BBC. Doctor wake up from your kindergarden dream!. You are not positive you are naive. And what you mean when you say: No one should expect the "teens" to be getting into Elvis. Of course they're not going to be liking him, it's part of youthful rebellion. I think you are confusing to be and Eminem clone with youth rebelion. Not all teenagers are a sack of perturbated emotions and mass alienation; but in fact the one that are not, give a dam for Elvis, and because of the image of Elvis that they are reciving exactly from stuff like ELvis Idol if it happens (hope not) or the embarracing event on BBC. But of coure Mr Sillerman as and ALL AMERICAN business man confuses the wellfare of Elvis artistic integirty with $$$ wealth. And searchs for new costumers in the no thinking america, but you know Doc, yes no other passed artist is getting all this pulbicity, but other passed artists are being treated with much more respect, publicity does not always mean respecto for someones artistic integrity, ohh yes but I forgot Lisa Marie is the one whos gonna look for that to be concidered: artistic integrity hahaha, I guess those are the kind of teen´s you are talkin about. But what can we expecto from America the Beautifull; I think americans usually ruin every thing of little value in their culture, and after they ruin it they say proudly: Ohhh look what we have acomplished! I think they like to roll in their own shit. Don´t you think that to Doc? P.D. When they to a poll for: greatest living americans that portrait the future of that country I will vote for: George W. Bush; Lisa Marie Presley; and a bunch of Elvis impersonactors hahaha
ranger wrote on January 23, 2005
Dreadful idea. Elvis, in my eyes, is only successful if it is done on HIS TERMS. I'm uneasy about re-mixing his records, and the 'idol'/'stars in their eyes' phenomenon has done no 'artist' any favours before. These programmes serve to use up TV space and sell advertising, nothing more. Elvis sprang onto the world without such artificial means. His talent was organic. If pop idol had existed in 1954/55, Elvis' career would have been dead in the water. He would have been over-exposed too early, and the sense of 'who is this guy?' that gradually enraptured the world in the mid-50s would never have happened. All the great acts had similar apprenticeships; The Beatles from 1957-1962, The Stones sharing a freezing cold flat in the coldest English winter on record (1962-1963). The ease of access to wide audiences that potential 'stars' now enjoy renders any chance of natural progression impossible. Elvis didn't need 'idol' then, and he doesn't need it now.
Karatego wrote on January 24, 2005
Elvis Idols Show - Bad, very bad idea. That is only going to be another Elvis Impersonator show with overweight, polyester jumpsuits with bad wigs and porkchop sideburns, which believe me, I have enough of when I go to Memphis in August. That is just going to be another way to give more people, who don't really know what Elvis is really about, more amunition to make fun of him. They only want to remember the Elvis in 1977, when he was not at his best, and that really upsets me. This show is just going to promote it. Noone who enters that contest will do Elvis in his prime or early Vegas days. I doubt it. I hope it never happens. TCB and Elvis Too - Gerry
Bobby wrote on January 27, 2005
I hope it will never happen. Those impersonators are terrible.
Ton Bruins wrote on February 01, 2005
Well that says it all about this Robert Sillerman or is it Robert Sillyman. No Elvis On Tour or Elvis In Concert on DVD in the near future I guess with this fool.
Katelouise wrote on February 03, 2005
I actually think that this is a good idea. People carry on the ledgend of Elvis in many different ways and so what if the majority of them are overweight and in poor outfits. Most of the Elvis Impersonators out there really love Elvis and show their love by singing to his fans and giving a good performance. I live in South Wales and we just had a festival held in Porthcawl with impersonators who were brilliant! Of course they won't be as good as the real thing but it made me really happy to see them. If anyone has seen Kraig Parker of Dallas Texas perform, you will know what I mean.
job wrote on February 04, 2005
oh god no
Aarons wrote on February 05, 2005
There are two main s**t programmes on T.V at the moment Pop Idol and Big Brother so I don't think Elvis Idol be a success.
Aarons wrote on February 05, 2005
If it is Mr Sillerman's idea then his a plank. And is just been kind. Lisa please take back the ownership it was much better when you was in charge.
hillbillycatlover wrote on February 11, 2005
Can you imagine the real Elvis walking out on an Idol stage before Simon and the rest....that would be the end of the Idol series since there would be no competition left. Let's abide by what Elvis wanted himself--On July 19, '77, Elvis wrote a letter to an impersonator named David: "Dear David: Congratulations on winning the talent competition you were in and good luck on the show this Fraiday! I really do appreciate you as a fan....and mimicry is a sincere form of being a fan. Do develop Your Own special talents and abilities though, David. This is a great compliment to me that you would work so hard on this act like mine but never neglect your own special abilities to be yourself also. Best wishes in the future and God bless you. Sincerely, Elvis Presley" Notice how Twice he emphasized an impersonator developing one's own talents and abilities. Who needs all these copycats when we have loads of songs, movies, and concert footage performed by Elvis himself? That's who we want to see and hear...not these wannabes!
RonKattawar wrote on February 22, 2005
Mr. Sillerman is a talented businessman that may be listening to some poor advice. If he read the comments from the fans, he would immediately recognise Elvis Idol is not something they want to see. For the past three months I've made many attempts to contact Mr. Sillerman. One could say it's become my primary goal. Saturn Films in Hollywood has a manuscript of Tupelo Sunrise. It's a five novel series based on Elvis being alive today. I started a blog the first of the year in hopes of getting Mr. Sillerman's attention. Of 7,000 sites that refer to Sillerman, my blog is number one and number two goggle Sillerman sites for the address. (addresses are not permitted here). The novel follows thousands of interviews with fans and how they want to see their Idol portrayed. Tupleo Sunrise is true to that desire. Mr. Sillerman if it's opportunties you seek, check with Seth Schru at Saturn Films, he has the perfect novel which is being developed into a screenplay.