Is VH1 biased against Elvis Presley? by Jeff Schrembs 2011 All Rights Reserved

I recently watched a "re-run" on VH1 about the "100 Greatest Artists of all time". Having never heard of this program before, but knowing the history of VH1 and MTV and others in the "mindless minion media", I watched it hoping that it would be based upon facts. When I saw that they had Elvis Presley ranked as "eighth" I reminded myself about the inherit bias against Elvis that (sadly) remains. However, the same media who try to "re-write" history about Elvis and/or try to minimize his influence and thus his success always find a way to make money off of his name. Such is the case with VH1.

Many of the singers, and bands, that were in the top 20 deserved to be there. However, for every "reason" given for artists/bands to be in the top 100 or top 10 or even number 1 Elvis met/exceeded these artist/bands in the same category (i.e. influence, record sales, number of hits, etc.). Any rational person, using the FACTS versus the hype and/or political correctness, would have to agree that Elvis Presley is/was/forever will be the greatest entertainer/artist who ever lived...period.

To add "salt to the wound" when the Beatles were awarded "number 1" they allowed a comment, while attempting to justify the Beatles being number 1, of: "Everyone before and after the Beatles were influenced by the Beatles". I am sure that (sadly) far too many VH1 viewers would just nod their heads and believe that what was said was true and yet nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone of the Beatles, from the time they first played to long after they broke up, credited Elvis Presley with being the greatest influence to them. In fact, John Lennon said it perfectly when he said "before Elvis there was nothing".

Elvis sold more records, had more number 1 hits, had more top ten hits, and had a much longer career than the Beatles. Even after Elvis' passing, sadly on August 16 1977, Elvis has "outsold" the Beatles every year since his passing (in record sales) except one year when the Beatles "re-released" their catalog.. These facts (apparently) mean nothing to VH1 and it seemed like VH1 structured their "poll", and the episode(s) that aired on VH1, to not only minimize Elvis' accomplishments but also wanted to gloss over Elvis' influence. Inasmuch as Elvis Presley Fans Worldwide continue to support the life, and legacy, of Elvis Presley when it comes to 'standing up" for Elvis publicly and demanding that the facts about Elvis be told Elvis Presley Fans have "fallen short" in this aspect. It is long past time when Elvis Presley Fans Worldwide started to DEMAND that the facts about Elvis, and thus the proper respect/appreciation/accolades/etc., be presented....accurately...every time.

Watching this VH1 charade reminded me that during Elvis' lifetime he was never given the amount of respect, by the press and by his own peers, for his talents. In fact Elvis' only Grammy Awards were for his Gospel Album/performances. This was not an "oversight" by the Grammys, or every other member of the press/award shows, never to give Elvis the awards that he earned and that he deserved.

99.9% of the "artists" (note: I want to exclude Country Music and Gospel Music from this statement) today use digital enhancements because they can't sing or they can't sing well. If they were required to sing LIVE, as Elvis Presley did from 1969 until 1977 and every concert venue was SOLD OUT, and move around (and Elvis moved like no one before or after) they would sound like...sub par amateurs. These "artists" rely on tricks to entertain their audience. From having background dancers, to light shows, to special effects, etc. they do everything but sing and they do this because they CAN'T sing and if the audience heard them really sing it would be a debacle.

Elvis Presley sounded EXCELLENT in Concert with no enhancements. Elvis kept his lights, manned by his long time friend Lamar Fike who (sadly) recently passed away, to a handful of colors. Elvis had a great band, great backup singers, and a great orchestra and each of these TRUE artists have said that "Elvis' musical/vocal abilities were the best they ever heard". They also make note of Elvis concert appearances as being "out of this World". I happen to agree with them not because I am an Elvis Presley Fan, and I am, but because it is a FACT and facts do matter regardless of if it is a conversation "one on one" or a written blog or even if it is on TV and that includes VH1.

I guess that asking VH1, and much of the media/press/music business, to state the facts is asking too much. I realize that VH1 doesn't care about the facts, and they are entitled to their opinion, but to be a "music channel" and to dismiss/minimize the talents and accomplishments of the greatest musician/singer/artist/performer ever (whether it is in this "poll" or 24/7) in the case of Elvis Presley? VH1, the Grammys, and many other members of the press and the music "industry" facts are not important. Perhaps when they are held accountable, by Elvis Presley Fans or just individuals who want the truth, then they will put as much emphasis into the truth as they do into hyping other "artists" who are (wholly) inferior to the many talents of Elvis Presley. This isn't to disrespect other "artists" but simply to state the facts and facts should matter even when it comes to VH1.

"Nuff said".



Take care and may God bless you.



Jeff Schrembs



www.ElvisCollector.info

Elvis Presley's "real name" by Jeffrey Schrembs (2011 All Rights Reserved)

Many people believe that Elvis Presley's' full name is "Elvis Aaron Presley" and they would be correct. Other people believe that Elvis Presley's full name given to him at birth was "Elvis Aron Presley" and they would be correct. When looking at all of the paperwork for Elvis' birth, and comparing it to the (sadly) paperwork surrounding Elvis' death including Elvis' headstone at Graceland, it is clear that at some point Elvis' middle name changed from "Aron" to "Aaron". How and why this occurred is summarized herein.




Perhaps the confusion exists because on the day of Elvis' birth, January 8, 1935, Gladys and Vernon (Elvis' parents) had only been expecting one child and the named they picked out, if it was a boy, was NOT Elvis Aaron Presley or Elvis Aron Presley but...Jesse Garon Presley (note: as was common in the South they chose the name "Jesse" out of respect to Vernon's' Father who was named Jesse). The reason being is that Gladys was not aware that she was having twins although having twins does run in their bloodline/family.



On January 8, 1935 Gladys gave birth to a son, Jesse Garon Presley, who (sadly) was born "stillborn" meaning that he had died. During the emotional torment of just giving birth, and knowing that her child had died, Gladys (to summarize) called out to the attending Doctor that "I think there is another one". The Doctor checked and yes there was another one - a son - and now Vernon and Gladys had to come up with a name and they choose "Elvis" as that was Vernon's' middle name (i.e. Vernon Elvis Presley) and "Aron". The official paperwork for Elvis birth/delivery confirms the name "Elvis Aron Presley".



Whether this was the Doctors typographical error, to spell it Aron, or not remains a mystery to this day but it is safe to say that January 8, 1935 was not a day for Gladys or Vernon to be "spell checking" but to celebrate the birth of their son - be thankful that Gladys was doing all right - and to mourn the loss of their first child...Jesse Garon Presley as well as to make burial arrangements.



One fact that has escaped the majority of Elvis Presley Fans, and the applicable "Press", is that Gladys was pregnant during the years 1942 and 1943 but (sadly) miscarried and this was her final pregnancy. Needless to say, it was heartbreaking for Gladys and Vernon to (again) suffer the loss of a child. Fate, and God, had determined that Elvis would be "an only child".



Worth noting is that on the Marriage Certificate, of Elvis and Priscilla, dated May 1, 1967 Elvis name continued to be spelled as "Elvis Aron Presley".



During the 1970's Elvis assigned Vernon the task of checking with the State of Tennessee, and the Federal Government, about changing the legal spelling of "Aron" to "Aaron" which is the biblical spelling.



Vernon made the calls and to his surprise was told that "somehow it was in the records as already being Aaron". Vernon shared this with Elvis who was also surprised and used, more and more, the spelling of "Aaron" on documents/signature pages both legal and otherwise.



The fact that Vernon personally confirmed that Elvis' name was "legally" Elvis Aaron Presley came into consideration (sadly) when Elvis died on August 16, 1977 at the age of 42. Thus Vernon ordered the engraving, on Elvis' tombstone/headstone, to reflect the full legal name of "Elvis Aaron Presley". Many Elvis Presley Fans Worldwide have questioned if this was a "mistake" or some "sign" of Elvis not really being dead. Nothing more could be further from the truth as in spite of enduring spiritual/soulful/painful feelings of loss, of his beloved son Elvis that adversely affected Vernon every remaining day of his life, Vernon simply made sure the engraving appeared correctly.



Interestingly, Elvis was not the first member of his family to change the spelling of his name but it was Vernon's Father (i.e. Jesse). Jesse was not only Vernon's Father but also the "ex-husband" of Elvis' beloved GrandMother who he called "Dodger" (i.e. Minnie Mae Presley).



Jesse, Elvis' GrandFather, was legally named Jesse D.McDowell Pressley otherwise known as "JD". During the mid 1800's the family of "Pressley" first began to use the spelling of "Presley". This was evident when Vernon was born as and once Elvis became famous Jesse opted to use the same spelling as "Presley".



Elvis Aron Presley, and Elvis Aaron Presley, were "one and the same" and was - is - and forever will be as unique a man/entertainer/son/grandson/friend/father/etc. regardless of how one spells his middle name.



Take care and may God bless you.



Jeffrey Schrembs



www.ElvisCollector.info

Happy 4th of July 2011 (by Jeffrey Schrembs All Rights Reserved)

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Residents of the United States of America have much to be thankful for this 4th of July 2011. First and foremost is that we are a free nation and that our freedom is assured by the brave members of our Military who as I type this article, and hopefully you are reading it, sacrifice their very…lives.



Besides the current military members there are those to served previously in Vietnam who sadly remain underappreciated as their sacrifice was equal to, or maybe even greater, than others who came before them and after.



During these Holidays, like I do everyday, I think of each of my children. I recall the very moment I found out I would be a Father. I think about all the trips to the OBGYN and all of the scans and the hopes and the dreams. I think about preparing the space for the baby and the prayers each parent makes. I think about the anticipation of the birth and I think about the blessing of being there to see them enter into this World. I so love each of them and I, like many parents, want only the best for them. The mistakes I made, both as parent and as a man and as a husband and an son and an in-law, I take ownership of and I am now and forever…truly sorry. I cherish the memories made with each of my children and I pray to God for many more memories with each of them and most of all just being a positive part of their lives.



Somedays I see the love of a parent in the grocery store or by seeing a Grandparent holding their hand just taking a walk. Other days I have seen the worried faces of parents whose children, from newborns to adults, are undergoing life saving treatment in the Hospital. Recently I have also seen the tears streaming down the faces of parents whose children died. At the time I was in the midst of feeling “sorry” for myself and then I saw those tears and the sounds coming from the very soul of the parent struggling to be heard from their broken heart via their throat. Though I could do nothing I thanked God that I was not the one having to deal with the nightmare that became, for whatever reason(s), a…reality. I also thought about how precious life is and how short and most of all how it truly is a gift derrived from God and all the Darwin minions can never deflect these facts.



I often think about the hardships of parents, including single mothers and/or single fathers, who are away from their children either by their work – their legal situation – or other reasons. For every smiling face, that each of us see online or on TV or in person there are just as many faces that are worried about; their children, paying the mortgage, paying the rent, finding a job, losing a job, putting food on the table, their children’s education, illness, having to help a family member or a friend, and other obstacles that jump around in ones psyche.



It is my solemn hope, and prayer, that on this special day of July 4th 2011 that we pause to be thankful for what we have regardless of if it is physically right before us or not. God does not make mistakes and we are each apart of one another’s lives for a reason. And, if you think that things cannot get worse then you are (with all due respect) mistaken because it can and it does. The good news is that we are alive and we love and we hurt and we mourn and that each day brings new opportunities. All the worry in the World never altered what is meant to be. A confirming point of this was made clear by one of the Founding Fathers who learned of the passing of George Washington and their response, after hearing the words of “how can we ever go on without him”, immediately responded with “the cemeteries are filled with men who were thought to be irreplaceable”. Those founding Fathers were not only wise but, in this case, were not apt to mince words.



I wish everyone near, far, and otherwise a; wonderful, healthy, happy, memorable, blessed, and joy filled 4th of July 2011. Most of all I wish everyone, for each day hereafter, good health and happiness and peace. May God bless us all and may our gaze, and our thoughts, not be limited to the explosion of fireworks but in accepting that the heavens lie far above the reach of man and that those standing next to us and/or residing in our hearts are what is truly special about the Holidays (and everyday) and not the pageantry of the moment.



Jeff Schrembs