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Why didn't Elvis ever tour the world?

post #1 of 26
1/5/04 at 1:59pm
Thread Starter 
I was suprised to read that Elvis never toured the world during his successful career. The only time he ever set foot in the UK was when his plane stopped at Prestwick airport here in bonnie scotland to re-fuel. I believe Elvis's exact words where "Where the fuck is this place". (Something I have asked myself during my one and only visit there!).

Why did he never tour the world? He was popular worldwide and it seems a shame that for most there was never a chance to see him in the flesh. Can anyone shed light on this? I'd be most grateful.
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post #2 of 26
1/5/04 at 2:07pm
Well, in his initial popularity in the fifties, I don't think there was much overseas touring at all for American rock and roll acts. I'm not certain, but I think the Beatles were really the act to revolutionize the concept of World Tours; after building up a following at home and throughout Europe, they came to the U.S. and proceeded to hit Australia, Japan, and other locales.

When Elvis got back from the army, he focused largely on recording songs and shooting movies, I think. It wasn't until his legendary 1968 TV special that his live-act popularity was rekindled. Why he didn't spread out farther during the seventies, I'm not sure, but I don't think the rest of you missed out on much, if my dad's report of the one time he saw Elvis live in the seventies is any indication: a sloppy arena performance of less than an hour, starting late and ending without encore.

Anyone with more knowledge (I was less than two years old when Elvis died), feel free to correct anything I've said.
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post #3 of 26
1/5/04 at 2:10pm
I never even gave this any thought, but I guess you're correct. He did a gig in Hawaii once. I remember it real well because the record of the performance came to my radio station within days of the gig.
No offense meant but it's impossible to get a decent glass of ice tea in Great Britain, let alone specialty dishes like fried banana and peanut butter. And there is not one clue over there about making a good hamburger. The Tupelo Flash liked to eat.
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post #4 of 26
1/5/04 at 3:12pm
I believe it had a lot to do with evil Colonel Tom, the guy who bled Elvis, but as an illegal immigrant to America, didn't want to leave in case he couldn't get back.

Elvis did "appear" in Germany, and Britain, as a soldier and en transit guy, and I know he appeared in Canada. My buddy Bill saw him in Ottawa in '57 or so I believe.

The other biggies toured internationally much more. Tho Jerry Lee was virtually driven out of Britain, because Myra was only 13 or so.
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post #5 of 26
1/5/04 at 3:35pm
Elvis did tour outside of the US....sort of.

Elvis rocks London's Wembley Arena
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post #6 of 26
1/6/04 at 12:18am
It was because of the snake known as "Col. Tom Parker"
even though that wasn't his real name.

He always said that there wasn't a place big enough around the world to have Elvis. Market Square Arena in Indianapolis was fine though?? It was bs of course.

Add to that his being an illegal immigrant and there you go.

I've been an Elvis fan since 1985, He's my fav all-time performer, but unfortunately, and this is the hard truth, Elvis didn't have the guts to confront Parker over how Parker was killing Elvis and his career.

Give Elvis excitement in being able to tour the world with ANYONE else managing him, and I'm convinced he would have lived to be at least 50. He died at 42.

It really is the saddest damn story in entertainment history. Tragic, really.
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post #7 of 26
1/6/04 at 9:32am
Parker was an ilegal imigrant, and didn't want to travel. So Elvis was "screwed". It wasn't a know fact until the "Colonel" died.
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post #8 of 26
1/6/04 at 10:36am
The reason I've always heard was the 'colonel' explanation already given. I'd also heard that Elvis's shows once he hit the 'jumpsuit years' were pretty mediocre.



Quote:
No offense meant but it's impossible to get a decent glass of ice tea in Great Britain, let alone specialty dishes like fried banana and peanut butter. And there is not one clue over there about making a good hamburger.

Iced tea over here is pretty rare (we prefer the stuff hot, and no offence, but that is something Americans cannot make to save their lives). We have our own range of cholesterol-packed goodies to match fried banana and peanut butter - deep fried Mars bars, anyone? Quite right about the burgers, though (having said that, our favourite comfort foods are fish and chips and curry, which again, nobody in the USA seems to have a clue how to make).
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post #9 of 26
1/6/04 at 1:03pm
When did wide-body airplanes come into service?
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post #10 of 26
1/6/04 at 3:32pm
Quote:
...our favourite comfort foods are fish and chips...


Bless you for those andrew, they kept me alive for 3 weeks.
Those and the pints of bitter.
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post #11 of 26
1/6/04 at 6:05pm
Elvis got the 'Lisa Marie' plane specifically for world touring.

Indicating that he had in fact planned on doing that in the future. Meaning: He planned to get rid of 'Col.'

Worst manager in entertainment history. Period.

Elvis was and is the King with one hand tied behind his back.
He could have been and done SO much more.
But the Col. kept him down. And he didn't have enough will to change that.

To go off on another example: Elvis wanted to appear in 'A star is born' reviving his movie career and legitimising it as well. Giving Elvis something to seriously look forward to. But the Col. said "No" because Elvis wouldn't have had top billing. That's why he wasn't in that movie.
If that isn't the stupidest reason.....
God forbid he's in a movie with another well-known actor/actress.
damn the Col...
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post #12 of 26
1/6/04 at 7:35pm
I wouldn't say he was the worst....if he was we wouldn't know who Elvis was today. He got him to the top of the doggie pile and that's nothing to sneeze at,
But he was a strange one, that's for sure. Where was he from before he snuck in? I can't remember it has been so long
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post #13 of 26
1/6/04 at 8:08pm
He did help Elvis in the 50's, but after '59, forget it.

From '60 to '77 the mismanagement was collosal.
It may have made money, but pissed Elvis off terribly and wasted his talent. That's not the mark of a good manager.

In the '70's the Col. only cared about the money Elvis could make to finance the Col's gambling addiction.
He didn't care one bit about anything else.

I'm sorry, I've followed Elvis' career for many years and anybody who defends him in any way, after '59 has got to look harder.

The horror stories are well-known and bringing up the '50's in my opinion doesn't change anything.

He was born in Holland. Andreas ...something.

When Elvis died, his reaction was 'this doesn't change anything, everything will continue as it was'.
Disgusting.
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post #14 of 26
1/7/04 at 8:02pm
My only point was that many very talented muscians are never heard of.
I am not the biggest fan of the KING but I do have all of the sun sessions and I have been to Graceland and Tupelo and paid my homage; more than most people. ( my 'Tupelo Hardware' store T shirt "where Elvis got his 1st Guitar" finally gave out and my wife pitched it....DAMMIT)
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post #15 of 26
1/8/04 at 12:45am
Point taken.
I think Elvis would have been heard of with anyone managing him.

Anyone with a little bit of imagination could have thought of using tv.
Hollywood was a given. The songs that he sang had little to do with the Col.
The Col. actually cut off Leiber and Stoller from collaborating with Elvis.
I don't buy into the whole 'he wouldn't have been as big without the Col.' argument.
the Col. didn't make those songs go to number 1 Elvis did.
Incidentally, the Col. himself told Elvis 'without me you'd be nothing!' And tragically, Elvis believed that.
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post #16 of 26
1/8/04 at 8:34am
Whatever his many faults, today is the birthday, so "RIP, Elvis, thanks for the music!"

"Too Much" is playing on one of my cds right now.
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post #17 of 26
1/8/04 at 10:38am
Quote:
Whatever his many faults, today is the birthday,

It is actually not just the King's birthday today, but also the Queen's, ie David Bowie's, so here's to both of you !
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post #18 of 26
1/8/04 at 3:15pm
Where ever Elvis is I hope he's havin fun!
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post #19 of 26
1/9/04 at 5:50am
Thread Starter 
Great replies people. thanx

So the Col. was perhaps the main reason Elvis never done a world tour. Interesting stuff. Can you recommend a definitive book on Elvis's life?
I've been looking through www.elvis.com some really interesting stuff about his life and about future DVD releases (they sound amazing ). Elvis has always been part of my childhood due to my dads great taste in music. However now I think I've officially got the bug. Its great hearing Elvis in nightclubs here in Glasgow (not just the remixes, a few clubs play "Suspicious Minds" and "Hound dog"). Beats the hell out of Justin fuckin Timberlake!!!

PS- We don't like Ice Tea here in the UK because it tastes like piss!. I'm sure the King would have liked a glass of Irn-Bru.
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post #20 of 26
1/9/04 at 11:36am
Both of Peter Guralnick's books 'Last Train' and 'Careless Love' are really all you need.
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post #21 of 26
1/9/04 at 2:10pm
To be honest I am not a real fan of the younger Elvis, mind you a few songs like little sister. I am a fan of the older Elvis. I thouroughly enjoy his 70s music era a lot more then his younger era.

I am probably in the minority on this one.
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post #22 of 26
8/22/09 at 2:58am
i think he doesn't like to tour
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post #23 of 26
9/3/09 at 1:22am
May be Elvis was afraid of lack of understanding in the other countries
Edited by olla86 - 9/8/09 at 4:17am
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post #24 of 26
9/4/09 at 8:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew markworthy View Post
 (we prefer the stuff hot, and no offence, but that is something Americans cannot make to save their lives).

Not true. I'm an American and I make a damn fine cup of tea.   I've even got a jar of Branston Pickle relish in my fridge.
Edited by MielR - 9/4/09 at 9:10pm
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post #25 of 26
9/9/09 at 5:57am
Elvis was the rockstar and he made alot of visits worldwide. I donot know how you can say that he did'nt travel all over the world. He visited numerous places and entertained them with his art and music. Me and My freinds  Christine Frevillem, Junio Solihull and Mickey Everio attented alot of his concerts on since 30th June 2002.
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post #26 of 26
9/9/09 at 6:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by everio3 View Post

Elvis was the rockstar and he made alot of visits worldwide. I donot know how you can say that he did'nt travel all over the world. He visited numerous places and entertained them with his art and music. Me and My freinds  Christine Frevillem, Junio Solihull and Mickey Everio attented alot of his concerts on since 30th June 2002.

 

Considering he died in 1977, i'll bet tickets were "out of this world" expensive!

http://www.elvis.com/elvisology/bio/elvis_overview.asp
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