Hard to believe, but today is the 87th anniversary of the birth of Elvis Presley!
So, if really is still hiding out somewhere, he's getting up there!
In keeping with the Christmas spirit, here's my favorite Elvis Christmas cut:
That's, of course, from his 1957 RCA Victor release "Elvis' Christmas Album."
At this point, Elvis was already a huge multi-media star, but he had been popular enough the previous holiday season to inspire the novelty song "I Want Elvis for Christmas," which actually had a few competing versions!
The least annoying by far is by the Holly Twins on Liberty Records:
That's fun as far as it goes, but doesn't bear up to heavy rotation listening on one's 1950s rock 'n' roll holiday playlist!
The secret weapon on that recording was the formidable Liberty artist Eddie Cochran, who contributes his stellar guitar playing in addition to the Elvis-like "Baby, baby, baby" vocals. Eddie gives the proceedings a ton of retro cred!
Despite the talents of co-writers pre-fame Bobby Darin and Don Kirschner, I think the song itself is a bit clunky (starting with the awkward title) and doesn't work as well as "I Want Eddie Fisher for Christmas," which we heard here, the ode to RCA Victor's star of only two years prior!
How times had changed!
For my dough, the best Elvis tribute record from the period was from his RCA Victor label mate, Janis Martin, from earlier in 1956:
That's just a fun little rockabilly number on its own!
So, if you are still out there somewhere, Elvis, have a good one!
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