Talk:Elvis Presley: Difference between revisions

Infobox instrument, again

Elvis is mainly known as a singer, did he often play guitar ? yes, was it his "primary" instrument ? no. Did Elvis play piano ? of course, was it his "primary" instrument ? no, in fact you'd be hard pressed to find him playing piano on stage. Elvis' "main" instrument was his voice, nobody is saying he didn't play other instruments, but according to the Infobox guidelines "secondary" instruments of an artist are addressed in the article body, not the infobox. Kellymoat disagrees and has asked for consensus, so here we are. - FlightTime (open channel) 11:49, 9 July 2017 (UTC)

Don't put words in my mouth. I did not voice an opinion. I said that if you want to change the instruments in the Infobox, that you need to get get a consensus. In fact, I am not sure why there isn't a note saying as such. Kellymoat (talk) 12:07, 9 July 2017 (UTC)

One discussion from the archives. - FlightTime (open channel) 12:42, 9 July 2017 (UTC)

But I will offer my opinion. When you say 'Elvis', I do not conjure up an image of him and a piano. As a fan, I know he plays. But it isn't my first or second thought. I am fine with excluding piano from the infobox. I can't see why we would consider removing guitar from a list of primary instruments. Sure, in the later years (Post War/Vegas era), he did more singing than playing. But look at all of those album covers (and movie posters) with him and a guitar. Sure, he isn't in the same league as Yngwie Malmsteem, as far as talent goes, but he definitely is known for guitar. Kellymoat (talk) 17:48, 9 July 2017 (UTC)

He's still not known as a guitarist. Movies and posters do not count because it can be argued that the guitars are props. The only time I can remember him playing guitar in a concert situation was the 68 special and again it was probably just to give his hands something to do since he had to remain seated. - FlightTime (open channel) 18:28, 9 July 2017 (UTC)

Which is why I put movies in the parenthesis and made the main argument about the albums. Kellymoat (talk) 18:50, 9 July 2017 (UTC)

According to the discography page, the studio album articles have him listed as playing guitar on every album (except for 2 that do not even have him credited for singing). And of their corresponding album covers, he appears with a guitar on six of them - all prior to 1970. Which sort of plays into what I said - early Elvis was always him and a guitar. It wasn't until later in his career that he started to be wear jumpsuits and do karate on stage instead of playing guitar. Once notable, always notable. Kellymoat (talk) 13:30, 10 July 2017 (UTC)

Elvis could barely play guitar anyway, regardless of how often he held it - shouldn't be listed as one of his main instruments IMO. Zabboo (talk) 21:35, 9 July 2017 (UTC)

Coming from you, I find that surprising - being that Lennon asked him if he was going to start playing guitar again on the new album, and when Elvis said yes, Lennon said that he would buy that album. Kellymoat (talk) 21:46, 9 July 2017 (UTC)

Don't know what Lennon has to do with this discussion, but even if Elvis played guitar on a album (or two for that matter) does not make it a primary instrument. Elvis was/is known as a vocalist, always has, always will be, regardless how many instruments he played. - FlightTime (open channel) 22:18, 9 July 2017 (UTC)

Lennon has nothing to do with this discussion. Just because I'm a fan of the Beatles doesn't mean I consider John Lennon's word law. I agree with FlightTime. - Zabboo (talk) 22:49, 9 July 2017 (UTC)

Zabboo, Kellymoat, FlightTime, it appears the consensus here is pretty solidly against including these instruments in the infobox. I am removing them accordingly. Cjhard (talk) 06:02, 22 July 2017 (UTC)

Why were my edits reverted?

I corrected an error and added some further details. Why were these edits reverted? First, Elvis was a singer, not a singer-songwriter. See [1]. Second, he still slept in his mother's bed when he was a teen. This is of some importance, as it shows how unusually close he was to his mother. See also Elaine Dundy, Elvis and Gladys. Third, it should be mentioned that he died when using the toilet, as it is common knowledge that "the King died on the throne". For the latter detail I have cited a recent Oxford University Press publication (Joel Williamson, Elvis Presley: A Southern Life). ADogCalledElvis (talk) 04:38, 22 July 2017 (UTC)

No comment? So the error should remain in the article and you are not really interested in improving it? I see. ADogCalledElvis (talk) 04:44, 23 July 2017 (UTC)

You're right that Elvis was a singer, not a singer-songwriter. I'll change the article accordingly. I don't have much of an opinion on the other changes. Cjhard (talk) 00:47, 24 July 2017 (UTC)

Traumatic Brain Injury

Based on this article, Elvis most likely suffered from traumatic brain injuries due to drug overdoses, and also due to falling down and hitting his head, which would partially explain his decline and changes in personality. I recommend that we add references to this article regarding this issue, so the reader may have a better understanding of what was happening to Elvis in his final years. Mistercontributer (talk) 14:09, 5 August 2017 (UTC)

I posted the above a couple of days ago over this past weekend. That should have provided enough time for the editors who are interested in this article to state their opinion regarding this issue. Since there are no objections I plan to go ahead and add reference to this article. If anyone has any comments, questions, or concerns please notify me on this talk page. thanks - Mistercontributer (talk) 23:45, 7 August 2017 (UTC)