What's the story on
Chip Young?
To my knowledge I've only seen one photo of him and he's certainly not a well-known household name where Elvis is concerned but Chip played lead/rhythm guitar on many singles & albums Elvis cut in the late 1960s and early 70s.
Starting in May 1966, his first session playing for Elvis was of all things - the Grammy-winning
How Great Thou Art LP. (Nice way to collaborate with The King - pick the licks on a gospel masterpiece!)
Then Chip worked on these June 1966 cuts:
Indescribably Blue, I'll Remember You, If Everyday Was Like Christmas
He didn't play on a movie soundtrack until
Clambake in February 1967. In March 1967, he played on
Suppose.
The forementioned sessions list Scotty Moore above Chip - but for the
Speedway session in June 1967, Scotty wasn't there and Chip is listed at the top.
Chip played on the Sept. 67
Guitar Man session and the
Stay Away Joe/Too Much Monkey Business session in January 1968.
Ernst book states it was probably Chip who suggested that Elvis do
Hi-Heel Sneakers which became a single B-Side.
He didn't work with Elvis for a couple years after that because the 68 NBC show and the Memphis album and 69-70 Vegas engagements didn't require Chip's talents.
(((Was Chip ever asked to play in the TCB Band?)))
Chip did go back in the studio with Elvis in June 1970 to work on the now-historic Nashville Marathon sessions. He also did the Sept. 70 session which yielded
Snowbird and
Rags To Riches.
Playing on classics such as
Early Morning Rain and
I'm leavin' Chip's work is on
Elvis Country and
Elvis Now and his last session with Elvis was for the Grammy-winning
He Touched Me.
His first Elvis album: a Grammy-winner...his last Elvis album: a Grammy-winner.
IMO, this guy should be given kudos for his work with The King.
Ernst has referred to him as
Chip Young (Elvis' guitarist from 1965 to 1971)
If you have the distinction of being "Elvis' guitarist" wouldn't that make you famous? But Mr. Young doesn't seem to be famous at all - certainly not as famous as James Burton or Scotty Moore.
How come?
Any other info? Has he came forward to be interviewed or write his bio?
How did he get the gig in the 1st place? Did he have to audition for Elvis?
Where is Chip Young nowadays?
Last edited by Graceland Gardener on Sat May 24, 2003 2:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.