"Why Me, Lord?" Lead Vocals - Why J.D. & Not Elvis?

[Tony Trout]

I was listening to the Memphis, 1974 concert and I got to wondering.....

Why did Elvis have J.D. to sing the lead vocal and he not sing it, himself?

And, unfortunately, as much as I'm a big fan of Elvis, I think he turned a very serious song into a comedic effort at times such as telling J.D. silly things to answer J.D.'s lead vocal.......

[drjohncarpenter]

I was listening to the Memphis, 1974 concert and I got to wondering.....

Why did Elvis have J.D. to sing the lead vocal and he not sing it, himself?

And, unfortunately, as much as I'm a big fan of Elvis, I think he turned a very serious song into a comedic effort at times such as telling J.D. silly things to answer J.D.'s lead vocal.......

Because it was comedy gold.

[Johnny2523]

Because elvis loved JD's voice. We do have a version however of elvis performing the song on his own, on July 22 1975.
..

[drjohncarpenter]

Because elvis loved JD's voice. We do have a version however of elvis performing the song on his own, on July 22 1975.
..

And a what a great moment. The lead vocal on "Why Me Lord" from 7-22-1975 is sung by Elvis because J.D. Sumner was so appalled at Presley's stage behavior and comments on the tour that he refused to sing his part. Good times.

[Johnny2523]

Because elvis loved JD's voice. We do have a version however of elvis performing the song on his own, on July 22 1975.
..

And a what a great moment. The lead vocal on "Why Me Lord" from 7-22-1975 is sung by Elvis because J.D. Sumner was so appalled at Presley's stage behavior and comments on the tour that he refused to sing his part. Good times.

Fact is elvis doesn't mention that moment. And elvis seemed to do a one-off, despite earlier remarks.
It's a lovely version!. And nobody can deny that.

[TINML]

Because elvis loved JD's voice. We do have a version however of elvis performing the song on his own, on July 22 1975.
..

And a what a great moment. The lead vocal on "Why Me Lord" from 7-22-1975 is sung by Elvis because J.D. Sumner was so appalled at Presley's stage behavior and comments on the tour that he refused to sing his part. Good times.

What happened, Doc? The catfish comments?

[Johnny2523]

Because elvis loved JD's voice. We do have a version however of elvis performing the song on his own, on July 22 1975.
..

And a what a great moment. The lead vocal on "Why Me Lord" from 7-22-1975 is sung by Elvis because J.D. Sumner was so appalled at Presley's stage behavior and comments on the tour that he refused to sing his part. Good times.

What happened, Doc? The catfish comments?

The catfish comment was on the 20th i believe.. i very much doubt JD would hold a grudge like that for 2 days

[lovin' EP]

Elvis-red phone.jpeg

That is a truly beautiful moment, no matter how it came about. Unfortunately, it's the only time Elvis sang lead on this song. I was at this show and was blown away with the whole show. My friend gave him the little stuffed red telephone, and he put it to his ear and sang "Memphis." Just fantastic for my friend!

Elvisly,

Linda

[Johnny2523]

Elvis-red phone.jpeg

That is a truly beautiful moment, no matter how it came about. Unfortunately, it's the only time Elvis sang lead on this song. I was at this show and was blown away with the whole show. My friend gave him the little stuffed red telephone, and he put it to his ear and sang "Memphis." Just fantastic for my friend!

Elvisly,

Linda

Thank you for sharing that lovely story linda! It's great to hear from someone who was there!

[lovin' EP]

You're welcome, Johnny. I love to share my memories. I posted this picture a long time ago, but thought some of our newer members might enjoy seeing it.

Elvisly,

Linda

[Johnny2523]

You're welcome, Johnny. I love to share my memories. I posted this picture a long time ago, but thought some of our newer members might enjoy seeing it.

Elvisly,

Linda

Absolutely love it! I thank you very much, and hope to see more of your stories when u can

[ICanHelp]

Elvis-red phone.jpeg

That is a truly beautiful moment, no matter how it came about. Unfortunately, it's the only time Elvis sang lead on this song. I was at this show and was blown away with the whole show. My friend gave him the little stuffed red telephone, and he put it to his ear and sang "Memphis." Just fantastic for my friend!

Elvisly,

Linda

Linda: You remain a ray of sunshine in a sky of negativity. Thank you so much for sharing your memories.

[elvis-fan]

Because elvis loved JD's voice. We do have a version however of elvis performing the song on his own, on July 22 1975.
..

And a what a great moment. The lead vocal on "Why Me Lord" from 7-22-1975 is sung by Elvis because J.D. Sumner was so appalled at Presley's stage behavior and comments on the tour that he refused to sing his part. Good times.

Fact is elvis doesn't mention that moment. And elvis seemed to do a one-off, despite earlier remarks.
It's a lovely version!. And nobody can deny that.

I have to disagree with you on this one Johnny... Elvis screaming his way through the chorus because he changed the key doesn't sound lovely to these ears...

[drjohncarpenter]

Because elvis loved JD's voice. We do have a version however of elvis performing the song on his own, on July 22 1975.
..

And a what a great moment. The lead vocal on "Why Me Lord" from 7-22-1975 is sung by Elvis because J.D. Sumner was so appalled at Presley's stage behavior and comments on the tour that he refused to sing his part. Good times.

What happened, Doc? The catfish comments?

The catfish comment was on the 20th i believe.. i very much doubt JD would hold a grudge like that for 2 days

You are twice wrong. It was not a grudge, and it did have to do with his unprofessional stage behavior on this tour, as I wrote.

© Harold J. Newton, 7-22-1975 Asheville, NC

In the Asheville, 22nd July show, Elvis featured a very long version of "Amen," then announced "Why Me Lord?" - but as he started J.D. Sumner didn't join Elvis to sing with him, forcing Elvis to continue the song as a solo performance. J.D. Sumner is a professional and was so disgusted with Elvis' pernicious, vindictive behavior during this time, that he decided to teach Elvis a lesson. Following this, Elvis ate humble pie to J.D. throughout the rest of the show, praising J.D. unnecessarily, then, to avoid introducing Kathy, Elvis asked J.D. to make the intros (as he left the stage for 7 minutes making a bathroom visit).

http://www.elvis-collectors.com/july75downunder-3.html

[Johnny2523]

Because elvis loved JD's voice. We do have a version however of elvis performing the song on his own, on July 22 1975.
..

And a what a great moment. The lead vocal on "Why Me Lord" from 7-22-1975 is sung by Elvis because J.D. Sumner was so appalled at Presley's stage behavior and comments on the tour that he refused to sing his part. Good times.

What happened, Doc? The catfish comments?

The catfish comment was on the 20th i believe.. i very much doubt JD would hold a grudge like that for 2 days

You are twice wrong. It was not a grudge, and it did have to do with his unprofessional stage behavior on this tour, as I wrote.

© Harold J. Newton, 7-22-1975 Asheville, NC

In the Asheville, 22nd July show, Elvis featured a very long version of "Amen," then announced "Why Me Lord?" - but as he started J.D. Sumner didn't join Elvis to sing with him, forcing Elvis to continue the song as a solo performance. J.D. Sumner is a professional and was so disgusted with Elvis' pernicious, vindictive behavior during this time, that he decided to teach Elvis a lesson. Following this, Elvis ate humble pie to J.D. throughout the rest of the show, praising J.D. unnecessarily, then, to avoid introducing Kathy, Elvis asked J.D. to make the intros (as he left the stage for 7 minutes making a bathroom visit).

http://www.elvis-collectors.com/july75downunder-3.html

And the source for that is??? George Mc Donnell was at this show or was it just from what he read and heard?..
The recording doesnt' indicate JD refused to sing his part.. also why me lord was performed early in the set which was unusual.. and elvis just went into it.. Where's the proof?

[Rob]

As well as Elvis performed during this tour, his behavior on stage was inexcusable. I have many shows from this tour and the way he talked to Kathy in front of the audience is humiliating. I get embarrassed for her every time I hear these shows. Comments like, "She gets her affection from the whole band" and "She doesn't care where she gets it" should not have been made.

I love Elvis and his music very much, but he could be very embarrassing at times.

[poormadpeter2]

Because elvis loved JD's voice. We do have a version however of elvis performing the song on his own, on July 22 1975.
..

And a what a great moment. The lead vocal on "Why Me Lord" from 7-22-1975 is sung by Elvis because J.D. Sumner was so appalled at Presley's stage behavior and comments on the tour that he refused to sing his part. Good times.

What happened, Doc? The catfish comments?

The catfish comment was on the 20th i believe.. i very much doubt JD would hold a grudge like that for 2 days

You are twice wrong. It was not a grudge, and it did have to do with his unprofessional stage behavior on this tour, as I wrote.

© Harold J. Newton, 7-22-1975 Asheville, NC

In the Asheville, 22nd July show, Elvis featured a very long version of "Amen," then announced "Why Me Lord?" - but as he started J.D. Sumner didn't join Elvis to sing with him, forcing Elvis to continue the song as a solo performance. J.D. Sumner is a professional and was so disgusted with Elvis' pernicious, vindictive behavior during this time, that he decided to teach Elvis a lesson. Following this, Elvis ate humble pie to J.D. throughout the rest of the show, praising J.D. unnecessarily, then, to avoid introducing Kathy, Elvis asked J.D. to make the intros (as he left the stage for 7 minutes making a bathroom visit).

http://www.elvis-collectors.com/july75downunder-3.html

And the source for that is??? George Mc Donnell was at this show or was it just from what he read and heard?..
The recording doesnt' indicate JD refused to sing his part.. also why me lord was performed early in the set which was unusual.. and elvis just went into it.. Where's the proof?

Indeed, the recording we have simply has Elvis announcing the song and singing the verse a matter of a second or two later - there is no suggestion that JD even had TIME to start singing it himself, let alone for him to make it known to Elvis that he WASN'T going to do it.

The Doc and I also have very different ideas of what professional behaviour is on stage. If JD was such a professional (and, of course, he was), he would not take it out his grievances with Elvis on stage, but do it elsewhere. Teaching someone a lesson in front of thousands of fans, and thus possibly spoiling a show for those fans, is not professional behaviour. The last thing that a professional would do on stage is give the audience any hint that they were not happy.

[drjohncarpenter]

The catfish comment was on the 20th i believe.. i very much doubt JD would hold a grudge like that for 2 days

You are twice wrong. It was not a grudge, and it did have to do with his unprofessional stage behavior on this tour, as I wrote.

© Harold J. Newton, 7-22-1975 Asheville, NC

In the Asheville, 22nd July show, Elvis featured a very long version of "Amen," then announced "Why Me Lord?" - but as he started J.D. Sumner didn't join Elvis to sing with him, forcing Elvis to continue the song as a solo performance. J.D. Sumner is a professional and was so disgusted with Elvis' pernicious, vindictive behavior during this time, that he decided to teach Elvis a lesson. Following this, Elvis ate humble pie to J.D. throughout the rest of the show, praising J.D. unnecessarily, then, to avoid introducing Kathy, Elvis asked J.D. to make the intros (as he left the stage for 7 minutes making a bathroom visit).

http://www.elvis-collectors.com/july75downunder-3.html

And the source for that is???

Try clicking the link I provided in my reply.

As well as Elvis performed during this tour, his behavior on stage was inexcusable. I have many shows from this tour and the way he talked to Kathy in front of the audience is humiliating. I get embarrassed for her every time I hear these shows. Comments like, "She gets her affection from the whole band" and "She doesn't care where she gets it" should not have been made.

I love Elvis and his music very much, but he could be very embarrassing at times.

Good post. It's so odd how some fans prefer to ignore such realities. It's been 38+ years now, they need to let it go.

[Juan Luis]

.............

[poormadpeter2]

The catfish comment was on the 20th i believe.. i very much doubt JD would hold a grudge like that for 2 days

You are twice wrong. It was not a grudge, and it did have to do with his unprofessional stage behavior on this tour, as I wrote.

© Harold J. Newton, 7-22-1975 Asheville, NC

In the Asheville, 22nd July show, Elvis featured a very long version of "Amen," then announced "Why Me Lord?" - but as he started J.D. Sumner didn't join Elvis to sing with him, forcing Elvis to continue the song as a solo performance. J.D. Sumner is a professional and was so disgusted with Elvis' pernicious, vindictive behavior during this time, that he decided to teach Elvis a lesson. Following this, Elvis ate humble pie to J.D. throughout the rest of the show, praising J.D. unnecessarily, then, to avoid introducing Kathy, Elvis asked J.D. to make the intros (as he left the stage for 7 minutes making a bathroom visit).

http://www.elvis-collectors.com/july75downunder-3.html

And the source for that is???

Try clicking the link I provided in my reply.

With all respect to Geoff, he wasn't inside JD's head on the night in question, and therefore didn't know why he didn't sing the song that night, or why it was earlier in the show - and memories are somewhat unreliable. The audio evidence clearly shows that Elvis didn't give JD a chance to start singing, and so it is clear the change of plans took place before the show started - and it's also likely that, if JD had already indicated prior to the show that he wouldn't be singing it, Elvis simply would have cut the song completely.

[MaryAnn]

The catfish comment was on the 20th i believe.. i very much doubt JD would hold a grudge like that for 2 days

You are twice wrong. It was not a grudge, and it did have to do with his unprofessional stage behavior on this tour, as I wrote.

© Harold J. Newton, 7-22-1975 Asheville, NC

In the Asheville, 22nd July show, Elvis featured a very long version of "Amen," then announced "Why Me Lord?" - but as he started J.D. Sumner didn't join Elvis to sing with him, forcing Elvis to continue the song as a solo performance. J.D. Sumner is a professional and was so disgusted with Elvis' pernicious, vindictive behavior during this time, that he decided to teach Elvis a lesson. Following this, Elvis ate humble pie to J.D. throughout the rest of the show, praising J.D. unnecessarily, then, to avoid introducing Kathy, Elvis asked J.D. to make the intros (as he left the stage for 7 minutes making a bathroom visit).

http://www.elvis-collectors.com/july75downunder-3.html

And the source for that is???

Try clicking the link I provided in my reply.

With all respect to Geoff, he wasn't inside JD's head on the night in question, and therefore didn't know why he didn't sing the song that night, or why it was earlier in the show - and memories are somewhat unreliable. The audio evidence clearly shows that Elvis didn't give JD a chance to start singing, and so it is clear the change of plans took place before the show started - and it's also likely that, if JD had already indicated prior to the show that he wouldn't be singing it, Elvis simply would have cut the song completely.

Human nature being what it is, maybe Elvis wanted to make a point to JD (and everyone else) by performing the part himself.

[U.S. Male]

After the song, what does Elvis say?
It sounds like Elvis says, "That's usually JD's song, he does that later in the show. He forced me into doing somethin', you know?"
Is that right?

[drjohncarpenter]

As well as Elvis performed during this tour, his behavior on stage was inexcusable. I have many shows from this tour and the way he talked to Kathy in front of the audience is humiliating. I get embarrassed for her every time I hear these shows. Comments like, "She gets her affection from the whole band" and "She doesn't care where she gets it" should not have been made.

I love Elvis and his music very much, but he could be very embarrassing at times.

Good post. It's so odd how some fans prefer to ignore such realities. It's been 38+ years now, they need to let it go.

No. Not ignore. But would you remind a loved one constantly of his embarrassing moments, or your own?

Um, first of all Elvis has been gone a long time, he couldn't give a hoot about ANY of our discussions, save maybe the one about "Tiger Man" possibly recorded at Sun in 1954. Secondly, the unfortunate moments in his career are not a "constant" topic on this forum. So your rhetorical question is both silly and irrelevant.

[f2walsh]

Thanks for that live version! It was very good. I had never heard Elvis sing the lead.

[r&b]

I was listening to the Memphis, 1974 concert and I got to wondering.....

Why did Elvis have J.D. to sing the lead vocal and he not sing it, himself?

And, unfortunately, as much as I'm a big fan of Elvis, I think he turned a very serious song into a comedic effort at times such as telling J.D. silly things to answer J.D.'s lead vocal.......

Because it was comedy gold.

Just part of that magical 70's setlist. Isnt this what people really came to hear? His Latest Flame be damned!