Darlene Love knocks back Elvis

I came over this again today. I did post it as part of a conversation we were having about Darlene on Letterman but I think it got buried in the topic and was missed by many. Its so great that it deserves a subject line of its own. Fascinating!

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/brisb ... 783457.mp3

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http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/brisb ... 783457.mp3

the link won't open

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/brisb ... 783457.mp3

the link won't open

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/brisb ... 783457.mp3

Hi Julian,

Thank you. I listened to it around Christmas, and I don't remember if I got it downloaded or not. I heard it, and it was late, and I was still figuring out RealPlayer Plus, and now I've got it!

Many thanks!!! This is so cool!!!

rjm
P.S. -- What is "Ameriican" for "knocked back"? Can't think of it right now. Hmm. "Turned me down." "Rebuffed." Something else. "Rejected me." That would be it: "she rejected Elvis." I guess. Must be other slang. I'll look it up.

Last edited by rjm on Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:14 am, edited 1 time in total.

she was in the 68 comeback

Very good! You learn well.

Don't forget Darlene was also in "Change of Habit," and both before and after Elvis, her group, the Blossoms, worked on record (Spector), TV (Shindig) and backed Tom Jones.

she was in the 68 comeback

..and in the Lethal Weapon series.

I came over this again today. I did post it as part of a conversation we were having about Darlene on Letterman but I think it got buried in the topic and was missed by many. Its so great that it deserves a subject line of its own. Fascinating!

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/brisbane/conversations/201102/r724376_5783457.mp3

Darlene Love is as great an interview subject as she is a singer. What a wonderful, joyous chat!

A little more context, if you don't mind:

- "Conversations with Richard Fidler"
- ABC Local Radio (Australia), February 25, 2011
- Elvis discussion begins at 24:00

Great quotes:
"I told him his face was chiseled. God gave him a perfect face."
"But sitting, talking to Elvis when we were doing the 1968 comeback special, we got to see the heart of Elvis."

Darlene Love - ABC Conversations with Richard Fidler
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/02/25/3148693.htm

The story about Elvis hitting on Darlene is actually not from NBC Burbank, but from the set of "Change of Habit" nine months later.

Also note that Fidler's phrase regarding Darlene's gentle rebuff of Elvis' flirting with her was "You gave him the knock back." In other words, Love punted, she brushed off Presley's invitation.

Thanks again for the link.

I came over this again today. I did post it as part of a conversation we were having about Darlene on Letterman but I think it got buried in the topic and was missed by many. Its so great that it deserves a subject line of its own. Fascinating!

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/local/brisbane/conversations/201102/r724376_5783457.mp3

Darlene Love is as great an interview subject as she is a singer. What a wonderful, joyous chat!

A little more context, if you don't mind:

- "Conversations with Richard Fidler"
- ABC Local Radio (Australia), February 25, 2011
- Elvis discussion begins at 24:00

Great quotes:
"I told him his face was chiseled. God gave him a perfect face."
"But sitting, talking to Elvis when we were doing the 1968 comeback special, we got to see the heart of Elvis."

Darlene Love - ABC Conversations with Richard Fidler
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/02/25/3148693.htm

The story about Elvis hitting on Darlene is actually not from NBC Burbank, but from the set of "Change of Habit" nine months later.

Also note that Fidler's phrase regarding Darlene's gentle rebuff of Elvis' flirting with her was "You gave him the knock back." In other words, Love punted, she brushed off Presley's invitation.

Thanks again for the link.

That's IT, Doc: "American" for 'knocked back.': THE BRUSH-OFF. Or just "The BRUSH."

Thanks.

rjm
P.S. -- Don't you love that laugh of hers: full of warmth, joy, good memories . . .

Great interview with Darlene. Thanks for posting.

Brian

P.S. -- What is "Ameriican" for "knocked back"?

To sway off topic a bit for a moment, in another context its also used in reference to drinking. Like "we were out an knocked back a couple of beers."

knocked back - polished off - popped a few etc...

I am not able to watch this. But in a older interview with Love. She said that her and Elvis made out in his trailer on the set of Change of Habit and he was the one that backed off because he said his family would not approve. (probably meaning his dad who from different people was a racist). she mention any of that in this interview?

That was a great audio link, really enjoyed that.

Thanks

I am not able to watch this. But in a older interview with Love. She said that her and Elvis made out in his trailer on the set of Change of Habit and he was the one that backed off because he said his family would not approve. (probably meaning his dad who from different people was a racist). she mention any of that in this interview?

What a twisted world, in which race is the deciding factor in the story, rather than the fact that Elvis was a married man.

I am not able to watch this. But in a older interview with Love. She said that her and Elvis made out in his trailer on the set of Change of Habit and he was the one that backed off because he said his family would not approve. (probably meaning his dad who from different people was a racist). she mention any of that in this interview?

What a twisted world, in which race is the deciding factor in the story, rather than the fact that Elvis was a married man.

you are right.

I am not able to watch this. But in a older interview with Love. She said that her and Elvis made out in his trailer on the set of Change of Habit and he was the one that backed off because he said his family would not approve. (probably meaning his dad who from different people was a racist). she mention any of that in this interview?

What a twisted world, in which race is the deciding factor in the story, rather than the fact that Elvis was a married man.

you are right.

In her book, she specifically mentions "adultery" because Elvis (not her) was married, with a new baby. I'll look for the exact quote, but that's what she said was the reason for a "preacher's daughter." He may have given her that line, as in this interview, "my grandparents would be turning over in their graves." Not his mother, who was in her grave, nor Minnie Mae, who was NOT in her grave. He also had a parent who was not in his grave, and Elvis made no mention of him. "As in "my daddy would flip his wig if he knew about this." Elvis DID NOT SAY ANYTHING LIKE THAT! He said "MY GRANDPARENTS WOULD BE TURNING OVER IN THEIR GRAVE(S)." Dead grandparents.

If some people want to believe Vernon was "a racist," fine. Who am I to argue. The thing is that Vernon just didn't get along with the guys, and it was very acrimonious, and perhaps he did step over the line with the use of language, and they didn't like him much either, so naturally, he doesn't come off well. He was the "bad cop." The "no" man. To them. I just don't buy it. I mean, yeah, maybe their disputes got ugly; that's just not enough to call someone, in their totality, "a racist." He seemed to get along with a great variety of people. If you look at the video of Vernon at American Sound Studios, with Elvis and Roy Hamilton, etc., Vernon could not have been more comfortable. And, there are other examples. (I don't recall Larry ever saying anything bad about Vernon, but I do recall Marty saying, in the MM book, "Larry was bad news." So, there was a lot of back-biting going on, and it didn't matter what your background. It was a rough little world. All I know is that a significant personage in Tupelo, in 1957, told Jet Magaziine that "the Presley's were always on our side." How, in those term, could anyone consider him a racist? Because some of the guys didn't like him, and said he was? They didn't like anything about him! And if he was racist against certain ethnic groups/religious groups, how come Mrs. Fruchter (sp?) described the Presleys as enjoying Friday night dinner with them? Huh? Huh? I know a LOT of people who would NEVER do that, under any circumstances. Plus, Jennette Fruchter has never, as far as I have read, EVER called Vernon a racist or prejudiced against them, or anything. And SHE would be the authority on this, as the Presleys were there neighbors before fame hit. And so, before "the guys.")

But yes, Elvis was specific that his DEAD GRANDPARENTS would not be comfortable with this. (Which, knowing a bit about Elvis, or any guy who liked the ladies A LOT, sounds like "a line." As if to say, 'this is, uh, unusual for me too, but you, YOU DARLENE, are a special lady, and so, I uh . . . uh . . .' - well, he just couldn't help himself! He thought flattery would get him everywhere, which most guys use in such situations. This time it didn't. She said in the interview, almost squealing like a schoolgirl: "I was scared!" Perhaps he noticed this, and tried a bit of flattery, which didn't work.)

Sounds like a "line."

rjm
P.S. -- Yeah, here, "knocked back" means to knock back some drinks. I've never been out of the States in my life, so I won't worry about all the mistakes you can make!

Here's an interview. "Elvis" is at about 6: 28, or so. She leaves out the "knock back," but otherwise, he "hit on her" and said "I'm not looking at you as a singer; I'm looking at you as a woman." And said she was the "first" black woman he'd ever looked at "that way." Keep in mind, he was hitting on her, at the moment.

P.P.S. -- You are going to have to wait a few days for the quotation in the book. I have somehow misplaced the book. (A lot of books are being used at work, which is a school. It might be there in the music part of our little library.) So, I clicked over to amazon, and it's on its way. Only a few dollars, used but in "very good" condition from a very well-regarded seller, plus a new feature with some sellers. Amazon has a this new feature where, with some vendors, they handle the shipping! Cool. So, "3-5 days."

I've never believed Vernon was racist, per se; however, like a lot of older people, he may have been uncomfortable with interracial dating or marriage. My father used to complain when he would see a black man with a white woman, "why does he have to do that, a black woman isn't good enough for him?" I think he has become more accepting of interracial relationships as its become more common. Both mom and dad were initially uncomfortable with the idea of a black man becoming President; however, as the 2008 campaign went on, and they had the chance to compare and contrast the ideas of the two candidates, Obama became their choice. I'm told my grandfather was a bit of an Archie Bunker most of his life, but I never heard him talk that way, so if he did, he was smart enough not to do it in front of us kids, and near the end of his life, he was quite comfortable socialising with folks from various walks of life. I've heard some people even suggest Elvis would've been against Lisa Marie marrying Michael Jackson because of his race, but this is simply the type of uninformed opinion expressed by those who still believe those "Elvis was a racist" stories.

I've never believed Vernon was racist, per se; however, like a lot of older people, he may have been uncomfortable with interracial dating or marriage. My father used to complain when he would see a black man with a white woman, "why does he have to do that, a black woman isn't good enough for him?" I think he has become more accepting of interracial relationships as its become more common. Both mom and dad were initially uncomfortable with the idea of a black man becoming President; however, as the 2008 campaign went on, and they had the chance to compare and contrast the ideas of the two candidates, Obama became their choice. I'm told my grandfather was a bit of an Archie Bunker most of his life, but I never heard him talk that way, so if he did, he was smart enough not to do it in front of us kids, and near the end of his life, he was quite comfortable socialising with folks from various walks of life. I've heard some people even suggest Elvis would've been against Lisa Marie marrying Michael Jackson because of his race, but this is simply the type of uninformed opinion expressed by those who still believe those "Elvis was a racist" stories.

Oh, not only several MMs said that, on a dead man's behalf - which means they had a lotta nerve (but not ALL!), but so did Dee Presley, in the Memphis Airport, in 1994, on national TV! She sounded like a total idiot, which she is. I mean, she said on national TV, "because he's black." I have the clip, somewhere amidst 100s of VHS tapes (especially a lot when LMP and MJ were hitched, so have patience . . .) Personally, if Elvis were alive in 1994, and saw her say that on TV, he would have all he could do to restrain himself from popping her one! She is such a disagreeable person!

But just because parents might be concerned does NOT mean they are racists! When I was about 9 years old (I know: "9"???), I had a major crush on this 11-year-old named Michael. (No, not THAT Michael. Not the one on TV; the one in my school.)

He lived in Spanish Harlem. Our school had kids from everywhere, every kind of kid. It was an amazing place and almost everyone was on financial aid. Blind kids, black kids, Latino kids, kids from South America, kids with epilepsy, a kid missing a leg . . . every kind of kid. And they had woods we played in all afternoon . . . and I loved it there. And I "loved" this little boy. He was black, and Puerto Rican, and he was real cute.

My parents said "we should talk about this." They told me about a close family member who had two black husbands (no, not at once . . .), and he was a great guy - a jazz musician - the last one, but life was more difficult for them, because he was black. They had a hard time finding a place to live, a place where they wouldn't be turned away. It created problems with socializing with both groups of whites, and groups of blacks. So, in "revealing" this to me (I hadn't been told, and she died very young, at 42 of cancer when I was about 2, though I do remember her), they wanted me to understand, they said, "what I was getting into." They would "support me," they said, but they wanted me to understand "the situation."

Of course, I looked at them like they had gone INSANE. I WAS NINE YEARS OLD! And he was 11. And they thought we were engaged or something. Pretty funny. "We'll support you in your decision, but we just want you to know what she and her husband had to deal with." I was like: "huh???" It was a puppy love. A crush.

I think they were really telling me about the future. That they'd "support me" if I wanted to choose someone who was of a different race, but that society being what it was, it would be difficult. But it really sounded weird in the 1960s, when I was little!

So, older folks (they were young then, but would become older) have all kinds of reasons for being concerned about this. Now, of course, my folks grew up in NYC, not Mississippi. I can't imagine Vernon saying "I will support you in whatever choice you make, but I want you to understand what you're getting into." That sounds silly, coming from him. But, in a different way, that's probably what he thought.

rjm
P.S. -- I hope I didn't make them look bad. They really meant it that they would "support me in whatever I wanted to do." And they also meant it that the world was not a very nice place, sometimes, and can make it difficult for people. It's just that it was kinda premature! We were little kids!

P.P.S. -- Yes, I know. My folks were "PC" before "PC" was cool!

rjm, your parents were very pc! I still think my parents would freak out if one of their kids was dating someone of a different race. But thank God I never hear them say anything really racist, in fact my mother said recently that one of her best friends in high school was black.

rjm, your parents were very pc! I still think my parents would freak out if one of their kids was dating someone of a different race. But thank God I never hear them say anything really racist ...

It's like only being a little bit pregnant.

The above (my post) should demonstrate that PC can be taken to ridiculous extremes! Really.

rjm
P.S. -- You'll get to see him in a video I am making, which will debut in April. I'm just out of the frame, but you can see him in the picture of a real '60s sing-a-long that we had in the autumn of '68. I think he was 10 in the picture.

rjm, your parents were very pc! I still think my parents would freak out if one of their kids was dating someone of a different race. But thank God I never hear them say anything really racist ...

It's like only being a little bit pregnant.

I keep in mind the kinds of things they heard while they were growing up. It's hard to grow out of some of those prejudiced ideas. I still hear things from them occasionally that just make me wanna roll my eyes....but I've learned to be patient.