Elvis & Dean Martin

#307945

In several books, Dean Martin is cited as an influence on Elvis. Some other books dispute this while others make fun of any supposed influence. Dean Martin's catalogue has been available on the Collector's Choice CD's for a few years (his Capitol releases run from 1953 to 1962 and his Reprise stuff is from 1963 to 1978). I have been buying some these as I like Martin's vocal style.

I have noticed several selections on Dean Martin's albums that Elvis covered, primarily in his home recordings. Based on this, it would seem that Elvis was an admirer. Also, Elvis' vocal style when he got out of the army seems based on Martin's style in the suave delivery and varying pitch within a single song. Martin also released several albums based on European songs in the early 60's and Elvis seemed to be into this type of music at the time.

For the record, here are some of the songs on the Martin albums that Elvis covered:

Write to Me From Naples (from 1958's This Is Dean Martin)
There's No Tomorrow (from 1961's Italian Love Songs)
My Heart Cries For You (from 1963's Country Style but this may be an old country standard)

There may be more but I only have a few Martin CD's. I also heard the Italian versions of the songs Surrender and No More are based on but the titles are in Italian and I don't remember what they are.

Anyone else know of other Martin songs Elvis covered? Did Elvis ever cite Martin as an influence?

#307955

I can think of a couple off hand.

Welcome to My World
Come Back To Sorrento (Surrender).

Not to mention the Xmas classics performed by both artists.
Winter Wonderland, White Xmas, Silver Bells, I'll Be Home for Xmas,
Silent Night, and others.

#307978

Elvis' affection for Dean goes back to SUN, and his 1954 recording of "I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine." Many songs since then often betrayed a touch of the Martin style, like "Kiss Me Quick" or especially "(Such An) Easy Question," where Presley seems to pay tribute to both Dino and the great Bing Crosby in less than three minutes!

#307987

If Dean Martin's version of There's No Tomorrow came out in 1961, Elvis wasn't covering him as Elvis' was a home recording from 1959. Of course, he then released the song with different lyricsc as It's Now or Never. There is certainly a Dean Martin influence on Elvis in some of the ballads though.

No More is based on La Paloma and Surrender is based on Torna a Sorrento.

#308012

I believe Dean had been singing O sole mio in his shows before Elvis ever sang any version of this melody.

And just a note, "I don't care if the sun don't shine", was sung in the 1952 Martin & Lewis classic, "scared Stiff", if any of you want to check it out.
Elvis' version has a different verse. I believe another verse was written for him, because he couldn't recall the whole song.

Elvis was also doing a little mock tribute to Dean in Las vegas with his lazy one-liner of "Everybody loves somebody".

#308021

... Elvis recorded Its now or Never in 60, amigo's.

It was based on a hit from Tony "something" from around 58/ 59.

... Dino [ bless him] cut his Theres no tomorrow in 61, as I have just

learned from a previous mail.

#308035

Dean Martin's daughters

JerryNodak · #308041

TCB Ted: "Christmas With Dino"- Great holiday compilation.

#308048

Do we know if Dean were present at some Elvis-shows and which? Can't find shows where he is introduced by Elvis? Same goes for Frank Sinatra?

Sincerely

Kenneth

#308056

Dino was in the audience for the 26/2/70 opening show.

Mr Martin also recorded Your Cheatin' Heart and I'll Hold You In My Heart (Til I Can Hold You In My Arms) and, of course, Gentle On My Mind.

Just For Old Times Sake is another Dino-styled Elvis track.

Guest · #308083

Ger wrote:

Tony "something

It's Tony Martin. What's in a name.....

Also did Dean recorded: For the good times 1970
Make the world go away 1970
It keeps right on a hurtin' 1970
Release me 1967
Green green grass of home 1967
Santa Lucia 1948
Come back to sorrento = Torna a surriento
= Surrender 1952
And Dean recorded I don't care if the sun don't shine twice: 1950 and 1953. And there is True love. There must be more, specially live...

#308102

Crying Time....Elvis did a complete version on August 12, 1973 MS.
Also excerpts during rehearsals for TTWII..

#308111

londonflash wrote:Dino was in the audience for the 26/2/70 opening show.

Yep, thus a one-liner of "Everybody Loves Somebody"

#308118

VOC wrote:
londonflash wrote:Dino was in the audience for the 26/2/70 opening show.
Yep, thus a one-liner of "Everybody Loves Somebody"

It was 26/1/70..just for your records..

#308147

Take Good Care Of Her was also done by Dino, wasn't it?

#308153

Dean Martin - Shirley Mac Laine en Elvis

#308178

ekenee wrote:"I don't care if the sun don't shine", was sung in the 1952 Martin & Lewis classic, "scared Stiff" ... Elvis' version has a different verse. I believe another verse was written for him, because he couldn't recall the whole song.

IIRC, it was none other than Sam's right hand gal, Marion Keisker, who anonymously penned that new verse.

#308218

DJC wrote: IIRC, it was none other than Sam's right hand gal, Marion Keisker, who anonymously penned that new verse.

*****************************

Yes, I had read that years ago and couldn't recall who it was.
Thanks for the reminder.

By the way, when I started collecting Elvis records in the mid-70's this was one of the first things I bought.
Back then you could buy catalogue singles and I bought it on the old red RCA label. It sounds great. Original Sun sound I believe and I can't seem to part with it.

I really like Elvis' performance here. And the new verse written, fit right in with the song. Wonderful, fun track.

#308324

Thanks Ciscoking, silly typo.

#308397

No prob..friend..

#308760

Thanks for the info, everyone. I would love to have seen Elvis on the Dean Martin Roasts. I can only imagine what that would have been like. The Sinatra one is enjoyable to watch as it's quite a sight to see and hear Sinatra's friends make mob jokes with Sinatra laughing so hard at times he has to wipe his eyes. Martin is the only person I can think of who maintained successful film, TV, and music careers simultaneously. (I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong).

#308774

ronnyg wrote:I would love to have seen Elvis on the Dean Martin Roasts.

Somehow, I don't think Elvis would've been into that.

ronnyg wrote:Martin is the only person I can think of who maintained successful film, TV, and music careers simultaneously.

Elvis certainly did -- for example, 1956-57, 1960 or 1968.

#308787

I watched some of those old '70s roasts recently. They had a certain appeal and were surprisingly still entertaining.

Ciscoking wrote:
VOC wrote:
londonflash wrote:Dino was in the audience for the 26/2/70 opening show.
Yep, thus a one-liner of "Everybody Loves Somebody"
It was 26/1/70..just for your records..

I have a copy or two of this interesting snippet on import. (It's very Dino-ish but his "Johnny Cash" was even better!)

Anyone remember what CD that is?

#308794

Walk A Mile In My Shoes (first half)
True Love Travels On a Gravel Road (second half)

#308848

Gregory Nolan Jr. wrote:I watched some of those old '70s roasts recently. They had a certain appeal and were surprisingly still entertaining.

Ciscoking wrote:
VOC wrote:
londonflash wrote:Dino was in the audience for the 26/2/70 opening show.
Yep, thus a one-liner of "Everybody Loves Somebody"
It was 26/1/70..just for your records..
I have a copy or two of this interesting snippet on import. (It's very Dino-ish but his "Johnny Cash" was even better!)

Anyone remember what CD that is?

Those roasts were hilarious! Red Buttons was always my favorite on that show.

For Elvis CD Collectors

Elvis & Dean Martin

Elvis & Dean Martin

elvis & dean