Post by Minty on Jul 20, 2009 6:47:02 GMT -5
Came across this article today
Jimmy Webb the celebrated songwriter of such classics as MacArthur Park, Galveston, Wichita Lineman, Up, Up and Away, The Highwayman, and Didn't We recently talked about Elvis Presley's love for MacArthur Park and how the King came to not record the song.
'He loved MacArthur Park, Webb said of Presley. 'I don't say that to brag. It's been documented. I have a tape of him singing it'. 'At that time, though, I wanted to get a song done by Elvis Presley'.
'But as I was leaving after meeting with Elvis, (Presley's manager) Col. (Tom) Parker followed me to the door and said, 'I guess we won't be seeing you here again'. I said, 'Oh, really?'
Parker wanted only songs to which he could get full publishing rights, and as Webb said, 'I didn't need Elvis to record MacArthur Park. It was already a number one hit. Col. Parker was a crude man'.
So is this another Elvis recorded my song and i have the only tape and no one will ever hear it story or does a tape exist of Elvis singing this song?.To my knowledge the only time Elvis sang this song was a few lines during the taping of the 68 Special,and no version or one liner in any of the known concerts available,nor can i find any record of him rehearsing it at any time.So if Elvis loved this song as much as this guy states surely he would have sung it during the 69 Vegas season,or even sung a few one liners?.I can understand the Colonel putting a block on any studio attempt but on stage??.And what of this tape he has of Elvis singing it???,unfortunately his details are too vauge to how it came about or even the year so for now another "we wish" story for the archives imo.
Jimmy Webb the celebrated songwriter of such classics as MacArthur Park, Galveston, Wichita Lineman, Up, Up and Away, The Highwayman, and Didn't We recently talked about Elvis Presley's love for MacArthur Park and how the King came to not record the song.
'He loved MacArthur Park, Webb said of Presley. 'I don't say that to brag. It's been documented. I have a tape of him singing it'. 'At that time, though, I wanted to get a song done by Elvis Presley'.
'But as I was leaving after meeting with Elvis, (Presley's manager) Col. (Tom) Parker followed me to the door and said, 'I guess we won't be seeing you here again'. I said, 'Oh, really?'
Parker wanted only songs to which he could get full publishing rights, and as Webb said, 'I didn't need Elvis to record MacArthur Park. It was already a number one hit. Col. Parker was a crude man'.
So is this another Elvis recorded my song and i have the only tape and no one will ever hear it story or does a tape exist of Elvis singing this song?.To my knowledge the only time Elvis sang this song was a few lines during the taping of the 68 Special,and no version or one liner in any of the known concerts available,nor can i find any record of him rehearsing it at any time.So if Elvis loved this song as much as this guy states surely he would have sung it during the 69 Vegas season,or even sung a few one liners?.I can understand the Colonel putting a block on any studio attempt but on stage??.And what of this tape he has of Elvis singing it???,unfortunately his details are too vauge to how it came about or even the year so for now another "we wish" story for the archives imo.