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That's Alright Elvis Kindle Edition
Scotty Moore listened carefully to the shy young Elvis sing and immediately realized that this teenager had something special. Along with bass player Bill Black, the trio went into Sun Studios and recorded an old blues number called "That’s Alright, Mama." Its success launched a whirlwind of touring, radio appearances, and Elvis’ first break into movies. Scotty was there every step of the way and tells the story of how Elvis transformed popular music.
- GenresMusicNonfictionBiography
287 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 7, 2011
Scotty Moore is one of the most important guitar players in rock and roll history. I've only recently become a pretty huge fan. This book was a great behind the scenes look at a legend. Not only is Scotty one of the greatest guitar players of our time, he's also a really nice guy. The book is honest and eye-opening, and definitely worth reading if you have any interest in rock and roll history or in Elvis' early years.
September 4, 2023
If you're curious about the guy behind Elvis who played all those great guitar solos, you'll want to read this book. Never mind the atrocious lack of final editing, this is a great find and a must-read for fans of guitar legend, Scotty Moore.
That's Alright Elvis follows the years when Scotty Moore and bass player, Bill Black, met Elvis Presley and formed a small group managed by Scotty. They recorded with Sam Philips such amazing, yet beautifully simple classics like, "That's Alright, Mama," and "Mystery Train." It continues through their early years on the road, playing gigs throughout the south, building a name for themselves. Eventually, as the story goes, Colonel Tom Parker enters the picture. From there, Elvis's association with his bandmates, Scotty and Bill, weakens until it is severed. The last time Scotty sees Elvis is at his '68 Comeback tv special. When Elvis dies in 1977, it is a blow to Scotty, yet he quietly marches on in the music business. The story concludes with Scotty's own words, a humble man who could not find it in himself to speak ill of anyone, least of all, Elvis Presley. The 1997 book is followed-up with a recent addition by his co-author, sharing about Scotty's own death.
Scotty Moore lived his life pursuing his creative ideas, just wanting to record great songs with a good bunch of people. It was never about the money. Surprising it is to learn just who those people were, rock and country legends in themselves who idolized the man who led the way for them all.
That's Alright Elvis follows the years when Scotty Moore and bass player, Bill Black, met Elvis Presley and formed a small group managed by Scotty. They recorded with Sam Philips such amazing, yet beautifully simple classics like, "That's Alright, Mama," and "Mystery Train." It continues through their early years on the road, playing gigs throughout the south, building a name for themselves. Eventually, as the story goes, Colonel Tom Parker enters the picture. From there, Elvis's association with his bandmates, Scotty and Bill, weakens until it is severed. The last time Scotty sees Elvis is at his '68 Comeback tv special. When Elvis dies in 1977, it is a blow to Scotty, yet he quietly marches on in the music business. The story concludes with Scotty's own words, a humble man who could not find it in himself to speak ill of anyone, least of all, Elvis Presley. The 1997 book is followed-up with a recent addition by his co-author, sharing about Scotty's own death.
Scotty Moore lived his life pursuing his creative ideas, just wanting to record great songs with a good bunch of people. It was never about the money. Surprising it is to learn just who those people were, rock and country legends in themselves who idolized the man who led the way for them all.
July 17, 2012
Published in 1997, updated in 2005, 'That's Alright, Elvis' takes us back to the epicentre of popular music in Memphis when Elvis and the Blue Moon Boys struck gold in Sam Phillips' Sun studio.
The man who really delivered rock n roll to the world was not Presley or Phillips but Moore. Scotty Moore was Elvis' manager, lead guitar and band leader when the sound hit back in 1954. His autobiography has a span of over seventy years, and the man is still twanging that Gibson today!
The first half of this book is a fascinating insight into the initial Presley/Moore/Black/Fontana combo, the hit records, the media sensations and the Col.Tom Parker machinations.
Perhaps the second half of this read isn't as dynamic as the first, none the less, old Moore's almanac tells the essential facts and everyone else involved back in the day has now left the building. Any way you do, but that's alright.
The man who really delivered rock n roll to the world was not Presley or Phillips but Moore. Scotty Moore was Elvis' manager, lead guitar and band leader when the sound hit back in 1954. His autobiography has a span of over seventy years, and the man is still twanging that Gibson today!
The first half of this book is a fascinating insight into the initial Presley/Moore/Black/Fontana combo, the hit records, the media sensations and the Col.Tom Parker machinations.
Perhaps the second half of this read isn't as dynamic as the first, none the less, old Moore's almanac tells the essential facts and everyone else involved back in the day has now left the building. Any way you do, but that's alright.
August 29, 2012
This story contains much more about Scotty Moore than Elvis. Overall, I had a hard time sticking with it because I didn't have much interest in Moore. The book does contain some interesting information about Elvis when he was still an unknown, and I found that portion of the book to be interesting.
December 2, 2024
If you're an Elvis Presley fan, this is a fabulous look at the very earliest days when he started out and found Scotty Moore (guitar) and Bill Black (bass), and later, DJ Fontana (drums). This is story is told from Scotty Moore's perspective and it is a no-nonsense, honest, and self-effacing look at the highs and lows, and the disappointments and let-downs. I've read everything worth reading on Elvis over the years (big shout out to both of Peter Guralnick's two books on Elvis), but this deserves a place with the best of them.
May 1, 2025
⭐⭐⭐½
April 25, 2013
It was a nice look into a musician who was an inspiration for a lot of people but lived within the shadow of an larger than life star.
The book gives a fair feel for Scotty's life and the early days are well explained. However as the title suggests the spectre of Elvis shines all over the book and, at least for me, it takes away from knowing Scotty and his music better.
Having said that I am glad I bought the book, for one does get a lot of detail of Scotty and a sense of the man behind the music. A definite yes for Scotty Moore fans, a no for Elvis fanatics and a maybe for others.
The book gives a fair feel for Scotty's life and the early days are well explained. However as the title suggests the spectre of Elvis shines all over the book and, at least for me, it takes away from knowing Scotty and his music better.
Having said that I am glad I bought the book, for one does get a lot of detail of Scotty and a sense of the man behind the music. A definite yes for Scotty Moore fans, a no for Elvis fanatics and a maybe for others.
April 17, 2013
Wie de biografie van Scotty Moore wil lezen heeft ongetwijfeld al een goede basis over Elvis. Dit boek is een mooie aanvulling op wat er algemeen over Elvis bekend is, aan de hand van persoonlijke ervaringen van iemand de hem in de vroege jaren van zeer dichtbij heeft meegemaakt. Eerlijk over alle ups en downs maar zeker niet zuur. Wie alleen de Elvis periode wil lezen kan de laatste hoofdstukken overslaan.
Mooi tijdsbeeld ook van het leven van muzikant begin jaren vijftig in Memphis.
Mooi tijdsbeeld ook van het leven van muzikant begin jaren vijftig in Memphis.
July 29, 2016
I'm a historian of that era of music, so this was a must-read for me. Thankfully, Moore goes into detail relating the days and weeks leading up to that magical July 4 night at Sun Studios in Memphis when Scotty, Elvis, and Bill Black stumbled onto a magical version of "That's All Right, Mama" between takes. His accounts of the interactions between Bill Black, Sam Phillips, Elvis, and himself are indispensable for students of the rockabilly genre.
September 14, 2024
What a wonderful book! This book is more about the love and respect that Scotty and Elvis had for each other. Scotty never said an unkind work or bad mouthed Elvis. Scotty felt more like a brother and protector to Elvis than a part of the band. I have both of Scotty' books and they both great. This is definitely a must read for the Elvis fan, or just anyone that wants to read a great book!
December 5, 2010
There's nothing like the inside story.
July 5, 2014
I thought I knew everything about Elvis and was wrong. This book was a fast read and very interesting.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews