An afternoon with the King of Rock and Roll

Welcome to our interview series, where we use AI to conduct ‘interviews’ with hard-to-reach people. Most questions were AI generated using the style of Oprah, Larry King, or Jimmy Fallon. All of Elvis Presley’s responses were generated by ChatGPT, Jasper, or Bard

Elvis Presley, also known as the “King of Rock and Roll,” was a legendary American singer, musician, and actor of the 1950s and became an iconic figure of popular culture. Born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis started his music career at an early age and became a pioneer of rock and roll music, blending elements of rhythm and blues, country, and gospel into his unique style.
He had a string of hits in the 1950s and 1960s, including “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Elvis was also a successful movie star, appearing in over 30 films throughout his career. He remains one of the most influential and celebrated musicians of all time and that’s why Oliver the AI decided to interview him today.

Oliver: Hi, Elvis. Thanks for joining us today.

Elvis: Well, hello there! It’s a pleasure to be here and talk with you. Thank you for having me.

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Oliver: How did you approach creating your unique musical style, blending different genres?

Elvis: Well, Oliver, I never set out to create a specific style or to blend different genres. I just sang and played the music that I loved and felt passionate about. I was influenced by various styles of music, including country, blues, gospel, and R&B, and I tried to incorporate elements of each into my own sound. I think that’s what made my music unique and helped me stand out from other artists at the time. I always believed in staying true to myself and my musical roots, and I think that’s what resonated with audiences and continues to do so today.

Oliver: Can you talk about your relationship with your manager, we know it was a troubled relationship. How it influenced your music and career?

Elvis: Well Larry, my relationship with my manager, Colonel Tom Parker, was certainly a complicated one. He was a very influential figure in my career, but at times it felt like we had very different visions for where my career was headed.

There were certainly tensions between us, especially as I became more confident in my own artistic vision and wanted more control over my music and image.

But despite those challenges, I have to say that Colonel Parker was a savvy businessman and he did a lot to help me reach a huge audience. He was instrumental in securing some of my biggest gigs and making sure that I was always in the public eye.

In terms of how our relationship influenced my music and career, I think it was a mixed bag. On the one hand, I felt like I was often being pulled in different directions and I didn’t always have the freedom to create the music that I wanted to create. I sometimes felt like I was losing touch with the musical roots that had always been so important to me, and that I was becoming more of a product than an artist.

Oliver: During your career you never had the chance to do a world tour, if you could do it now, to which countries would you go?

Elvis: I always regretted not being able to travel more during my career and connect with fans around the world… I would love to perform in Europe, Asia, and South America, where I have many fans.

Countries like Japan, where I know my music has always been very popular. And also visit Brazil and Argentina, where there’s such a rich tradition of music and dance. It’s too bad I never had the chance to do a world tour during my lifetime, but who knows, maybe in another life.

Oliver: You’ve been referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll”, what does that title mean to you?

Elvis: When I first started making music, I had no idea that I would one day be considered one of the greatest artists in the history of rock and roll.

I always felt like my music was a fusion of different styles and genres, and to know that people still connect with it and see it as a defining sound of an entire era is just amazing to me. I always just wanted to make music that made people feel good and forget their troubles for a little while, and if that’s what people think of when they hear the name “Elvis Presley,” then I couldn’t be more proud. At the end of the day, I will always be just a guy who loved to sing and perform.

Oliver: Viva Las Vegas was your most popular movie, but a lot of people say Blue Hawaii was better. What do you think?

Elvis: I think both movies have a special place in my heart, and it’s hard to choose between them.

Viva Las Vegas has a special energy and excitement to it that really captures the spirit of the city. It was a lot of fun to film and I think that energy comes through on the screen. Plus, I got to work with the amazing Ann-Margret, who was a true talent and a joy to work with.

But Blue Hawaii was also a very special project for me as it was the first film I made after returning from serving in the army, so it felt like a new chapter in my career. I think that movie really captured a moment in time, both in terms of the music and the culture of Hawaii. Plus, the soundtrack for the film was one of my personal favorites, with iconic songs like “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “Blue Hawaii”

A photograph promoting the film Jailhouse Rock depicts singer Elvis Presley. – by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. Reproduction Number: LC-USZ6-2067 Location: NYWTS — BIOG, Public domain – Wikimedia Commons

Oliver: Is there any artist from nowadays you admire in any way or can relate to?

Elvis: One artist who comes to mind is Bruno Mars. I think he’s a really talented musician and entertainer, and he clearly has a deep love for the music of the past. I appreciate that he’s keeping some of the classic sounds of R&B and soul alive, while also adding his own modern twists.

I also have a lot of respect for musicians who write their own songs and play their own instruments, like Ed Sheeran. I think it takes a lot of skill and creativity to be able to do that, and it’s something that I always tried to do in my own music.

Oliver: How do you think your appearance on the Ed Sullivan show contributed to your career?

Elvis: Well Oliver, the Ed Sullivan Show was a real turning point in my career. At the time, the show was one of the most popular programs on television, and being invited to perform on it was a huge opportunity.

When I went on the show in 1956, I was still relatively unknown outside of the South. But after that performance, everything changed. The response was overwhelming, people all over the country were buying my records and coming to my shows.

But even more than the commercial success, the show was a really important moment for me personally. It was a validation that all the hard work and sacrifice I had put into my music was paying off.

Oliver: The Beatles exploded at the same time as you did. Did you use to see them as competitors or do you believe they were contributing to the music culture just like you?

Elvis: Oliver, I have to say that I always respected The Beatles as musicians and as artists. When they first came onto the scene in the early 1960s, they had a sound and a style that was completely different from mine, but I think that’s what made them so exciting.

I never saw them as competitors, but rather than feeling threatened by their success, I think it was really inspiring to see how they were pushing the boundaries of what was possible in music. I think their success helped to broaden the appeal of rock and roll and introduce it to a new generation of fans.

In fact, I was a big fan of their music and I even covered a few of their songs myself. And I think that feeling was mutual – I know they were big fans of my music too.

The Beatles were part of a larger movement in music that was changing the world, and I was proud to be a part of that movement too.

Oliver: Why did your marriage to Priscilla end?

Elvis: We got married when we were both very young, and I think we both had a lot of growing up to do. As time went on, we realized that we wanted different things in life.

One of the biggest issues was the fact that I was on the road a lot, touring and performing, and that put a strain on our relationship. It was difficult for us to spend time together and really connect when we were always apart.

But I also think that there were deeper issues at play. Like many couples, we had our share of disagreements and misunderstandings. And while we tried our best to work through those issues, in the end, it just wasn’t enough to keep us together.

Despite the fact that our marriage ended, I still have a lot of respect and affection for Priscilla. We have a daughter together, Lisa Marie, which I love very much. And I think Priscilla is a wonderful person who has done a lot of good in the world.

Oliver: Thank you again, Elvis! It was a pleasure spending some time with you.

Elvis: You’re welcome. Thank you for bringing me back to life for a little while.