DEC4 Podcast
By George Fairbrother
DEC4 PodcastApr 08, 2024
Oliver Crocker: Remembering Ian Lavender
In this episode we pay tribute to the last of Dad’s Army’s ‘Magnificent Seven’, Ian Lavender (Private Pike), who passed away on February 2nd, 2024, aged 77.
Leading UK television historian, publisher, author and podcaster, Oliver Crocker, joins us to share his thoughts on this very talented gentleman, and to recall his own memorable experience working with Ian Lavender on a segment for ITV’s This Morning.
Although Private Pike remains his most enduring and universally beloved creation, we also take a wider look at Ian Lavender’s remarkable career beyond Dad’s Army, encompassing television, radio, feature films and theatre.
There's more background, as well as images and links to further reading, viewing and listening, at this episode's webpage;
https://dec4podcast.com/2024/04/08/oliver-crocker-remembering-ian-lavender/
A note for our listeners: There are a couple of instances of in-context profanity during the podcast
Gary Wells: The Winter Dance Party
In this episode our leading contributor, Gary Wells (soulrideblog.com), joins us to take an in-depth look at the Winter Dance Party tour of early 1959, and explore what led up to a critical midtour decision to charter a light plane for a late night, 300 mile flight from Mason City, Iowa, to Fargo, North Dakota. Around five miles northwest of Mason City Airport the plane crashed on private farmland, killing the pilot, Roger Peterson, along with his three passengers, touring musicians Buddy Holly, Jiles Perry ‘The Big Bopper’ Richardson, and Ritchie Valens.
Drawing primarily from personal, first-hand accounts in a variety of credible sources, we examine how the hopelessly mismanaged tour came together, the inhuman travel conditions in ageing, inadequately maintained buses crisscrossing the frozen Midwest; a joyous night in Iowa during which around 1500 teenagers - and many parents - packed Clear Lake's Surf Ballroom, and the terrible chain of events that immediately followed.
We also look beyond mythology and cliché, and examine the longer term consequences of the tragedy with our focus on those most directly affected.
There's additional background, as well as detailed research notes and links to our sources, with some suggestions for further reference, at this episode's page at our podcast website.
https://dec4podcast.com/2024/02/23/gary-wells-the-winter-dance-party/
Gary Wells (Clip): Beach Boys Biographer Timothy White - Murry Wilson and the Legacy of Pain
In this clip compiled from our 2022 Beach Boys Book Club episode, with our leading contributor, Gary Wells (www.soulrideblog.com), we focus on Timothy White's wide-ranging 1994 biography, The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys and the Southern California Experience. Gary explains what sets this apart as more than just a rock and roll bio, we discuss Timothy White's assessment of family patriarch Murry Wilson, and how, in the early 1960s, emerging artists in Southern California transformed the corporatised music scene.
In the original 62 minute episode, we expand a little on Timothy White's distinguished career as a music writer and industry advocate (he sadly passed away in 2002, aged just 50), and provide some additional context from other sources on the Wilson family dynamic, on both a personal and business level. We also go on to discuss Mike Love's autobiography co-written by James S Hirsch, Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy, and take some additional context from I am Brian Wilson, by Brian himself and Ben Greenman, both from 2016. We also try to get to grips with why Mike can be such a polarising figure within the fan universe and beyond.
Some more background on this episode here;
Find the original episode here;
https://dec4podcast.com/2023/01/29/gary-wells-the-beach-boys-book-club/
Elvis and the Press: St Paul, Minnesota, April 1977
Our leading contributor, Gary Wells, joins us this episode to take a close look at Elvis' concert at the St Paul Civic Centre on April 30th, 1977, which was the subject of a devastating review in the St Paul Pioneer Press, by a very well regarded sports reporter named Charley Hallman. Many claims in the article are open to question, and it's an interesting chapter in the saga of Elvis and Colonel Parker's relationship, or deliberate lack thereof, with local press while on tour.
In a pre-internet and social media age, with no other available context or information, these reviews tended to be taken at face value, many have been quoted as authoritative sources in subsequent biographies and have, for better or worse, become the definitive account. We consider whether or not it was Colonel Parker's own policy of keeping the press at arm's length that left them open to misrepresentation and misunderstanding, accidental or otherwise.
Gary gives us his thoughts on the show based on an unofficial recording (available on our podcast website) and we then look in detail at the Pioneer Press review. We also examine some other unwelcome publicity surrounding Elvis and the Colonel around this time.
We're delighted that supremely talented voiceover artist, Alistair McMillan, has joined us to read some of the background information.
Find additional background, concert audio and links to suggested further listening and reading at our podcast website;
https://dec4podcast.com/2023/10/07/elvis-and-the-press-st-paul-minnesota-april-1977/
Oliver Crocker: Remembering Frank Williams
Oliver Crocker is one of Britain’s leading and most respected authors, historians, podcasters and publishers on classic British television, whose work on iconic productions like The Bill and All Creatures Great and Small is valued and appreciated as much by the creators as by the fans. He has put together something very special for us this episode, as we remember actor and playwright, Frank Williams, who passed away June 26th, 2022, just short of his 91st birthday.
Frank Williams is remembered with enormous fondness by generations of fans as Timothy Farthing, the perpetually exasperated Vicar in the BBC’s Dad’s Army; on television, radio, stage, and in two feature films separated by almost half a century. Victoria Wood once described Dad’s Army as ‘the most affectionately regarded comedy programme in the history of television’, and Frank Williams made his own unique contribution to that universal love for the programme in all its forms, the characters, and the actors who brought them to life.
Oliver joins us to share some personal memories of this incredibly talented, generous and exceedingly kind gentleman, and has also gifted us some very special audio from his own personal archive, of Mr Williams himself, reminiscing about the adventures and misadventures of a working actor from his earliest theatre and film roles, to pioneering and undoubtedly terrifying live-to-air television drama and, of course, Dad’s Army. We also learn about his real life role with the General Synod of the Church of England, and his final, emotional onstage appearance in the West End in 2021, celebrating his 90th birthday.
Huge thanks to Oliver for producing and presenting this special tribute especially for us. Find out more, including some additional background, research notes and links, at our website:
https://dec4podcast.com/2023/06/26/oliver-crocker-remembering-frank-williams/
Gary Wells (clip): Backstage with the Beach Boys - Donna Loren
In this episode we sample a clip from our Beach Boys Book Club conversation, as our leading contributor Gary Wells tells us how he and an accomplice managed to find themselves backstage at an early 1990s Beach Boys concert in Canada, chatting to Mike, Al and Carl. It’s a little comical, poignant, and slightly eccentric at various moments, but it’s a great story with some treasured memories.
We also recommend a conversation between Gary and singer and actress, Donna Loren, to be found at her Love's a Secret Weapon Podcast, and in our post-credits segment, we recall a light-hearted look at Elvis' encounter with the Mayor of Roanoke, VA, in a memorable scene from Elvis on Tour, and which featured in Part One of our Aloha From Hawaii series.
Some more background, research notes and relevant links at our website;
https://dec4podcast.com/2023/05/06/gary-wells-clip-backstage-with-the-beach-boys-donna-loren/
Special thanks to Gary for sharing his Beach Boys adventure with us. In the original episode, we discuss some important and fascinating books on the Beach Boys - The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys, and the Southern California Experience (1994), by Timothy White, and Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy (2016), by Mike Love with James S Hirsch. For a little additional context, we also refer to I am Brian Wilson, (2016) written by Brian himself with Ben Greenman.
Find the original Beach Boys Book Club episode here;
https://dec4podcast.com/2023/01/29/gary-wells-the-beach-boys-book-club/
Steve Collins (Clip): Billy Thorpe, Chuck Berry and Hound Dog Taylor
In this latest episode, we present clips sampled from our conversation with Australian radio legend, Steve Collins, Once Upon a Time in Sydney, in which Steve took us on a nostalgic, personal journey through the intense Sydney music scene of the 1970s.
As well as his studio work for pioneering rock radio station 2JJ, Steve was at the heart of an incredible era of authentic, in-your-face live music, working at iconic venues – sound and lighting at Revesby Workers Club and security at Hordern Pavilion – and mixing with era-defining Australian and international artists.
In this brief sample, Steve tells how he scientifically established that Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs were the loudest band of all, remembers the night Chuck Berry played the Revesby Workers Club, and meeting an incredible Chicago blues outfit, Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers. He also recalls the thrill of sitting in at a recording session with one of the most influential musicians in the formative years of rock and roll, Alexis Korner.
Additional background and links at our website:
https://dec4podcast.com/2023/02/13/steve-collins-clip-chuck-berry-billy-thorpe-and-hound-dog-taylor/
Keep up with Steve's travel adventures at his YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxc3mw-BR6gEorJjed6s3fg
50th Anniversary Supplement: Gary Wells on American Graffiti - Aloha From Hawaii
In this episode, we reflect on a couple of important 50th anniversaries in 2023; Elvis’ pioneering satellite concert, Aloha From Hawaii, which was broadcast internationally in January of 1973, and the August release of one of the iconic movies of the 1970s, American Graffiti, both of which we’ve discussed in previous episodes.
These were landmark moments in entertainment, but both faced potential disaster right up until the last moment. Aloha From Hawaii nearly collapsed due to catastrophic technical faults, while Universal Studios executives had major reservations about American Graffiti.
Our regular contributor Gary Wells (www.soulrideblog.com) joins us for some personal thoughts on American Graffiti at 50, and we revisit our previous segment on the movie which we recorded in 2021.
We also add to our three-part series on Aloha From Hawaii with some background on legendary Hawaiian music promoter and DJ, Tom Moffatt, who briefly interviewed Elvis upon his arrival in Hawaii ahead of the satellite broadcast. We also mark the sad passing of Gabe Baltazar Jnr, who played the perfect flute solo in American Trilogy.
Gary's in-depth series of articles on American Graffiti, More American Graffiti and Wolfman Jack, featuring on his website, are highly recommended. Follow the links from our companion newsletter.
https://dec4.substack.com/p/dec4-podcast-companion-american-graffiti
CLARIFICATION: Passing mention is made of a 1975 benefit concert by Elvis - this was for those affected by a tornado in McComb, Mississippi, but the actual concert was at Jackson's State Fair Coliseum. Read more about that show here;
https://dec4.substack.com/p/dec4-podcast-interim-newsletter-elvis
Podcast theme by Gainesville. www.gainesville-band.de
Gary Wells - From Memphis to Vegas: A Vintage Leisure Tour
In this special extended episode, Gary Wells (www.soulrideblog.com) is our guide for an immersive audio tour through Memphis and Las Vegas. We’re considering these destinations wholly in the context of mid-twentieth century entertainment and culture, and what are essential places of interest for the ‘vintage leisure’ enthusiast.
We begin in Memphis, and visit Sun Records, the Stax Museum, Al Green’s Full Gospel Tabernacle Church, Beale Street, and a highly significant site on Audubon Drive. We explore Elvis Presley’s Graceland in detail, and of this Gary says, “It’s a hundred percent worth it, and what you get is the feeling, the experience. Elvis worked, lived, operated here. This is his home. It really does add an intangible and a strong dimension to your pursuit of the man and his world.”
We then reconvene in Las Vegas to investigate a colourful history, from its early beginnings as a wild west desert railroad stopover, to its post-war glory years as the ultimate gambling and entertainment destination; epitomised by the Flamingo and the Sands, Bugsy Siegel, the Rat Pack, Elvis and the Showroom Internationale. We also seek out some undaunted traces of vintage Vegas, still to be discovered amongst the corporate splendour of the Bellagio and the MGM Grand.
Lots more information and links in our companion newsletters;
https://dec4.substack.com/p/the-dec4-podcast-companion-gary-wells
https://dec4.substack.com/p/the-dec4-podcast-companion-gary-wells-24a
Podcast theme by Gainesville (www.gainesville-band.de)
Post edit: We note with sadness the passing of Lisa Marie Presley, January 12th, 2023, aged 54.
Gary Wells: The Beach Boys Book Club
This episode is inspired by our regular contributor Gary Wells’ popular website, www.soulrideblog.com, Your Home for Vintage Leisure; specifically, his reviews of two important and fascinating books on the Beach Boys - The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys, and the Southern California Experience (1994), by Timothy White, and Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy (2016), by Mike Love with James S Hirsch.
Gary joins host George Fairbrother to take us through why the ambitious scope of Nearest Faraway Place makes it much more than just a rock and roll bio. We discuss the emerging music scene in California of which the young Beach Boys were a critical part, and how Timothy White’s work helps us to better understand Murry Wilson, and assess his complicated legacy. For a little additional context, we also refer to I am Brian Wilson, (2016) written by Brian himself with Ben Greenman.
Gary also gives us some detailed analysis on Mike Love’s autobiography, a major theme of which is his long fight for song writing credits on some of the Beach Boys’ most iconic tunes. We look at why Mike can be such a polarising figure within the fan universe and beyond, and expand upon Mike’s account of Charles Manson’s disturbing incursion into the Beach Boys’ orbit.
More background and links to sources and additional learning at our website;
https://dec4podcast.com/2023/01/29/gary-wells-the-beach-boys-book-club/
Podcast theme by Gainesville
Correction: The publication date for Nearest Faraway Place was 1994, not 1990 as inadvertently stated during the podcast.
Steve Collins: Once Upon a Time in Sydney
We're delighted for this episode of the DEC4 Podcast to be joined by a genuine legend of Australian radio, Steve Collins, who takes us on a nostalgic, personal journey through the intense Sydney music scene of the 1970s. As well as his studio work for pioneering rock radio station 2JJ, Steve was at the heart of an incredible era of authentic, in-your-face live music, working at iconic venues, and mixing with era-defining Australian and international artists.
Steve takes us back to the earliest days of ACDC, the night Chuck Berry played the Revesby Workers’ Club, and Alexis Korner at ABC studios; and when maverick acts like Chain, Cold Chisel, Radio Birdman, Wendy Saddington, Jeff St John, and Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs could be seen any night of the week. We find out who was the loudest live band of all, to the nearest decibel, and celebrate some of the pioneering rock music programming on radio and television.
Hear Steve’s current work at www.tellmewhere2go.com
Our companion newsletter features some additional background and images, with links and suggestions for further reading, viewing and listening:
https://dec4.substack.com/p/dec-4-podcast-companion-steve-collins?s=w
Podcast theme thanks to Gainesville
Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii - Episode 3
Gary Wells is back with us for our final instalment in our deep dive into the landmark entertainment event, Elvis Aloha From Hawaii. This time, we look beyond the international concert broadcast to the hit double-album release, the single, and then the domestic television special that aired in the US in April, 1973. This is the only available preserved visual record in its original edit, and we see this time capsule exactly as Marty Pasetta intended, and how audiences did half a century ago.
Meanwhile, RCA were moving to gain complete control over Elvis’ back catalogue, and to more closely oversee his work in the studio. We learn about some of the manoeuvres taking place behind the scenes, and we try to get our heads around the evolving financial arrangements between RCA, Elvis and the Colonel. (Not sure that we succeed!).
Finally, we reflect upon how things would play out for Elvis professionally in the years to come, in the shadow of this towering, career-defining achievement; a once-in-a-century collaboration between tough professionals with talent, vision and courage, led by a uniquely gifted artist.
Some additional background and links at the companion newsletter;
dec4.substack.com/p/dec4-podcast-c…-elvis-aloha-bce
Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii - Episode 2
Welcome to our second of three episodes taking a deep dive into the landmark concert via satellite, Elvis Aloha From Hawaii, with Gary Wells (www.soulrideblog.com).
In this instalment, we consider the lessons learnt from the dress rehearsal show, then Gary takes us on an in-depth and personal journey into the music and the performance of the international broadcast event. We recognise the supporting talent on stage, including Hawaiian jazz legend Gabe Baltazar Jnr, who played the perfect flute solo in American Trilogy, and learn how Elvis’ introduction of actor Jack Lord (Hawaii Five-0) came about and how their friendship unfolded.
We discuss the post-concert recording session in preparation for the domestic television special, the audience figures and early press reaction, and examine what might have been one of the final periods of genuine emotional connection and unity between Elvis and Colonel Parker, albeit by means of a letter.
Next time: The live album, the domestic TV version, and we try to get a handle on some tricky financial manoeuvres as RCA moves to exert more control over Elvis’ catalogue.
(Edit: Gabe Baltazar Jnr sadly passed away June 12, 2022, aged 92. Link to his obituary from this episode's newsletter)
Links, images and some additional background in our companion newsletter here;
https://dec4.substack.com/p/dec4-podcast-companion-elvis-aloha-3e8
Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii - Episode 1
Welcome to the first of our three-part series as we take a deep dive into Elvis' pioneering live satellite concert broadcast, Aloha From Hawaii. Gary Wells (www.soulrideblog.com) joins host George Fairbrother to discuss the most iconic single performance of Elvis’ later career, and very possibly one of the most significant entertainment events of the 20th century.
In this first episode, we follow Elvis’ career during the stunningly successful and busy year of 1972, and look at planning and preparations in staging, wardrobe and publicity taking place during the months leading up to the international broadcast, scheduled for January 1973. We find out about some of the key talent behind the scenes, in particular producer and director Marty Pasetta, and discover how the broadcast was nearly derailed at the very last minute by catastrophic technical failures.
In our post-credits segment right at the end, we take a light-hearted look at some of the quirkier moments in Elvis’ award-winning concert documentary from 1972, Elvis on Tour, including a memorable sequence involving the Mayor of Roanoke, a paper bag full of money, a floral guitar, and a slightly bizarre civic reception on Elvis’ private jet.
Correction: During the podcast we name Bill Belew as the designer of the iconic eagle jumpsuit, however the credit should also have been given to his associate Gene Doucette.
More background, images and links in this episode’s newsletter;
dec4.substack.com/p/dec4-podcast-c…nion-elvis-aloha
Next Time: Gary takes us on a personal journey through the music and spectacle of the dress-rehearsal and satellite shows.
In our 50th anniversary supplement episode, released in January 2023, we mark the passing of flute soloist Gabe Baltazar Jnr, and provide some background on Tom Moffatt, who interviewed Elvis upon his arrival in Hawaii ahead of the broadcast.
Link to the episode companion newsletter here;
https://dec4.substack.com/p/dec4-podcast-companion-american-graffiti
Elvis Aloha From Hawaii Preview and End-of-Year Special
Gary Wells is back with us to preview our upcoming three-part series on the pioneering 1973 satellite live concert, Elvis Aloha From Hawaii, which will be available across January of 2022. There’s a lot explore; the lead-up, preparations and rehearsals, important people behind the scenes, the intense pressure on everyone involved, a near catastrophe as technical faults threatened to derail the broadcast at the last minute…and finally an entertainment event that would present to an international audience Elvis at the top of his game, dominate television ratings around the world, afford him a number one album, and create the definitive image of his later career.
In this episode we also expand on a couple of outstanding points from our previous episodes about the 1970 concert documentary Elvis That’s The Way It Is (continued in the post-credits bonus segment), and talk a little about the 1973 George Lucas blockbuster, American Graffiti, and the sequel, More American Graffiti.
Gary also shares with us some Christmas media traditions and recommendations.
A big thank you to everyone who has supported the podcast on all our platforms this year. We wish all our friends and listeners Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year.
Lots more background, images and links in the companion newsletter, including to Gary’s four-part series on American Graffiti at www.soulrideblog.com, your home for vintage leisure:
https://dec4.substack.com/p/the-dec4-podcast-companion-elvis
Podcast theme by Gainesville
Gary Wells' SoulRide Blog Tie-in: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Thank you for joining us for this interim episode featuring a recap of Gary Wells’ fascinating personal take on the ending to Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. (Spoiler warning reminder). Gary has written some very interesting stuff on his website, www.soulrideblog.com, on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the soundtrack, and also a review of Quentin Tarantino’s novelisation. There are also associated pieces on an actor called Michael Parks with an interesting Tarantino connection, so we present this episode as a tie-in to those articles. This time, in lieu of a newsletter, we’ve linked directly to the relevant web pages, and you can navigate to further articles from there:
https://soulrideblog.com/2021/09/11/book-talk-once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood/
https://soulrideblog.com/2020/08/03/the-flickers-once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood-part-one/
(Links may not work on some platforms. Head to soulrideblog.com and navigate to the books and movies categories).
Original music by Gainesville.
In Conversation with Oliver Crocker - Part 2
Highly accomplished author, podcaster and filmmaker Oliver Crocker is back for part 2, in conversation with host George Fairbrother and this time talking adventures in guerrilla indie filmmaking, Dad's Army, some memorable and poignant encounters with authentic legends of British television, and lots more. We thank Oliver for being so generous with his time and sharing so many candid and fascinating insights.
(UPDATE; Frank Williams, best known as the Vicar from Dad's Army, and about whom Oliver speaks so fondly, sadly passed away June 26th, 2022, aged 90)
There is a companion newsletter for this episode, with some additional background and links to further reading, watching and listening;
dec4.substack.com/p/the-dec4-podca…-in-conversation
Thanks for joining us again for this episode. If you missed part one, link here;
Georgefairbrother – In-conversation-with-oliver-crocker-part-1
Hear more of Oliver at;
Check out the webpage for Oliver's books, Witness Statements: Making The Bill Series 1-3, and All Memories Great and Small, here;
Original music for the DEC4 Podcast is written and performed by Gainesville;
There is a companion newsletter for this episode, with some additional background and links to further reading, watching and listening;
https://dec4.substack.com/p/the-dec4-podcast-in-conversation
Check out the webpage for Oliver's books, Witness Statements: Making The Bill Series 1-3, and All Memories Great and Small, here;
Hear more from Oliver at The Bill Podcast;
https://soundcloud.com/thebillpodcast
Original music for the DEC4 Podcast is written and performed by Gainesville;
(Links may not work on all distributed platforms. Find the podcast website at www.georgefairbrother.com
In Conversation with Oliver Crocker- Part 1
Welcome to the first of two episodes in which host George Fairbrother is joined by highly accomplished filmmaker, author and podcaster, Oliver Crocker. With around 200 000 listens as of August 2021, Oliver's ongoing project, The Bill Podcast, is loved not only by fans of the iconic ITV police show (2500 episodes, 1983-2010), but also by the artists and crew behind it. He has written a very well-received companion book, Witness Statements - Making The Bill Series 1-3, with another on the way, and has also applied his forensic research and outstanding interviewing skills to another legendary British television classic, with All Memories Great and Small.
In this episode Oliver talks about his passion for the Bill and those who brought it to us, and shares some fascinating behind-the-scenes insights into the making of the series, the researching and writing of Witness Statements, the art of the interview, and lots more.
There is a companion newsletter for this episode, with some additional background and links to further reading, watching and listening;
https://dec4.substack.com/p/in-conversation-with-filmmaker-author
Explore the entire catalogue of Oliver's interviews here, and you can also link to Oliver's Patreon channel where you can access additional content, learn more about Oliver's books and follow him on social media;
https://soundcloud.com/thebillpodcast
Podcast theme by Gainesville.
Links may not function on all distributed platforms. Find the podcast webpage at georgefairbrother.com
Elvis That's The Way It Is - Part II
Welcome to part two of our deep dive into the influential 1970 MGM concert documentary, Elvis That's The Way It Is. Host George Fairbrother is joined once again by Gary Wells, whose website, soulrideblog.com, Your Home for Vintage Leisure, is loved by thousands of readers in over 100 countries.
It's the summer of 1970, and Elvis is riding an exhilarating wave of renewed commercial and artistic success. Having escaped his declining movie career and returned to live performance and non-soundtrack work in the studio, he is once again making some great music, topping the charts, and is already the number one live act in Las Vegas. From a number of different perspectives, Elvis That’s the Way It Is documents the leadup to Elvis’ third season at the International Hotel, and also takes us into the showroom for the first few performances. Director Denis Sanders said, “What we're trying to do is capture Elvis the entertainer, from the point of view of the fans, the hotel, the city, the audience.”
The movie came about at a time of huge upheaval in the world of entertainment. George and Gary discuss some of the fascinating people that made this unique era what it was, and discover the artists and crew that created a remarkable cinematic moment in time.
There's a companion newsletter to these episodes with some additional insights, links and suggested reading, viewing and listening. Link here.
Original podcast theme music by Gainesville.
(Links may not work on all distributed platforms. You can also head to www.georgefairbrother.com/dec4)
Elvis That's The Way It Is - Part I
Welcome to part one of our deep dive into the influential 1970 MGM concert documentary, Elvis That's The Way It Is. Host George Fairbrother is joined for this two-part special by Gary Wells, whose website, soulrideblog.com, Your Home for Vintage Leisure, is loved by thousands of readers in over 100 countries.
It's the summer of 1970, and Elvis is riding an exhilarating wave of renewed commercial and artistic success. Having escaped his declining movie career and returned to live performance and non-soundtrack work in the studio, he is once again making some great music, topping the charts, and is already the number one live act in Las Vegas. From a number of different perspectives, Elvis That’s the Way It Is documents the leadup to Elvis’ third season at the International Hotel, and also takes us into the showroom for the first few performances. Director Denis Sanders said, “What we're trying to do is capture Elvis the entertainer, from the point of view of the fans, the hotel, the city, the audience.”
The movie came about at a time of huge upheaval in the world of entertainment. George and Gary discuss some of the fascinating people that made this unique era what it was, and discover the artists and crew that created a remarkable cinematic moment in time.
For a little bonus segment at the end of this episode, George and Gary talk about the ending to Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. (Spoiler Warning!)
There's a companion newsletter to these episodes with some additional insights, links and suggested reading, viewing and listening. Link here.
Original podcast theme music by Gainesville.
(Links may not work on all distributed platforms. You can also go to www.georgefairbrother.com/dec4)