Why Elvis wore jumpsuits
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- čas přidán 2. 07. 2022
- Forget Behind the Candelabra. This is Behind the Jumpsuit.
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JUMPSUIT INDEX!!! www.elvisconcerts.com/jumpsuits/
It's interesting to think that the jumpsuit was really just his Vegas look. Had he been able to keep growing as an artist, that would probably be remembered as a brief period in a very long career.
Country, Motown, Disco - everybody had over-the-top garish costumes in the 1970s - Elvis' just got more attention because he was...welll...Elvis.
That why he used jumpsuits, he kept growing.
That’s so true, I never thought about it like that
Great comment and so true!
He wore it more than just Vegas dude.
Why did Elvis wear jumpsuits? In a word BRANDING. He created a look for himself that is so recognizable that to this day anyone can dress up as Elvis and everyone will know who they are.
that seems plausible. rising to halloween costume status isn’t easy
@@PhilEdwardsInc if I may. If he dressed and looked like you... Well ... Elvis would have been poor and unheard of!!!!
@@thevictorianedge5465 Boom! Well said.
No he looked better in the50s 60s and didn't wear those ugly outfits. Hate 70s looks
I think you nailed it...all the others reasons are there too, but in the the end...The Brand. Even if Elvis wasn't aware he was doing it - he was
I can imagine that he was hyper aware of the fact that he was just one man on a giant stage in a huge auditorium and everyone is there to see him. No one else. Wearing a flamboyant jumpsuit makes him easier to see against the background of a more plainly dressed band.
It’s pretty prescient too, in this era where arena shows weren’t a big thing.
No laser lights, no jumbo screens, no pyrotechnics. Just a man and his voice. In a way he paved the way for the more sophisticated acts that came later.
@@franzfanz 60s ladies would remind you that he also had his hips! 😆💃
@@franzfanz I agree, he also was a conductor of his musicians, such an amazing stage presence!
I think one thing you left out, His love for Captain Marvel Jr. Captain Marvel wore a one piece jumpsuit with a half cape. As you know most Elvis costumes had a detachable cape as well. Plus, Captain Marvel also influence Elvis hair style. He dyed his hair black with pompadour style cut just like Captain Marvel Jr. Not mention his use of the Lightning bolt logo he used for TCB Band Insignia.
good one!
You nailed it. I've even read that he had his favorite comic book with Captain Marvel JR. on display at Graceland. As a lifelong fan of Jay Garrick, the Golden Age Flash I get it.
I agree
I was waiting the Captain Marvel Jr. influence to be mentioned in the video. Glad you pointed this out in the comments.
That's true too but he mainly needed to conceal guns and a bp vest and that was the main reason.
Elvis has become almost a comedic caricature, especially for younger generations who only know of him from over the top stories and other people's impressions of him. It's awesome to actually dive into what made him him and to try to see him as an actual person who had reasons for doing all the things he did.
Great work as always Phil!
this is pretty much my journey too - i admit i kinda wanna read more now
The guy telling why EP wore jumpsuits, needs to put his sweet clothes back on, because El is he ain't!!!
@@brendaharrington2201 Actually I am an almost exact replica of Elvis Presley, and I make my millions impersonating him and, perhaps, surpassing his talents.
@Mary Jane (Maria) Right on, that's awesome!!!!!!!
@@PhilEdwardsInc : Hahaha! Awesome response. Good video too, keep up the good work.
I love the jumpsuits. They are distinct and they actually complimented his figure when he was younger.
I remember growing up in the 80's Elvis's jumpsuit look was "too soon after the 70s" and seemed tacky. Now (especially after watching the recent 'Elvis' movie) I think the jumpsuit aesthetic that he chose is awesome and was totally appropriate for what he was going for. Or it could be that i'm middle-aged and my fashion tastes are catching up with me.
same page!
In the 60's and 70's I think jumpsuits were in. If you watch Barbarella, didn't they wear jumpsuits in that?
I really do believe the jumpsuits at the time were considered circus-y and from his death onwards to around the late 1990s were considered goofy and again circusy. Perhaps the older generation who grew up with elvis in the 50s and 60s didn’t find the jumpsuits attractive and that stigma came until a few generations later. I think the reason why Elvis’ jumpsuits are much more appreciated and iconic today is because those re-discovering elvis, will almost always fall into the category who were born after his death. Which means in most cases, they’re attracted to his 70s records and his 70s as a whole, rather than to his 50s records, where a lot of them are starting to show their age (Love Me, Love me tender etc). I’ve been listening to Elvis for 2 years, mainly his 70s songs, not many have I listened to and felt like they were released 50 years ago. Basically, my point is, Elvis’ 70s records, his 70s fashion, his whole reputation from 68’ onwards, has aged like Gold. Listen to his Elvis from Memphis (1969) record for example, then listen to anyone of his 1950s records, despite being 10 years in difference, it really does feel like a 30 year gap in music
@@MichaelJ44I was born 7 years after he died i prefer his earlier songs from the 50’s and 60’s but I do think if it wasn’t for colonel parker getting in to gambling debt with the international he might have lived longer cause to keep him at the international Parker concocted a false narrative that someone was out to get him which he kept up for to long and caused some paranoia in Elvis and to keep up the grueling work schedule he would pretty much force feed Elvis drugs to keep him able to work not caring about what it was doing to Elvis physically all that mattered was that his debt was forgiven and Elvis was able to go out on stage
I was born before he died. I absolutely love his 70's onward looks and music. He kept morphing and I think/thought it was spectacular! Love me some 70's Elvis!!! 💯🫡 😎🤙
Elvis's idea behind the Jump suits stem from his fascination with Karate and his admiration for the Captain Marvel character. 100% true..
He wore them because in their time they were cool and HE made them LOOK AWESOME!
The one very good thing Parker did regarding Elvis was to NOT allow Elvis to be the 1st to open the newly built Vegas hotel, & somehow they got Barbara Streisand to be the opener. Parker knew there could be some technical glitches w-sound & lighting & he didn't want that to fall on to Elvis; as it turned out, there were some issues w-Barbara's opening.
If that opening happened after she offered Elvis the role in a star is born maybe Parker had some grudge and also wanted to see her go through all the technical glitches hah
Carol Hayat: Streisand was always set to open the hotel. She had just won the Oscar and was billed as "The most exciting star in the world." Nobody was sure if Elvis would make a go of his comeback. By the way, her name is Barbra, not Barbara.
@@chrisn7259 "...entertainment director was Bill Miller. “We finally got [Elvis] on one condition,” said Miller, “[Colonel] Parker didn't want him to open in that big 2,000-seat theater. He said that we would have to put someone else in to open, and Elvis would follow. So I went to work on Barbra Streisand,” Miller recalled. “She was leaving, on her way to Europe, when I got her to sign the contract. And she opened the International.” (Elvis was booked to follow Streisand..."
Thank you for the footage of Elvis with Liberace. The two of them look like they are having the best time. That grin is infectious, and makes him look like he's up to something.
Bill Belew was the real catalyst behind the jumpsuit. Bill was hired to design Elvis's wardrobe for the 68 special and that relationship continued on through 77 with the aid of Gene Doucette. Gene was very creative and came up with the design of the Aloha suit and many others. Karate, showmanship, Liberace, building the Ellvis stage presence, comfort, were just some of the factors.
Elvis also had some Native American ancestry. I’ve toured so many Native American history museums and I always can’t help but think the love of intricate beading and meaningful designs is somewhat in his genes 💛
I have skipped this video thinking it was just going to be a dig on Elvis. I was happily surprised it was an interesting perspective. Thank you for that!
Researching this made me a fan for the first time- I have had to curb my impulses to go full Elvis now!
When i was younger i always thought evel knievel was elvis' alter ego after he "died", not that much related from the video but i think its notable to say
hahaha i can see that
Best conspiracy theory ever
Lol
I always thought that Super Dave Osborne was Evil Kneivel's alter ego, too...
I actually met Evel Knievel briefly. His new career was tripping and falling and then suing everyone for it. That made me both sad and mad. He supposedly sipped on a hot tubs before I became the manager and they had it re surfaced. I was told there was nothing wrong with it. To which I asked then why did you do if? The answer was that they had a gentleman’s agreement
Came for the question, stayed for your amazing videography, editing & storytelling. I can tell I’ll be binging your videos all night.
thanks a lot!
From time to time Elvis would wear two piece suits( 1972, 1975) he still looked awesome
Tous le styles lui allaient y compris la chemise Hawaii, et même le pyjama sans doute...et toutes les couleurs, mais était mieux en blanc, jaune (la scène avec Anne Margaret..)ou bleu. Trop brun pour porter du noir.Beau et classe partout, zéro défaut, zéro vulgarité.
Great video Phil, you always amaze me by how interesting these random topics are. When I saw this video pop up on my feed, I honestly thought it was going to be an ad for the new Elvis movie and I was like wow Phil’s pulling some big sponsors.
lol Tom Hanks just shows up in my basement. “Honored to be here Phil, I hope your audience will check out our little film…”
@@PhilEdwardsIncI just imagined him in character as Col. Parker, saying this. Don't know if that's what you meant or just regular Tom Hanks, but it's funnier that way.
Thank you for this video. Great information. I appreciate all you are doing. I am a 71 year old lover of both of these guys. Elvis of course more than Liberace but both very talented.
I think a big part of the jump suite is ,just how dam good Elvis looked in one. Chest pumped out, hair dyed and slicked back, sideburns,sweat and a towel.
It’s was the 1970s. That’s what they looked like. I know. I was there. Not that *everyone* wore bedazzled jumpsuits, but it wasn’t unusual to turn on the tv and see one. Elvis was always flashy, and would have looked wonderful in a hefty bag, so he did it bigger and better than anyone. Never got the Liberace connection, but I can see it. Liberace was no fool. He knew how to put on a show. And when you look at those videos of Elvis performing in those Vegas jumpsuits, they certainly show up!
Phil I’m just so glad you started your own channel, I’ve been following you since the begging and your personality is such a welcome addition to this community.
thanks a lot e!!
Parenthetical note here... my grandmother/Mama was a legal secretary who worked for a prestigious law firm in L.A. One of their clients was Liberace! He came into the office on several occasions. mama said he was dressed very simply, in jeans and a shirt, but he was always very gracious and kind. She got his autograph for me! According to her, it took him only a second or two to sign it. I still have it! A beautiful flowing signature AND a lightning fast but beautiful sketch of a grand piano, complete with candelabrum! I will treasure it forever!
You man hit this dead on the nail all what you said is dead on the money. R
I.P. Two great show men!
I saw the interview by his suit maker Bill said Elvis kept splitting his bands because when he moved around n do his karate moves in his concerts, the pants would split. so bill came up with idea of ice skating jumpsuits. they stretched n he can move around in them without splitting. so that how jumpsuits came about.
Bingo you're the first one I run across on here besides me to knew why I was at jumpsuit
I don't think I realized till just now that they were stretchy....was that covered in the video? I always imagined them as regular cotton
@@jcstevegigs Like ice skaters' costumes, the suits generally were made of stretchable wool/mixed-blend gabardine fabric; easy to care for; hand wash with a gentle soap and drip dry rather than in a machine or taking them to a dry cleaner which tarnishes the metal; they air well at night.
Thank you Phil, this was a very special video. My wife and I are MEGA Elvis fans, especially during 1968-1977 era. Keep them coming!-Chris & Beth🎧🎤🔥
Elvis the man! Showmanship. He looked fantastic in everything he wore. This is also the 70's. Love you Elvisxxxx
Unfortunately he worthless death
You are a goofball, sir! Getting into a jumpsuit for a video. Now that’s dedication!! Love it.
I fricking hate jumpsuits. For some reason in the early 90s rompers, jumpsuits but shorts, were a thing for teens. I hated them. I’ve seen them try to come back a couple of times. Just no.
listen i don’t want to be difficult but i did kinda like mine. it may be my halloween costume. generally agree though.
@@PhilEdwardsInc you can also pee standing up. That is a distinct advantage with a jumpsuit!
I always thought he looked amazing in the jumpsuits.
He went with his ideas about his jump suits, his hair, his opening music, his karate moves!
He knew what he wanted and mano, man did it work!!!!
❤💔❤️🔥💖💣💣💣💣💥💥💥💥🎡🎡🎡🎡🌟🌟🌟🌟
I always thought that Elvis was very much like Liberace. I never new they were friends. Very interesting.
Liberace was very underrated as a performer and I believe he did have an influence on all performers in Las Vegas including Elvis. I had the pleasure of seeing Liberace perform and he was beyond showmanship . His costumes were out of this world. But their is only one Elvis! And he is the greatest of all time . He was gaining unprecedented momentum even his final years. The 80’s and 90s would have seen Elvis tour the world and surpassed even his unequalled popularity to this day.
When you introduced Liberace as the missing link, brilliant!
Liberace told Elvis to give the people a show. Said they could stay home and listen to his records.
Great presentation. Furthermore, Elvis was a consummate professional. Considering all his public appearances, in concert, and in daily life presented all the professional creative artists supporting every facet of his professional, and personal life.
I thought I knew everything about the King, but somehow missed the Liberace connection-all these years. Thanks
Nice work! Loved the Liberace & Elvis connection! Thank you!
Great job on the video! I love this kind of pop culture deep dive on something that feels familiar and then it introduces a whole new aspect that I wasn’t aware of. Keep ‘em coming!
I highly suggest J.J. McCullough if you haven't heard of him
OMG I learned so much but mostly that ELVIS was pretty badass!
i learned that too!
complex individual with a heart of gold!
I love it this channel makes me care about answers to questions I never even wondered.
He rocked in the jumpsuits different from everyone. A very remarkable outfit. It presented him like a PRINCE.He was a shining STAR on the stage in this dress. WOW. MAURITIUS
👋😊🇺🇸
Yes Liberace was flashy but they were both different. When Liberace played Clair de lune I’m lost in his spell. A great piano player. I’m glad they were friends.
Try to go the Liberace Museum in Las Vegas if you can. It's now in Michael Jackson's house. It's fantastic, his costumes, cars, pianos etc x
Fantastic video. Very well put together, and I appreciate the research you invested in the topic. Well done :)
Always a good day when Phil Edwards uploads a new video.
Awwww friendship was the real treasure the whole time🥲🥹
Thanks for the video!
Loved the last line.
Phil, you *always* ask the questions I didn't know I wanted the anwsers to.
i never really gave a damn about elvis but this was truly remarkable look at how his iconic style was developed
This was really interesting to listen to! Thank you Mr. Edwards!
Another banger, this channel is a goldmine
I think a connection to country music is to be made too. After all when Elvis started out in 1953/4 his music was considered to be an off shoot of country music. In that time quite a lot of country performers wore rhinestone bedazzled suits (rarely jumpsuits tough) made by nudie cohn, who also made his gold lamé suit.
Back at the time many of the top country stars wore Nudi suits. Bejellwed, bedazzled concert attire. I think in a way it was considered by them that those Nudi suits were a sign of "You made it". Plus, many people wore rhinestones (Ronco even sold a device so you could add rhinestones to your existing clothing. It was a thing.
I follow a young rock band called Greta Van Fleet. When they first started out they didn't have the money for custom duds, so they shopped at thrift and vintage stores, kind of a retro-hippie look. They were constantly accused of being Led Zeppelin ripoffs (for their sound and attire) so they changed their look. Now the lead singer wears embellished jumpsuits (although sleeveless) and the others wear the modern equivalent of Nudi suits. All custom made. I guess that means they've made it?
@@kindking8009 It made sound weird but I like the look. Idk if I thought it was cool as a child or if I just have a bad fashion sense (It could go either way) but I’ve noticed, especially in the 90s most of these performers even the famous rich ones looked like they put on their cleanest dirty shirt they found in the laundry hamper before they hit the stage.
@@BillHosler In the 70s the look was associated with fat, washed-up Elvis (jumpsuits) or Porter Wagoner (Nudi suits), both of which were considered incredibly cheesy at the time. Since Baz Lurhmann's Elvis movie has come out (and thanks to Austin Butler) there's been a rebirth of cool associated with the look. Just today I saw pics of Miley Cyrus in a light blue bejeweled jumpsuit that looks very much like one Elvis wore.
This is my first time watching your channel. Very entertaining and interesting. Love that you always wear an Elvis jumpsuit! That comment made me laugh.
Thanks! Great analysis.. I love Elvis and Liberace 😍
This was quite informative. Great channel.
Same reason Michael Jackson called his dance the moonwalk. Taking the piss out of the 1969 NASA CGI fiasco was fun. We all did it. His dance even ends with a "kneel arm strong". And 'the eagle has landed" on the back of his suit. Love that crazy guy.
It’s not usually very strange, dark, or mysterious, but it’s always weird, informative and interesting. Thanks Phil!
5:59 "That's like finding out somebody else watches Better Call Saul. You're bonded." HECK YEAH
My mother loved Elvis she had bought tickets to see him in Roanoke Va. He died before he made it there.
Awesome video!!! Loved it!!!!
It’s an iconic look
Wearing it made his brand even more iconic than it already was, but I personally prefer his early style.
Thank you, Elvis.
They were just cool, the fans gave them names,he enjoyed the movement they allowed on stage. Elvis continually evolved and had he lived into the 1980’s I believe he would have moved on to something else. Also in 1972 Vegas Summer Festival and 1975 for at least one tour he actually wore two piece suits on stage rather than a jumpsuit. Cool video. TCB⚡️
never knew the Elvis-Liberace connection. Well done!!
this makes sense. i have my own theories about choosing outfits that put you in the state of mind for the task at hand. it can be motivating.
Liberace inspired the Gold lame and that's it. The first clip you show of Elvis on piano & Liberace on guitar was them switching their images and if you look real close they even switched Jackets.
1970s Elvis was inspired by a karate gi and just took the logical next step in evolving into what it became as the years past. Some designs were to camouflage his weight problem but it was 100% Elvisy. The next phase was going to be Two piece suits versions of his Jumpsuits but he passed away.
So well researched and fascinating! Love the Liberace angle.
How did I not know about this channel...and why was this Elvis video of all things in my recommended? My guy is one of my favorite presenters over on that "other" channeI...subscribed right away. 👍
I love this background thank you so much for sharing this
Thank you very much!
I’d always thought it was so he could move and do his karate moves he was learning….
He also said he was influenced by Evil Knevil who was instantly recognisable via his suits
In a 1970 interview Elvis said that he got the idea from a Karate suit.. He was then asked what he did for relaxation and he said "Karate".. So, maybe Elvis felt relaxed in the suits and he coyld move around however he wanted in them...
Fun video Phil.
Great video!
Also, glam was big in the 70's. Costumes with capes were everywhere on stages.
I remember I heard a quote about Liberace from Elvis "if he couldn't have a piano show atleast he could have a fashion show"
My Uncle worked on Elvis' Army vehicle in Germany. He got to meet him when Elvis picked it up.
I always attributed it to his time in the military. Jumpsuits we're for pilots, the Navy, and similar roles, so maybe it was utra comfortable, tied to his military time, and it's one piece of clothing to pack/keep track of. This is the man who got a vaccine live on TV air to help the nations health, would tell his friends not to pack and he'd fly them with him somewhere and buy what they needed as they needed it, and so much more (I highly recommend Graceland tours if they still have them).
This makes a ton of sense
Please tell me I wasn't the only one to learn the correct phrase is "for all intents and purposes"! Thank you for the enunciation! 🤯
mainly done so i won’t say “intensive” myself!
It's my humble opinion 🤠😄 that Jumpsuits are just so comfortable. 👑 🎵 🎶 🎸 🎹 🎼 🎶 🎵 👑 🎸
they are very
I just figured the jumpsuits (with capes) had something to do with karate and being a superhero. He obviously loved Native American jewelry, too, and I can't imagine that kind of embellishment (conchas and squash blossoms) being on a suit.
I love how you get to be "Jumpsuit Casual" on this channel and more "newsroom-y" on Vox, but then see how they're slowly gelling together.
I’ll be pitching jumpsuits to all possible outlets from now on…
Gold suit was definitely dope
They looked GREAT and were really comfortable for him while doing his karate!!!!!!!
Good video!
Strange to see Liberachi as a "regular Guy" in 1956 with Elvis and without all his sequins.
That was a cool and interesting video! :D Can't wait to see another video with you in the jump-suit, but only if you do it with the hand gesture at around 4:37 together with the voice at 0:08 😁. Keep up the cool history videos!
tragically, i edited out my quite passable “thank you, thank you very much.”
Because he was always been cool and ahead of the curve
Excellent tutorial Cheers from Pennsylvania Blessings 👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thank you! Cheers!
Nice content, thanks 👍
That intro was just to show off how much Phil is packin 😂
i really need to learn the pitfalls of jumpsuit filming
😳
🙈
I saw that too! I was like, "Phil you just showed us why in the first 12 seconds." I might have to get me a pair.
I thought the title of this was just wrong, I've never seen Elvis _not_ wearing a jumpsuit, yet I never noticed. It immediately came to mind that Liberace, Evel Knievel and The Manhattans wore them, but I had to see it (again - for the first time) for meself 45 years on... Elvis in a jumpsuit. Huh!
I didn’t realize he dressed so cool before it either!
Cool isn't just a look, but a feeling, as well.
Bueno estás hablando del Rey... Faltastico. Divino... Extrovertido. Innovador. único.con estilo y superhéroe. Porsupuesto Elvis es mi superhéroe. Maravilloso .... Ellvis Presley es el hombre más talentoso y hermoso que ha caminado por este planeta.
Lost it at the Don Draper line/clip. This video will get some incredible views. Thank you for the content.
Thank you for this. And interesting insight
Elvis in the 50s and early 60s was the MOST CHIC man ever! Usually Cary grant or the Duke of Windsor or James dean get all the fashion cred but Elvis beats them all. He had beautiful shoes, suits, and hair. In regards to the jumpsuits: they are actually coming back in style now in our age of extravagance. You can easily see Lady Gaga or Harry styles wear similar things. And Big collars were the style in the late 60s early 70s. EVERYONE wore big giant collars.
The other thing that was happening in the '70s was that we were being bombarded by ads for Elvis' Greatest Hits. It was all over UHF channel programming. Even in the '70s he was a nostalgia act, not in the forefront of contemporary music. The screaming teenaged fans of the '50s were now grown up and married with kids. The kids and teenagers of the '70s weren't screaming after Elvis. He seemed a funny, campy throwback.
Ppl followed him in fashion, most best dressed man. Plus guess most handsome too
Fascinating! I never knew Elvis and Liberace we buds! There seems to be good story there, would make a great movie if it hasn't already.
I know - I’ve heard so much about Elvis and Nixon but never Elvis and Liberace.
@@PhilEdwardsInc
Ditto, I never heard about Elvis & Liberace before your video, thanks for the info!
I'm 62 years old, and I cleary remember in some early interview with Esposito, that Elvis began to admire not only Liberage but also Evil kinieval suits.
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