Thursday, April 12, 2007

A Fathers Gift To His Daughter

My dad is a HUGE music fan. Much of my childhood I can remember my dad sitting in front of his record player with his huge ear phones listening to music. His favorite genre is Oldies. Especially from the 50's and 60's.
As a result I love Oldies music. The Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, The Archies, Sam The Sham & The Pharoah's are some that I can remember off the top of my head. But his very, very favorite is Elvis Presley.
I haven't found an Elvis Presley song that I don't know (even the German ones) and there are very few that I don't like. I have 3 different sets of compilations that my dad has burned for me (he was one of the first people that I know that got a cd burner) and sends to me periodically.
I have seen most of the Elvis movies and my favorite has to be Viva Las Vegas with Anne Margaret. I know that the movies are pretty campy but I love them just the same. When I watch them it reminds me of sitting next to my dad watching them and hearing him laugh at the silly parts.
I still have a bit of a little girl crush on Elvis (version 1.0, not 2.0 when he embraced mutton chops and white jumpsuits with rhinestone eagles on the cape) and I used to be so jealous of Priscilla because she was married to him. I watched the movie Elvis & Me that was based off her her book with the same name daydreaming that I was Elvis' wife.
Of course the drugs, cheating and partying was never part of my fantasy.
In the summer I love to open all the windows and crank my Elvis cd's and drive with the wind whistling through my car.
D has developed a fondness for Elvis just like I did when I was a kid. One day he told me that wanted to meet Elvis someday because he sounded really cool. When I told him Elvis was dead he was so sad.
I know that this makes me sound really dorky, but I am pretty sure that everyone else has something that they love that makes them a bit of a dork right along with me.

16 comments:

dmarks said...

My dad loved country music more than anything. However, he was unable to pass his love of country music down to kids. I like Johnny Cash, and also the Statler Brothers when they do their comedy act, but that's it on country music for me.

I should probably blog about the Statler Bros' comedy act sometime.

I guess I am one of the few who is ambivalent on Elvis. I like several of his songs, but not enough to be called a "fan". I don't dislike him or his music either. I've been to Memphis several time, but sorry, I've not sought out Graceland.

Churlita said...

I like Buddy Holly a lot. It's not just because he died in Iowa either. Rave On is one of the best songs ever.

Not so little Woman said...

Everyone. EVERYONE is a little bit dorky. Whoever says they're not, they're lying.

Oh and you and Elvis? Me and 60s music through my mom. I can sing along "Blue Moon" and others, even European ones from when she went to college. :)

Anonymous said...

We were just cleaning out a room the other night and found some of my cds from years ago that I loved and still love :-) My husband was laughing so hard at some of the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's music he found. Oooh and I went through a huge Techno loving phase. It was fun to run to - so up beat. Can't say that I don't mind a little bit here and there still. I'm sure there's many cds I have that might classify me as a "dork" lol

Rachel said...

dmarks ~ My dad likes all kind of music. Country, R&B, bluegrass, disco...just about anything except for Rap. He will listen to heavy metal before he will listen to Rap.
My sister loves country, I love all kinds (except not a big country fan) and my brother likes classic rock.
But the one thing that we have in common is that we do enjoy lots of genre's of music. I even like opera.

Churlita ~ I like Buddy Holly a lot too. He was a fantastic singer and performer.

not so little woman ~ I like the song Blue Moon too. I also like The Platters, The Commodores and many, many others.

reformat ~ I have a cd by Big Daddy Kane that I have had for years. The most recent CD I bought was Michael Buble. I have a very eclectic mix of music.

Anonymous said...

One of my favorite stations on XM is Sunny. Right now it's "Foundations" "Baby, Now That I've Found You" :-) My son loves this kind of music too. I had a tape that was the driving back and forth tape when my Mom commuted to work. It was packed full of Hazy Shades of Winter, I Think We're Alone Now, This Diamond Ring, and on and on and on :-) I wish I had that tape still.

Tara said...

My mom used to be a huge Kenny Rogers fan. She went to one of his concerts with her daughter in law once, and gave me a poster which would freak me out at night as a kid cuz it looked like his eyes were glowing. Lol. Anyway I did, however, enjoy lots of his songs and bought a "greatest hits" CD. "The Gambler" and "Lucille" are two of my favorites.

Anonymous said...

Rachel just because you had a crush on Elvis doesn't make you a dork. It is so many other things that do.

As for music, I like 80's or jazz. Some oldies but so much the groups but certain songs. As for the commadors, I used to work with one of the singers in the group. He passed away a few years back but it was fun listening to him talk about motown at its height.

egan said...

I tried to watch Blue Hawaii the other night, but just couldn't. It wasn't doing it for me.

I'm like dmarks on the Elvis thing.

Mrs. Hairy Woman said...

Elvis has left the building.. that was a very famous line.. I not an elvis fan nor a impersonator.. but he did know how to wiggle those hips.. plus he was a good looking guy..even after he got fat..he still had his looks..

Erica said...

I love Elvis! One of my favourite songs is 'In the Ghetto', I found that song so wonderful and sad.
Once we were in a beach resort and there was an Elvis impersonator, we had great fun, but he was Scottish, so every once in a while the American accent would be substituted by the Scottish one, which made it all even more fun.

I am sure that my fondness for Lionel Richie will make me a dork. I love his songs even though I know he is a bit cheesy.

Rachel said...

reformat ~ I had a compilation tape that I loved and listened to ad nauseum.
I can't find it anymore. I miss it.

Tara ~ Kenny Rogers huh? I am not a big fan but I get the influence from your mom.

Dennis ~ You don't even want me to start on what makes you a total dork.
It would have been fantastic to listen to the ex Commodore talking about Motown. I love Motown music too.

Egan ~ You gotta watch Viva Las Vegas. Blue Hawaii wasn't nearly as good.

babybull40 ~ He definitely knew how to shake it. It was fun to watch.

Erica ~ In The Ghetto is a great song. I also love Suspicious Minds & Bossa Nova Baby along with bunches of others.

Anonymous said...

Nice memory Rae

sybil law said...

I love love Elvis. Great blog.

Not so little Woman said...

Ohhh!! The Platters and the Commodores!! How'bout Neil Sedaka??
* Sigh * What memories. :)

M said...

I have so many dorky qualities it's not even funny! I still sing into my hairbrush.

Loooove Elvis :)