Product Description

Category: Rock music/ Biography/ ElvisThe untold story of Elvis first guitarist and manager, Scotty Moore.For the first time, guitarist Scotty Moore tells the real story behind his years with Elvis Presley. When Elvis first showed up at Sam Phillip's Memphis-based Sun Records studio, he was a shy teenager in search of a sound. Sam asked Scotty and bass player Bill Black, both members of the popular country band The Tune Wranglers, to work with Elvis on his music in advance of his first recording session. While clowning around in the studio they came up with a version "That's Alright"; it was released as Elvis' first single, and launched his career. Scotty and Bill toured with the young singer, and played on all of his Sun sessions and his first recordings for RCA; Scotty served as the business manager for the trio, in essence working as Elvis' first manager. When the trio broke up, Scotty retired from music-making. He has maintained his silence about Elvis since, despite repeated requests for interviews to tell his side of the story. With Bill Black and Elvis both dead, he is the only remaining member of the original trio who can tell the true story of how Elvis transformed popular music---and how he created the guitar sound that has become the prototype for all rock guitar that followed.Jim Dickerson is the author of Schirmers Goin Back to Memphis. He is a Nashville-based journalist and writer.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1591985 in Books
• Published on: 1997-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 271 pages

Amazon.com Review
That's Alright, Elvis recounts the life of Scotty Moore, one of the early men behind the legendary Elvis Presley. Moore was already an accomplished musician (Rolling Stone Keith Richards says that Moore's music inspired him to play rock-and-roll) when, at the behest of Sun Records executive Sam Phillips, he took young Presley under his wing. It didn't take long for Moore's seasoned ear to discern the young singer's talent, one that would soon explode into the rock sound. Moore's relationship with Elvis deepened through the years as he managed Presley's career and played in his band, the Blue Moon Boys. But as Elvis's popularity skyrocketed, Moore's managerial role was usurped, and the professional relationship between the two ultimately soured over money and miscommunication. Moore continued his musical career and is now considered the quintessential rock guitarist by many in the industry. He maintains an admirable objectivity about his life with Elvis as he tells his story through writer James Dickerson. That's Alright, Elvis is a fresh take on a seminal period in both Elvis's life and in the history of rock-and-roll.

About the Author
James L Dickerson is the author of 18 non-fiction books and over 2,000 magazine and newspaper articles. He has written about music, politics and culture for the last twenty five years. He lives in Mississippi USA. Scotty Moore's work with Elvis began in 1954 and lasted until 1968. Over the years he's worked with a who's who of talent including Carl Perkins, Ringo Starr, Keith Richards and Paul McCartney. In 2000 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He is from Tennessee.

Customer Reviews

Excellent, simple tale of a world-class musician and Elvis
Scotty Moore is one of the unsung heroes of rock 'n roll and his writing style reflects his playing style- simple, precise and to the point. In a humble, matter-of-fact style, guitarist Moore recounts his experiences with the King in an eminently readable and interesting way. I have read many Elvis books and this is one of my favorites. After reading it, you just wished you could bump into Scotty sometime, buy him a beer and talk the night away.

Required reading even if you're not an Elvis fan
Although not a technical genius, or a flambouyant showman, Scotty Moore is the first Rock and Roll guitar hero. He can be considered a discoverer, an inventor. He provided support, on and off stage, to a musical phenomenon, Elvis Presley. They both found a way of making three instruments and a vocal sound big. His riffs and syncopations inspired millions. Too bad he didn't make...millions.
His story is told in a warmly engaging way, filled with panorama; and not once does a bitter tone prevail.
As Elvis progressed, it seems that he (along with the powers that be) decided that Scotty's licks were not sophisticated enough, so Moore apparently was an occasional studio player after 1961. It's interesting that Big El summoned Scotty for his crucial TV Special - the word "Comeback" came shortly after December 3rd, 1968.
It's facinating to read about Mr. Bill Black, Elvis' first bassist. Black was another instinctual musician, limited but perfectly attuned to the new art form. He died a young man, but found a way onto the charts with the Bill Black Combo and strong instrumental workouts. He died in 1965 and it's too bad that Elvis did not mention his name on the TV Special section where he demonstrated how they got the big sound with just three guys.
I do not enjoy the storytelling in the second person: it would have been much more effective to have Scotty's words up-front throughout. Just like his guitar playing.

Excellent biography
James Dickerson did a great job of telling the story of Scotty Moore. I was as impressed with the writing as with the subject. I read this as research for the biography I'm writing about Faron Young, and I must admit to disappointment--but not surprise--at the lack of mention of him. That aside, this is a book worth reading. Scotty Moore is a man I'd like to meet.