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Dispelling The Myths
Author: Todd Rheingold
Published in hardback by Believe In The Dream Publications, New York
We are all aware of books such as Goldman's "Elvis," the bodyguard's "Elvis: What Happened?" and, somewhat higher up the scale, Guralnick's combined epic "Last Train To Memphis" and "Careless Love." Numerous other books about Elvis have received plenty of publicity and have been successful to some degree. Given the apparently never-ending output of Elvis literature, it is, of course, not surprising that not all titles are equally successful. However, it is unfortunate that some exceptionally good Elvis books are almost ignored by the fans. There are undoubtedly numerous reasons for this, but the two most significant are firstly that the author is not backed by the marketing support offered to the likes of Guralnick, and secondly that the author does not have a name that attracts the attention of the media.
Such a fate seems to have overcome a book called "Dispelling The Myths," by Todd Rheingold: although published in 1995, this work has had but little success, so perhaps I can awaken some interest for it in this review.
The author, Todd Rheingold, is a relatively young Elvis fan (well, he is to me, anyway!), having been born in New Jersey in 1966 (on the 4th July, no less!). As a young boy, already, Todd was an Elvis fan, and became further interested in the music of the 50s and early sixties after seeing the film, "American Graffiti." Elvis's death made a big impression on the then 11 year-old Todd, who slowly became as much interested in Elvis the man as in his music. After graduating, Todd visited Memphis in 1984 and a growing Elvis obsession led him to actually live in Memphis for a time in 1987 and then to go on and write "Dispelling The Myths."
In the great library of Elvis books, "Dispelling The Myths" is most unusual: it does not give the umpteenth account of Elvis's life; it does not list Elvis's concert appearances; it does not provide a chronology of Elvis's recordings; it does not expose new girl-friends, love-children, or as yet unknown spiritual practises. Indeed, the book looks at a very sensitive aspect of Elvis and Elvis myth; let Todd explain himself: "Every person of color I have ever met believes, or has heard, that Elvis was a racist and ripped off black people. The white liberals of society believe it too. It was time for someone to take this seriously, and stop burying their heads in the sand like Graceland and most of the Elvis scholars."
To be quite honest, as a European Elvis fan, I was not fully aware of this issue in connection with Elvis. Having been interested in Elvis and R&R for many years, I knew that Elvis had championed black performers in statements, had been photographed with them, and counted many among his friends. I was surprised, therefore to learn that a negative aura also surrounded Elvis in this respect. Todd's book carefully examines the origins of a racist statement that Elvis is supposed to have made and his supposed imitation of black performers; in addition, numerous disparaging remarks about Elvis, regarding the preferential treatment he is supposed to have received as an artist are also scrutinised. In the course of these investigations, the reader is presented with brief looks at some of the great R&R performers, including Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and Little Richard, and is given a real insight into the socio-cultural upheavals brought about by this form of music.
Todd makes it clear that Elvis admired many black artists and was, indeed, influenced by several. He goes to great pains, however, to show that the acceptance and development of an influence is not the same as slavishly copying and plagiarism. He further argues against the contention that Elvis was racially prejudiced by citing numerous instances of Elvis helping non-whites and by reproducing statements to the contrary by both black and white acquaintances of Elvis.
"Dispelling The Myths" not only succeeds in its aim to "clear" Elvis of accusations of racism, it also provides useful information about the context in which Elvis grew as a performer, at a time before mass media support and huge publicity campaigns and when a white man who moved and sang like a black man was frowned upon. That Elvis, because of this latter aspect, was, and still is, regarded with suspicion by the black community, is, after some consideration, perhaps not as surprising as I first thought. A book like "Dispelling The Myths" deserves success in order to allay these suspicions.
It is clear, then, that "Dispelling The Myths" is something different! So why has it failed to be a success? Well, the points I mentioned above are certainly relevant: Todd Rheingold is not a "name" in either the Elvis publishing world specifically, or the pop-music publishing world in general, so little or no marketing or publicity has been available. In addition, the title does not attract the immediate attention of Elvis fans as it does not actually mention Elvis! Furthermore, the cover, although featuring a stunning drawing by Betty Harper of numerous R&R stars, including Elvis, neither mentions Elvis's name, nor gives the impression that the book is primarily about Elvis. And dare I propose that the rather sensitive subject matter has perhaps deterred fan clubs from recommending the book?
You will probably not find "Dispelling The Myths" in your local book shop. It is, however, available on-line from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble. It can also be ordered directly from Todd Rheingold, at Believe In The Dream Publications 9 Valley View Rd. Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.
David Neale
Copyright August 1999