Elvis, Elvis, Elvis. One of the all-time greats and a cultural icon. Yes, some view him as “problematic” these days. And that’s fine. Regardless of how one things about any of that, there is no denying the man’s talent, charisma, and cultural impact. If there were a Mt. Rushmore of pop music, Elvis would undoubtedly be one of the figures sculpted into the mountain.
I am an unabashed Elvis fan. As a singer, he can do no wrong in my view. I find this album to be packed with satisfying vocal performances and fun songs. Sweet ballads and fun up-tempo, danceable ditties mix well together in a smoot and tight 32-minute ride.
My Rating:
Elvis is Back! was the first album by Presley after his famous two-year stint in the Army. Initial reviews were not kind and sales were disappointing even though it went Gold.1
Retrospective reviews put the record in a far more positive light. Bruce Eder wrote that some of the songs “displayed the rich, deep vocalizing that would challenge critics' expectations of Elvis Presley playing rhythm guitar throughout.”2
In reviewing the deluxe and expanded 2011 reissue Rolling Stone had this to say: “Elvis Is Back! might be the King's greatest non-compilation LP: wildly varied material, revelatory singing, impeccable stereo sound'“3
Charts
The single Such a Night peaked at number 8.4
The album reissue in 2011 hit number 1.5
Elvis is Back! was released on April 8, 1960. Here’s what else was happening:
Pop Culture
• Number one song: The Theme From "A Summer Place" by Percy Faith And His Orchestra6
• Number one album: The Sound of Music by the original Broadway cast7
• Number one movie: Ben-Hur by William Wyler8
• Most watched TV program: Gunsmoke9
• NYT bestseller, fiction: Hawaii by James Michener10
• NYT bestseller, non-fiction: May This House be Safe From Tigers by Alexander King11
Other albums released that month
• The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery by Wes Montgomery
• Outward Bound by The Eric Dolphy Quintet
• Mingus Dynasty by Charles Mingus and His Jazz Groups
Sport
• Apr 10 24th US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: 1958 champion Arnold Palmer birdies the final 2 holes to win by 1 stroke over runner-up Ken Venturi.
• Apr 12 MLB Chicago White Sox owner Bill Veeck debuts "Exploding Scoreboard" at Chicago's Comiskey Park.
• Apr 14 Stanley Cup Final, Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, ON: Montreal Canadiens beat Toronto Maple Leafs, 4-0 for a 4-game sweep; 5th consecutive title.
• Apr 17 MLB Cleveland Indians trade reigning home run champion Rocky Colavito to Detroit Tigers for reigning AL batting champion Harvey Kuenn.
• Apr 19 Baseball uniforms begin displaying players' names on their backs.
Notable Births
• Apr 2 Linford Christie, British athlete (Olympic gold men's 100m 1992), born in Saint Andrew, Jamaica.
• Apr 4 Hugo Weaving, Nigerian-born English-Australian actor (Agent Smith - The Matrix), born in Ibadan, Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria.
• Apr 6 Warren Haynes, American rock and blues guitarist (The Allman Brothers Band), born in Asheville, North Carolina.
• Apr 7 James 'Buster' Douglas, American boxer (undisputed world heavyweight champion 1990), born in Columbus, Ohio.
• Apr 8 John Schneider, American actor (Dukes of Hazzard), born in Mt Kisco, New York.
• Apr 11 English motoring journalist, broadcaster and TV presenter (Top Gear, The Grand Tour), born in Doncaster, England.
• Apr 12 Ron MacLean, Canadian sportscaster (Hockey Night in Canada), born in Zweibrücken, Germany.
• Apr 14 Brad Garrett, American actor and comedian (Everybody Loves Raymond), born in Los Angeles, California.
• Apr 19 Frank Viola, American baseball pitcher (Twins, Mets/Cy Young-1988), born in Hempstead, New York.
• Apr 23 Valerie Bertinelli, American actress (One Day at a Time - "Barbara"; Hot in Cleveland - "Melanie"), and Food Network personality, born in Wilmington, Delaware.
• Apr 26 Roger Taylor, English rock drummer (Duran Duran), born in Birmingham, England.
• Apr 28 Elena Kagan, American Supreme Court Justice (2010-), born in New York City.
• Apr 28 Tom Browning, American baseball pitcher (perfect game 1988; MLB All Star 1991; World Series 1990 Cincinnati Reds), born in Casper, Wyoming (d. 2022).
• Apr 29 Phil King, British rock bassist (Lush; Jesus and Mary Chain; The Fallen), born in London.
Notable Deaths
• Apr 12 Archibald McIndoe, New Zealand plastic surgeon pioneer who rehabilitated badly burned Royal Air Force crew during WWII, dies in his sleep of a heart attack at 59.
• Apr 16 Felix Kersten, Baltic-German Finnish masseuse physical therapist and personal trainer to Heinrich Himmler who helped save people from Finns from Nazi persecution, dies at 61.
• Apr 17 Eddie Cochran, American rock vocalist and guitarist ("Summertime Blues"; "C'Mon Everybody"), dies in a English taxi-car crash at 21.
Enjoy and listen without prejudice. Cheers!
All the videos here: You're Welcome 102; Elvis is Back! by Elvis Presley
Prime playlist here: 102. Elvis is Back! by Elvis Presley
Ibid.