Classic Pop Icons

Stopped into Barnes and Noble tonight and noticed Robert Hilburn, the famous rock critic, had written a memoir, “Corn Flakes With John Lennon: and Other Tales from a Rock n’ Roll Life.” Being that I know Hilburn has written often and very well of Elvis in the past, I figured there would be some Elvis content. I was very surprised to find though that Elvis in spirit and flesh is a major player in the book. Given the title of the book, I thought this would be the usual collection of essays, and it is told in vignette form, but this is personal and connected in a way that those books aren’t. This is a story of a life lived through and with the music. A lot of that life was with Elvis who helped Hilburn define himself and his purpose.

Reading the numerous passages devoted to Elvis, you feel Hilburn’s one to one connection with Elvis and his work. There’s that wonderful sense of mystery when Hilburn first stumbles upon “Baby Let’s Play House” on the radio in 1955 and he can’t figure out Elvis’ name. There’s that explosion of youthful passion, that we’ve all experienced when we discover an artist for the first time who speaks to us, when Hilburn is so revved up by Love Me Tender that he feels the need to write about it for his school paper. Then there’s the thrill of Hilburn actually meeting his idol in the early 1970s and finally Hilburn’s dismay at the dissolution of Elvis before his eyes later in that decade. Hilburn lets us in on how difficult and confusing a period that was for him. He notes that he often gave Elvis a pass because he’s a fan first, and because even at what Hilburn determines as 60 percent, Elvis was still better than anyone else on the strip. Then Hilburn mentions sitting at a show in 1974/1975 with an older audience member (in his late 50s) who doesn’t care much for Elvis. However, he’s heard all the stories about how great Elvis is and he wants to hear for himself. It’s one of Elvis’ worst shows and the man begins to disparage Elvis. Hilburn tries to defend him. He notes that this isn’t the “real Elvis.” The guy points out that the ticket says “Elvis Presley.” Inarguable logic. This is what led to Hilburn’s Elvis should retire piece in 1975. Separated from its context, it seemed heartless. Knowing what Hilburn went through to write it, it’s heartbreaking. I thought my capacity to be really moved by Elvis’ early death was gone for good. After all, Elvis today would be older than Bing Crosby was at his death and Bing was around forever. Yet, reading Hilburn describe how hard it was to write the phrase “Elvis is dead,” it all came back to me.

Hilburn also gives us a ringside into history. He was there when Elvis appeared on the U.S.S. Hancock in 1956 for the Milton Berle show. When he meets Elvis and the Colonel, though, is when we really get the inside dope. Hilburn’s little meeting with Parker has several nice little insights. He notices, and relatively few writers have commented upon this, that Parker himself employed an entourage similar in character to the one that surrounded Elvis. Intriguingly, Parker tries to curry favor with Hilburn by telling him that the meeting with Elvis was his idea, a reward for a favorable piece Hilburn had written. The truth is that Elvis had instigated the meeting, had insisted upon it in fact.

Elvis was very moved by a piece that Hilburn written about Elvis’ role as a cultural mover and shaker. Hilburn’s Elvis comes very quickly to life. He’s immediately cautious not to raise Hilburn’s expectations as an interview is out of the question due to Parker’s policy of limiting media exposure. He’s also a bit distant. Hilburn, four years younger than the King, is surprised to be called “Sir.” This kind of breaks his heart as Elvis is his idol and he’d like to be on a more intimate basis. Hilburn asks Elvis about the Sun sides and how he chose the songs he recorded. In perhaps a surprise to some folks, Elvis claims ownership. Then when Hilburn mentions how much he liked the gospel portion of Elvis’ show, the wall comes down and Elvis is chatting like a friend. Hilburn pitches the idea of a gospel tour or an exclusive interview focusing on gospel though neither happens. Then it’s time for Elvis to take the stage again and Hilburn’s back amongst the fans but with a memory for a lifetime.

As a critic, I don’t always agree with everything Hilburn writes (I’ve always liked the Top 40 much more than he) but he brings some real freshness to his appreciation of Elvis’ art. It’s quite a pleasant surprise to read Hilburn’s contrast of 1956 Elvis on stage and 1970 Elvis and see 1970 Elvis come out ahead. In comparing the body movements of each era, Hilburn finds the 1950s superstar’s moves exciting but awkward. By contrast, all the moves of the 1970 Elvis have a sense of purpose and place. It’s an appreciation of the sense of craft that Elvis gained over the years, but also of an appreciation of a level of artistic growth that slips past many analysts.

Hilburn interviewing John Lennon in 1980. (Bob Gruen)

Perhaps an even fresher insight comes from a meeting with John Lennon, the source of the book’s title. Lennon and Hilburn are listening to Donna Summer’s then contemporary hit “The Wanderer” and when Summer hits a part in the middle where she does a little stutter, Lennon proclaims “She’s doing Elvis.” Hilburn agrees and helps us find the connection. It’s a wonderful moment that captures ongoing cultural influence and helps us to appreciate the continuing spirit that links the best of pop culture. Hilburn does this throughout the book and throughout the work of his life. None of his work exists in a vacuum.

Elvis’ 75th has once again flooded us with books about the greatest pop star of the ’20th century. While the diehard fan may prefer to read the books that deal with exclusively first, it’s hard to believe they’ll get as much insight into their idol and the world he helped create than than they would be from this book where Elvis is but one of many players. For many fans, this book will be essential not only for what it says about Elvis but for what it says about them. In many ways, although the details are inevitably different, this could be my story or the story or thousands, millions of other fans out there. Having someone articulate that living connection is an elevating thrill. In many ways that thrill repudiates every smear that was in the Goldman bio and have been piled on all these years. What happened with Elvis and his music was real, the well chosen impassioned words in this book and the chord of recognition they strike, prove it!

The following videos feature Hilburn’s recollections of some of his most important interviews.

Robert Hilburn on John Lennon

Robert Hilburn on Bruce Springsteen

Robert Hilburn on Bob Dylan

Robert Hilburn on Janis Joplin

Robert Hilburn on Michael Jackson

You can buy “Corn Flakes with John Lennon: And Other Tales from a Rock ‘n’ Roll Life” from Amazon