Kentucky Rain an Elvis classic

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published 12:00 p.m., July 30, 2007

As we approach the 30th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley, on Aug. 16, I’ve thought about the king of rock n’ roll’s songs and consider his 1970 classic hit “Kentucky Rain” my favorite. As I write this, we could use some of that rain today, here in west central Minnesota.

“Kentucky rain keeps pouring down and up ahead is another town that I'll go walking thru with the rain in my shoes, searching for you in the cold Kentucky rain.”

“Kentucky Rain” was written by Eddie Rabbitt who went on to become a major country pop star in the 1970s and 1980s. His biggest hit also referred to rain — "I Love a Rainy Night." Piano for Elvis’ Kentucky Rain was played by then unknown Ronny Milsap who became Country Music's first blind superstar. His biggest hit became "Smoky Mountain Rain."

I also recall, as a kid, the early days of Elvis Presley. His breakthrough year was 1956 when he recorded “Hound Dog.” That’s my favorite song from the king’s early days in show business. Many baby boomers in Otter Tail County still have 45 vinyl records of “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Heartbreak Hotel” and other Presley hits.

“When they said you was high classed, well, that was just a lie. You ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine,” Elvis sang during his “Hound Dog” hit.

As for “Don’t Be Cruel,” here are few classic words, “Let's walk up to the preacher and let us say I do. Then you'll know you'll have me, and I'll know that I'll have you. Don't be cruel to a heart that's true. I don't want no other love, baby it's just you I'm thinking of.”

Presley was born in Tupelo, Miss., on Jan. 8, 1935, and grew up surrounded by gospel music of the Pentecostal church. As a teenager he visited the Memphis Recording Service — the home of Sun Records — to record his voice. Owner/producer Sam Phillips was struck by the emotion in Presley’s vocals and subsequently teamed him with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black.

In July 1954 the trio worked up “That’s All Right” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” They were blues and country songs, respectively, in a uptempo style that stood as the blueprint for rock n’ roll.

Through the late 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s Elvis was on a roll — recording songs and starring in movies as well.

Divorcing in 1973, Presley became increasingly isolated and overweight, with prescription drugs taking their toll on his health, mood and his stage act. Despite this, Elvis still was capable of giving great performances to his worldwide fans. His thundering live version of "How Great Thou Art" won him a Grammy award in 1974.

Rick Stanley, a step-brother, said that Presley was almost bedridden during his final year of life.

"We'd fly into a city and he'd go right into bed as soon as we got there,” Stanley said. “ We'd have to get him up to do the show. In Rapid City he was so nervous on stage that he could hardly talk. He was undoubtedly painfully aware of how he looked and he knew that in his condition he couldn’t perform any significant movement on stage.”

Presley was only 42 when he died in August 1977. It was a great 21-year run for Elvis and his adoring fans.

In the first eight months of 1977 Presley's physician, Dr. George C. Nichopoulos, wrote 199 prescriptions totaling more than 10,000 doses of sedatives, amphetamines and narcotics — all in Elvis' name. In 1980 Nichopoulos was found guilty of overprescription. His license was suspended and he was given three years' probation.

The real tragedy is that the king of rock n’ roll, had he been channeled into the proper rehabilitation center, would no doubt have lived much, much longer.

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Tom Hintgen’s column runs Monday in The Daily Journal.