Elvis Presley – Guitar Man

Now, by this time, Elvis was already a household name. He’d conquered the charts in the 50s with his electrifying brand of rock and roll, sent teenage hearts aflutter with his undeniable charisma, and starred in a slew of Hollywood musicals. But the winds of change were blowing through the music industry, and the King’s sound was starting to feel a tad dated compared to the grittier rock emerging on the scene.

Enter “Guitar Man”, a track that marked a fascinating shift for Elvis. This wasn’t your typical Presley rocker. Sure, there was still that undeniable swagger in his voice, but the melody leaned more towards the twangy side of the tracks, a clear nod to the burgeoning country-rock scene.

The story behind the song itself is as interesting as the music. Originally penned and recorded by the ever-talented Jerry Reed, “Guitar Man” was a minor country hit in 1967. But it caught the ear of Elvis’ producer, the savvy Felton Jarvis. Jarvis saw the potential for a fresh direction for the King and brought Reed himself into the studio for the recording session.

What transpired there was pure magic. Reed not only lent his songwriting prowess but also unleashed his now-legendary fingerpicking skills on the lead guitar. The result? A track that blended the soulful yearning of country music with the raw energy of rock and roll. “Guitar Man” wasn’t just a song; it was a bridge between two genres, a testament to Elvis’ adaptability as an artist.

Commercially, the song wasn’t a chart-topping smash, but its impact went far beyond mere numbers. “Guitar Man” became a cornerstone of Elvis’ now-famous 1968 Comeback Special. The electrifying performance, where Elvis shed his Hollywood persona and embraced his roots, solidified his status as a true musical force.

But the song’s legacy goes even deeper. It served as a springboard for Elvis’ later forays into country music, ultimately leading to a record-breaking eleven number-one country hits in his career.

So, the next time you hear those opening guitar licks and Elvis’ soulful vocals on “Guitar Man,” remember, it’s not just a catchy tune. It’s a testament to an artist’s willingness to reinvent himself, a bridge between genres, and a key chapter in the enduring story of the King.