Customer Reviews

That's Alright, Elvis: The Untold Story of Elvis's First Guitarist and Manager, Scotty Moore

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Scotty Moore is one of the unsung heroes of rock 'n roll and his writing style reflects his playing style- simple, precise and to the point. In a humble, matter-of-fact style, guitarist Moore recounts his experiences with the King in an eminently readable and interesting way. I have read many Elvis books and this is one of my favorites. After reading it, you just wished you could bump into Scotty sometime, buy him a beer and talk the night away.

Although not a technical genius, or a flambouyant showman, Scotty Moore is the first Rock and Roll guitar hero. He can be considered a discoverer, an inventor. He provided support, on and off stage, to a musical phenomenon, Elvis Presley. They both found a way of making three instruments and a vocal sound big. His riffs and syncopations inspired millions. Too bad he didn't make...millions.
His story is told in a warmly engaging way, filled with panorama; and not once does a bitter tone prevail.
As Elvis progressed, it seems that he (along with the powers that be) decided that Scotty's licks were not sophisticated enough, so Moore apparently was an occasional studio player after 1961. It's interesting that Big El summoned Scotty for his crucial TV Special - the word "Comeback" came shortly after December 3rd, 1968.
It's facinating to read about Mr. Bill Black, Elvis' first bassist. Black was another instinctual musician, limited but perfectly attuned to the new art form. He died a young man, but found a way onto the charts with the Bill Black Combo and strong instrumental workouts. He died in 1965 and it's too bad that Elvis did not mention his name on the TV Special section where he demonstrated how they got the big sound with just three guys.
I do not enjoy the storytelling in the second person: it would have been much more effective to have Scotty's words up-front throughout. Just like his guitar playing.

James Dickerson did a great job of telling the story of Scotty Moore. I was as impressed with the writing as with the subject. I read this as research for the biography I'm writing about Faron Young, and I must admit to disappointment--but not surprise--at the lack of mention of him. That aside, this is a book worth reading. Scotty Moore is a man I'd like to meet.

This is a great, but sad book. Scotty Moore was an innovator in early rock and roll music, and a substantial contributor to the success of Elvis Presley's music. It is true that Elvis had the voice, looks, sex appeal and all that stuff to make the young girls swoon. However, it was Scotty that met with Elvis, arranged the first recording sessions, and helped form the type of music that became rock and roll. Without him, Elvis would probably have ended up a gospel singer.

As this book points out, Elvis backed out of the verbal deal between he and his band regarding the split of record royalties. He put the guys on a small weekly salary that actually led to Scotty going into debt for the privilege of playing behind Elvis.

I think anyone who enjoys early rock music should be able to enjoy this book. While the story of Scotty is told well, it never gives one the impression that he is looking for pity.

This is a warm, entertaining, and enlightening book, however the Kindle edition has annoying formatting problems: there are many inappropriate page breaks throughout, sometimes in the middle of a sentence. The book is still easily readable, but hopefully the publisher will fix these problems soon. (Also a half dozen typos.) Otherwise recommended.

Dear Amazon,

Although I found the whole book very interesting and educational at the same time, in a few parts of the book, it seemed to have loose ends. I did not find all the facts that I was searching for.