Where Did Elvis Presley Copy his Voice, Dance, and Songs From?

VOICE

Roy Hamilton joins Elvis with George Klein and girlfriend Barbara Little at American Sound Studios in January 1969.

You may never have heard a Roy Hamilton song – he is not played much on the radio anymore, and is prized mainly by rhythm-and-blues aficionados, especially in England – but you’ve heard the reach of his gospel-tinged voice. Hamilton was ‘one of Elvis’ chief vocal inspirations’, according to Elvis’ biographer Peter Guralnick, who also noted that Elvis was ‘one of Roy Hamilton’s most devoted admirers’.

In 1969 Elvis and Roy met at the American Sound Studios in Memphis. Both were being produced by Chips Moman, Elvis at night and Roy during the day. Elvis was thrilled to discover that Roy (his boyhood idol) would be working at the same studio during the day. Elvis would sometimes arrive early to listen to Roy. This is where Elvis got his voice from. He copied it from Roy Hamilton.

DANCE MOVES

Elvis was known to go to a lot of urban, blues, etc., clubs and study the moves of many colored artists. One of his favorites was Chuck Berry, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and more.