Introduction:
Even for the casual music listener, the name Elvis Presley evokes a powerful image. The king of rock and roll, with his undeniable charisma and genre-bending sound, revolutionized the music scene in the 1950s. But before the hips started swinging and the screams filled stadiums, a young Elvis honed his craft in the fertile ground of Memphis, Tennessee. This is where his love for the blues, a cornerstone of American music, took root.
“See See Rider”, released in 1970 on the live album On Stage, throws the spotlight on this early influence. The song itself is a classic, a traditional 12-bar blues with a lineage stretching back decades. Pioneering figures like Gertrude “Ma” Rainey laid the groundwork in the 1920s, and countless blues artists have reinterpreted it over the years.
However, Elvis’s version injects a unique energy. While the original recordings often leaned towards a mournful lament, Elvis infuses it with a rock and roll spirit. We can’t pinpoint a single composer for “See See Rider” due to its traditional nature, but the production on this particular rendition falls under the watchful eye of RCA Records veterans Felton Jarvis and Al Pachucki.
“See See Rider” doesn’t boast the chart-topping success of some of Elvis’s other hits. Its significance lies in its raw power and its connection to his musical roots. It’s a glimpse into the young Elvis, channeling the energy of the blues legends he admired, before he rose to superstardom and redefined popular music. This live performance captures the spontaneity and improvisational spirit that characterized his early years.
So, as the opening chords of “See See Rider” ring out, prepare to be transported back to a time when a young Elvis, armed with a microphone and a burning passion for music, was poised to take the world by storm. This track is a testament to his blues foundation, a reminder of the influences that shaped the king of rock and roll.