Velvet Elvis
Encyclopedia
A Velvet Elvis is a painting
of Elvis Presley
on velvet
. It typically represents a costumed torso of Elvis holding a microphone
, painted on black
velvet
(or velvet of some other dark color, such as navy blue
, red
or purple
). This iconic velvet painting
is considered an archetypical example of kitsch
.
A brief history of black velvet paintings is presented by Pamela Liflander in Black Velvet Artist, a booklet published by Running Press
, Philadelphia in 2003, and included in an art kit by the same name. Liflander also details the life of Edgar Leeteg
, "the father of American black velvet kitsch," whose "raucous and bawdy" life was previously captured by James Michener in Rascals in Paradise
(1957).
Velvet was a popular medium for artists on the streets of Tijuana
, reaching a height of popularity in the 1970s.
" mentions a store that sells them; Switchfoot
's "Poparazzi" mentions the paintings being sold "on the 90210"; Lard
's "Sidewinder" has the lyrics "Slither into town/In the velvet Elvis night". Alannah Myles
' song "Black Velvet
" seems to allude to the paintings, but is more about Presley's singing style. Songs more directly about the paintings include:
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
on velvet
Velvet
Velvet is a type of woven tufted fabric in which the cut threads are evenly distributed,with a short dense pile, giving it a distinctive feel.The word 'velvety' is used as an adjective to mean -"smooth like velvet".-Composition:...
. It typically represents a costumed torso of Elvis holding a microphone
Microphone
A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. In 1877, Emile Berliner invented the first microphone used as a telephone voice transmitter...
, painted on black
Black
Black is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light...
velvet
Velvet
Velvet is a type of woven tufted fabric in which the cut threads are evenly distributed,with a short dense pile, giving it a distinctive feel.The word 'velvety' is used as an adjective to mean -"smooth like velvet".-Composition:...
(or velvet of some other dark color, such as navy blue
Navy blue
Navy blue is a very dark shade of the color blue which almost appears as black. Navy blue got its name from the dark blue worn by officers in the British Royal Navy since 1748 and subsequently adopted by other navies around the world....
, red
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
or purple
Purple
Purple is a range of hues of color occurring between red and blue, and is classified as a secondary color as the colors are required to create the shade....
). This iconic velvet painting
Velvet painting
A velvet painting is a type of painting distinguished by the use of velvet as the support, in place of canvas, paper, or similar materials. The velvet provides an especially dark background against which colors stand out brightly....
is considered an archetypical example of kitsch
Kitsch
Kitsch is a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art of recognized value. The concept is associated with the deliberate use of elements that may be thought of as cultural icons while making cheap mass-produced objects that...
.
A brief history of black velvet paintings is presented by Pamela Liflander in Black Velvet Artist, a booklet published by Running Press
Running Press
The Running Press is a member of the Perseus Books Group, the imprint is the publisher of fiction, non-fiction, cooking, humor, and kit books. The publisher's offices are located in Philadelphia, but many of the corporate functions take place in New York City....
, Philadelphia in 2003, and included in an art kit by the same name. Liflander also details the life of Edgar Leeteg
Edgar Leeteg
Edgar Leeteg was an American painter often considered the father of American velvet painting. Before Leeteg, black velvet painting was primarily considered a hobby, not an art.-Early career:...
, "the father of American black velvet kitsch," whose "raucous and bawdy" life was previously captured by James Michener in Rascals in Paradise
Rascals in Paradise (book)
Rascals in Paradise is a 1957 collection of ten historical non-fiction short stories co-written by James A. Michener and University of Hawaii professor Arthur Grove Day .-Contents:1. Rascals in Paradise: The Globe Mutineers...
(1957).
Velvet was a popular medium for artists on the streets of Tijuana
Tijuana
Tijuana is the largest city on the Baja California Peninsula and center of the Tijuana metropolitan area, part of the international San Diego–Tijuana metropolitan area. An industrial and financial center of Mexico, Tijuana exerts a strong influence on economics, education, culture, art, and politics...
, reaching a height of popularity in the 1970s.
Music
There are a number of examples of musicians alluding to paintings of this famous singer in their songs or stage names.Musicians
- Velvet Elvis, a contemporary heavy-psychedelic stoner rock band hailing from Rochester, NY.
- Velvet Elvis, a synth band from the 80's
- Velvet Elvis, a 1980s rock group based in Lexington, KentuckyLexington, KentuckyLexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, originally consisting of Dan Trisko (guitar, vocals), John Clark (bass, vocals), Sherri McGee (drums, vocals) and Doug Carman (keyboards, guitar, vocals). Scott Stoess (bass, vocals) and Jeff Yurkowski (keyboards, vocals) later replaced Clark and Carman. Velvet Elvis released two self-produced albums in addition to one for Enigma RecordsEnigma RecordsEnigma Records was a popular rock and alternative American record label in the 1980s. It was initially a division of Greenworld Distribution, an independent music importer/distributor, which it split-off from in 1985 to become its own company...
that was produced by Mitch EasterMitch EasterMitch Easter is a songwriter, musician, and producer. As a producer, he is probably best known for his work with R.E.M. from 1981 through 1984, though he has also worked with many other acts including The Hang Ups, Pavement, Suzanne Vega, Game Theory, Marshall Crenshaw, Velvet Crush, and...
. - Jonny Barber, an Elvis tribute artistElvis impersonatorAn Elvis impersonator is someone who impersonates or copies famed American musician Elvis Presley. Professional Elvis impersonators can work all over the world as entertainers, and such tribute acts are in great demand due to the unique iconic status of Elvis...
known as "The Velvet Elvis", based in Denver, Colorado and voted Colorado's Best Elvis by the Westword Weekly - Velvet Elvis, a Roswell, GeorgiaRoswell, GeorgiaRoswell is a city located in northern Fulton County; it is a suburb of northern Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The 2010 Census population was 88,346. It is the eighth largest city in Georgia...
rock 'n' roll band based voted Best Party Band by Willow Springs HOA
Songs
A number of songs reference velvet Elvis paintings: Alan Jackson's "Little ManLittle Man (Alan Jackson song)
"Little Man" is the title of a song written and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released in May 1999 as the fourth and final single from his 1998 album High Mileage. The song topped at number three on the U.S...
" mentions a store that sells them; Switchfoot
Switchfoot
Switchfoot is an American rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman , Tim Foreman , Chad Butler , Jerome Fontamillas , and Drew Shirley .After early successes in the Christian rock scene, Switchfoot first gained mainstream...
's "Poparazzi" mentions the paintings being sold "on the 90210"; Lard
Lard (band)
Lard is a hardcore punk/industrial band founded in 1988 as a side project by Jello Biafra , Al Jourgensen , Paul Barker , and Jeff Ward . Biafra is perhaps best known as the former frontman of the punk rock band Dead Kennedys...
's "Sidewinder" has the lyrics "Slither into town/In the velvet Elvis night". Alannah Myles
Alannah Myles
Alannah Myles is a Canadian singer-songwriter, the daughter of Canadian broadcast pioneer William Douglas Byles. In 1989, she released her eponymous debut album...
' song "Black Velvet
Black Velvet (song)
"Black Velvet" is a rock song written by Canadian musicians David Tyson and Christopher Ward, and recorded by Canadian singer Alannah Myles in 1988. It became a number one hit for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1990 and reached number one on the Album Rock Tracks chart, as well as...
" seems to allude to the paintings, but is more about Presley's singing style. Songs more directly about the paintings include:
- "Elvis" by Sister HazelSister HazelSister Hazel are an alternative rock band from Gainesville, Florida, whose style also blends elements of folk rock, pop, classic rock 'n' roll and southern rock. Their music is characterized by highly melodic tunes and generally optimistic lyrics. The band's instrumentation often features abrupt...
- "Velvet Elvis" by Ralston BowlesRalston BowlesRalston Bowles is an American songwriter, producer, musician and singer from Grand Rapids, Michigan.-Biography:Ralston Bowles was born on August 31, 1952 to parents, Buel Bowles of Green Sulphur Springs, West Virginia and May Jean Morgan of Vincennes, Indiana .Bowles wrote the songs "Fragile",...
- "Velvet Elvis" by Alex WinstonAlex WinstonAlexandra Winston is an American indie pop rock singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Classically trained in opera, Winston was encouraged by her parents to pursue music.-Biography:...
- "Velvet Elvis" by "Weird Al" Yankovic"Weird Al" YankovicAlfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts...
, a whimsical ode to such a painting, in a pastichePasticheA pastiche is a literary or other artistic genre or technique that is a "hodge-podge" or imitation. The word is also a linguistic term used to describe an early stage in the development of a pidgin language.-Hodge-podge:...
of the musical style of The PoliceThe PoliceThe Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland... - "Elvis On Velvet" by the Stray CatsStray CatsStray Cats are an American Rockabilly band formed in 1980 by guitarist/vocalist Brian Setzer , upright bassist Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom in the Long Island town of Massapequa, New York. The group had numerous hit singles in the UK, Australia and the U.S...
, about the intense commercialization of Elvis following his death, suggesting that "The King" would find such items (particularly the paintings) disrespectful - "My Velvet Elvis" by Farnell Cole, a humorous song about an ex-wife who took everything.
- "Paint Me on Velvet" by Austin Lounge LizardsAustin Lounge LizardsThe Austin Lounge Lizards are a band from Austin, Texas formed in 1980. The band includes founding members Hank Card and Conrad Deisler, along with Darcie Deaville and Bruce Jones...
Places
"Velvet Elvis" is a theme that apparently lends itself well to bars, eateries, and entertainment venues; for example:- The Velvet Elvis, the former name of a bar (now called The Jinx), at 127 West Congress St. in Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah, GeorgiaSavannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
- The Velvet Elvis, a bar and live music lounge in Oshawa, OntarioOshawa, OntarioOshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most...
- The Velvet Elvis, a former theater and all-ages music venue founded by Deborah Crohn and Phillip Endicott in Seattle's historic Pioneer Square; its awning is on display at Seattle's Experience Music Project
- Velvet Elvis, a bar in GlasgowGlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
on Dumbarton Road, Partick - Velvet Elvis Pizza Company, a pizza restaurant in Patagonia, ArizonaPatagonia, ArizonaPatagonia is a town in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States. As of 2010 Patagonia had a population of 913. Patagonia was formerly a supply center for nearby mines and ranches. Currently, it is a tourist destination, retirement community and arts & crafts center. The Nature Conservancy's...
Video games
- An entire level of the video game PsychonautsPsychonautsPsychonauts is a platform video game created by Tim Schafer, developed by Double Fine Productions and published by Majesco. The game was released on April 19, 2005, for the Xbox, April 26 for Microsoft Windows and June 21 for PlayStation 2. It was released on Steam on Oct 11, 2006, as an "Xbox...
, known as Black Velvetopia, is dedicated to such velvet paintings. - In the PC game FalloutFallout (computer game)Fallout is a computer role-playing game produced by Tim Cain, developed and published by Interplay in 1997. The game has a post-apocalyptic and retro-futuristic setting in the mid-22nd century, featuring an alternate history which deviates some time after World War II, where technology, politics...
, a velvet Elvis portrait can be found in the crashed UFO encounter, on an alien skeleton. This refers to the rumors and jokesElvis Presley phenomenonThe Elvis Presley phenomenon is the cultural and social impact of Elvis Presley during his career and following his death. There are over 500 Elvis fan clubs in the United States of America, and they exist in every state except three: North Dakota, Idaho and Wyoming...
that Elvis is still alive and living with aliens. - Numerous velvet Elvis portraits can also be found in the sequel to Fallout, Fallout 2Fallout 2Fallout 2 is a computer role-playing game developed by Black Isle Studios and published by Interplay in 1998. The game's story takes place in 2241, 80 years after the events of Fallout...
. - A Velvet Elvis can also be found in the PC game Fountain of DreamsFountain of DreamsFountain of Dreams is a 1990 role-playing video game developed and published by Electronic Arts. It was originally intended as a follow-up to Wasteland, but neither Interplay nor any of the creative team that created Wasteland worked on it, the game engine is similar but actually created from a...
in the Desoto's compound. It is the only type of painting that cannot be sold to Big Daddy for money.
Other
- Hampshire CollegeHampshire CollegeHampshire College is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1965 as an experiment in alternative education, in association with four other colleges in the Pioneer Valley: Amherst College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of Massachusetts...
students had a tradition regarding a "Velvis", which was to be stolen by successive students, who would display it in a common area in their homes from where it could be stolen again. - In The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, Huxley points to a velvet Elvis painting as one of his many possessions.
- On an episode of the television series Pawn StarsPawn StarsPawn Stars is an American reality television series on the History Channel, produced in Manhattan by Leftfield Pictures. The series is filmed in Las Vegas, Nevada, where it chronicles the daily activities at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, a 24-hour family business operated by patriarch Richard...
Rick tells Chumlee he'd "have a velvet Elvis over his fireplace" after he buys a fake etching without Rick's permission. - Velvet Elvis is the name of a yacht racing team, 2010 UK National Champions in the J/109 class.
- Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith is a book written by Rob BellRob BellRobert Holmes "Rob" Bell Jr. is an American author and pastor. He is the founder of Mars Hill Bible Church located in Grandville, Michigan and is also the featured speaker in a series of spiritual short films called NOOMA.-Education and ministry:Bell is the son of Judge Robert Holmes Bell, who was...
of Mars Hill Bible ChurchMars Hill Bible ChurchMars Hill Bible Church is an American non-denominational Christian megachurch located in Grandville, Michigan. The teaching pastor is Rob Bell.-History:...
, inspired by a velvet Elvis painting in his garage. While in college as the lead singer of _ton bundle, he wrote a song called "Velvet Elvis", inspired by the same painting.