Could Elvis Presley truly play guitar?
Despite being the King of Rock and Roll, Presley's career was not all about ups, as he also faced criticisms due to several controversial things about him. One of which included his alleged guitar-playing scheme.
Many people alleged in the past decades that Presley used the guitar as a prop. This led them to question his capacity to play the instrument and whether he could play it at all.
But the late singer himself debunked the claims and ended the rumors through an issue of the fan magazine, Elvis Answers Back Magazine.
"There's been another rumor of sorts that's kind of amusing. I read in one magazine that I can't play a note on the guitar, and in another, the same week, that I'm the greatest guitar player in the world. Well, both of those stories are wrong," the then-21-year-old Presley said.
He added that he never underwent music lessons, but he admitted he had always been a fan of musical instruments and "music of any kind."
Presley took his time to recall the event when his father bought him a department store guitar when he was young. He began learning a couple of chords and plucking on the instrument.
Despite that, he eventually made a confession that he took his guitar during his first personal appearance as he wanted to keep himself company. As quoted by Express UK, Presley admitted that - although he could play it - he truly used it as a prop at that time alone.
Still, he developed an interest in playing those instruments better.
Elvis Presley Praised by His Lead Guitarist
In an article shared by Musician Authority, it was noted that Presley's lead guitarist Scotty Moore spoke about the singer's capacity to play the instrument.
Per Moore, the late singer had a fantastic sense of rhythm and timing - something that country singer Johnny Cash also said.
In fact, they believed that his skills as a rhythm guitarist were often overlooked. But as Presley stood on more stages, he used the guitar more as a prop and let the best musicians back him while he engaged the audience.
Despite that, Presley made his own empire and did not let the rumors affect his musical career until his death.
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