JOE MOSCHEO (THE IMPERIALS) REMEMBERS ELVIS:
"THAT'S LOVE, YOU KNOW? 🥹"
Elvis and The Imperials. L-R: Armond Morales, Jim Murray, Elvis Presley, Joe Moscheo and Terry Blackwood.
First of all, I can't say I'm shocked because I know enough of our man to believe he would go any different, but each story gets me more and more in love with his soul. You gotta listen to Joe Moscheo (The Imperials/Gospel Music Hall Of Fame artist) sharing this amazing story of one more time the greatest Elvis Presley did show his concern for others well-being, of one more time he used his influence and fortune to ease other people's burdens - when he could have simply turned his face the other way (and I mean it - the guy literally chased opportunities to help people... that's so surprising, OMG.) Elvis fans are familiar with each of his band members saying how humble and kind he was to them, specially (as some of them put) when it was so unusual for an artist as huge as Elvis Presley to even talk to the background singers, or the other musicians, at all. Kathy Westmoreland, for instance, shared in her book (Elvis and Kathy) that the musicians were pretty considered as "part of the furniture" onstage, nobody paid much attention to them - but it was different with Elvis. He made his musicians part of his shows, and it wasn't any different behind the cameras. He chatted with them, he gifted them, he offered help, he asked about their families. This story here, by the way, is especially touching when Moscheo mentions his four kids and what Elvis said to them on that night (Yes, Elvis left his hotel to meet Joe's family in a time of need!) This right here happened around 1970, according to Joe... Elvis was again on fire with his career... a documentary coming up, the Las Vegas engagements... life was fun and exciting... he could easily have cared less about others misfortunes... but he was Elvis. ⚡Just listen to this and cry with me:
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE (YOUTUBE)
A LITTLE SUMMARIZED STORY ON THE IMPERIALS AND ELVIS' ASSOCIATION The Imperials recorded with Elvis in sessions from May 1966 to June 1971 (formed in 1964, at the beginning the group was called Jake Hess and The Imperials, but that changed in 1967, as well as the group's formation). Among their contributions to Elvis' music, his last two Grammy Award-producing albums: How Great Thou Art and He Touched Me. In 1969, Elvis hired them to perform in concert with him after The Jordanaires, due to scheduling conflicts, refused his invitation. The Imperials are featured in Elvis' first music documentary, "Elvis: That's The Way It Is", taped in California and Las Vegas from July to August 1970, and released that same year on November 11, 1970 (U.S.). The Imperials' association with Elvis Presley lasted until November 1971, when schedule conflicts made the group decide not to perform with him anymore, and that's when the next (and last) male gospel quartet to join the TCB Band was JD Sumner and The Stamps, also performing in Presley's live concerts and working in recording sessions.
Elvis Presley and The Imperials backstage in Las Vegas, February 1970. L-R: Jim Murray, Armond Morales, Elvis, Terry Blackwood, Roger Wiles and Joe Moscheo.
Elvis: That's The Way It Is: Background groups rehearsals. The Imperials. Culver City, California. Late July 1970. L-R: Terry Blackwood, Jim Murray, Joe Moscheo, Armond Morales and Roger Wiles.
Elvis and The Imperials, 1971. R-L: Joe Moscheo, Terry Blackwood, Jim Murray, Elvis Presley, Armond Morales and Larry Gatlin. Landmark Hotel, Las Vegas. February 25, 1971.
Elvis and The Imperials (c. 1971): (first row) Joe Moscheo, Jim Murray, Elvis Presley, Armond Morales, Larry Gatlin and (second row) Terry Blackwood.
Las Vegas, 1970. In the middle we can see Joe Moscheo onstage with the TCB Band (in his front the Sweet Inspirations and on their front James Burton) during performance of "Tiger Man" as featured in the opening credits of "Elvis: That's The Way it Is" (Special Edition - MGM, 1970).
