Elvis Presley-Charro(Film, Charro！ 1969)

"Charro" is a song first recorded by Elvis Presley as part of the soundtrack for the 1969 Western film Charro!*, directed by Charles Marquis Warren. It serves as the film's title track and is the only song featured in the movie. *Charro! was the first and only film in which Elvis did not sing on screen. This song was written specifically for the film Charro! by Billy Strange and Mac Davis. Recording took place at Samuel Goldwyn Studios in Hollywood between October and November 1968. Elvis likely overdubbed his vocals on October 15. The vocal master was created by splicing together takes 5 and 9. This song was first released as a single in March 1969, with "Memories"—a track from Elvis's 1968 NBC TV comeback special—on the B-side. While "Charro!" did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100, "Memories" did, peaking at number 35. The first LP release to include "Charro!" was the album *Almost in Love*, released in late 1970. Charro! is a 1969 American Western film starring Elvis Presley, shot on location at Apacheland Movie Ranch and Old Tucson Studios in Arizona. It is the only film in which Presley did not sing on screen; aside from the main title theme played during the opening credits, the movie features no songs whatsoever. It is also the only film in which Presley wore a beard. The film was adapted into a novel by Harry Whittington. It co-starred Ina Balin, Victor French, Barbara Werle, and Solomon Sturges. It was the final film for Charles Marquis Warren, who also served as producer and screenwriter; it was also the only Presley film distributed by National General Pictures. Although the film turned a profit, it was not a major hit; despite being considered one of Elvis's best acting performances (in contrast to his singing), it remains one of his least-watched movies. The role of Jess Wade was initially offered to Clint Eastwood, but he declined. The film had an estimated budget of $2.5 million; Elvis was paid $850,000—a standard fee for the time—plus 50% of the profits. Fully committing to the role of a rough-and-tumble gunman, Elvis was the only character in the film to sport a beard. Members of the "Memphis Mafia" showed their support for him by growing beards of their own during this period. Elvis also performed his own horseback riding in the movie, drawing on the experience he had gained working with horses at his own ranch, the Circle G. Elvis had long owned guns and was a firearms collector; he had even practiced quick-draw shooting with Clint Eastwood. He ensured that this film would allow him to showcase his marksmanship skills. Working titles for the film included *Jack Valentine*, *Johnny Hann*, and *Come Hell or Come Sundown*. Elvis had joined the project with high hopes after reading a serious script that contained no musical numbers, but upon arriving for the first day of filming on July 22, 1968, he was disappointed to find that the original script had been altered beyond recognition. He did, however, arrange to have the protagonist's name changed from Jesus Wade to Jess Wade. Elvis took pride in his work on Charro! and described it as one of his favorite films. At the time, there was significant interest in having Elvis star in a Western; Warren Beatty wanted to co-star with him in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid*, and John Wayne wanted to work with him on *True Grit*. However, Elvis's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, objected to the billing arrangements, refusing to agree unless Elvis received top billing. Ultimately, Elvis earned more for starring in *Charro! than he would have for appearing in those other films. Charro! has been re-evaluated as one of Elvis's finest films, with his performance as Jess Wade hailed as the most convincing of his career. Many fans believe that this movie and Change of Habit should have marked the beginning of a new phase in Elvis's acting career, but the concert stage beckoned him instead. #elvis #presley #charro #epic #king #entertainment #entertainer #elvis #fans #america #icon #king #of #music #rocknroll #rock #country #bruce #gospel #ballad #the #king #rock #music #king #of #rock #superstar #legend #americandream #entertainment #handsome #cool #greatest #great #singer #1969s