This song is more identified with Elvis Presley, but Thomas Wayne (born Thomas Wayne Perkins in Battsville, Miss., in 1940) co-wrote the song and recorded it on the Fernwood label in early 1960.
His big splash on the popular music scene came with his 1959 recording of "Tragedy", which rose to No. 3 on the Billboard Magazine charts.
Elvis cut his version as a favour to Scottie Moore, who owned all or part of Fernwood Records at the time. It WAS after the Wayne release, and was intended, from the start, for the 'Elvis is Back' album. Any Elvis album at the time was a gold mine for songwriters.
It is amazing that you noticed how close these two voices are on THIS particular song. You are the first. You are on to something my friend. Keep digging. There is a deep hidden secret between these two. I bought what very little was left of Fernwood Records about 7 years back, (two boxes full of two track tapes). There is some major controversy sourrounding this old label that was started by my Uncle Slim Wallace and Jack Clement. Actually it was the chicken AND the egg.
That's interesting....could be true. I don't know, though....there were plenty of Elvis copies around in those days. I used to think Ral Donner was actually Elvis. But the record company connection here is hard to ignore. Thanks for the info.
Hey Karl. Here is the controversy, (my theory of course)... I think that these two voices are one and the same, on both songs. I think both versions are Elvis. There, that is it, just my opinion. Is it a provable opinion? Yes! All you have to do is find some forensic voice analysis experts that can be trusted to SHOW and tell the truth. I have done that very thing, I have found them! They workin it. Oh the things we will be able to show that went on in Memphis! Later Mr. Karl!
Scotty was the only person to own any part of Fernwood Records besides Slim Wallace. He was VP for three years and owned 3% of Fernwood. Jack Clement that started Fernwood with my Uncle Slim Wallace was the driving force behind the beginning of Fernwood. He drove the first nail. Rest Cowboy Jack Clement,rest. Very interesting story of how that came about. Later!
Thomas Wayne had a monster hit with TRAGEDY when Elvis was in the army. He's not imitating Elvis. Elvis took Thomas' essence when he did his version of the song.
I think Thomas Wayne died in a car accident. It was hisactual brother, LUTHER PERKINS, guitarist for Johnny Cash, who died in a fire. (no relation to Carl Perkins)
Do you have any newspaper clippings about his death in a fire in 1968. Others have said that he was killed by a hit and run accident. Still others say it was suicide from a head on collision. Hmmmmmmm. Does anyone really know for sure? If anyone has anything in (print only) I would love to see it. Thanks. Slim Wallaces Nephew.
