During the 1960s, a popular TV show, ‘Juke Box Jury,’ let its guests rate newly released songs for their hit potential. John Lennon made an appearance on this program in 1963 alongside Bruce Prochnik and Katie Boyle.
It wasn’t long before his remarks about Elvis Presley stirred some controversy, though. Throughout the episode, Lennon gave a thumbs down to every track played, including the song ‘Devil In Disguise.’
In fact, he commented on the track by saying:
“Well, you know, I used to go mad on Elvis, like all the groups, but not now. I don’t like this. And I hate songs with ‘walk’ and ‘talk’ in it — you know, those lyrics. She walks, she talks. I don’t like that. And I don’t like the double beat: doom-cha doom-cha, that bit. It’s awful. [Pause] Poor ol’ Elvis.”
Referring to his last sentence, Prochnik said:
“Your heart bleeds for him.”
Upon that, the singer explained:
“Well, I’ve got all his early records, and I keep playing them. He mustn’t make another like this. But somebody said today he sounds like Bing Crosby now, and he does. There’ll be people writing in now. I know what they’re saying, [Comically in a low, slow voice] ‘What d’ya mean!?’ I don’t like him anymore.”
Reportedly, feelings became mutual after Lennon met Presley two years after the show. Due to the Beatles frontman’s antiwar statements and criticism of President Lyndon B Johnson during their first meeting at Graceland, the ‘Jailhouse Rock’ singer fell against him.
According to author Chris Hutchins, Elvis Presley even teamed up with FBI Director Edgar Hoover in an attempt to have Lennon and other Beatles members thrown out of the US.
Still, the tension decreased over time, and the two came to an understanding. But their first meeting became their last, as the two never crossed paths again.