Elvis Presley Performs "Jailhouse Rock" on American Idol

It was Elvis night on American Idol so of course the genre fell right in line with Idol contestant Elvis Presley. Elvis Presley picked "Jailhouse Rock" for his performance.

The big question was whether or not Elvis would perform with his guitar. He left it behind last week and his performance just lacked something. American Idol fans were not disappointed when he walked onto the stage with his guitar.

Elvis' performance was energetic and he used the entire stage. The only downside was that he pushed his guitar aside at one point. I think it was because his leg movements were getting in the way of his chords.

Normally Elvis sings with a soul twist but tonight "Jailhouse Rock" was sung with a more rock tone. It was a good change from the slower ballads he's performed in the past.

What the Judges said about Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock" Performance

Randy Jackson: That was dope, dog! I mean with the shaking and the legs and the twisting. The girls seem to love that.

Ellen DeGeneres: Wow! Wow! That's all I can say, just wow.

Kara DioGuardi: Kara couldn't stop fanning herself. I think at one point she was ready to pass out. I'm glad she didn't ask Elvis to remove his shirt. That would have just been embarrassing.

Simon Cowell: Well, I have to disagree with the other three. That performance was way too theatrical. I mean, what's with the shaking leg. You look like you're a dog being scratched behind the ear.

Kara DioGuardi: Smacks Simon on the arm. C'mon that was great. He's a true performer. I really FELT the song. You made it current and it's something I could hear on the radio. You have found yourself as an artist.

Will Elvis be in the Bottom Three?

The short answer is no. I think his performance was upbeat and good enough to get him the votes he needs to stay another week on American Idol.

In the infamous words of Tommy Lee Jones (Men in Black) "Elvis isn't dead, he just went home."

In 1954 Elvis performed at the Overton Park Shell. He opened for country/western singer Slim Whitman.
The story goes: Elvis was very nervous that night. He most likely sang his just released single That's Alright Mama backed by Blue Moon of Kentucky. His nervousness caused him to move constantly throughout the first show. And all the while, the girls screamed through the songs.
After the show, Elvis asked Scotty Moore what had the girls so excited.
Moore replied, "It was your leg man. It was the way you were shakin' your left leg."