--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've seen many great performers on stage…" description: "\"I've seen many great performers on stage, from Dean Martin to Celine Dion, but nothing beats the first time I saw Elvis. There was no pomp, no pyrotech..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a8/engelbert-humperdinck-5350_dean-martin_i-ve-seen-many-great-performers-on-stage_2146900.jpg" --- # I've seen many great performers on stage, from Dean Martin… ![“I've seen many great performers on stage, from Dean Martin to Celine Dion, but nothing beats the first time I saw Elvis. There was no pomp, no pyrotechnics, nothing to distract you from the raw talent of the man in the white jumpsuit.” quote by Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a8/engelbert-humperdinck-5350_dean-martin_i-ve-seen-many-great-performers-on-stage_2146900.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a8/engelbert-humperdinck-5350_dean-martin_i-ve-seen-many-great-performers-on-stage_2146900.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a8/engelbert-humperdinck-5350_dean-martin_i-ve-seen-many-great-performers-on-stage_2146900.jpg) > “I've seen many great performers on stage, from Dean Martin to Celine Dion, but nothing beats the first time I saw Elvis. There was no pomp, no pyrotechnics, nothing to distract you from the raw talent of the man in the white jumpsuit.” [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. First encounters with iconic performers can eclipse later experiences, highlighting raw authenticity over spectacle. **In simple terms:** Seeing Elvis left a lasting, unmatched impression. Key Takeaway Value authentic talent over flashy presentation. Themes music performance authenticity nostalgia celebrity Mood reflective nostalgic Type observational cultural When to use this quote - concert attendance - music education - cultural criticism - personal reflection Key Concepts cultural impact performance art personal memory Questions to Reflect On - What makes a performance feel timeless? - How does authenticity influence your appreciation? A Different Perspective Nostalgia can idealize past experiences, overlooking flaws. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Performers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performers/) [Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/talent/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [We have not seen great things done in our time except by those who have been considered mean; the rest have failed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/we-have-not-seen-great-things-done-in-our-time-except-by-those-who/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [The man who became a big influence in my life was Dean Martin. He started my career in Las Vegas. When I came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/the-man-who-became-a-big-influence-in-my-life-was-dean-martin-he/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [I've seen some great write ups and I emailed her the other night because I saw her on an awards show recently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-ve-seen-some-great-write-ups-and-i-emailed-her-the-other-night/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [“I myself, to be sure - I have as yet seen no great man. That which is great, the acutest eye is at present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/i-myself-to-be-sure-i-have-as-yet-seen-no-great-man-that-which-is/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [I had seen the great, but I had not seen the small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vittorio-alfieri/i-had-seen-the-great-but-i-had-not-seen-the-small/) [Vittorio Alfieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vittorio-alfieri/) > [The nearest I have ever seen to the great Willie Pep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelo-dundee/the-nearest-i-have-ever-seen-to-the-great-willie-pep/) [Angelo Dundee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelo-dundee/) > [I've seen a great deal of hardship in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luka-modric/i-ve-seen-a-great-deal-of-hardship-in-my-life/) [Luka Modric](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luka-modric/) > [First time I saw Elvis was at the Lubbock County fairgrounds in Lubbock, Texas. He was on the back end of a truck. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mac-davis/first-time-i-saw-elvis-was-at-the-lubbock-county-fairgrounds-in/) [Mac Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mac-davis/) > [ When I was 13, I saw him \[Elvis\] perform live and I suddenly understood what sex is all about. I was screaming at the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-welch/when-i-was-13-i-saw-him-elvis-perform-live-and-i-suddenly-understood/) [Raquel Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-welch/) > [The last time I saw Elvis was when I played my second New Years Eve show for him in 1970.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-milsap/the-last-time-i-saw-elvis-was-when-i-played-my-second-new-years-eve/) [Ronnie Milsap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-milsap/) > [The last time I saw Elvis was when I played my second New Year's Eve show for him in 1970.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-milsap/the-last-time-i-saw-elvis-was-when-i-played-my-second-new-year-s-eve/) [Ronnie Milsap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-milsap/) > [I saw Elvis live in '54. It was at the Big D Jamboree in Dallas and the first thing, he came out and spit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-orbison/i-saw-elvis-live-in-54-it-was-at-the-big-d-jamboree-in-dallas-and-the/) [Roy Orbison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-orbison/) > [I didn't have any inhibitions. I saw Elvis and Gene Vincent, and I thought, "Well, I can do this." And I liked doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-jagger/i-didn-t-have-any-inhibitions-i-saw-elvis-and-gene-vincent-and-i/) [Mick Jagger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mick-jagger/) > [When I saw Elvis on television, I just fell in love with him completely. As a singer, I want to be able to relate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faith-hill/when-i-saw-elvis-on-television-i-just-fell-in-love-with-him/) [Faith Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faith-hill/) > [See, I was nine years old when I saw Elvis on 'Ed Sullivan', and I had to get a guitar the next day. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/see-i-was-nine-years-old-when-i-saw-elvis-on-ed-sullivan-and-i-had-to/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) ## More by Engelbert Humperdinck > [Naughtiness is a part of growing up. It starts when you're a toddler and never ends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/naughtiness-is-a-part-of-growing-up-it-starts-when-you-re-a-toddler/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [When I walk on stage, it's a release valve for me. Life is stressful anyway, so therefore, when I walk on stage, it releases…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/when-i-walk-on-stage-it-s-a-release-valve-for-me-life-is-stressful/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [I think it's important to have a sense of humor. You have to be able to laugh at yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/i-think-it-s-important-to-have-a-sense-of-humor-you-have-to-be-able/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [I've always believed applause is food for an artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/i-ve-always-believed-applause-is-food-for-an-artist/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [I recorded songs with a great deal of meaning, songs of lasting material. That's the legacy I want to leave behind - a legacy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/i-recorded-songs-with-a-great-deal-of-meaning-songs-of-lasting/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [At first I thought I should be a second Beethoven; presently I found that to be another Schubert would be good; then gradually, satisfied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/at-first-i-thought-i-should-be-a-second-beethoven-presently-i-found/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [The job of an artist is to entertain and not get involved with politics. We give the people in the countries we are visiting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/the-job-of-an-artist-is-to-entertain-and-not-get-involved-with/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [The Walker Brothers, they were a talented pair of people. I thought that Scott had a very fine voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/the-walker-brothers-they-were-a-talented-pair-of-people-i-thought/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [I'm a very good husband. And a very good father.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/i-m-a-very-good-husband-and-a-very-good-father/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [I try to keep myself young as possible. I vow to never let my hair go grey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/i-try-to-keep-myself-young-as-possible-i-vow-to-never-let-my-hair-go/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [I like Bruno Mars a lot. I think he's great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/i-like-bruno-mars-a-lot-i-think-he-s-great/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [I'm in a class by myself, along with people like Rod Stewart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/i-m-in-a-class-by-myself-along-with-people-like-rod-stewart/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [I am not a circus performer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/i-am-not-a-circus-performer/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [I had a home in Las Vegas for about eight years, starting in 1978.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/i-had-a-home-in-las-vegas-for-about-eight-years-starting-in-1978/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) > [There are times when adverse publicity has hit my life, but these things are the growing pains of showbiz marriage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/engelbert-humperdinck/there-are-times-when-adverse-publicity-has-hit-my-life-but-these/) [Engelbert Humperdinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) [Explore all 100 Engelbert Humperdinck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/engelbert-humperdinck/) ## More Dean martin quotes > [“You know when I said I didn't need you?" I asked. He lifted one brow. "I was so wrong.I can't find words to express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-jensen/you-know-when-i-said-i-didn-t-need-you-i-asked-he-lifted-one-brow-i/) [Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/) > [My dad used to put me in front of the TV screen and made me watch old Jimmy Durante and Dean Martin movies. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-wolk/my-dad-used-to-put-me-in-front-of-the-tv-screen-and-made-me-watch-old/) [James Wolk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-wolk/) > [Around 5th and 6th grade I thought Dean Martin was the coolest guy in the world; he was a great singer, had his own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-gallagher/around-5th-and-6th-grade-i-thought-dean-martin-was-the-coolest-guy-in/) [Peter Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-gallagher/) > [I always watch Dean Martin's show... just to see if he falls down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-stewart/i-always-watch-dean-martin-s-show-just-to-see-if-he-falls-down/) [James Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-stewart/) > [“His plaque reads, DEAN MARTIN, JUNE 7, 1917-DECEMBER 25, 1995, EVERYBODY LOVES SOMEBODY SOMETIME.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deana-martin/his-plaque-reads-dean-martin-june-7-1917-december-25-1995-everybody/) [Deana Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deana-martin/) > [Frankie Randall is a consummate performer. He is an exquisite jazz pianist and wonderful singer. I had the great pleasure to work with him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lainie-kazan/frankie-randall-is-a-consummate-performer-he-is-an-exquisite-jazz/) [Lainie Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lainie-kazan/) > [I don't really write with living actors in mind. I guess I write for dead actors. I'll think of like, you know, Burt Lancaster…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-helgeland/i-don-t-really-write-with-living-actors-in-mind-i-guess-i-write-for/) [Brian Helgeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-helgeland/) > [When we first went to L.A., Howard Koch, who was the head of Paramount Pictures and later President of the Oscars, threw a welcome…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-clark/when-we-first-went-to-l-a-howard-koch-who-was-the-head-of-paramount/) [Dave Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-clark/) > [I was a sober as the next guy. The only problem is the next guy was Dean Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-skelton/i-was-a-sober-as-the-next-guy-the-only-problem-is-the-next-guy-was/) [Red Skelton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-skelton/) > [“I liked old time music but what i meant by that was the period from the 1930s through the 60s, nothing before and little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffery-deaver/i-liked-old-time-music-but-what-i-meant-by-that-was-the-period-from/) [Jeffery Deaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffery-deaver/) > [Not that I'm some rocker, but what I do in a show is probably far more aggressive than what Dean Martin or Bobby Darin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-buble/not-that-i-m-some-rocker-but-what-i-do-in-a-show-is-probably-far-more/) [Michael Buble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-buble/) > [In the mid-'60s, AM radio, pop radio, was just this incredible thing that played all kinds of music... You could hear Frank Sinatra right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-petty/in-the-mid-60s-am-radio-pop-radio-was-just-this-incredible-thing-that/) [Tom Petty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-petty/) > [“The point is, Dean was not and is not nor will he ever be the ideal husband... he gives the minimum amount.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deana-martin/the-point-is-dean-was-not-and-is-not-nor-will-he-ever-be-the-ideal/) [Deana Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deana-martin/) > [I always been writing songs since I was, like, six. I was listening to Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Frankie Laine and people like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle/i-always-been-writing-songs-since-i-was-like-six-i-was-listening-to/) [Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle/) > [“Dad's final will was written and signed eleven days before he died. The original will it replaced disappeared and has never been found…I can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deana-martin/dad-s-final-will-was-written-and-signed-eleven-days-before-he-died/) [Deana Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deana-martin/) Browse all 69 Dean martin quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've seen many great performers on stage, from Dean Martin to Celine Dion, but nothing beats the first time I saw Elvis. 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