A rumour had been circulating within the black community that Elvis had previously stated that "The only thing negroes can do is buy my records and shine my shoes". After determining that tracing the rumoured racial slur would be like running a gopher to earth, Jet Magazine, a leading African-American periodical, sent reporter Louie Robinson to the set of "Jailhouse Rock" to confront the singer himself.

Elvis protested in a rare on-set interview, normally assigned to one of the Colonel's chosen columnists.

"I Never said anything like that, people who know me, know I wouldn't have said that".

The reporter interviewed many members of the black community that knew Elvis, from Dr. W.A. Zuber, a physician in Tupelo, to R&B singer, Ivory Joe Hunter.

The reporter also pointed out that Elvis never appeared in any of the places where he was supposed to have made the remark. Robinson concluded that Elvis' belief was "People are people, regardless of race, colour or creed".

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The Colonel turned down the opportunity for Elvis to make an appearance in Great Britain.