Honoring “The King”, Elvis Presley…
It’s hard for new generations to fully understand the pop culture significance of this photo: and hard to imagine that we lost Elvis Presley far too soon….at just 42 years old.
Elvis was a pop culture Icon, and his mesmerizing debut broke whatever the “internet of its day” was!
In fact, his was the arrival of a musical phenomenon that captivated the world in the 50’s – only to be topped a few years later by these guys:
Before the “Fab Four” there was Elvis…who changed the world with his risqué, provocative and very catchy rock and roll songs and silky smooth voice…
Celebrating Elvis On the Anniversary Of His Tragic Death…
Elvis died 44 years ago – at the young age of 42 – on August 16, 1977.
Doctors said he died of a heart attack, likely brought on by his addiction to prescription barbiturates.
He was a legendary Singer, managed by Col. Tom Parker, who took a renegade rock singer and instead of keeping him antically challenged, instead chose to make him a goofy 60’s movie star in a series of increasingly forgettable films:
I grew up in Seattle, and Elvis used the opening of our world’s fair as the background for this movie – check out the trailer:
Yes, he rode the above-ground Monorail that was built to ferry people from downtown to the “Seattle Center”, and made a very mediocre movie about it – but not all of them were bad!
“Viva Las Vegas” was a fun, upbeat film – and he and Ann-Margret certainly had chemistry:
Tom Hanks is currently filming the story of Elvis and his Manager Col. Tom Parker – and its directed by Bay Luhrmann, who made “Moulin Rouge”:
There are many reports that Elvis wanted to star alongside Barbara Streisand in “A Star Is Born”, but the Col. nixed it – Elvis died soon after:
In 1979, horror Director John Carpenter and Kurt Russell made the acclaimed TV movie about the Icon’s life:
And of course, I have posted about some of the King’s unique food choices:
Yes, he loved it and you know what?
I say let’s make one to celebrate him! He was one of many celebrities who played with their food – here are a few more:
Priscilla Presley lived right down the street form us until recently, and I gave you a tour of her house when she put it up for sale – you can see it here:
This 1970 documentary captured his triumphant return to stage in Las Vegas…check out the trailer:
He was the greatest – and his legend will never die…
If you like this story, please feel free to share on social media – and yes, this is my Elvis Christmas ornament!
Categories: 70's Cinema, 70's Music, Art, Books / Media, Classic Rock, Cult Movies, Hollywood, Memoirs, Movies, Music, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
Interesting “stuff” about Elvis. Weirdly, I was never a big fan. When I grew “of age” he was already singing bad songs and gained weight. I felt sorry for Priscilla, but I also feel sorry for Elvis now, in not being able to handle the fame (and not having the right people around him). I didn’t know about the new Tom Hanks movie coming up. Sounds good.
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Elvis and Priscilla Presley were such a gorgeous looking couple. It is such a shame that Elvis died so young and badly. He was so good looking and talented.
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This business sadly allows and even encourage excess – with often fatal results…as I posted, his wife’s house was right down the hill from us
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Yes, you live near a lot of celebrity houses. I remember from your walks around the neighbourhood.
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His story is a testament to why it’s so important to be surrounded by the right type of people. Some enable and hang on to their coattails instead of having the person’s best interests at heart.
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I have worked my entire career in entertainment, and I see the “yes people” who enable the worst behavior – and I have sat in a meeting with a list of surprisingly well known names of people who just wanted to work…tough business!
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inspiring
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What a great post, John. You really captured The King. I was 14 when the Beatles hit the charts, so my teenage years were with them. Still, I loved Elvis. Had I been five years younger, I would have been a swooning teenager over Elvis. His smooth voice and cool moves have never been matched since.
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Thank you for reading Jennie..one thing that movie did was provide a time capsule of the world’s fair…you go to Seattle and aside form The Space Needle, there are several other exhibits created for it that still exist!
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Really? I was at that World’s Fair!
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He changed my generation’s world and these changes are still in force today
. Both he and I were suppose to report to Ft. Riley, Kansas on the same day. He took an extension for business reason, and I took one for agricultural reasons. As a result we did not take our basic together. If we had we probably would have ended up in the same barracks. He was a P and I an O.
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“Bunking With Elvis” – your memoir would have written itself! thanks for sharing that!
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I remember the day so well. I was in a mall shopping and the announcement of his death came over a loud speaker. everyone was in shock.
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He was SO young…thanks for sharing that…
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I thought the Kurt Russell bio film was really good. My favourite Elvis song is still ‘Suspicious Minds’. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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That’s a great great song to be sure Pete…showed that could have transitioned into a timeless singer like Tony Bennett…
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RIP Elvis Presley!! I was one of those little girls in love with him. A sad day when he died. I loved all his movies too.
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He is such an Icon and it was such a senseless loss…the wrong people around him enabled the behavior that killed him.
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