Remembering Elvis Presley | 1935-1977

It has now been 43 years since the man known as the 'King of Rock and Roll' passed away--August 16, 1977.

Even so, a recent poll showed that 47% of Americans still consider themselves Elvis Presley fans. Even in the 18-34 age demographic, 43% are Elvis fans. According to the poll, 55% of his fans are Republicans and 46% are Democrats.

On that August day 43 years ago, I was a young boy visiting relatives in Georgia. Elvis did not trend on Twitter that day but it came on the news that he died and there was nothing else on the television. I watched the coverage with great interest.

I'm not sure if I had even heard of Elvis Presley before that day but I remember they were showing scenes from 'Jailhouse Rock' and I thought he was coolest person I had ever seen or heard.

I became a huge Elvis fan that day

Elvis was the first musical interest in my life and my first experience with the death of a celebrity. Elvis was one of the major reasons I became a musician and songwriter.

About a year later my mom gave me a cassette tape by The Beatles and I thought they were amazing. A few years later I discovered Buddy Holly. I had many other favorite bands in my teens and 20s but I always remained a big fan of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and The Beatles.

As I got a little older, I came full-circle and realized that Elvis and Holly were not only the very best in their day but they are still the two best musical artists in history.

Elvis was also underrated as an actor and underrated as a guitarist and pianist. His talent as a guitarist is very clear when you watch the full sit-down and stand-up shows from the '68 Comeback Special.

Elvis Presley began the era of modern music

He combined and took elements from rhythm and blues, gospel, country and western and folk music and created a new genre soon to be dubbed rock 'n' roll. Elvis broke down the racial barriers of the time and introduced the music of talented black musicians to white audiences.

Over the decades, Elvis has made hundreds of thousands of dollars in writer's and publishing royalties for many Black songwriters, artists and their heirs.

In a 1970 interview in Rolling Stone, Little Richard said:

Fans wait in line outside Graceland, Elvis Presley's Memphis home, on Aug. 15, 2017, in Memphis.
Fans from around the world were at Graceland for the 40th anniversary of his death. Presley died Aug. 16, 1977.

In interviews given for the 2000 documentary 'He Touched Me: the Gospel Music of Elvis Presley', Myrna Smith of the Sweet Inspirations spoke about a time when they were scheduled to perform with Elvis at the Astrodome in Houston and Elvis was told to leave the Black girls at home.

Elvis refused to perform unless his girls were allowed to perform with him and he demanded they be given the full star treatment. Myrna said they were driven around the stadium in a convertible by a little blonde.

Myrna Smith also spoke about Elvis' great generosity. If someone needed a surgery, he would pay for it and pray with them. If anyone had an emotional issue he would take the time to talk with them and see how he could help.

In 1958, Elvis was likely the most famous person in the world when he was drafted into the Army in March. He could have easily gotten out of it but he loved his country and was proud to serve.

Elvis was honorably discharged from the Army with the rank of sergeant in March 1960. Elvis also had a great respect and admiration for police officers and he often donated to police associations and departments across the United States.

The Commercial Appeal August 17, 1977.

Toward the end of his life, Elvis still made a lot of incredible recordings such as 'Unchained Melody' which was recorded live on April 24, 1977 and is the opening track to his final studio album 'Moody Blue'. Elvis forever changed music and the world and his influence will be everlasting.

Elvis Presley 42 Years ... Gone too soon

 Elvis Presley & The Events of 1977 By David Troedson
 The Death Of Elvis Presley | August 16, 1977
 A Broken Heart... Hastened Death
 World's At Standstill For Elvis' Fiancee
 Firemen's Call To Graceland Was Anything But Routine
 Elvis Presley's Epitaph & Eternal Flame Memorial
 The Priceless Gift : To Lisa Marie from Daddy
 Elvis (A poem, written August 1997)
 Elvis Presley (1935-1977): Echoes of Love
 Elvis' Last Will And Testament
 Elvis dies and the age of Rock is over
 Australian Press 1977
 Elvis Presley Phenomenon Becomes History : Forest Hill Cemetery on Aug. 18, 1977

 Interview with Vernon Presley
 Elvis returning to Graceland
 Elvis Presley on Holiday in Hawaii : March, 1977
 Elvis Presley Louisville Kentucky : May 21st 1977
 Elvis Presley Macon, GA : June 1, 1977
 Elvis Presley June 25, 1977 : 8.30pm Riverfront Coliseum, Cincinnati, Oh
 Elvis Presley June 26, 1977 : 8.30pm Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, In.

 Elvis Presley on Holiday in Hawaii - March, 1977

 Interview with Joe Esposito
 Friends Remember Elvis Presley
 Friends Remember Elvis Presley - Part 2
 Kathy Westmoreland Remembers (August 16, 1977)

Read more Anniversary Articles;

 Why Elvis?  By Paul Simpson
 Elvis: 42 years on ... and the world turns ... ... By Mark Cunliffe
 Elvis Presley | 30 Years On and Still The King By David Troedson
 A personal Presley pilgrimage By Scott Jenkins

 Elvis Presley Family History : 1669-1935
 Gladys and Vernon Presley - Elvis Presley's Mother and Father
 Jessie D. McDowell (J.D.) Presley - Elvis Presleys Grandfather
 Elvis Presley's Graceland - 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard

 For a more (very) detailed history of Elvis Presley see our pages; starting at Elvis Presley 1935-1953

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