Remember The King With Music
August 16th 2010
- Spotlight by Alan K Stout -
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On August 16th 2010, we should remember all the good things about Elvis. We should be celebrating his amazing musical legacy as well as the happiness that he has brought into all our lives.
Elvis touched the soul of every true fan and 33 years later those feelings still run deep, as demonstrated by the 10,000 fans who struggled last night against the 120F temperatures only because they needed to pay their respects to our great hero.
If Elvis Presley were alive today, he would be 75 years old. And though he would certainly be in his golden years, there is a chance that he still might be giving concerts, and that his golden voice - the best rock music has ever heard - would still be booming through arenas.
On this special day music columnist Alan K. Stout explains why we should all Remember The King. |
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If Elvis Presley were alive today, he would be 75 years old. And though he would certainly be in his golden years, there is a chance that he still might be giving concerts, and that his golden voice - the best rock music has ever heard - would still be booming through arenas. Perhaps he would still even be recording new music, which people like Sinatra did well into their seventies. In fact, Sinatra celebrated his 75th year with a national tour.
It was 33 years ago on August 16 1977, however, that the undisputed King of Rock 'n' Roll left the building at the tender age of 42. And he is, without a doubt, missed just as much today as he was on the hot August afternoon when we first learned of his passing.
A lot of rock-music writers like to use the word "derivative"' when they talk about music. Sometimes they use it as a compliment, sometimes as an insult. All it really means is that an artist has been influenced by another. |
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Everything in pop music - everything - is a Presley derivative.
I've written columns in the past on the anniversary of Elvis' death, where I've shared my thoughts on Presley's importance to the history of rock music and his unparalleled significance in pop culture.
Today, I'm sharing some of those same thoughts once again.
And that's because everything you read about pop music in our paper or magazine is reflective of Presley. The club listings. The concert listings. The album reviews and the interviews with the local bands and the big stars.
It all goes back to Presley.
It all goes back to the poor kid from Mississippi who came out of nowhere and, in 1956, helped kick open the door to a new and exciting sound. It all goes back to the man whose early recordings such as "That's All Right,'' "Mystery Train'' and "Lawdy Miss Clawdy'' remain classics, and whose big '50s hits such as "Heartbreak Hotel,'' "Don't Be Cruel'' and "Jailhouse Rock'' set the table for the musical explosion known as rock 'n' roll.
It all goes back to the guy whose early '60s songs such as "His Latest Flame,'' "Little Sister'' and "Are You Lonesome Tonight'' sound just as great today as they ever did, and the man whose voice was better than it ever was on his later recordings such as "Kentucky Rain'' and "Always On My Mind.''
It all goes back to the man whose remarkable covers of "Bridge Over Troubled Water'' and "You've Lost That Loving Feeling'' seem to surpass the quality of the originals, and the man who, just weeks before his death, was still nailing challenging songs such as "Unchained Melody'' and "My Way'' in concert. |
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Elvis' health, due to his own vices, failed him.
His voice never did.
This week, on the anniversary of his death, remember the good things about Elvis. Forget about the tacky wall murals, lamps and porcelain plates and rumors of "sightings.'' Forget about the unwarranted mockery sometimes aimed at him by people without half his talent or character.
Remember the man who, even after his burst of fame, still referred to people as "ma'am'' and "sir,'' and who even won over an initially hesitant and sceptical Ed Sullivan with his kindness and humility. Remember the man who, at the height of career, went off to Germany to serve his country in the Army. Remember the man who, while there, asked for no special treatment and quickly befriended the men in his unit.
Remember the man who loved to share his wealth - a man who would buy friends and even strangers automobiles, and who, if you admired a piece of jewellery he was wearing, would often take it off and give it to you.
Remember the man who was always quick to give credit to the unheard-of black artists from whom he borrowed much of his early sound. Remember the man who, with his remarkable "'68 Comeback Special,'' actually laid the groundwork for MTV's popular "Unplugged'' series.
If you're out on the town this week, ask your favourite band to play a little Presley. The good ones - the ones that know a little about the linkage of rock 'n' roll - will be happy to. |
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Artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Robert Plant and Billy Joel have all covered Presley's songs. Plant, according to one story, was actually able to meet Elvis and sing a few bars of "Love Me'' with The King.
In 1975, Bruce Springsteen, a star himself at the time, tried to scale the gates of Graceland hoping to meet his idol. KISS, on Aug. 16, 1977 - the day Elvis died - dedicated "Rock and Roll All Nite" to The King. The members of U2, in the rock documentary "Rattle and Hum,'' are shown visiting Presley's grave at Graceland. It is one of the most poignant scenes in the film. And in 1997, on the 20th anniversary of Elvis' death, The Badlees, playing right here in Wilkes-Barre, offered a soulful cover of "Suspicious Minds.''
If you're a fan of rock 'n' roll, take just a minute or two today to show him some of the same respect. Call your favourite radio station and request one of his songs, play one on the jukebox at your favorite hangout or just hum one of his tunes in your head.
Elvis Presley should still be here at age 75.
And though he left us long ago, he is still with us in many ways. He is with us in pop radio, rock concerts and magazines, MTV and VH1 and so many things we encounter in everyday life.
Elvis is with us, now and forever, in music.
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Spotlight by Alan K. Stout & Piers Beagley (images)
EIN Website content © Copyright the Elvis Information Network.
-Copyright EIN August 16th 2010
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For this special day August 16th 2010 EIN presents 30 classic and sought-after Elvis Family photos.
EIN Website content © Copyright the Elvis Information Network.
Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises.
The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club.
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