FEATURE:
The King at Eighty-Five
The Ultimate Elvis Presley Playlist
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IT is a little unusual…
IN THIS PHOTO: Elvis Presley at the Ellis Auditorium in Memphis in May 1956/PHOTO CREDIT: MPTV
celebrating the birthday of musicians who have departed. I think it is important we keep these artists alive and, when it comes to big birthdays, one cannot help but salute the greats who have left us. Even though The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, died in 1977, he is one of the most influential artists ever and someone that will always be popular. In honour of The King’s eighty-fifth birthday today, I have compiled a career-spanning playlist that shows The King in all his glory. As we are in a new decade, one would feel the interest and fascination with Presley would have died down a bit. On the contrary, there is a biopic coming next year, and Presley’s eighty-fifth birthday will receive a lot of celebration and attention. Although his later life was dogged by ill health, Presley is the most successful solo recording artist ever and his name and voice are recognised around the world. Before I get to a playlist, I want to source from Biography, as they provide information about The King:
“Elvis Aron Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. (He later changed the spelling of his middle name to the biblical form of Aaron.) Presley was supposed to be a twin, but his brother, Jesse Garon (sometimes spelled Jessie) was stillborn. From very humble beginnings, Presley grew up to become one of the biggest names in rock 'n' roll.
Raised by loving, working-class parents, Presley's family had little money, and they moved from place to place frequently. He was deeply devoted to his parents, especially his mother, Gladys, and was raised to have a strong faith in God. Presley attended the Assembly of God Church with his parents, where gospel music became an important influence for him.
In 1955, Presley began to develop a following with fans being drawn to his unusual musical style, provocative gyrating hips and good looks. That same year, he signed with RCA Records, a deal worked out by his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Presley was on a roll, scoring his first No. 1 single with "Heartbreak Hotel," as well as his first No. 1 album, Elvis Presley, and signing a movie contract with Paramount Pictures — all in 1956. Despite the uproar that his sexy dance moves caused, he also became a popular guest on a number of television variety shows.
After leaving the Army in 1960, Presley resumed his career and was soon back at the top of the charts with the soundtrack for his film GI Blues. He continued recording music and acting in such films as Blue Hawaii (1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962) and Viva Las Vegas (1964). Though his films were often hit or miss with both critics and audiences, they brought in a profit and the soundtracks usually sold well. By the late 1960s, however, the enigmatic performer appeared to be losing his box office appeal. Proving he was still the "King of Rock 'n' Roll," he recorded his first TV special in 1968, often referred to as the "'68 Comeback." He wowed audiences with his performance, which showcased his talents as a singer and a guitarist.
Around this time, Presley's personal life also seemed to be on an upswing. He and Priscilla wed in 1967 and had a daughter, Lisa Marie, the following year. Unfortunately, this joyous time would not last. By the early 1970s, Presley's marriage was falling apart. The couple divorced in 1973, and Priscilla received custody of Lisa Marie. Presley was also wrestling with other personal problems, including a growing addiction to prescription drugs; the once-thin rock star was battling a weight problem, and his destructive lifestyle caught up with him that fall when he was hospitalized for drug-related health problems. Despite his personal obstacles, Presley remained a popular draw in Las Vegas and on tour. He performed at his last concert in June 1977, in Indianapolis, Indiana. After the concert, he returned home to his Memphimansion, Graceland, to prepare for another tour.
Since his death, Presley has remained one of the world's most popular music icons. Over the years, several documentaries and films have explored the enigmatic performer, including a 2005 television miniseries starring Jonathan Rhys-Meyers as Elvis. In 2018, a two-part documentary, Elvis Presley: The Searcher, was released and explores his early life, rise to fame and his myriad musical influences”.
It is impossible to distill the brilliance and importance of Elvis Presley into a feature so, rather than try, I have compiled a playlist featuring some of his greatest performances and most iconic tracks. Although you always hear reports people have ‘seen’ Presley about, it is nonsense. Rather than spin conspiracies, we need to appreciate a man who, in his forty-two years of live, provided millions of people with joy. Although The King is no longer with us, his spirit and influence…
IN THIS PHOTO: Presley performing during his ‘68 Comeback Special on NBC/PHOTO CREDIT: Gary Null/NBC
LIVES through the music.