Elvis Presley

[heyalice]

I didn't see a thread for him.
30 years ago today Elvis died. Last night while Larry King was at Graceland there were 50,000 people outside for a candlelight vigil that concludes this morning. Simply astounding.
What is this power he holds over people? And is there anyone else who comes close in terms of fan devotion?

[Deleted]

Someone I work with, who is in his sixties, said that when Elvis came along, he and his friends were totally electrified. Because they were white but with an unusual exposure to black friends (for that time and place), the whole sound was completely new and exciting but not threatening to them. He said the whole thing knocked them off their feet. He said it was beyond "Beatlemania." When they got wind that a new Elvis song was about to be released they would just about line up at the record store a day in advance. I'm kind of wondering if I would or would not like to ever experience that sort of thing...?

[ownlife]

I have yet to visit Graceland but I want to do so before Sillerman glitzes up the place. Viva Las Vegas is my fave Elvis movie, I have to drop everything and watch if it's on. Change of Habit runs a close second.

[margojata]

I don't know, I don't get it. A look at that crowd last night was kind of pitiful - how many men were wearing Elvis black hair and sideburns STILL?

I LOVE early Elvis, 1950's early 60's. And 1968 comeback black leather Elvis was HOT. But after that - I don't get it. The white suit, the hair, the jewelry, the goofy moves, the drugs, the bloat... it's a shame he didn't get a chance to clean himself up and get rid of all that crazy. He was only 42!! Hard to believe, he looked so bloated and middle-aged.

[Sunnyhorse]

The Elvis death commemoration led the news this morning when the radio kicked on, and Mr. Sunnyhorse and I looked at each other all freaked out because we are almost his age when he died. We were, like, 11 in 1977. Where has the time gone?

I always felt bad for Elvis because he died before he could redecorate his house and get rid of the avocado shag carpeting like the rest of ugly-decorating America eventually did.

The journalism school I attended requires students to do practicums at a daily newspaper published by the university, and my managing editor there (the professor I will love forever because he told me that I should consider a career in copyediting) lived next door to Elvis in Tupelo -- he was six years younger but remembers playing in the yard with Elvis when he was a boy.

What are your favorite Elvis songs? I like "Jailhouse Rock," "Hound Dog," and "Return to Sender."

[margojata]

And don't forget the gold refrigerator and paneling in the kitchen (shudder).

My sister went to college with a girl whose father was the coroner who performed Elvis' autopsy. She always laughed at the Elvis is still alive rumors because she saw his liver in a jar (another shudder).

I want you, I need you, I love you - great song.

[aims]

sunnyhorse said:

What are your favorite Elvis songs? I like "Jailhouse Rock," "Hound Dog," and "Return to Sender."

Suspicious Minds! I used to play that one over and over on my parents record player. Yup they have Elvis' Greatest hits on a record. But there are so many good ones.

*sigh* Young Elvis was so dreamy!

[twitches]

I do think he had the most beautiful voice. Maybe it was shot by the end, but those early ballads are divine and some of his gospel stuff is just lovely.

[ownlife]

I always felt bad for Elvis because he died before he could redecorate his house and get rid of the avocado shag carpeting like the rest of ugly-decorating America eventually did.

Lol. But this is why I want to go to Graceland. I love late 60s/early 70s decor - shag carpeting, wood paneling, avocado/gold/burnt orange fixtures. We had a burnt orange range in the 70s, good times.

My favorite Elvis songs are That's Alright and the crawfish song from King Creole. I also like In the Ghetto and Burning Love but his 50s songs were the best.

[Deleted]

"A Little Less Conversation".

I have been to Memphis many times, but strangely, have yet to visit Graceland.