I missed the 38th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death. The “King of Rock and Roll’s” died on August 16, 1977 at the age of 42. Since he was my mother's favorite singer, I thought it was worthwhile to post about him today.
Elvis’ first RCA single, “Heartbreak Hotel”, was released in
January 1956 and was a number one hit. He soon became the face of rock and
roll, appearing in a series of network television appearances and more
chart-topping records. He made his first movie, “Love Me Tender” was released
in November 1956.
In 1958, Elvis was inducted into the U.S. Army at Fort
Chaffee in Arkansas. The Army was not prepared for the onslaught of people
descending upon Elvis as he stepped off the bus at the Army base. He was soon
sent to Fort Hood, Texas to begin his basic training. In August, Elvis received
word his mother had been diagnosed with hepatitis, and he was granted an
emergency leave to visit her. She died on August 14 from heart failure – she
was only 46 years old. Elvis took her passing very hard because he had always
been close to his mother.
In October 1958, Elvis joined the 3rd Armored Division in
Friedberg, Germany. It was here that he first met 14-year old Priscilla
Beaulieu. After a seven and a half year romance, they finally married.
Elvis returned to the United States in March, 1960, and was
honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant. Once back in Memphis, Elvis
jumped right into the recording studio. Sessions in March and April produced
two of his best-selling singles, the ballads “It’s Now or Never” and “Are You
Lonesome Tonight?”
From 1960 to 1967, Colonel Parker pushed Elvis more in the
direction of movie making than producing albums. “G.I. Blues” was the first
movie Elvis made after leaving the Army and the soundtrack album went to number
one. Of Elvis’ movies in the 1960s, 15 were accompanied by bestselling
soundtrack albums.
Elvis’ only child, Lisa Marie, was born in February, 1968.
This was during a period of his life when he was very depressed and unhappy
with his career. Singles released between January 1967 and May 1968 never made
it past 40 on the top chart lists and his album “Speedway” never made it past
number 82.
Elvis and his young wife were having increasing martial
problems and eventually separated in February, 1972. In January 1973, Elvis
performed the groundbreaking TV special, Aloha From Hawaii. This special was the first global concert satellite broadcast, reaching
approximately 1.5 billion viewers live and on tape delay. His elaborate concert
costumers were so elaborate, that Kentucky author Bobbie Ann Mason is quoted as
saying, “At the end of the show, when he spreads out his American Eagle cape,
with the full stretched wings of the eagle studded on the back, he becomes a
god figure.” The accompanying double album was released the next month and went
straight to number one, eventually selling over 5 million copies in the United
States.
After his divorce, Elvis became heavily dependent on
barbiturates, resulting in several hospital admissions. He began missing
concerts and many times when he did appear on stage, he was incoherent and kept
his performances short.
Elvis was scheduled to fly out of Memphis on the evening of
August 16, 1977, to start another tour, but that afternoon he was discovered
unresponsive on his bathroom floor. All attempts to revive him failed, and he
was officially pronounced dead at 3:30 pm at Baptist Memorial Hospital.
President Jimmy Carter issued a statement that credited Presley with having
"permanently changed the face of American popular culture".
During his recording career, Elvis made a total of 20 number
one albums and 37 number one singles. As my Momma’s favorite singer, she loved collecting anything that had to do with Elvis, from dolls to figurines to plates.
This Super 70s is dedicated to you, Momma.
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