I happened upon the fact that today is the birthday of Elvis – the King of Rock & Roll.
Sky Arts had his 1968 comeback special, and I have to say, it was pretty cool – he sounds amazing live (on tape). I am not a huge Elvis fan, but its amazing the lasting effect he has had on music, culture & fashion so it was great to get a glimpse of what he was like.
Sky Arts had his 1968 comeback special, and I have to say, it was pretty cool – he sounds amazing live (on tape). I am not a huge Elvis fan, but its amazing the lasting effect he has had on music, culture & fashion so it was great to get a glimpse of what he was like.
The King
10 things I learned about Elvis today
- He was born January 8, 1935. That means he would have been 74 years old today, and he was 33 in his big 1968 Comeback Special.
- Elvis has sold over a billion records – more than any other artist ever
- Elvis died in 1977 at the age of 42. This means he only lived 9 more years after his big comeback special (truly sad)
- Elvis first gained notoriety at the age of 19 (in 1954)
- Elvis served in the army after he became a star as he was drafted in 1958 as a private and served for two years, eventually becoming a Sergeant
- Elvis met & jammed with the Beatles at his house just as his star was beginning to (temporarily) wane in the 60’s as the general music tastes/preference changed from rockabilly to “hippie” and English rock
- Elvis was born as a twin, but his brother was stillborn
- Elvis played concerts at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas (I’ve been to the Astrodome…and I never knew that!)
- The Paul Oakenfold version of “A Little less conversation” came from a never released song that Elvis debuted in the 1968 comeback special
- And finally….Frank Sinatra hated Elvis and according to released FBI files Elvis was considered to be “definite danger to the security of the United States.” Yeah….
Perhaps next year I will make the pilgimage to Graceland for his 75th birthday – anyone want to join?
Long live the King
