I thought about all the news covered the last few weeks, Michael Jackson, Walter Cronkite, Karl Malden, news from India, Germany, Mercedes, and ridiculous stories like the one about Erin Andrews. But lets face it, one of the truly great things about having a voice is to be able to say what you want, at least in the digital age. What I want to talk about in this article is the unequivocal king of celebrity, Elvis Presley – the king of Rock and Roll.
Okay, you detractors out there, the Michael Jackson fans, the Rappers and U2 fans, just let me take you back to a place where someone extraordinary even among celebrities and heroes did the very best PR job anyone ever will. How is that you say? Well, Elvis Presley pretty much made celebrity what it is today. Was it just raw talent that did it? Decidedly not. Was it that talent and charisma interjected at the right time and place? Possibly. I think it was all these things and something a little more special than the “luck” these things imply. I urge you to just scan Elvis’ Wikipedia biography if you have any doubts after reading this.
Siting here wondering how to craft such a deep and impactful story in itself is staggering. I had trouble trying to put together the right words to express Michael Jackson at his unfortunate death, just how do you paint a picture in words of someone even more impressive and legendary (sorry if this diminished Michael or anyone else)? Perhaps the best way is to express the feelings of untold generations, and then to show some images and video. This will not do it I know, but unless the reader has a mind to do time travel, it may be the only way.
So, for the 50′s, 60′s, and 70′s no one person could ever hope to be as noteworthy as Elvis was. No way. He was the personification of cool, and is still an idol over half a Century since he set foot on the entertainment scene.
The fans called so loudly Elvis was drawn into films, perhaps the most notable of which, Viva Las Vegas, he co-starred with bombshell and love interest Ann Margaret in. I think my friends and I saw this 3 times in one day (but wait, it only cost a quarter back then).
But, the film which showcased perhaps Elvis’ most loved song was Love Me Tender, from 1956 – his debut as an actor.
In this next song Elvis asks for a big hunka love, and audiences and fans always did. No performer enthralled or endeared their audiences as he did. To date, Elvis is the most successful solo artist of all time, with the number of his tunes sold approaching one billion.
Heart throb, or All American Boy, Elvis was so many things to so many people. Many people remember Blue Hawaii as their favorite of his films, and of course another of his swooning love songs that ladies everywhere (still to this day) get starry eyed over. The reader can capture a little of the innocence of that time in this next clip. Cheesy, and I know, corny. Still, people young or old believed in that delicate fantasy we all lived in before Vietnam.
Perhaps no higher honor can be paid a person than to have their country’s leader speak solemn and true words over them. President Jimmy Carter was in office when Elvis passed away in 1977. He had this to say about “The King”, maybe the best legacy anyone could offer.
“Elvis Presley’s death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique and irreplaceable. More than 20 years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense, and he was a symbol to people the world over of the vitality, rebelliousness, and good humor of his country.” – President Jimmy Carter
In 1968 Elvis did the famous “Comeback” sets, which led to the Las Vegas shows and specials everyone because so familiar with. The video below is not one of Elvis’ best vocals, but he is in his prime. Another point to make here is the fanatacism with which female fans love Elvis. Aside that, watch Elvis literally stops the show to autograph a lady’s drawings of him. Just who the hell does something like that these days? Elvis always did.
I remember back then, everyone was glad Elvis was back, singing, joking, part of the popular culture. From 1968 to 1972 The King was at the top of his game. Then in 1972 something happened that seemed to change Elvis, though we could not readily see it back then. Now I believe it was his separation and later divorce from his wife of 17 years, Priscilla. In these next videos, starting in 1972, it is easy to see (and hear in some songs) that the man is not happy or well.
Even in Aloha From Hawaii, which everyone thought was superb, looking at these videos it is easy to see Elvis is tired, maybe stoned, and has little of the exuberance of past performances.
I don’t intend to end this abbreviated story of one of the greatest performers who ever lived, maybe THE greatest on a sad note. But, for fans out there who saw Elvis at his best, seeing him performing at his last concert? Well, any Elvis fan who does not shed a tear at watching greatness reaching back to lost love and times, is no fan at all.
By anyone’s account Elvis Aaron Presley cared. Beyond charisma, talent, fortune and a deep spirituality, Elvis cared about people. The video below is of him in the early 70′s singing about the dreadful poverty and hopelessness part of America was experiencing (is experiencing even now) back then.
People now can only have an inkling of understanding about Elvis and the time he came from. Artists today actually bask in the light of successes an industry he helped create shines on them. Everyone from the Beatles, to the “King Pop” Michael Jackson, revered Elvis. There is no comparing these artists really. But if we have to measure them, if there has to be one king, then Elvis Presley was and is it. No other figure in entertainment really comes close. Elvis has been inducted into 4 different music genre Halls of Fame. No other artist ever, crossed not only artistic genres, but socio-economic, International, age, gender, or a multitude of others. It was sad to lose this wonderful spirit at the age of only 42, imagine it.
In 2002, the 25th anniversary of Elvis’ passing was solemnly visited by many fans. A statement from The New York Times on that occasion sums up what I have tried to show here, probably better than I have. I will end with “All I can tell you is that I am really sorry you missed him, ” if you are too young to remember, and leave you with:
“For those too young to have experienced Elvis Presley in his prime, today’s celebration of the 25th anniversary of his death must seem peculiar. All the talentless impersonators and appalling black velvet paintings on display can make him seem little more than a perverse and distant memory. But before Elvis was camp, he was its opposite: a genuine cultural force… Elvis’s breakthroughs are under appreciated because in this rock-and-roll age, his hard-rocking music and sultry style have triumphed so completely.” – The New York Times
About Phil Butler
Oh Pape, you just won`t see it will you, you are well and truly brain blocked. Have you read all the above? lol.
Phil please don’t say that now “Album sales are like walmart” common, please please. Friend got you on this one. MJ is ahead of every single category, album sale, best video, best dance, best movie, most popular. Christine please don’t waste your time doing research all the facts are there.
“THIS IS IT” number one in the world.
ooops . forgot to say.. It was 81 albums, 53 singles, 16 Extended play and 6 dvd`s. Elvis was performing from 1956 to 1977 = 21 years.
Not a bad lot of achievements is it? I just have to add that you have to take into account when Elvis first started out there was not all the technology there is today and not everyone had music players. IF i MADE ANY SPELLING ERRORS DO FORGIVE ME, IT WAS TIRING TYPING OUT THAT BIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGGGG LONNNNNNGG LISSSST
ok friend you asked for a list of achievements. here goes.;
Set records for concert attendance , television ratings and record sales.
2. Sales of between 600 million and a billion worldwide.
3. 3 grammies for his gospel albums
4. One of the top ten outstanding young men for 1970voted by the United states jaycees.
1.5 billion viewers worldwide for the aloha from hawaii concert which remains the most watched broadcast by an individual entertainer in t.v. history.
You can verify all the above on wikipedia.
81 albums
elvis presley gold
Elvis gold
Loving you gold
Elvis christmas album 1957 package 3x platinum
King creole gold
Elvis` golden records vol 1 6 x platinum
500.000.000 Elvis fans can`t be wrong(Elvis gold records volume 2) platinum
Elvis is back gold
G I Blues Platinum
His Hand in mine platinum
Something for everybody gold
Blue hawaii 3x platinum
Girls girls girls gold
Elvis golden records vol 3 platinum
Roustabout gold
Girl happy gold
How great though art 2 x platinum
Elvis NBC tv special platinum
Elvis gold records vol 4 gold
Elvis sings flamin star Platinum
from Elvis in Memphis gold
Elvis from memphis to vegas from vegas to memphis gold
On Stage February 1970 platinum
Worldwide 50 gold award hits 2x platinum
Elvis christmas album 1970 package 9 x platinum (YES 9)
Elvis thats the way it is gold
Elvis in person at the international hotel gold
Elvis country gold
Elvis the other sides 50 gold award hits vol 2 gold
You`ll never walk alone 3 x platinum
Elvis sings the wonderful world of Christmas 3 x platinum
Elvis now gold
He touched me platinum
Elvis as recorded at Madison Square Garden 3 x platinum
Elvis sings Burning love and hits from his movies vol 2 2 x platinum
Separate ways platinum
Aloha from hawaii 5 x platinum (YES 5)
Elvis a legendary performer vol 1 2x platinum
Elvis recorded live on stage in memphis Gold
Pure gold 2 x platinum
Elvis a legendary performer vol 2 2 x platinum
From Elvis Presley Boulevard Memphis Tennessee Gold
Welcome to my world platinum
Moody blue 2 x platinum
Elvis in concert 3 x platinum
He walks beside me gold
Elvis a legendary performer vol 3 gold
Our memories of Elvis Gold
This is Elvis gold
Elvis Aaron Presley Platinum
Memories of Christmas Gold
The number one hits 3 x platinum
The top ten hits 4 x platinum
Elvis the king of rock n roll the complete 50`s masters 2 x platinum
Elvis from Nashville to Memphis the essential 60s masters platinum
Elvis his greatest hits(readers digest compilation ) Platinum
Blue Christmas Gold
Elvis golden records vol 5 gold
Amazing Grace 2 x platinum
If everyday was like Christmas Platinum
Walk a mile in my shoes the essential 70s masters Gold
50 years-50 hits 2 x platinum
Lets be friends Platinum
Elvis Gospel treasury Gold
The complete sun sessions Gold
Heart and Soul Gold
Its Christmas time 2 x platinum
The rock n roll era Gold
The Legend Lives On Gold
Platinum-A life in Music Gold
Elvis 30#1 hits 5 x platinum (YES 5)
Elvis 2nd to none Platinum
Elvis sings hits from his movies vol 1 Platinum
Almost in Love Platinum
Double dynamite Platinum
Love me tender(1987 compilation) Gold
I got Lucky Gold
C`mon Everybody Gold
Frankie and Johnny Platinum
Now the singles!!!!
Heartbreak hotel was the one 2 x platinum
Blue suade shoes/tutti frutti gold
I want you I need you I lve you/my baby left me Platinum
Hound dog/don`t be cruel 4 x platinum
Love me tender/anyway you want me 3 x platinum
too much/playing for keeps platinum
All shook up/thats when your heartaches begin 2 x platinum
teddy Bear/loving you 2 x platinum
jailhouse rock/treat me nice 2 x platinum
Don`t/I beg of you platinum
Wear my ring around your neck/doncha think its time platinum
Hard headed women/don`t ask me why platinum
I got stung/one night platinum
a fool such as I/I need your love tonight Platinum
a big hunk of love /my wish came true Gold
Stuck on you/Fame and Fortune Platinum
Its Now or never/A mess of blues platinum
Are you lonesome tonight/I Gotta know 2 x platinum
Surrender/Lonely man platinum
I feel so bad/wild in the country gold
Cant help falling in love/Rock a hula baby Platinum
Good luck charm/anything thats part of you platinum
She`s not you/ just tell her jim said hello Gold
Return to sender/where do you come from platinum
One broken heart for sale/they remind me too much of you gold
devil in disguise/please dont drag that string around gold
Bossa Nova Baby/witchcraft gold
kissing cousins/it hurts me gold
Viva las vegas/what`d I say gold
Aint that loving you baby/ask me Gold
crying in the chapel/I believe in the man in the sky Platinum
I`m yours/long lonely highway gold
Puppet on a string/wooden heart gold
Blue Christmas/Santa claus is back in town Platinum
Tell me why/Blue river gold
Frankie and Johnnny/please don`t stop loving me gold
If I can dream/edge of reality gold
In the ghetto/any day now platinum
clean up your own back yard/the fair is moving on gold
suspicious minds/you`ll think of me platinum
Don`t cry daddy/rubberneckin platinum
Kentucky rain/my little friend gold
The wonder of you/mama liked the roses gold
Iv`e lost you/the next step is love gold
You don`t have to say you love me/patch it up gold
I really don`t want to know/There goes my everything gold
Burning love/it`s a matter of time platinum
Separate ways/Always on my mind gold
Way down/Pledging my love platinum
My way/America gold
That`s all right Gold
Good rockin tonight gold
Now the extended play(incase you don`t know more than 2 songs but less than an album)
Elvis presley(including blie suade shoes) Gold
heartbreak Hotel gold
Elvis Presley(Including Shake rattle and roll) Gold
The Real Elvis Platinum
Elvis vol 1 2 x platinum
Love me tender platinum
Elvis vol 2 Gold
Peace in the valley platinum
Loving you vol 1 gold
Loving you vol. 2 platinum
Jailhouse rock 2 x platinum
Elvis sings Christmas songs platinum
King creole vol. 1 platinum
King creole vol. 2 platinum
Follow that dream platinum
Kid Gallahad Gold
Last but not least the DVD`s
Elvis `68 special Deluxe edition 4 x platinum
Elvis `68 special edition platinum
aloha from hawaii deluxe edition 3 x MULTI PLATINUM
#1 Hit performances GOLD AND PLATINUM
Elvis by the Presleys dvd DOUBLE PLATINUM
Well, there you go, you asked for proof and you got it, you can check all this out for yourself on the net. These are for sales not counting all the awards he had for charities he gave to. WHAT MORE PROOF SO YOU NEED……… CHECK THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And then we come to his movies! Oh Sorry, Christine will save that for the next round. But I want to add sales of the life like Elvis action figure which has gone platinum too :)
Thanks for listing all that gal, I know how much that took, I started to do it myself.
Always,
Phil
This is funny to watch this go on, but all one has to do is Google, the most gold records for a artist, same as for the most records sold , the most # 1,s and so on , when one does this they find the thriller album is the best selling album of all time but that is the only place you find Mj ahead of EP.