Elvis

As previously promised, here's my words on Elvis:

Elvis was born in Mississippi (I still spell that word in my head, like in elementary school). His family moved to Tennessee when he was thirteen. He got a record deal, released "Heartbreak Hotel" and later did a few years in the service after being drafted.

In the '60's he did mostly movies. His manager, Colonel Parker, had a large influence on Elvis' career, and largely dictated what Elvis did, and did not do. I haven't actually personally seen many of his movies. I've seen a few, and they aren't theatrical masterpieces, but hey, when you're Elvis, do they have to be? Some of his best songs were from his movies (or a few were, anyway) so I'll give him that.

One of his best songs, and my mother's favorite, from the movie Blue Hawaii:



Elvis started doing concerts again, after a long absence to make his movies, in 1968. The '68 Comeback Special was a big hit, and from what I understand, gave people the concert Elvis they had been missing. Elvis married Priscilla in May of 1967 and Lisa Marie was born in 1968.

In 1973, Elvis and Priscilla divorced, though I'm not certain it wasn't more of a mutual thing. During the '70's Elvis continued to release tracks, including the popular "Burning Love" and "Suspicious Minds."





During the '70's Elvis' health began to decline. He had been performing more and more concerts, and was heavily dependent upon prescription drugs. There is some speculation on why he relied on drugs, but it was likely to keep up with his busy schedule, as well as other reasons. On August 16, 1977 his girlfriend, Ginger Alden, discovered him on his bathroom floor. He was pronounced dead later that day.

Elvis is a legend. He may not have written his own songs, his movies weren't that spectacular (they weren't horrible, but not the best ones ever seen), and he found himself depending upon drugs later in life, but he certainly set the scene for many artists to come. His death was premature, and who knows what he could have accomplished, had he fought his drug addiction. It's probably pretty fair to say that the music scene wouldn't have been the same today without him.

Just another artist that died too young.



This is a cool video.




I'll leave you with this.