How and why Elvis has changed us all

[Albert]

How and why Elvis has changed us all
An essay by Bruce Morton

http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9708/10/elvis.impact/elvis.jpgElvis lives. How could you doubt it? He did die, of course, 20 years ago this coming weekend. But he lives.... the once and future king.

It's not just the 750,000 visitors to Graceland every year, or Elvis Presley Enterprises, with estimated yearly revenues of $75 million marketing a product

The Elvis that lives changed all our lives, from the time, maybe, when Ed Sullivan introduced the 21-year-old Presley to millions on TV, saying, "I don't know what he does, but it drives people crazy." TV was so scared of what he did that the camera never went below his waist.

The Elvis that lives gave away Cadillacs, once spent $16,000 to fly his private jet to Denver for peanut butter sandwiches, met President Richard Nixon and offered to be a "federal agent-at-large to work against drug use." The Elvis who lives knew loneliness:

"Well, since my baby left me, I found a new place to dwell. It's down at the end of Lonely Street at Heartbreak Hotel."

The Elvis who lives grew older, and fatter -- too much peanut butter; too many people.

The Elvis who lives changed America. He didn't invent rock 'n' roll, but he helped, mingling in his music black rhythm- -and-blues, white country, gospel, everything.

He didn't invent the sexual revolution, but he helped. And most of all, maybe he gave teen-agers a culture of their own -- songs to dance to, hairstyles and clothes to copy, visions of hot rods to drive.

His music drove parents crazy, and kids loved that. Of course, Frank Sinatra never scared their parents half as much.

Elvis lives, the king lives, because, whether or not you loved his music, he changed the culture; he changed so many lives.

"Love me tender," he asked. And millions of us did.

This article has been posted on cnn.com (http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9708/10/elvis.impact/)

[Cherokee]

It's simple:

"He touched me. Something happened, and now I know. He touched me, and made me whole....." ;) :)

[richardo316]

100 percent true albert.

[hounddogone2000]

could'nt agree more (y)

[yiddle yisa]

AMENNNNNNNNNN.

Couldn't be posted better!!
That was really touching...except for the peanutbutter sandwiches part...even though i live for those....that was a bit steering the other way! lol

- Lisa :wiggle:

[veronik]

This article has been posted on cnn.com (http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9708/10/elvis.impact/), and was suggested and mailed by Norma G.

How and why Elvis has changed us all
Elvis Presley August 10, 1997
Web posted at: 11:10 p.m. EDT (0310 GMT)

An essay by Bruce Morton

http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9708/10/elvis.impact/elvis.jpgElvis lives. How could you doubt it? He did die, of course, 20 years ago this coming weekend. But he lives.... the once and future king.

It's not just the 750,000 visitors to Graceland every year, or Elvis Presley Enterprises, with estimated yearly revenues of $75 million marketing a product

The Elvis that lives changed all our lives, from the time, maybe, when Ed Sullivan introduced the 21-year-old Presley to millions on TV, saying, "I don't know what he does, but it drives people crazy." TV was so scared of what he did that the camera never went below his waist.

The Elvis that lives gave away Cadillacs, once spent $16,000 to fly his private jet to Denver for peanut butter sandwiches, met President Richard Nixon and offered to be a "federal agent-at-large to work against drug use." The Elvis who lives knew loneliness:

"Well, since my baby left me, I found a new place to dwell. It's down at the end of Lonely Street at Heartbreak Hotel."

The Elvis who lives grew older, and fatter -- too much peanut butter; too many people.

The Elvis who lives changed America. He didn't invent rock 'n' roll, but he helped, mingling in his music black rhythm- -and-blues, white country, gospel, everything.

He didn't invent the sexual revolution, but he helped. And most of all, maybe he gave teen-agers a culture of their own -- songs to dance to, hairstyles and clothes to copy, visions of hot rods to drive.

His music drove parents crazy, and kids loved that. Of course, Frank Sinatra never scared their parents half as much.

Elvis lives, the king lives, because, whether or not you loved his music, he changed the culture; he changed so many lives.

"Love me tender," he asked. And millions of us did.

Thank you very much Albert for posting this one for me.I agree the exept for the peanut butter part is a good article.I am always looking for something new on Elvis and even thought is not a new article it touch me.And yes he did changed my life.So,whatever you are:"Thank you very much Elvis"

TCB,
Veronik :)

[Captain Elwood David]

It's ALWAYS the MUSIC, ..................... AND SO MUCH MORE ............... !!


- Capt. "EL."

[P.S. Annie]

Thanks, great read.

Love me tender he asked and still millions do.

[carolynlm]

Elvis was the person that everyone wanted to be like.

[ComeBackChick]

He just fascinates the hell out of me!! His music, his being, his looks... everything about him!

[paulsweeney]

Elvis, the man and his music - I remember the summer of 1975 watching That's The Way It Is on T.V. and thinking, WOW this guy has charisma times 10, and from that day on it started. I had to have all his records, and for a 13 year old in 1975, my friends thought I was nuts...that hasn't changed much now that I'm 42, but it still comes down to the man and his music.

Plus great photos :lol:

[quinn53]

I echo Come Back Chick. Everything about Elvis is fascinating. First of all it's the music of course. Elvis shocking the world with this rock and roll, when actually he was a boy that loved his parents. And gospel music. The king of rock and roll loved gospel music! The fact that he was a twinless twin is fascinating. he was born in poverty and made millions, most of which he gave away. He was the king yet it seems he had little control on his career. He wanted to be a serious actor but was not allowed. I could go on and on, but it's mostly about that voice that could squeeze every ounce of every emotion with every note.

[Rowdy]

Because there isn't anyone who comes close. Here's a guy who could have been named Gern Blandsten or Bob Smith, but no, he gets a name like Elvis Presley. He could have looked like a normal guy, but no, he was blessed. He could have been a clumsy ox, but no, he had as much physical talent as he had singing talent. Maybe he had it all but was just an average everyday singer, but no, he had a powerful and golden voice (in fact the best).

Guarnteed to blow your mind..............that's no mystery.

We won't ever witness another like him.

[ComeBackChick]

I echo Come Back Chick. Everything about Elvis is fascinating. First of all it's the music of course. Elvis shocking the world with this rock and roll, when actually he was a boy that loved his parents. And gospel music. The king of rock and roll loved gospel music! The fact that he was a twinless twin is fascinating. he was born in poverty and made millions, most of which he gave away. He was the king yet it seems he had little control on his career. He wanted to be a serious actor but was not allowed. I could go on and on, but it's mostly about that voice that could squeeze every ounce of every emotion with every note.

You have a way with words Quinn!!! Very nicely put! :clap: ;) (I am a mad tiger now? :doh: )

[quinn53]

Rowdy, great point! How did he happen to come up with a name like Elvis Presley? Had to be fate.
Come Back Chick, I have always thought of you as a mad tiger! :hmm:

[quinn53]

Wow! I'm a mad tiger too! :notworthy

[Joe Car]

Has there ever been a human being who mean't so many things to so many people? Ever since I first heard the On Stage album in late 1970 (at the age of 11) at a department store no less, I've been hooked. His genius, his unbelievable voice, his emotion, his physical attributes, not only in looks, but as the greatest stage performer ever all combined to make him "the complete package". Even till this day when I watch his video's, movies or listen to his music, I still get chills.

[Lildarling]

Good stuff!!!I dunno why but most of the writings like that bout Elvis' are making me sighhhh Maybe I will post one of mine as well...if you don't mind...

[Lildarling]

And I have a Backstage Pass !!!!!!!!!!! (y) Why THANK YOU :king:

[howardrobardhughes]

To me...this poem that was written by Bono of U2 sums it up..
I think it's so true..

Elvis son of Tupelo
Elvis mama's boy
Elvis the twin brother of Jesse who died at birth and was buried in a shoe box
Elvis drove a truck
Elvis was recorded at Sun Studios by the musical diviner Sam Phillips
Elvis was managed by Colonel Tom Parker, an ex-carnie barker whose last act was a singing canary
Elvis was the most famous singer in the world since King David
Elvis lived on his own street
Elvis liked to play speedcop
Elvis had a monkey named bubbles before anyone
Elvis wore a cape at the White House when he was presenting Nixon with two silver pistols
Elvis was a member of the Drug Squad
Elvis wore eye make up, just hangin' out
Elvis wore a gold nudie suit and trained his lip to curl
Elvis was macho, but could sing like a girl
Elvis was not a big talker
Elvis was articulate in every other way
Elvis dyed his hair black to look like Valentino
Elvis held a microphone the way Valentino held Nita Naldi in blood and sand
Elvis dressed black long before he dressed in black
Elvis sang black except in lower registers where he was a student of Dean Martin
Elvis admired Mario Lanza
Elvis delivered the world from crooning
Elvis was a great crooner
Elvis had a voice that could explain the sexuality of america
Elvis was influenced by Jim Morrison in his choice of black leather for the '68 comeback special
Elvis invented the Beatles
Elvis achieved world domination from a small town
Elvis was conscious of myth
Elvis had pharoah-like potential
Elvis was made by america, so america could remake itself
Elvis had good manners
Elvis was a bass, a baritone, and a tenor
Elvis sang his heart out at the end
Elvis the opera
Elvis the soap opera
Elvis loved America, God, the Bible, firearms, the movies, the office of presidency, junk food, drugs, cars, family, television, jewellery, straight talkin', dirty talkin' game shows, uniforms, and self-help books
Elvis, like America, wanted to improve himself
Elvis, like America, started out loving but later turned on himself
Elvis, body could not stop moving
Elvis is alive, we're dead
Elvis, the charismatic
Elvis, the ecstatic
Elvis, the plastic
Elvis, the elastic with a spastic dance that might explain the energy of America
Elvis, fusion and confusion
Elvis, earth rod in a southern dorm
Elvis shaking up an electrical storm
Elvis in Hollywood, his voice gone to ground
Elvis in Las Vegas with a big brassy sound
Elvis the first rock'n'roll star with scotty moore, bill black, and d.j. fontana
Elvis with James Burton and Ronny Tutt
Elvis the movie star made three good films: Viva Las Vegas, Flaming Star, and Jailhouse Rock
Elvis the hillbilly brought rhythm to the white race, blues to pop, and rock'n'roll to whereever rock'n'roll is
Elvis the pelvis, swung from Africa to Europe, which is the idea of America
Elvis liberation
Elvis the kung fu would come later
Elvis hibernation
Elvis built a theme park he later called Graceland
Elvis woke up to whispers
Elvis thought of himself as a backslider
Elvis knew guilt like a twin brother
Elvis called God every morning then left the phone off the hook
Elvis turned Las Vegas into a church when he sang "Love Me Tender"
Elvis turned America into a church when he sang "The Trilogy"
Elvis was harangued by choice; flesh vs. spirit, God vs. rock'n'roll, mother vs. lover, father vs. the Colonel
Elvis grew sideburns as a protest against Tom Jones' hairy chest
Elvis would have a president named after him
Elvis was one of the boys
Elvis was not one of the boys
Elvis had an acute intelligence disguised as talent
Elvis broke Priscilla's heart
Elvis broke Lisa Marie's heart
Elvis woke up my heart
Elvis, white trash
Elvis, the Memphis Flash
Elvis didn't smoke hash and woulda been a sissy without Johnny Cash
Elvis didn't dodge the draft
Elvis had his own aircraft
Elvis having a laugh on the Lisa Marie in a colour photograph
Elvis under the hood
Elvis, cadillac blood
Elvis, darling bud flowered and returned to the mississippi mud
Elvis ain't gonna rot
Elvis in a memphis plot
Elvis didn't hear the shot but the king died just across the lot from
Elvis, vanilla ice cream
Elvis, girls of 14
Elvis, Memphis spleen shooting at the TV, reading Corinthians 13
Elvis with God on his knees
Elvis on three TVs
Elvis here come the killer bees head full of honey, potato chips, and cheese
Elvis, the bumper stickers
Elvis, the white knickers
Elvis, the white n*gg*r ate at Burger King and just kept getting bigger
Elvis sang to win
Elvis, the battle to be slim
Elvis ate America before America ate him
Elvis stamps
Elvis necromance
Elvis fans
Elvis psychophants
Elvis the public enemy
Elvis don't mean sh*t to chuck d
Elvis changed the centre of gravity
Elvis made it slippy
Elvis Hitler
Elvis Nixon
Elvis Christ
Elvis Mishima
Elvis Marcus
Elvis Jackson
Elvis the pelvis
Elvis the psalmist
Elvis the genius
Elvis the generous
Elvis forgive us
Elvis pray for us
Elvis Aaron Presley (1935-1977)

[Scottishthistle]

I think this poem is amazing i've heard bono read it..it is even more amazing when you can read it for yourself...fantastic..thanks howard :cool:

[Indre]

Thanks, Howard, great poem! :)
Elvis is an inspiration for me in many areas. I learned the English language in order to be able to understand books about him, I started drawing him, though I never thought that I would like drawing. Every day I have to listen to at least one of his songs so that the day would be good and I'd have urge to do something. He is the King, his charisma was wonderful and still is. I like some other bands and separate singers too, but Elvis is always number one! (y) :notworthy

[ayda]

How and why Elvis has changed us all
An essay by Bruce Morton

http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9708/10/elvis.impact/elvis.jpgElvis lives. How could you doubt it? He did die, of course, 20 years ago this coming weekend. But he lives.... the once and future king.

It's not just the 750,000 visitors to Graceland every year, or Elvis Presley Enterprises, with estimated yearly revenues of $75 million marketing a product

The Elvis that lives changed all our lives, from the time, maybe, when Ed Sullivan introduced the 21-year-old Presley to millions on TV, saying, "I don't know what he does, but it drives people crazy." TV was so scared of what he did that the camera never went below his waist.

The Elvis that lives gave away Cadillacs, once spent $16,000 to fly his private jet to Denver for peanut butter sandwiches, met President Richard Nixon and offered to be a "federal agent-at-large to work against drug use." The Elvis who lives knew loneliness:

"Well, since my baby left me, I found a new place to dwell. It's down at the end of Lonely Street at Heartbreak Hotel."

The Elvis who lives grew older, and fatter -- too much peanut butter; too many people.

The Elvis who lives changed America. He didn't invent rock 'n' roll, but he helped, mingling in his music black rhythm- -and-blues, white country, gospel, everything.

He didn't invent the sexual revolution, but he helped. And most of all, maybe he gave teen-agers a culture of their own -- songs to dance to, hairstyles and clothes to copy, visions of hot rods to drive.

His music drove parents crazy, and kids loved that. Of course, Frank Sinatra never scared their parents half as much.

Elvis lives, the king lives, because, whether or not you loved his music, he changed the culture; he changed so many lives.

"Love me tender," he asked. And millions of us did.

This article has been posted on cnn.com (http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/9708/10/elvis.impact/)


This article was posted by a woman named Veronik.Part me if I am wrong,but I recall reading this one:hmm:

Aly(y)

[robman]

absolutely brilliant
U2 kick ***

[Dovey]

Wow Howardrobardhuges, I have never seen this from Bono of U2 but yes indeed it sums Elvis up very well indeed. Thanks for sharing. :clap: Love it!!

[amzietamzie]

that poem was really interesting. elvis was amazing and spectacular- one of the most fascinating and beautiful, not only on the outside but the inside too, people on this planet and he will live on forever in the hearts of his fans and everyone he touched with his gorgeous voice...

[mistymorning]

absolutely correct and an awsome article.thank you for sharing.

[stephanie]

Elvis let me see heaven, now I'm gonna try to be as same

[elvispresleytheking]

Elvis is the best, simple and straight. He changed me, and made me a music lover.

[elvislina]

great letter about Elvis. see ya

[Lisarose]

"Love me tender," he asked. And millions of us did.

Excellent, and yes, I still do.
Lisa