If Elvis Were Alive... Why Does It Matter?

[nabelt24]

Ok, here's a subject that I've been pondering for the past few days. It seems to be a very sensitive subject to many members of this forum, but a very popular topic brought up by several here.

We continue to wonder many questions that begin with 'If He Were Alive...' and follow it with... what would he be singing or wearing, what would he look like, would he re-marry or still be single, would he still be recording or touring, etc, etc, etc. (I have been a poster of such mentioned threads) We even wonder if he faked his death and if this man or that man might be him.

So, I ask you, why does all this matter? Why do we continue to elude ourselves or 'tease' ourselves with all these questions of 'what if'? We cannot begin to know the answers and yet we never let go. Is it just that we're such devoted and caring fans that we hope that maybe, just maybe we'll someday have all the answers? Or maybe it's just fun to let our imaginations run wild with all these ideas?

Again... why does it matter? Maybe it's because he was our hero. He was a light that found us during passive times, in a confusing and conformist world that was just aching to bust out at the seems. He had such an amazing persona, as if he seemed to shine brighter than the sun, with artistic, chisled looks that were that of a greek god. He's been an influence to millions across the globe and it's even been said that there are two names that are recognized no matter where you travel in the world... Jesus and Elvis. Not that I'm comparing the two...

Sometimes I think we should just let it go when we ask 'what if'. But, then again, I've discovered that it's just a sign of our love and an echo of the passion that he left behind. He burned brighter than any fire and the embers still remain, never to die out.

[Awickedreigndrop]

This is a good question. Since he touched so many people's lives, I think deep down inside we want Elvis back. I do the "what if" thing with my dad also. I wonder how my life would be different if he hadn't passed away. So it might be a natural thing to think "what if".

[hounddog]

I'm sure that James Dean fans and Mariyln Monroe fans do the same thing.

[The King's Queen]

Again... why does it matter? Maybe it's because he was our hero. He was a light that found us during passive times, in a confusing and conformist world that was just aching to bust out at the seems. He had such an amazing persona, as if he seemed to shine brighter than the sun, with artistic, chisled looks that were that of a greek god. He's been an influence to millions across the globe and it's even been said that there are two names that are recognized no matter where you travel in the world... Jesus and Elvis. Not that I'm comparing the two...
Sometimes I think we should just let it go when we ask 'what if'. But, then again, I've discovered that it's just a sign of our love and an echo of the passion that he left behind. He burned brighter than any fire and the embers still remain, never to die out.

Nathan, my friend, I think you answered your own question! Your description of Elvis is very fitting! I too think that it is because he had SUCH an impact on so many.
I guess, if attempting to sum it up, I would say it this way...
Those who loved him in life, still love him today. Death cannot take that away from us. There is no way for me to put into words the type of attraction that he had. The closest thing I can think of is that he was the "magnet"...and the fans were the "steel"...forever drawn to him, unable to define 'why'...but keenly aware of the constant tug at our hearts. It is a strange thing...I'll grant you. One might think that after so many years, the affection would fade somewhat. But it doesn't. And I am constantly amazed at the younger generation of fans...most of them were not even born while he was living....and yet, they experience the very same "pull" from a man that has been dead for over thirty years!
Elvis searched, in his lifetime, for answers to questions like: "Why me? Why was I chosen to have this affect on people?". Perhaps if he had found the answers to questions like that, we too, would have our answers as well. Unfortunately, he left here without knowing why he was blessed with such power over mankind. And I fear that we too will leave here without understanding it either. I really don't try to figure it out anymore...I just accept that it's there and go with it! Enjoying every minute of it too...

[cameron]

I gave up trying to answer this question. IMO, he means different things to different people. There have been conferences, symposiums held to try and explain Elvis. I've even talked to one of the psychologists that wrote a book about it. They couldn't explain it IMO, though they tried .
I just accept it and don't even try . My question always remains; why should "they" care so much to try and explain a man they have no way of knowing anything about without his input?
As George Klein put it--- if you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary .
We'll always wonder what more he could have accomplished had he lived.
To me, that doesn't hurt a thing or require any explanation.

[Burning_Love]

It's nice to guess and imagine what he would have sung, wore etc..
And what he would have achieved. It's an imaginative topic that gets the mind pondering. It's a great topic and it makes our imagnations wild.

[President Presley]

Elvis said he was here to make people happy with his music and IMO people got more open minded when Elvis appeared. Maybe if Elvis toured the world and made some really good movies, he would have the drive to go on.

[utmom2008]

Ok, here's a subject that I've been pondering for the past few days. It seems to be a very sensitive subject to many members of this forum, but a very popular topic brought up by several here.


But, then again, I've discovered that it's just a sign of our love and an echo of the passion that he left behind. He burned brighter than any fire and the embers still remain, never to die out.

This is a good question. Since he touched so many people's lives, I think deep down inside we want Elvis back. I do the "what if" thing with my dad also. I wonder how my life would be different if he hadn't passed away. So it might be a natural thing to think "what if".

These are both great answers. Yes....the embers are still burning, brightly, almost 31 years later. I think it's only natural to play the what if game with people that we have loved, yet are no longer with us. I also ask myself that question about my Dad at least once a week. I wonder how my life would be different. Elvis fans "get" each other, so therefore I don't mind discussing the what if's where he is concerned. It only signifies to me how much I did love him, and how much he is still a part of my life. In an odd way...it's very comforting to me.

[cibetty]

Nathan, my friend, I think you answered your own question! Your description of Elvis is very fitting! I too think that it is because he had SUCH an impact on so many.
I guess, if attempting to sum it up, I would say it this way...
Those who loved him in life, still love him today. Death cannot take that away from us. There is no way for me to put into words the type of attraction that he had. The closest thing I can think of is that he was the "magnet"...and the fans were the "steel"...forever drawn to him, unable to define 'why'...but keenly aware of the constant tug at our hearts. It is a strange thing...I'll grant you. One might think that after so many years, the affection would fade somewhat. But it doesn't. And I am constantly amazed at the younger generation of fans...most of them were not even born while he was living....and yet, they experience the very same "pull" from a man that has been dead for over thirty years!
Elvis searched, in his lifetime, for answers to questions like: "Why me? Why was I chosen to have this affect on people?". Perhaps if he had found the answers to questions like that, we too, would have our answers as well. Unfortunately, he left here without knowing why he was blessed with such power over mankind. And I fear that we too will leave here without understanding it either. I really don't try to figure it out anymore...I just accept that it's there and go with it! Enjoying every minute of it too...

Lea, this was sooo beautiful!!!!! I can't help, but I'm crying here, woman..........

[eviebaby]

I could not say anything more about Elvis that hasn't already been said:

He was the one with the looks, that could melt a girls heart.
He had the voice, that captured young and old.
He had the look on stage, that was like no other.
He sang the music, that made you paralised, above all,
He made you feel, that you were part of him.

He left us with an empty void, the only way to carry on, was to keep HIM alive , with our accumulative love and devotion!

The people who knew him when he was alive, those who became fans after he was gone,will all take a little piece of him in their hearts,when they die.

I'm sure all fans like myself, who believe in the afterlife, will wait in anticipation of seeing the 'KING' of Rock and Roll in a better place.

[utmom2008]

I'm sure all fans like myself, who believe in the afterlife, will wait in anticipation of seeing the 'KING' of Rock and Roll in a better place.

Amen to that.

[The King's Queen]

Lea, this was sooo beautiful!!!!! I can't help, but I'm crying here, woman..........

Thanks Betti! I just wrote from my perspective.

He left us with an empty void, the only way to carry on, was to keep HIM alive , with our accumulative love and devotion!

The people who knew him when he was alive, those who became fans after he was gone,will all take a little piece of him in their hearts,when they die.

I'm sure all fans like myself, who believe in the afterlife, will wait in anticipation of seeing the 'KING' of Rock and Roll in a better place.

WOW! You sure said a mouthful eviebaby!

You are right...he left a big void in this world! And yes, we do attempt to fill that void within our hearts by continually keeping his memory alive. And when we pass, we leave behind a legacy of sorts...whether we are rich and famous, or poor and unknown. I once heard a preacher say that while we live, we are writing our own life's story. Some will have a pleasant autobiography for others to reminisce(sp?) over, and some will leave behind more of a mystery. So, I guess with that being said, Elvis left us a whole lot to remember...and even more to love...

Don't know about the rest of you...but if I'm lucky enough to make it up there, I sure am gonna hunt him up!

[ehollier]

Don't know about the rest of you...but if I'm lucky enough to make it up there, I sure am gonna hunt him up!

Lea, I when I arrive there, I will be on a mission, so girl, get out of my way. The way I figure it, you'll have had your time with him, Rosie and Gail too, so it will finally be my turn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe he gives concerts up there too!!!!

[TotallyInsane]

Lea, I when I arrive there, I will be on a mission, so girl, get out of my way. The way I figure it, you'll have had your time with him, Rosie and Gail too, so it will finally be my turn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe he gives concerts up there too!!!!

Uh, excuse me, but who says I'm going before you?????

[ehollier]

Uh, excuse me, but who says I'm going before you?????

[President Presley]

Don't you all think you are being selfish? The man is gone, let him rest in peace.
I mean, how many Elvis fans are there? The man would be too busy to welcome everyone

[The King's Queen]

Don't you all think you are being selfish? The man is gone, let him rest in peace.
I mean, how many Elvis fans are there? The man would be too busy to welcome everyone

Well, I never really thought of it that way...perhaps we are being a bit selfish and stingy afterall....
He can rest in peace... That is until the gang from TCB make it there!!!!

[Merry]

Nathan, my friend, I think you answered your own question! Your description of Elvis is very fitting! I too think that it is because he had SUCH an impact on so many.
I guess, if attempting to sum it up, I would say it this way...
Those who loved him in life, still love him today. Death cannot take that away from us. There is no way for me to put into words the type of attraction that he had. The closest thing I can think of is that he was the "magnet"...and the fans were the "steel"...forever drawn to him, unable to define 'why'...but keenly aware of the constant tug at our hearts. It is a strange thing...I'll grant you. One might think that after so many years, the affection would fade somewhat. But it doesn't. And I am constantly amazed at the younger generation of fans...most of them were not even born while he was living....and yet, they experience the very same "pull" from a man that has been dead for over thirty years!
Elvis searched, in his lifetime, for answers to questions like: "Why me? Why was I chosen to have this affect on people?". Perhaps if he had found the answers to questions like that, we too, would have our answers as well. Unfortunately, he left here without knowing why he was blessed with such power over mankind. And I fear that we too will leave here without understanding it either. I really don't try to figure it out anymore...I just accept that it's there and go with it! Enjoying every minute of it too...

This is beautiful, and true. So very true. Miss him, terribly. Thank you, Lea.

Hugs,
Kim

[jelm81]

Good question!

Elvis meant so much to us all ... I think a part of us wants to believe that he didn't really die, because we loved him and he went out in a very tragic way. We know that he was meant for greatness, and he was a troubled man. We know that he did everything he could for those close to him, and gave his life essentially to his fans.

We know that Elvis didn't deserve to die, or to die at the young age of 42 under such sad circumstances.

That's always been my view. He was such a public figure ... Consistantly in the public eye through movies, magazines, tv, concerts, you name it. His manager never let you forget Elvis, even for a moment ... Then suddenly, he's gone. No more movies, tv shows, concerts ... So we thought! We can't have him physically, but we've had many movies, shows, concerts, magazines since his death that they are keeping him alive still ...

Elvis Presley was a human being that just happened to have an incredible talent, great looks, and a charming personality that shot him into the galaxy for all of us to see. Our children's, children's children will know him. He is an important iconic historical figure, never to be forgotten.

One wonders what the world would be like now if he were still in it. We all wonder what he'd really look like ... What he'd be wearing ... What he'd be doing ... He is forever young and beautiful, and that's what we should really care about.

[Awickedreigndrop]

Good question!

Elvis meant so much to us all ... I think a part of us wants to believe that he didn't really die, because we loved him and he went out in a very tragic way. We know that he was meant for greatness, and he was a troubled man. We know that he did everything he could for those close to him, and gave his life essentially to his fans.

We know that Elvis didn't deserve to die, or to die at the young age of 42 under such sad circumstances.

That's always been my view. He was such a public figure ... Consistantly in the public eye through movies, magazines, tv, concerts, you name it. His manager never let you forget Elvis, even for a moment ... Then suddenly, he's gone. No more movies, tv shows, concerts ... So we thought! We can't have him physically, but we've had many movies, shows, concerts, magazines since his death that they are keeping him alive still ...

Elvis Presley was a human being that just happened to have an incredible talent, great looks, and a charming personality that shot him into the galaxy for all of us to see. Our children's, children's children will know him. He is an important iconic historical figure, never to be forgotten.

One wonders what the world would be like now if he were still in it. We all wonder what he'd really look like ... What he'd be wearing ... What he'd be doing ... He is forever young and beautiful, and that's what we should really care about.

I totally love what you said here. You summed everything up perfectly!