I guess this attention is fine for the owners of Graceland, but really isn’t the music – specifically that from the 50s – why anyone should even care? All the rest of this stuff is a sideshow, especially the reissuing of those hideous films from the 60s. For the real deal or to asnwer the question of why anyone should care, grab the 50s box set or even 30 # 1s will do the trick.

The King…gone but never forgotten.

For everything that was accomplished in 1956, the rest was more than worth it.

No artist ever had such a year — nor, sadly I suspect, ever will…

Consider this: on a single day in 1956 Elvis recorded “Don’t be Cruel”, “Hound Dog” and “Anyway You Want Me”.

For most artists, that’s more hit songs than they have recorded in their entire career — for The King it was one day!

the man pushed the cutural boundries by shaking his hips, ushering in a new liberal generation and his music was pretty good too…every artist should give at least a little credit to elvis (tho elvis failed to give some of the black artists before him any)…. long live the king who is up in heaven hanging out with john lennon and george harrison talking about how they changed music as jimi hendrix strums on his guitar….thats my idea of heaven haha

In honor of Elvis on the 30th anniversary of his death I plan on eating a bucket of fried chicken with some mashed potatoes with gravy, corn on the cob and some barbecue spare ribs. Ahh, I sure do miss The King.

Anita like Elvis.I bet nobody knew that!! Music between her and Elvis was great!

The dude was a thief of other pioneering artists work, and his careless self-indulgent behavior led to his early death. Why should I care about this man?

Rich – You know nothing of what you speak. Elvis did not “steal”.. Elvis was influenced by many different styles of music, blended them, and in the process invented RnR as we know it.
Try to get educated, will you?

Hey Seth, where’s The King? He’s gone. Oh, I forgot.

with that. Elvis never wrote a song in his life. Not one.

Elvis! was a hero to most but he never meant shit to me you see…

Go find an Elvis CD Called “Elvis 56″ and prepare to be blown away by how many great recordings he did in a single year…

…and of course The Sun Sessions

I was six years old when Elvis died but I remember watching the news with my parents that day…

i was born in 1978 i am the incarnate of Elvis. believe me. i requested God to send me in a third world country and he did. As a side effect i sound like the king but i dont look like him.

Long live the king.

Frank Sinatra didn’t write his own material, and neither did The Four Tops and many other artists. That didn’t become the norm until The Beatles and Bob Dylan, which has led to a glut of people who have wonderful voices, but can’t write a song. If you don’t like the guys’ music that’s fine, but saying he didn’t write a song is meaningless.

I hear that in a museum at Graceland they have preserved Elvis’ last feces and urine before his death in a display case. Also his vomit is preserved in a glass tube at the museum which came out of his mouth from drinking too much. Damn, these southern yahoos will go see anything on this guy. Screw Elvis.

if you get the chance, se Graceland, it is greatness

Yeah, Elvis was a thief. Just like Jimmy Paige, the Beatles, the Stones, and any other band playing “black music”. Now we have the “new thieves”, AKA rappers. Everything has been done. Everything after is thievery?

i tell ya priscilla presley is 62 years old and she is HOT!!!! even if she’s had work done on her she looks sexy.

Hello folks I’m up here in Heaven writing this to my adoring fans. Just letting you know that I have found Eden here and plenty of fried chicken with barbecue sauce. Yes I may have died of hardening of the arteries on Earth but here in Heaven I can eat all the spare ribs and chicken and fried pork and mashed potatoes as I please without any worry to my health. Mmmmm.

Go and spend your money on me in Graceland people. My spirit is waiting there watching each and every one of you with a drumstick in it’s hand. Yes, yes indeed.

Who is Elvis??

Jimmy Paige? Jesus. It’s the easiest word in world to spell and you have to go and blow it.

dear sweetness, for someone who’s supposedly sweet, you usually have something mean to say. Nothing personal, just an observation.

Just saw on her site that Alannah Myles recorded a Tribute Ep for iTunes. Re-did Black Velvet which I didn’t know until now was a song about Elvis.

Elvis was just a good hearted ‘ol country bunkin’ with a lot of compassion for his fellow man. It’s a shame that those he thought were closest to him to advantage of his ignorance. My Grandfather played trumpet with Elvis on the back of an old pick up truck down in Tupelo, MS before Elvis got famous and years later my Grandfather was called in to play lead trumpet in American Sound Studios at 2am on the the songs Suspicious Minds, Kentucky Rain, and In the Ghetto from what my Uncle tells me. My Grandfather was known for his ability to hit the high C above E on the horn but Wayne Jackson was given the credit. Ronny Milsap also sang on some of the high parts and played piano but was not given proper credit. I blame none of this on Elvis because he didn’t know any better. And my Grandfather could of cared less. He was a jazz lover who was threatened by Elvis and rock n’ roll.
Joseph Davis
http://www.granddaddymusic.com

that oroginal 1977 article on the final days and funeral of elvis was great. but i have never seen so many spelling mistakes in my life! i had to reconstruct some sentences to figure out what the author was tryign to say! was it originally printed like that? or was it hastily copied?

Neil, you’re a cocklick, don’t talk.

Sorry, “Sorry Tony there’s one problem”… so what if he never wrote a song? He is the one that made “That’s All Right” into what it was… made “Hound Dog” from an r’n'b number to a flaming rocker. Read the post again: He took different styles and combined them with his own, and the result is what became r’n'r.

Try reading a book, instead of listening to Emenemas take on someone with actual musical talent, Elvis.

Oha HAAHAAAA Country Crotch!!!! You is SOOOOO clever!!!!!

In-breeding is a terrible thing… you’ve certainly proved that.

Sid, the moron you responed to can’t spell “Page” because he does not know anything, much less anything about music. To call Elvis a thief is to display your own massive ignorance on the subject of music.

Seth, you don’t have a sense of humor. It’s just a play on words of what you wrote. But you’re too much of a country bumpkin shit kickin’ hayseed to see that. All I can say is, the circus should be coming to your town soon; maybe you can run away from home and join up.

Even before Elvis, there was Richard Wayne Penniman.

Elvis may not have written any songs but he sure sang them better and made them into hits better than the ones who wrote them! Ask Willie Nelson if He’s pissed that Elvis sang “Always on my mind”? It made him a lot of many and I’m sure he was grateful.

Let’s just enjoy the fact that there was an Elvis. He did make music history and is an icon to many….he inspired many that came after him as he was inspired by the many that preceeded him.
Let us just show some respect for a very talented singer.
I read Rolling Stone because it covers all genres of music past and present.

Loveing, I agree with you, although I think the so-called king was overrated. Just like you said he was a fresh act when he first emerged. He was handsome, and had soul in his voice. But artistically, he can never compare to great writers like Lennon and Dylan.

Tony. Elvis did not invent Rock & Roll, although he did popularize it. The Beatles and Dylan, though, took it to a whole new level.

hi could anyone tell me wot elvis’s funeral song was please

Elvis was unique. He had it all – the voice, charisma, looks and stage act.

He was far and away above other musical acts like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson. These acts were extremely limited in their repertoire. Elvis could sing in any musical genre and did. He was also not afraid to put his reputation as ‘King’ on the line and toured constantly from 1970 until his death. The Beatles could not reproduce their studio sounds on stage and following Elvis’ triumphant return to the Las Vegas stage in 1969 gave up the ghost and broke up.

Historically, of course, he broke down racial and cultural barriers in 1950’s U.S.A. making it easy for all artists who followed in his footsteps.

In a recent interview, Sir Elton John quoted the Rolling Stone Poll where The Beatles and Bob Dylan were voted as the most influential artists of the 20th Century. He was quick to point out that it was Elvis and not they who was the most influential and, of course, these artists would agree with his observations also as they have done many times over the years.

The vast majority of people who met him considered him the most handsome person who ever lived. he was certainly an extremely gifted individual.

He remains the greatest musical phenomenon of all time and his legacy will ensure he is remembered in a thousand years time.

R.I.P. Elvis and thanks for the memories.

For all those people that had all the negative things to say on Elvis,It’s very disappointing to here how,you are so miss informed, cruel to the demise of another Rock n roll star,and so judgmental of others,and where they were born.!!My only response to you that is,you were born long after Rolling Stone came to the world.There is a God “And you aren’t him”!!!! Get off the pipe……

To the dude or dudette who stated “Elvis never wrote a song in his entire life, not one” has been misinformed. On one of his Gospel albums there is a song called, “In my Fathers House” in which he himself wrote the words and music and is credited for that on the cover. To you folks who cannot find any good words for Elvis; probably deep inside know Elvis was the greatest talent who ever lived. Yea the Beatles, Dyan etc. were great acts but you can roll all those into one and you will never come close to the talent,looks and Charisma of Elvis Presley. From the moment he first appeared on the music scene to his last breath the man proved himself over and over again. Elvis was not the King of rock n roll he was the King of MUSIC. As far a entertainers Elvis` memory will outlive them all!

To the dude or dudette who stated “Elvis never wrote a song in his entire life, not one” has been misinformed. On one of his Gospel albums there is a song called, “In my Fathers House” in which he himself wrote the words and music and is credited for that on the cover. To you folks who cannot find any good words for Elvis; probably deep inside know Elvis was the greatest talent who ever lived. Yea the Beatles, Dyan etc. were great acts but you can roll all those into one and you will never come close to the talent,looks and Charisma of Elvis Presley. From the moment he first appeared on the music scene to his last breath the man proved himself over and over again. Elvis was not the King of rock n roll he was the King of MUSIC. As far a entertainers Elvis` memory will outlive them all!

To the dude or dudette who stated “Elvis never wrote a song in his entire life, not one” has been misinformed. On one of his Gospel albums there is a song called, “In my Fathers House” in which he himself wrote the words and music and is credited for that on the cover. To you folks who cannot find any good words for Elvis; probably deep inside know Elvis was the greatest talent who ever lived. Yea the Beatles, Dyan etc. were great acts but you can roll all those into one and you will never come close to the talent,looks and Charisma of Elvis Presley. From the moment he first appeared on the music scene to his last breath the man proved himself over and over again. Elvis was not the King of rock n roll he was the King of MUSIC. As far a entertainers Elvis` memory will outlive them all!

In the 1950s, Elvis himself said the music he was performing had been around for years, HOWEVER, he was doing it differently, creating a new sound and sensation. Like it or not, Elvis was a genius in a different sense than those who came later, like Lennon and Dylan. Compare them all you like but it comes down to personal preference. Elvis was a great singer/performer, Lennon and Dylan were great writers. Elvis was NOT a thief! When will you people get it write. Elvis LOVED black music and loved to perform it. He also enjoyed classic country music. When he performed it the way he liked, THAT was rock ‘n’ roll and YES, he was one of the inventors of that music LIKE IT OR NOT. Comparing is a waste of time and argument, just enjoy the genius talent of Elvis, Beatles, Stones, Sinatra, Jackson, etc! If you don’t like a particular artist for whatever reason, nobody’s forcing you to listen to them.

-edit-
In the 1950s, Elvis himself said the music he was performing had been around for years, HOWEVER, he was doing it differently, creating a new sound and sensation. Like it or not, Elvis was a genius in a different sense than those who came later, like Lennon and Dylan. Compare them all you like but it comes down to personal preference. Elvis was a great singer/performer, Lennon and Dylan were great writers. Elvis was NOT a thief! When will you people get it right?! Elvis LOVED black music and loved to perform it. He also enjoyed classic country music. When he performed it the way he liked, THAT was rock ‘n’ roll and YES, he was one of the inventors of that music LIKE IT OR NOT. Comparing is a waste of time and argument, just enjoy the genius talent of Elvis, Beatles, Stones, Sinatra, Jackson, etc! If you don’t like a particular artist for whatever reason, nobody’s forcing you to listen to them.

Barry…i agree with you in all ways and to everyone else….please..if you have nothing nice to say about this awesome man….dont say nothing at all!!!****LOVE FOR ELVIS!!!!******

Elvis : The best there was and ever will be. THE KING.

Elvis had the innocence of genius. When he first started he didn’t know how good he was or the impact he would have. I was into hip-hop until i saw a documentary on Elvis and since then absolutley no one has matched up to him. If you don’t like Elvis, the chances are the musicians you do like will like him.

Elvis Aron Presley is, was, and forever will be the GREATEST Entertainer the World ever saw.
God blessed Elvis with remarkable talents, incredible voice, honesty, charity, loyalty, and yes even human weaknesses. Not a minute of a day goes by that I don’t miss Elvis and I thank God that I have never lost those memories of Elvis after all these years. Take care and God bless.

Elvis is the best artist who ever stepped on this earth! He is gone but his music will always be alive!! No one could ever even compare to Elvis!! I just cant wait to here him singing with the angels in heaven!! But until then he will always be missed!!

BLACK PEOPLE INVENTED ROCK AND ROLL.
ELVIS IS A THIEF.

Elvis is an overrated hack. He was and still getting the credit for things he did not deserve. Only in American folks. Here we are being doused everyday by the media on how much of a “creative” genius Elvis was when all he did was rehash songs that were already done by black performers. He’s not as talented as people make him out to be. Elvis the Pelvis is a hack, and not to mention a pedophile (for having sex with a 14 yr old girl)

most of the retards giving golden props to Presley here I bet are mostly impersonators. Funny, because just like Elvis himself, it doesn’t take much talent to impersonate Presley.

Elvis was no musical genius. Yeah sure he is legendary and iconic but not a genius! Most of his songs were created for him, he didn’t write them. When i think genius i think The Beatles, they created their own songs that touched the world. Elvis had that created for him!

Simply put, Elvis is the King..he dared to shake, rock and roll. He was heavily influenced by his southern upbring (black gospel music).Also the blues…..
No one will ever compare to his looks, Charisma, voice etc…fact is Elvis wrote many songs….he was so popular, that other writers and singers begged to have Elvis sing their songs….
An American lifetime Icon….

MICHAEL JACKSON WAS WAY BETTER THAN THIS CRAP!!!!!
HE WAS NOT ALL THAT TALENTED.
MANY MANY OF HIS SONGS WERE EROTE BY NIGGERS.
HE COULD BARELY DANCE. HE ONLY HAD GOOD LOOKS AND A GOOD VOICE.
NOBODY LOVES HIM OUT OF GRACELAND.
MICHAEL JACKSON, EVERYONE IN THE WORLD LOVES HIM.