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Elvis Presley Remembered: A Look at How Rolling Stone Covered the King on the Thirtieth Anniversary of His Death

8/15/07, 6:39 pm EST

Photo: Elvis

In honor of the thirtieth anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, fans worldwide are holding candlelight vigils, screening his movies and being entertained by hordes of Elvis impersonators. Here at Rock Daily, we’re celebrating the King by looking back at some of his most memorable appearances in the pages of Rolling Stone. In 2004, Bono examined Presley’s impact, writing, “In Elvis, you have the blueprint for rock & roll.” In 1981, the magazine ran an excerpt from Albert Goldman’s Elvis that focused on the singer’s “party years” in the late 1950s and early 1960s; the year prior, RS provided a lengthy chunk of Jerry Hopkins’ Elvis: The Final Years.

At the time of Presley’s death in 1977, Rolling Stone published details of his last days and a report from his funeral as well as a story exploring the scene at Graceland as 75,000 fans rushed Elvis’ famous home in anguish. In that issue we also examined what it was like working in the studio with the King, allowed fans like Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon and Mick Fleetwood to share their Elvis memories, and published Greil Marcus’ recollection of his thoughts immediately after receiving the news of Presley’s death.

Click here for easy access to all of Rolling Stone’s reviews of Presley’s albums, here to check out photos of the King over the years and here for shots of fans gathering at Graceland this week. And search through our Rock Daily blog to see how Presley has stayed in the news, from stories about Elvis-inspired candy to the sale of his rural getaway.


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Comments

Matt | 11/9/2008, 5:02 am EST

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.

Me | 3/13/2008, 4:16 am EST

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

karen | 12/13/2007, 12:56 am EST

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!!!!******

Coop | 10/27/2007, 1:26 pm EST

-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.

Coop | 10/27/2007, 1:24 pm EST

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.

Barry | 8/25/2007, 3:39 pm EST

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!

Barry | 8/25/2007, 3:39 pm EST

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!

Barry | 8/25/2007, 3:39 pm EST

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!

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Richie | 8/19/2007, 5:31 am EST

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……

Brian Quinn | 8/18/2007, 7:09 pm EST

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.

julie | 8/18/2007, 12:34 pm EST

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

nk | 8/17/2007, 11:46 pm EST

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.

music lover | 8/17/2007, 12:56 am EST

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.

rogerwiz | 8/16/2007, 10:46 pm EST

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.

James | 8/16/2007, 7:30 pm EST

Even before Elvis, there was Richard Wayne Penniman.

Neil | 8/16/2007, 7:09 pm EST

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.

TONY | 8/16/2007, 6:10 pm EST

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.

TONY | 8/16/2007, 6:07 pm EST

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

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

TONY | 8/16/2007, 6:05 pm EST

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.

Seth | 8/16/2007, 3:34 pm EST

Neil, you’re a cocklick, don’t talk.

Banjo | 8/16/2007, 2:56 pm EST

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?

Elvis - A Good Ol Country Boy! | 8/16/2007, 1:28 pm EST

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
www.granddaddymusic.com

Zaggy | 8/16/2007, 1:04 pm EST

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.

Suicidal Sid | 8/16/2007, 12:25 pm EST

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

Suicidal Sid | 8/16/2007, 12:22 pm EST

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

Beelay | 8/16/2007, 11:56 am EST

Who is Elvis??

Ghost of Elvis Presley | 8/16/2007, 11:53 am EST

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.

ken vail | 8/16/2007, 11:42 am EST

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.

J | 8/16/2007, 11:14 am EST

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?

Peter S. | 8/16/2007, 10:56 am EST

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

Country Crotch | 8/16/2007, 10:41 am EST

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.

Rnr | 8/16/2007, 10:16 am EST

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.

Michelle | 8/16/2007, 9:52 am EST

Long live the king.

ravishing ryan sarita | 8/16/2007, 7:28 am EST

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.

jungleland | 8/16/2007, 7:23 am EST

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…

sweetnessfollows | 8/16/2007, 6:09 am EST

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

Sorry Tony there's one problem | 8/16/2007, 4:27 am EST

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

Neil | 8/16/2007, 4:25 am EST

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

TONY | 8/16/2007, 1:05 am EST

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?

Rich | 8/16/2007, 12:15 am EST

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?

tyler | 8/15/2007, 11:21 pm EST

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

Love Me Tender Chicken | 8/15/2007, 10:18 pm EST

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.

loveing it | 8/15/2007, 9:59 pm EST

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

MJH | 8/15/2007, 9:48 pm EST

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!

MJH | 8/15/2007, 9:44 pm EST

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…

Seth | 8/15/2007, 8:45 pm EST

The King…gone but never forgotten.

Rnr | 8/15/2007, 7:39 pm EST

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.

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