Legacy of Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935- August 16, 1977) was one of the most popular musicians of all time. He revolutionized the rock n' roll scene, and though he did not invent the genre, he made it what it was. Many musicians such as Bob Seger, The Beatles, and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin say Presley was an influence on their careers.
Presley brought the soul music of African Americans performing on the streets of Memphis to a new, much larger audience through his early recordings, such as his cover of Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right".
Contents
"Heartbreak Hotel"
The song was Presley's first #1 hit, released in 1956. It was the first single Presley recorded for RCA. it was a multiplatinum single for Presley. Stan Freberg parodied the song, making fun of the use of the echo chamber in the original song as well as Presley's hip gyrations, with the singer ripping his jeans for the third time that day and drowning in background music.
Awards and Honors
In 1986 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1998 the Country Music Hall of Fame and in 2001 the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. In 2007 Elvis Presley was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. He also was nominated for fourteen Grammys, winning three for his gospel hits "How Great Thou Art", "He Touched Me", and a 1974 live version of "How Great Thou Art".
Elvis Presley Enterprises
- Main Article: Elvis Presley Enterprises
Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) originally founded by former manager Neal in 1954, created Graceland as a tourist attraction, secured copyrights for Presley's image and intellectual property. They have become the official organization to sell Presley merchandise. Lisa Marie and Priscilla Presley are involved with and solely owned the company, until CKX Inc. acquired an 85% stake with Lisa Marie with a 15% stake.
Graceland
- Main Article: Graceland
Graceland is the former residence of Presley and is where he is buried, after being moved from Forest Hill Cemetery at 1661 Elvis Presley Blvd due to an unsuccessful break-in by grave robbers. It is a large white-columned mansion located on 3764 Elvis Presley Boulevard in Memphis about nine miles away from Downtown Memphis and less than four miles north of the Mississippi border. The Elvis Presley estate earns over $40 million and draws over 600,000 tourists yearly, a record for a deceased entertainer. Graceland Mansion, his home while alive, and his burial place, is designated as a National Historic Landmark. Graceland garners many tourists, and is second only to the White House in number of tourists visiting a private residence. Tourists are invited to see much of the house and the meditation garden where the family is buried, but the upstairs is reserved for Presley's family.
After Presley died, his father Vernon was responsible for the house. When he died in 1979, Priscilla took over. A CEO, Jack Soden, was responsible for making Graceland a moneymaker, since Priscilla could not afford the upkeep of the house, which was over $500,000 a year.
"A Little Less Conversation"
In 2002, 25 years after Presley's death, a remix of the single "A Little Less Conversation" was released by Dutch musician JXL. The song became a posthumous #1 hit for Presley, and appeared in a 2002 Nike World Cup ad. It topped the charts in six European countries, including Great Britain.
Aloha from Hawaii
Aloha from Hawaii was a concert performed by American musician Elvis Presley that was originally broadcasted live via satellite on January 14, 1973. The amount of people who viewed the concert is debatable. Several sources, including Elvis Presley Enterprises, say that over a billion people watched the concert worldwide, and it is the most watched broadcast starring an individual entertainer. Some other sources claim that this figure was created by Colonel Tom Parker, and that only several hundred million viewed the concert. The concert was shot at the Honolulu International Center (HIC) in Honolulu, Hawaii. The concert did not air in the United States until April 4, 1973 (the same day as the Super Bowl). This was the most expensive entertainment show at that time, costing over $2.5 million.
The concert featured an array of Presley's early and recent hits, including "Hound Dog", "Steamroller Blues", "See See Rider", "Early Morning Rain", "Burning Love", "Blue Suede Shoes", "A Big Hunk o' Love", "Can't Help Falling in Love", "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", "It's Over", "Welcome to my World", "I'll Remember You" and "What Now My Love", and "Suspicious Minds", as well as covers of songs including Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" and The Beatles' "Something".
Presley was accompanied by:
- James Burton (lead guitar)
- Charlie Hodge (acoustic guitar/vocals)
- Glen Hardin (piano/keyboards)
- Ronnie Tutt (drums)
- John Wilkinson (rhythm guitar)
- Jerry Scheff (bass)
- J.D. Sumner & the Stamps Quartet (vocals)
- Kathy Westmoreland (vocals)
- The Sweet Inspirations (vocals)
- Joe Guercio & his Orchestra
History
Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, decided that he was going to air a live concert via satellite since it was impossible for Presley to tour in every major city. It was inspired by a visit to China on July 8, 1972 made by then-President Richard Nixon. Parker initially wanted the concert to take place in late 1972, but was changed to 1973 since MGM was releasing its Elvis on Tour concert documentary. On September 4, 1972, Parker held a conference announcing the Presley concert would air on January 14 the next year. The show aided the Kui Lee Cancer Fund.
Presley arrived in Hawaii on January 9, 1973, having lost twenty-five pounds for the show, to begin rehearsing.
Concert
The concert was performed on January 14, 1973. Presley was wearing an eagle jumpsuit designed by Bill Belew. The show was directed by Marty Pasetta. He performed hits such as "See See Rider", "Steamroller Blues", "Hound Dog", I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", and "Can't Help Falling in Love". After the concert ended, Presley performed five songs including "Hawaiian Wedding Song" and "Early Morning Rain" that would be included in the American broadcast.
