It was an ordinary day. Reading a variety of "musical stuff" when I came across a story about one of my all-time favorite musicians...Elvis Presley! Elvis could make a crowd go wild with a shake of his leg or a swivel of his hip. Girls would go wild and at times...faint! When Elvis arrived on the scene in the mid-1950s, the world of pop music canned forever. He brought a new and unheard of sound to rock 'n' roll. A sound that was influenced by the blues, Christian gospel and Southern country. And...it was sung in his distinctive baritone voice with a three-octave range while sending his fans into a frenzy. Elvis was more than a singer since his style ranged from a slick James Dean to an outlandish diamond-studded jumpsuit that inspired the likes of Elton John. He was both colorful and entertaining, both on and off the stage. He was a guy who sent his fans into a frenzy, while creating controversy among society's conservative elements. He was more than a singer! He became a cultural icon whose sense of style ranged from a slick-looking James Dean to a diamond-studded Elton John. He was both colorful as well as entertaining. He had his ups and downs, struggling with drugs and his health, but still retained the title of "King of Rock 'n' Roll." Elvis was considered the greatest cultural force in the 20th century. He introduced his ryhmatic beat to everything from music to language to clothes. He introduced a whole new social revolution. For those reading my story today who weren't born until the 60s or later...you really missed living and growing up in one of the neatest musical ages ever. As Leonard Bernstein once said, "Elvis is the greatest cultural force in the 20th century. He introduced the beat to everything from music to language to clothes! It was an entire new social revolution." The following quotes from the King himself cover everything from his provocative pelvis to his views on fame and fortune.....
"To judge a man by his weakest link or deed is like judging the power of the ocean by one wave."
"Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do 'em all together, I guess"
"The first time that I appeared on stage, it scared me to death. I really didn't know what all the yelling was about. I didn't realize that my body was moving. It's a natural thing to me. So to the manager backstage I said, "What'd I do?" He replied, "Whatever it is, go back and do it again."
Just because I managed to do a little something, I don't want anyone back home to think I got the big head."
"The image is one thing and the human being is another...it's very hard to live up to an image."
"In public I like real conservative clothes, something that's not too flashy. But, onstage, I like 'em as flashy as you can get 'em."
"Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't go'on away."
"I figure all any kid needs is hope and the feeling he or she belongs. If I could do or say anything that would give some kid that feeling, I would believe I had contributed something to the world."
"Money can never buy everything your heart desires. It won't buy love, or health or happiness."
My momma taught be one thing right from the very beginning, and that's that everyone's got a right to his own opinion. I believe that. And, I also believe that you can't make everyone like you."
I've had a pretty good lesson in human nature. it's more important to try to surround yourself with people who can give you a little happiness, because you only passs through this life once, Jack. You don't come back for an encore."
Perhaps you might have learned something about Elvis by reading his quotes! I know I have. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
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