On this date, August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley died of a heart attack at his Graceland estate in Memphis, often considered to be the result of an accidental prescription drug overdose.
He was one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, Elvis helped establish the emerging Rock and Roll sound, incorporating blues and gospel influences. He was also a leader in introducing both the rockabilly sound and the four-man band line-up which would later dominate the music industry. His first single, "Heartbreak Hotel" (1956), began a string of number-ones that radically reshaped American music and put him at the forefront of rock and roll. In 1958 he was drafted into the army and served in West Germany. Following this he began a much-derided acting career and did not perform live for seven years. In 1968 he returned to the stage with the acclaimed "Elvis" special, and then took up an extended Las Vegas residency which became iconic in its own right. Then a series of successful concert tours followed, as the 1973 live concert special "Aloha from Hawaii", which was a technological first. Presley was one of the best-selling artists in music history.
I was never able to attend any of his concerts but I did buy a few albums through my teen years. I will never forget the moment I heard the news that he had died. I was working at a Chesebrough-Ponds Manufacturing Plant to finance my college studies.
We were allowed to listen to the piped in radio during the summer months. I suspect that was a concession to the heat we were working within the Plastic's Department.
Our group of eight women sat around the assembly table dumbstruck of the nightly news. The rest of the night the radios schedules were filled with Elvis' songs.
It was a sad moment to hear that this 42 year old music icon was gone. 😒
Nana
Comentários