Elvis Presley Music

The Younger Years of Elvis Presley

The most vivid image of Elvis that is ingrained in the pop culture mindset is a vibrant Elvis in his early twenties moving his hips and singing his heart out to his vast collection of hits. Elvis Presley was, of course, not always the King of Rock and Roll. With the celebration this month of what would have been his 77th birthday, let’s take a look back to his early years.

He was born Elvis Aaron Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. The proud parents were Vernon and Gladys Presley. Vernon was then only 18, while Gladys was 22.

Elvis had a twin brother, Jessie Garon, who was stillborn. His parents never had another child after this birth so Elvis essentially only knew the life of an “only child.”

Ultimate Elvis Contest

Can you fill these blue suede shoes?

Do you embody the King? Tired of the karaoke scene and want to really want to hit the stage and pay a nationwide homage to Elvis Presley? Then sign up for the 2012 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest at the “Fill The Blue Suede Shoes” contest in Ocala, Florida March 3^rd, 2012!

You must be at least 18 and submit a demo of you doing your best Elvis tribute. If your demo is picked by the panel of judges you’ll be invited to compete against other tribute artists at the Circle Square Cultural Center in Ocala, Florida. Read more about Ultimate Elvis Contest

The Best of Fictional Elvis Fans

Elvis Presley is such an iconic musical artist that he has gotten really larger than life in so many ways. From the frequent impersonations in Las Vegas to the over-the-top celebrations for his birthday each year far beyond his death to the memorabilia that still fills store shelves, Elvis is still a mega-star. Another indication of his undying fame is the large amount of fictional fans of Elvis. Screenwriters, playwrights, and novelists alike know to draw upon being a fan of Elvis as a way to reveal profound and fun things about a character. Here are some you may know, and here are some fictional Elvis fans you may have never heard of before.

Celebrating Elvis Presley's 77th Birthday

Boston is hosting the Spirit of the King: Elvis Presley’s 77th Birthday Concert on Saturday, January 7, 2012.

Elvis Presley would have been 77 on January 8, 2012. Although Elvis passed away in 1977, his birthday has continued as a time of celebration for his fans all over the world for many years. Fans are really going all out this year to show how the spirit of the “King of Rock and Roll” lives on in many ways.

Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley that has since been dedicated as a museum and a celebration of his life and career, is having a multiple-day birthday bash celebration for Elvis. It spans from Thursday, January 5, 2012 to Sunday, January 8, 2012. Events include a Graceland trivia tour, a dance club party that’s held in the Elvis Presley Car Museum a southern birthday breakfast that celebrates some of Presley’s favorite foods, a fan club event, live performances by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, and a gospel music tribute, among many other fun festivities.

Young Man With A Big Beat

Elvis Presley Retrospect 1956

With the coming of Elvis Week there has been a lot of buzz regarding the year 1956. It was the year Elvis Presley made his big break into the music scene and ascended into the heights of superstardom and he began his reign of King of Rock n Roll.

This moment has been captured on a deluxe 5 CD set titled “Young Man with the Big Beat-The Complete ’56 Elvis Presley Recordings”. It was in this year that Elvis crossed the country exposing the public to black music and his signature upper-lip sneer and gyrating hips. He took the nation by storm, recording his staple songs “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Hound Dog”. Read more about Young Man With A Big Beat

Elvis Presley's Christmas Duets

Elvis Presley’s Christmas music is legendary. There is all kinds of merchandise with some of his tunes, such as “Blue Christmas,” attached to them. His holiday tunes gets played on radio stations all over the country, and they have been a mainstay for decades around many Christmas trees. So, in 2008, when RCA Records released a Christmas album that features the vocals of Elvis mixed with the vocals from many contemporary singers, there was a mixed reaction. The album, simply title “Christmas Duets” is something that you either think is a very good or a very bad idea.

I'll Have uh Blueeee....blueee blueee blueee Christmasssss....

"blue christmas" past, present, future...

Blue Christmas

Written in 1948 by the song writing team of Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson, this song of unrequited love during the holiday season has become a marker and iconic song throughout music history.

The song was originally recorded by Doye O’Dell and popularized by country singer Ernest Tubb and also by Hugo Winterhalter and his orchestra. Russ Morgan and the Morganaires also did a version that got airplay. Read more about I'll Have uh Blueeee....blueee blueee blueee Christmasssss....

Elvis Country: Legacy Edition

Elvis Returns To His Roots

In 1971, Elvis Presley recorded several songs from his country roots. Getting in touch with the Nashville sound. The album maintained the growing stardom that the 1968 Comeback Special and Las Vegas stints launched, starting the King on his long awaited return to touring. Read more about Elvis Country: Legacy Edition

Annie Leibovitz Spotlights Graceland in: Pilgrimage

icons through the eyes of an icon

Award-winning photographer Annie Leibovitz was on vacation and began snapping photos of Emily Dickinson’s home in Amherst, Massachusetts. Then after, she went on vacation with her kids to Niagara Falls. Thus began her photo book “Pilgrimage”.

Her book is different for her style as she usually photographs portraits with Hi-Tech cameras. But the entire book is of iconic landmarks and all photos are taken with a simple digital camera. Read more about Annie Leibovitz Spotlights Graceland in: Pilgrimage

The 2012 Elvis Cruise

continuing the celebration

Want to keep the celebration going after the Elvis Presley Birthday celebration in January? Why not hop on a plane to Jacksonville, Florida and keep the celebration of the King of Rock n’ Roll going on an ocean cruise?

Carnival Cruise Lines is throwing its 5^th annual Elvis Cruise aboard their ship The Fascination; Thursday January 12^th through Monday January 16^th. Ship will depart from Jacksonville, Florida and visit beautiful Nassau, Bahamas.

If The Ship is a Rockin’

The entire ship and activities encompass the celebration of Elvis Presley, his life and his music. There will be guest speakers of people that have had the pleasure to work with him in the movie and music industry. Live Elvis Presley music performed by an outstanding array of award-winning Elvis Impersonators, screenings of all his movies, an authentic sock hop circa 1954, the Elvis door decorating contest, and 50’s theme night so bring your poodle skirts, bobbi socks and brill cream.