Elvis Presley Week August 9-17: a Tribute to the King of Rock N' Roll

I was born the year Elvis Presley was just becoming famous: 1956. It wasn't much later that millions of people around the world became obsessed fans of the gorgeous hunk of burning love, Elvis Presley. My first realization that Elvis was more than just the ordinary teen idol was when my sister, 12 years my senior, had Elvis posters hanging all over her room, played Elvis 45s on the record player 24/7, and watched every Elvis Presley movie on television about five times each. By age 15, I was collecting Elvis Presley recordings and movie sound tracks. By age 18, I was a bonafide huge Elvis Presley fan.

I am sad that I never got to see Elvis Presley perform live. Elvis Presley performed live in concert at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 26, 1977. This would be the last public performance of Elvis Presley's life. After this concert, Elvis returned to Graceland to rest for an upcoming tour in August. Elvis was to leave for Portland, Maine on August 16, 1977 to perform in concert on August 17 and continue his next tour schedule. On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley went to the dentist around 1 a.m. and returned to Graceland to handle some last minute tour plans and relax with family and friends. Around 7 a.m., Elvis went to his room to rest before taking the Portland flight that evening. Elvis died during the late morning hours that day.

I visited Elvis's beloved Graceland and I was saddened by the condition of the surrounding area after Elvis died. The brick wall surrounding Graceland was in shambles from people stealing bricks. Graffiti covered the walls. The streets were filled with all kinds of street vendors selling Elvis memorabilia, probably most of it was not licensed at the time, since Priscilla had not yet turned the Elvis persona into a real business. However, I applaud the decision out of respect and privacy that Priscilla, Lisa Marie and the entire Graceland tour staff chose to keep the upstairs mansion closed to visitors. No photos or visitors are allowed in Elvis and Priscilla's bedroom, bath, or master dressing area, or in Lisa Marie's nursery.

Some 52 years later, I remain a huge Elvis Presley fan. August 9-17 is Elvis Presley Week and you can get in on all the memories as a tribute to Elvis Presley. If you would like to see an MP3 music video player of all my favorite Elvis Presley performances, videos of that fateful day and the memorable Elvis funeral, and other interesting Elvis Presley trivia, you can visit Elvis Presley: Remembering The King of Rock N' Roll.

The official Elvis Presley web site is also a fun place to visit as you pay tribute to Elvis Presley during Elvis Presley Week. The Presley women, Priscilla and Lisa Marie really know how to throw an Elvis Presley party complete with MySpace Elvis Karaoke Contests, Elvis Duet Listening Parties, family photos and videos of Elvis Presley with Priscilla and Lisa Marie, and an Elvis Gift Shop with August specials and free shipping. You can get just about anything Elvis that you want on the official web site, except of course, the real Elvis Presley that every young girl dreamed about kissing. If you are too young to remember Elvis Presley, you should check out the Discover Elvis section of the Elvis Presley web site. You will not believe the worldwide hysteria surrounding this singing idol who became known as The King of Rock N' Roll. There really has not been another performer in my lifetime that equals the talent, generosity, and success of Elvis Presley.

Remembering Elvis Presley

Elvis Aron Presley was born January 8, 1935 in a two room house in Tupelo, Mississippi. Elvis' father and uncle built the house themselves. His middle name Aron was actually spelled this way so that it would similar to the middle spelling of his twin brother Jesse Garon who died at birth. However, when Elvis was older he changed the spelling to Aaron.

Elvis' first record was with "That's All Right" and followed by "Blue Moon of Kentucky." The single was recorded in 1954 and it lead to who we know today as the King of Rock and Roll.

Elvis met Priscilla Beaulieu when she was 14 while he was in the Army stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany. They married on May 1, 1967 when Priscilla was 21. Exactly nine months later Lisa Marie Presley was born February 1, 1968. Elvis and Priscilla divorced October 9, 1973.

Elvis charted more songs on Billboard's Hot 100 than any other artist with a number of 149 Hot 100 songs. Here is an Elvis Presley MP3 playlist of my favorite Elvis Presley songs. You can see music video performances of these Top 35 Elvis Presley Favorites by clicking here.

My Way
Green Green Grass of Home
CC Rider
Blue Suede Shoes
Return to Sender 1962
Heartbreak Hotel/Hound Dog/All Shook Up
Heartbreak Hotel 1956
If I Can Dream - Elvis with Celine Dion on American Idol
Love Me Tender
I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
CBS Special of Last Live Concert
Hurt from Last Live Concert
Viva Las Vegas
You Gave Me A Mountain
It's Over
What Now My Love
Take My Hand Precious Lord
I Can't Help Falling in Love with You
Blue Christmas
It's Now or Never
Blue Moon
Pieces of His Life; A Tribute to Elvis
That's All Right Mama
You'll Never Walk Alone
Wooden Heart
How Great Thou Art
Burning Love
American Trilogy
In the Ghetto
Hound Dog
Unchained Melody from Last Live Concert
Suspicious Minds
Always on My Mind
Jailhouse Rock
Amazing Grace

Elvis Presley's June 19-21,1997 concert tour was recorded by CBS for a television special called Elvis in Concert. The CBS television special was aired on October 3, 1977 following his death. The album was also released by RCA on that day. The Elvis in Concert album hit the charts at #5 and within a short time sold 1.5 million copies.

Elvis Presley's unprecedented legacy will live on forever. Maybe one day, I'll even take the Elvis Presley Cruise. The next cruise is Scheduled for August 28-September 1, 2008 leaving from New Orleans and stopping in Cozumel. You can schedule a trip on the Elvis Presley Cruise by calling 1-800-704-3034. You can also leave Elvis Presley Memorial messages and tributes to Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie Presley, or Elvis friends by clicking here.

Like millions of Elvis Presley fans around the world, I wish Elvis would come back and do one more concert for us. Since he cannot do that, we will just spend year after year remembering Elvis Presley in all sorts of creative ways. Rest in Peace, Elvis.