ELVIS DAY, our
tribute to the birth of the "King" of rock, Elvis Presley.
Elvis Aron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), also
known as The King of Rock and Roll, or as just simply The King,
was an American singer who had an immeasurable effect on world
culture. He started his career under the name the Hillbilly Cat
and was soon nicknamed Elvis the Pelvis because of his sexually
suggestive performance style. Though Presley was repeatedly
dismissed as vulgar, incompetent and a bad influence. However
the force of his music and image signaled to the mainstream
culture it was time for a change.
Elvis has left his mark in the hearts of millions, worldwide.
Elvis’
musical influences were the pop and country music of the time, the
gospel music he heard in church and at the all-night gospel sings he
frequently attended, and the black R&B he absorbed on historic Beale
Street as a Memphis teenager. In 1954, he began his singing career with
the legendary Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his recording
contract was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956, he was an international
sensation. With a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse
musical influences and blurred and challenged the social and racial
barriers of the time, he ushered in a whole new era of American music
and popular culture.
Globally, he has sold over one billion records, more than any other
artist. His American sales have earned him gold, platinum or
multi-platinum awards for 150 different albums and singles, far more
than any other artist. Among his many awards and accolades were 14
Grammy nominations (3 wins) from the National Academy of Recording Arts
& Sciences, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, which he received at
age 36, and his being named One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the
Nation for 1970 by the United States Jaycees.
Without any of the special privileges his celebrity status might have
afforded him, he honorably served his country in the U.S. Army. In 1993,
to celebrate Elvis' legacy, the US Postal Service put out a
commemorative postage stamp, becoming the most publicized stamp in the
history of the US Postal Service, not to mention the top selling
commemorative stamp of all time.
Known the world over by his first name, he is regarded as one of the
most important figures of twentieth century popular culture. Elvis died
at his Memphis home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977. Elvis has won
million hearts through the music, television appearances, movies,
concerts, the King of Rock & Roll will remain a legend forever. It is on
this day, January 8, that we are reminded to forever keep Elvis in our
hearts as we make a holiday wish for all the world's people: Elvis bless
us, every one.
