Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Rocktober Alphabet: E is for Elvis

Presley, wearing a tight black leather jacket with upturned collar, black leather wristbands, and black leather pants, holds a microphone with a long cord. His hair, which looks black as well, falls across his forehead. In front of him is an empty microphone stand. Behind, beginning below stage level and rising up, audience members watch him. A young woman with long black hair in the front row gazes up ecstatically.
Falling from Graceland

Elvis Presley arguably is rock n' roll to more people than any other artist. Cultural icon, velvet voiced rebel, hip-shaking corrupter of a generation, Elvis needs no introduction.

Or does he? For many, Elvis the icon eclipses Elvis the musician, the tousle haired boy that won his fame fairly, by completely rocking.

If you're one of those (like me once) who thinks of Elvis as a punchline, a blur in a mist of pink Caddilacs, silver sequins, Vegas impersonators, and black velvet paintings, pay attention.
If you only think of pompadours, Graceland, fried peanut butter and a grotesque death in a bathtub, listen up.
Please meet Elvis Presley for the first time. He can sing, and he has an attitude.
You should get to know him.



(image via Wikipedia.org)

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