40 years ago this month
Elvis Presley—NY DAILY NEWS
Four decades ago, rock music fans were shocked by the tragic news of the death of “The King,” Elvis Presley.
At only 42, Elvis had gone through many highs and lows in his career, looking a lot the worse for wear (and tear).
But, his diehard fans continued to hope that he would still be able to regain his stellar crown and supremacy, despite being weighed down by the chains of obesity and drug dependence.
Alas, it was not to be.
On the last day of his life, Aug. 16, 1927, Elvis was scheduled to fly out of Memphis, Tennessee, to begin another singing tour. But he was found unresponsive in the toilet, and attempts to revive him failed.
Then-president Jimmy Carter credited Elvis for having “permanently changed the face of American culture,” and he wasn’t exaggerating.
Elvis was the first stellar “W.A.S.P.” exponent of rock music, which used to be the exclusive performing turf and enclave of black musicians.
Beyond death
His skyrocketing stellar career, literally “pumped up” by his signature pelvic thrusts, spanned not just the music world but film and TV, as well.
Even after his death, his starrers continued to make millions of dollars in residuals and royalty payments for his estate.
Presley holds the records for the most songs on Billboard’s Top 40 and Top 100 charts.
As for his film starrers, there were more than 30 of them, starting with “Love Me Tender” in 1956, followed by “Loving You,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Blue Hawaii,” “Viva Las Vegas,” all the way up to “Change of Habit” in 1969.
Presley’s movies benefited greatly from his “strong and surly” screen presence, which directors exploited by casting him in “bad boy” and “rebel” roles that thrilled his generally female fan base.
Industry influence
In terms of industry influence, Elvis has been hailed as the “originator” of rockabilly, which was started by others, but “crystallized into a recognizable style in 1954” with Elvis’ first releases.
Elvis’ “defining” style is described early on as “raw, emotive, slurred, emphasizing the rhythmic feeling of the blues, with the string band and strummed rhythm guitar of country.”
That potent combination literally rocked the foundations of popular music, spawning many imitators and emulators whose progeny continue to feed off the “Presley pulse” to this day.
Aside from the death of Elvis Presley, other pop and biz events are marking key anniversaries this year.
They include the “Star Wars” franchise, which is turning 40. The Beatles’ hit, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” is marking its own industry-altering golden anniversary. Ditto for Dr. Seuss’ much-loved “The Cat in the Hat” children’s book.
Also a very big deal, for comedy lovers, is the anniversary of “Saturday Night Live,” which has maintained its gonzo, gung-ho and “guerrilla” kind of audacious and irreverent comedy for four decades—a tough, if not impossible, act to follow.
Impressive
Even more impressively, “SNL” has scored some of its highest TV ratings this season, thanks to its Donald Trump spoofs. How’s that for staying forever popular, connected and feisty?
Other 40th anniversary celebrations this year include the latest tour of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers—and the iconic dance film, “Saturday Night Fever,” the Director’s Cut of which is slated to be screened in selected cineplexes. Toast!
