It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I am an Elvis Presley fanatic, even if he did pass away 20 years before I was born. From an early age (my parents took me to Graceland when I was 9 years old, if that tells you anything), my obsession with The King of Rock and Roll was almost abnormal, and I would get teased a lot by old and young people alike because of my unusual nostalgic taste in music as a child. But what can I say? Everyone in the world has at least heard of Elvis, and there are so many reasons why he is a musician with a legacy to look to with admiration and to honor with a deep respect.
1. Voice Of An Angel
From Hound Dogs to Blue Suede Shoes, to even Teddy Bears and our precious Lord Jesus himself, Elvis Presley could sing a song about anything and turn it into the prettiest sound you’ve ever heard. He wasn’t afraid to express himself when performing, even if what he was doing when singing and dancing was considered to be taboo at the time. He sang about what he enjoyed, and he enjoyed a lot of things in his life. I think that that’s what made him so special; he wasn’t afraid to be himself.
2. Triple Threat
Aside from being able to sing and dance like no other, Elvis Presley was also a phenomenal movie actor, having been in a little over 30 movies in a span of 10+ years. My personal favorites out of all of the movies that he has been in, are GI Blues, The Trouble with Girls, Blue Hawaii, and Speedway, even though all of his movies are awesome. I wish that I could own a copy of all of his movies…perhaps someone should make note of the request for when my birthday rolls around.
3. An All Around Good Man
Unlike a lot of celebrities that exist today, and even some back in the day, Elvis was a great man on and off the screen and stage. Having been born and having spent his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi, until he and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee, when he was 13 years old, he was a ‘good ol’ Southern boy’, which is a definite plus for me, but that might be because I’m from the south myself and am a sucker for males who flaunt their Southern charm and sweetness. He was a Christian man, and defended his country bravely in the Army. Aside from the things that he did for us Americans, Elvis also had a good life as a family man, showering his daughter, Lisa Marie, with all the love and attention that a child could want from their father; and that is yet another thing about Elvis that makes him such a legacy in entertainment history.
Elvis Presley, from his incredible singing, dancing and acting talent to his Christian nature to his wonderful southern charm, was perfectly deserving of his title in American culture as the “King of Rock and Roll.” He is the only person I know of who can sing about anything from Hound Dogs to Blue Suede Shoes, to even Teddy Bears and Jesus Christ, make It be the most beautiful sound that our ears have ever heard. I’m going back to Graceland/Memphis for my 20th birthday in February, and I am ecstatic to be back in my most favorite place ever. I wish Elvis didn’t have to have died at such a young age (he was only 42 years old), but I am more than confident that he is sharing his beautiful voice with all of the angels in heaven. He was a great singer, actor, and a great person that everyone, whether they are celebrities or not, should strive to be like.
