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The king lives on...
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Even twenty-five years after his death, music buffs and fans around the globe still and will perhaps always remember the charismatic Elvis Presley.
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`THE KING is dead' - so ran the headlines of major newspapers all over the world on August 17, 1977. It was further reported that thousands of people were pouring in from all corners to his home, `Graceland', - - to pay their homage to the man, they believed was the true king of Rock `n' Roll.
For Agnes and Bridgette, two ardent fans of Elvis, his death brought a sudden end to their dreams. Like thousands of others they too rushed to `Graceland' where his body lay in state, to pay their last respects. Nobody was quite sure of the cause of death. Some said it was due to a heart attack, while others attributed it to an overdose of drugs and the wild life -- whatever the reason, for Agnes and Bridgette, their hero was no more and memories of his life and career remained.
From very humble beginnings, Elvis Presley rose to become a superstar adored by millions. His life style and music was distinctly Elvis. Lyrics, voice and style that represented the best of Rock, Country, Soul and Gospel music and with his hip-swivelling sexuality thrown in for good measure, Elvis was pure dynamite. He became the role model for a whole generation of Americans, in the late Fifties and the early Sixties. Off stage he was humble yet confident, polite and very soft spoken. On stage he was exactly the opposite earning himself the sobriquet - `Elvis - the Pelvis.'
His career can be divided into three distinct phases: First, the early days of music, then life in the army and as a movie star and lastly, his return to the world of music.
It was with the single Mystery train that his career and fortune began to zoom. He became a sensation when one hit song followed another, Heart-break Hotel, Don't be cruel, Love me tender, Blue suede shoes, I want you, I need you, I love you and Hound Dog, among others. The second phase of his career was as a movie star and his life in the U.S. Army. Announcement of his being drafted in the Army was greeted with shock and grief.
However, even when serving as a soldier in Germany, he continued to have hits from recordings carried out before he entered the Army. Hits during this period-included Hard headed woman, A fool such as I, I need your love tonight and My wish came true.
On his return from Germany, the film bug took hold of him and he acted in about 30 films. Most of these films, containing a few his songs, were eminently forgettable with little or no story line. However, they were all very successful mainly because these films served as a link between Elvis and his fans. Films include Love me tender, Live a little, love a little, Stay away, Joe and Blue Hawaii. Though his movies earned him a lot of money, it was this period that ruined him as an artiste .
The third and last phase of his career saw the return of Elvis to recordings, live performances, and television shows. Though he did make a successful comeback, he was no more an idol. He was one among many successful entertainers. Twenty-five years after his death, his two ardent fans, Agnes and Bridgette, draw consolation from the fact that Elvis has not faded away from public memory.
A.GEORGE ANTONY
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