Elvis Presley - American icon

According to Rolling Stone magazine, "it was Elvis who made rock 'n' roll the international language of pop." A PBS documentary described Presley as "an American music giant of the 20th century who single-handedly changed the course of music and culture in the mid-1950s." His recordings, dance moves, attitude and clothing came to be seen as embodiments of rock and roll. His music was heavily influenced by African-American blues, Christian gospel, and Southern country.

 

 

 

Elvis Presley - Controversy surrounding death

In her 1987 book Elvis and Kathy, friend and backup vocalist Kathy Westmoreland wrote "Everyone knew he was sick, that each public appearance brought him to the point of exhaustion." Kathy has been known to counter common misconceptions concerning Elvis's lifestyle and health leading up to his death.

Elvis Presley - 1968 comeback

Presley's star had increasingly faded over the 1960s as he made his movies and America was struck by changing styles and tastes after the "British Invasion" spearheaded by the Beatles and the San Francisco sound of Haight Asbury.

 

 

 

Elvis Presley - Political beliefs

Not much has been written about Elvis's political views. In the early 1960s he described himself as an admirer of the Democratic President John F. Kennedy. In 1970 however he wrote to J. Edgar Hoover requesting to join the FBI at the height of its campaign against political activism. Most people were shocked at this, but his fans had mixed emotions. They wanted their hero making new movies and songs, but they were happy that Elvis had his feet firmly on the ground. In December of that year he met with President Richard Nixon. According to the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation, the photograph of President Nixon's meeting with Presley in the Oval Office of the White House is the most requested image in the history of the U.S. Government.

 

 

 

FAQs about the closing of Elvis Presley's Memphis restaurant on Beale Street.

Posted April 21, 2006: On this date, via an article in the Commercial Appeal in Memphis, we announced that we have a sub-lease tenant for the location of the former Elvis Presley's Memphis restaurant. Click here to see a reprint of the newspaper article and other information here on Elvis.com. Also watch for other postings in our News area in the months ahead as things progress toward the opening of the new restaurant. The best way to stay informed about his and all things Elvis and EPE is to sign up for our FREE e-newsletters service.