A Tribute To Elvis Presley: Facts About The King Of Rock’n’Roll & …. A Playlist ?

Farah Vayani

Zeb Bangash’s Ode To Saaf Hawa (Clean Air) is out now

One of the most significant cultural icons died in this month, in 1977. That icon, was Elvis Presely – or The King/The King of Rock’n’Roll. We won’t mourn him, but let’s talk about what you didn’t know about one of the world’s famous men, and listen to so

One of the most significant cultural icons died in this month, in 1977. That icon, was Elvis Presely – or The King/The King of Rock’n’Roll.

We won’t mourn him, but let’s talk about what you didn’t know about one of the world’s famous men, and listen to some of his best music!

Did you know?

?Elvis was a twin. His twin brother was Jesse Garon Presley who died at birth – something Elvis was haunted by this his entire life. His mother Gladys reportedly always said Elvis had the energy of 2 people.

?Elvis’ famous black hair was dyed – his natural color was brown.

?In 1956, he began his film career with a western, Love Me Tender. His second film, Loving You, featured his parents as audience members. Following his mother’s death in 1957, he never watched the film again.

?He met his ex wife, Priscilla Presley while we drafter in Germany when he was 24, she 14, and they married 8 years later.

?Elvis and Priscilla’s only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, was married to Michael Jackson and actor (and Elvis obsessive) Nicholas Cage. Mr. Cage is reportedly the only person outside of Presley’s immediate family to have ever seen Elvis’ Graceland bedroom.

?Elvis’ popularity faded in the 60’s, come the rise of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones et al. So he successfully relaunched his career with a 1968 television special because he had once walked down a busy Los Angeles street and no one recognized or approached him!

?He was distantly related to former U.S. Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Jimmy Carter.

Here are a few songs we think sum up how epic the KING of rock’n’roll was:

Can’t Help Falling In Love

Covered famously by Bob Dylan and UB40, this song has always been a world favourite. The melody is actually based on Plaisir d’amour, a popular French love song composed in 1784 by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini. It was also notably the last song he performed live in 1977.

Suspicious Minds

A song purely about a mistrusting and dysfunctional relationship, this was one of Elvis’ biggest hits. It also focused on the need of the characters in the song to overcome their issues in order to maintain their relationship.

Hound Dog

Over the years, numerous critics have accused Elvis of stealing “Hound Dog” from Big Mama Thornton, who originally recorded it in 1953, but profited very little compared to what Elvis earned from his 1956 rendition. This was a big hit and still is, though!

Don’t

An underrated song, but our personal favourite! It is said that in an interview with Elvis in Germany in 1960, he said this was his favorite, too!

Jailhouse Rock

A song that reminds you of cute diners, cool cars, leather jackets, red lipstick, jukeboxes, vinyl records, malt shops and the good old fashion American dream.