Mid January 2003
- That Old Feeling: Happy Birthday, Elvis
By RICHARD CORLISS
(Time Online Edition, January 8, 2003)
Does Elvis go online? Computers were the size of 18-wheelers in 1977, when the King "died"; the World Wide Web was 15 years in the future. Today is his 68th birthday, and if he were to type "Elvis Presley" into a search engine, he would find 794,000 links on Google, 872,589 on AltaVista. That's about 856,000 more than my name elicits, and I've kept pretty busy the past 25 years with the writing thing. The Hillbilly Cat has taken it easy since his supposed demise. Then again, why should he work? He was a showman who had 18 great months, from early 1956 through "Jailhouse Rock" in 1957 - a year-and-a-half of musical artistry and social impact rarely matched in pop culture - followed by 20 years of treading water in a gold pond. Followed by 25 years, the dead years, in which his reputation is restored. His estate earns 10, 20 times more than he did when he was alive. His albums, as we used to call them, often sell better. In his first miracle year, 1956, America's hottest star received 282 teddy bears as Christmas presents from fans. But that's nothing compared to the thousands of pilgrims in 2003 who are offering the greater gift of their time and effort: visiting Graceland to wish him happy birthday. And, so far as we know, he isn't even home. ...
Elvismania transcends the usual devotion to a white-hot celebrity, even one who has died before his time. Rudolph Valentino, Will Rogers, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Bob Marley - these stars may have left indelible niches in the hearts of their fans, but few built shrines to them. Rumors of their survival rarely blossomed into testimony of posthumous visitations. Nor did their homes become cathedral theme parks. Yet each year Graceland, Presley's residence in Memphis, welcomes more than half a million Elvisitors, and many are true believers: call them Presleyterians. Like the Christian liturgical calendar, the Presleyterians' has two crucial dates. Today, the star's birthday, is their Christmas; and August16, his death date, is their Good Friday. A star may have died, but something is being born. Maybe the Church of Elvis.
Fine, but why Elvis? Not just because he was rock's first superstar, but also because as the pawn of Parker his manager, he was the last pop idol who did not control his own career. In 1956 he released his first million-seller, "Heartbreak Hotel," and became the biggest music idol since Sinatra, and loads weirder. Then, too soon, he was devoured by Hollywood's make-over machinery, steered into a rut that would lead to nearly three dozen low-mediocre films. Parker's determination to slip Elvis into the old showbiz mainstream effectively neutered the emperor of sexual and musical threat. ... All this was essential to the creation of a cult religion. Presley had to suffer in the only way a celebrity can, through self-humiliation. ...
- Happy 68th Birthday Elvis, Wherever You Are
(klas-tv.com, January 8, 2003)
Fans of Elvis Presley are celebrating his birthday Wednesday. The King of Rock n' Roll would have turned 68-years old today. At Presleyıs Graceland estate in Memphis, local officials and fans from across the globe cut a birthday cake and sang "Happy Birthday " in his honor. Fans also celebrated the success of last year's release of Elvis 30 Number 1 Hits . Gold and platinum awards from more than 20-countries were presented to Graceland officials. [Includes voting form about whether Elvis is still alive.]
- Elvis has not left her office
By HOWARD DUKES
(South Bend Tribune, January 8, 2003)
Cheryl Taylor Bennett, a Mississippi native, decorated her office at the Northern Indiana Center for History with Elvis Presley memorabilia. Elvis would have turned 68 today. A life-size cardboard cutout of young Elvis wearing a gold satin suit sits in the corner of Taylor Bennett's office at the Northern Indiana Center for History. "The reason why I brought the cutout here is that my cat thought it was a real person," said Taylor Bennett, history center director. "He was afraid of it." The cutout is one of many Elvis-related items that adorn Taylor Bennett's office. Taylor Bennett has Elvis cabinet magnets, nine Elvis figurines encased in globes that play snippets of The King's hits when a button on the base of the statuette is pressed, a billboard from a 1957 concert in Buffalo, Elvis trading cards, an 18-karat gold-plated Christmas tree ornament, and, of course, a velvet poster of an older King with pork-chopped sideburns. Taylor Bennett said she has more Elvis memorabilia at home, and is thinking about transferring more of it to her office. ...
It turns out that many people like her Elvis shrine. That's because people still like Elvis's music as evidenced by the fact that The King's music can still top the chart more than 25 years after his death. Taylor Bennett said Elvis was able to fuse the country, gospel and blues influences that allowed him to create a sound that reached across cultural divides.
And while some in the establishment tried to prevent people from listening to Presley's music, Elvis was a hero to many in Mississippi. In fact, Taylor Bennett said her parents were among The King's biggest fans. "He had the right mix of talent," she said.
- Fans Celebrate Elvis Presley's Birthday
By WOODY BAIRD
(Yahoo! News / Associated Press, January 8, 2003)
Christine Lewis wrapped herself in the flag - an Elvis flag - to celebrate what would have been the King of Rock 'n' Roll's 68th birthday. Lewis, 52, of Somerset, England, was among 600 to 700 fans gathered Wednesday on the front lawn of Graceland, Elvis Presley (news)'s last residence, to cut a cake and sing "Happy Birthday." Celebrants stood in line up to 1 1/2 hours to get onto the grounds for the party. ... For the occasion, she wrapped herself in a flag with red and blue stripes and white stars. Inside the largest star, in the center of the flag, was an image of Presley. Lewis and several traveling companions stayed at the Heartbreak Hotel, which is across the street from Graceland and part of the Elvis estate's sprawling layout of gift shops and museums. ... Doreen Jones, 67, and husband, Trevor, 66, traveled from Southport, England. As is common for fans from abroad, they also took side pilgrimages to Tupelo, Mississippi, the small town where Presley was born, and to Nashville.
It was Mrs. Jones' first visit to Graceland, which was decorated by Presley with almost as much flash as one of his bespangled jumpsuits. ... Presley's grave is in a small garden beside Graceland, but Mrs. Jones was unable to talk about that part of the tour. "I just can't," she said, her voice breaking as her eyes filled with tears. She was quickly comforted by other fans.
For the birthday, Graceland managers cut a blue and white cake before a display of framed gold and platinum awards for "Elvis 30 1 Hits," an album released last year on the 25th anniversary of the singer's death.
The album has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide and the awards were from 27 countries, including the United States.
The anniversary of Presley's birth on Jan. 8, 1935, draws several hundred fans each year and this year's crowd was somewhat larger. By contrast, a weeklong commemoration of the anniversary of his Aug. 16, 1977, death attracts 20,000 or more.
Presley died at age 42 of heart disease and drug abuse.
Sherrye Scott, 50, a local fan, sported an Elvis concert jacket and Elvis T-shirt decorated with a sparkling teddy bear pin.
Scott said she often stood outside the Graceland gates when Elvis was alive trying to get a glimpse of him.
She still remembers the day in 1969 when he came down from Graceland to talk with her and other fans.
"We got kisses, hugs and autographs," Scott said. "He loved his fans. He was so giving."
- New Elvis album his best-seller
(ninemsn.com.au, January 8, 2003)
Elvis Presley's greatest hits collection has become his biggest selling album, his record label said. On the eve of what would have been The King's 68th birthday, record firm BMG said Elv1s: 30 1 hits had beaten his previous best for the Elvis Christmas Album. His number one hits package has sold more than nine million copies around the world. The Christmas release - first issued in 1957 and re-released in 1973 - has still not topped the eight million level. Darren Henderson of BMG said: "This rounds up a phenomenal year for Elvis Presley proving that his music is indeed timeless.
- Elvis impersonator helps credit card launch
(Ananova, January 8, 2003)
Customers can apply online for a bank's Elvis Presley credit card. Impersonator Liberty Mounten was on hand at the launch of online applications for the Bank of Scotland's Elvis Presley Credit Card in London. The launch was at Elvisly Yours in Baker Street today - on what would have been Elvis's 68th Birthday.
- Today in History - Jan. 8
(Daily Comet / Associated Press, January 8, 2003)
Today is Wednesday, Jan. 8, the eighth day of 2003. There are 357 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History: On Jan. 8, 1935, rock-and-roll legend Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Miss.
- Elvis's hips still swing in this time warp
By JIM SUHR
(Canberra Times / Associated Press, January 8, 2003)
Quicker than you could choke down a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich, Bill Beeny's roadside ''Elvis Is Alive'' museum serves up plenty for folks with suspicious minds over whether Elvis really ever left the building. ... (Same as January 1 entry "Elvis museum caters to suspicious minds".)
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