Some of my friends and family are really into American Idol. I'm not really into it other than singing a few songs on my American Idol Karaoke video game for the Sony Playstation 2. However, the "real," first American idol was Elvis Presley, aka "The King." He’s been dead for 30 years, but Elvis Presley through his estate earns millions more than he did when he was alive. New generations of young people continue to be fascinated by the man whose wiggling hips were once censored on TV and whose voice offered something special to listeners. Born in a simple shotgun house in 
Here's something else interesting about Elvis:A photograph of President Nixon with Elvis Presley is the most requested item from the National Archives. More requested than the Bill of Rights or the Constitution, the photograph shows the president shaking hands with Elvis in the Oval Office of the White House. Elvis had written a letter to Nixon suggesting that he be given a badge and made a “Federal Agent-at-Large” in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. On December 21, 1970, Elvis paid the president a visit, bringing gifts, which included a Colt .45 pistol and some family photographs. Elvis asked Nixon if he could be given a badge, and the president honored the request. Elvis was so happy that he hugged Nixon and asked if he could bring in his bodyguards to meet the president. Permission was granted, and President Nixon passed out gifts to his guests. A movie called When Elvis Met Nixon humorously tells this strange but delightful story.
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4 comments:
Elvis was the first great American pop entertainer. I watch his 1973 Hawaii concert regularly while on the ellipitcal. No lip syncing, pure talent and charisma. I prefer the pre-1959 music as the 10-year movie making saga really was a drain on his talent and work- but the 68 "Comeback" special has to be the best "unplugged" session ever done.
This past summer I visited Graceland, upon teh occasion of the 30th year since his death. Talk about a piece of Americana. Wow.
As for the Nixon visit, it's ironic that Elvis felt so strongly about illegal drugs and not so strongly about his astronomical ingestion of various narcotics and barbituates during the last 3 years of his life in particular.
In incredible talent, the likes of which I don't suspect we'll ever see again.
You're spot on regarding the drug use. I'm a big Elvis fan who listens to his music an a regular basis. I like his earlier stuff a little bit better than his Vegas days. You know, when he'd actually forget the lyrics during his performances. Sad times...Elvis has left the building.
Elvis was a strong supporter of the police. I can recall a time when he came to Denver when I was a young police rookie. He gave two Denver Police Commanders who coordinated his security each a new cadilac. Even until his death he was a kind of cop groopie.
Yes pop, I can remember you telling us kids that story. Pretty cool. It would have been even 'cooler' if he'd given you a cadilac.
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