MUMBAI: The King of Rock and Roll would have turned 81 today, had it not been for the sudden, violent heart attack that resulted into his unfortunate death at the age of 42. His contribution to the world of entertainment through his songs and movies are unparelleled and the legacy will never fade away. On his 81st birth anniversary, we remember and celebrate the characteristics, beyond his eccentric style and mesmerising voice, that still makes him one of the greatest artists who ever lived.
He was shy
It is believed that Elvis Presley turned down an offer to sing on a local radio show, because he was too shy to perform and had no such experience whatsoever.
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As a senior at Humes High School in Memphis, the then 18-year-old Presley turned down his date, 14-year-old Regis Wilson’s request for a dance. “I can’t dance”, said Presley.
The shy nature often converted into nervousness leading to the ‘Jailhouse Rock’ singer to stutter while performing on stage.
He was religious
Alright, the age of 2 years is too early to judge a human’s religious views, but Presley’s earliest desire to perform/sing happened when he wiggled out of his mother’s grip and joined the choir to sing during an Assembly of God Church service.
In 1965, Presley talked about entering a monastery.
Presley started wearing a chai necklace because his mother Gladys’ maternal grandmother was Jewish — the reason why he added a Star of David on his mother’s gravestone in the mid-1960s. When asked why he wore the necklace, he said, “I don’t want to miss out on going to heaven on a technicality.”
He once said, “Whatever I will become will be what God has chosen for me.”
He had an affinity for animals
He owned a basset hound, two great Danes, a chow chow, a Pomeranian, several horses, some donkeys, some peacocks and guinea hens, ducks, chickens, a chimpanzee, a monkey and a mynah bird.
He also owned a turkey named Bowtie
His golden palomino quarter horse, Rising Sun, was buried at Graceland- Presley’s home where his parents and grandmother was buried too.
He was a Mama’s boy
‘My Happiness’ and ‘That’s When Your Heartaches Begin’ – Presley recorded these two songs as a gift for her mother. The then 12-years-old paid $4 to Sun Studios for the recordings.
Presley loved his mother a lot. And after her death, Presley made a statement saying he’d die in the 40s too, just like his mother. Presley died at the age of 42.
He was self-obsessed
He hated fish, and wouldn’t allow Priscilla to eat it at Graceland.
Presley preferred to take sponge baths, using a rag and soap.
Presley loved “The Tonight Show,” until Johnny Carson joked about him being “fat and 40.”
Presley used A&D ointment to keep his lips soft.
He was a patriot
When Elvis Presley met President Nixon in December of 1970, he read aloud a six-page letter to the President, in which he revealed his desire to be made a “Federal Agent-at-Large” in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.
He liked The Beatles but them of being ‘un-American’ for their open drug-taking and anti-Vietnam politics.
He was funny
He was a player
As a teenager, Presley worked as an usher at Loew’s State movie theater in Memphis. He was fired when another usher ratted him out for getting free candy from the girl working the concessions stand.
Sometimes, Presley would sign autographs on fans’ breasts — “Elvis” on the left and “Presley” on the right.
Following his divorce from Priscilla in 1972, Elvis was said to have allowed ‘good-looking girls’ who waited outside Graceland to enter after-hours. One night it was 152 women.
A perfectionist
Recording ‘Hound Dog’ in the studio, Elvis reportedly demanded 31 takes.
A quotable guy
“I dont know anything about music. In my line, you dont need to”
“Man, I really like Vegas.”
“Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine.”
He was a foodie
Presley loved biscuits and gravy, potato cheese soup and meatloaf with mushroom gravy, but he also loved the fat-free, antioxidant-rich, very healthy beefsteak tomato.
Elvis’s favorite sandwich was peanut butter, bacon, banana, and honey.
His karate stories are rather interesting
He once broke a woman’s ankle while showing her a karate move at his hotel suite in Las Vegas.
Presley’s karate name was “Tiger.”
He was a legend
Presley once gave Muhammad Ali a robe declaring the boxer “The People’s Champion.” (Ali gave Presley gloves that said, “You’re the greatest.”)
Roy Orbison, Bruce Springsteen and Cher are just some of the legends of the yesteryears who considered Presley as their inspiration.
Research shows that “Elvis” is one of the most popular passwords for computers.
Presley has 21 UK Number 1s on Official Charts and his music has spent 80 weeks collectively at the top spot.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s Elvis Presley tribute album ‘If I Can Dream’ is currently at #2 on the Official Charts
