Long live The King’s music
Yes, Elvis is alive in the hearts of millions of his fans worldwide and during Elvis week which culminates around the date of his death — August 16 — there is a pilgrimage to Memphis.
Elvis Aaron Presley was born Jan. 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. He died Aug. 16, 1977 at his home Graceland in Memphis Tennessee. Elvis’ twin brother Jesse Garon was stillborn.
Festivals that pay tribute to the life and music of Elvis occur throughout the rest of the year are keeping the image of Elvis alive. The Penticton Elvis festival is held on the last full weekend of June of each year and 2018 will be the 17th annual.
Elvis’ mom and dad moved to Memphis when he was 13-years-old. After graduation Elvis got a job driving truck for Crown Electric in Memphis. He wanted to give his mother a special birthday present in 1954 and went into Sun Studio to cut a record for her.
A little later that year he auditioned for a group called The Good Fellows who didn’t hire him stating that he couldn’t sing. On July 4, 1954 he recorded “That’s Allright Mama” and sitting in on the recording session was Floyd Cramer on piano and Chet Atkins on guitar.
People took notice of that song and he was asked to join the Louisana Hayride for a couple of shows.
Once he hit the stage the crowd went crazy with his stage presence.
Shortly after his first hit single Sun Records sold their rights to Elvis to RCA for $35,000.
Col. Tom Parker was now in charge of his career. His first hit single with RCA was “Heartbreak Hotel.”
In March 1958 Elvis enlisted in the army to do his two-year stint as regular recruit. He was given an honourable discharged in March 1960 with the rank of Sargeant.
In 1961 Elvis did a benefit concert at Bloch Arena in Pearl Harbour to raise funds to rehabilitate the USS Arizona. His goal was to raise $50,000. They raised $52,000 and after Elvis and the Colonel added $5,000 each the total was $62,000. Elvis paid all of the expenses for the concert. That concert was the last time that he wore the Gold Lamme jacket.
In 1969 Elvis wanted to record “In The Ghetto,” the Colonel said “no” as this was not the time, to which Elvis replied this a the very best time because of the turmoil at the time.
During his career he made 35 movies and recorded well over 750 songs. He was nominated for a Grammy 14 times and only won three — all for his gospel songs.
The aim of our annual festival is to bring the very best Elvis tribute artists from around the world to Penticton. Long live the King’s music. Terry Michels is a long-time director and driving force behind the Pacific Penticton Elvis Festival.