If Elvis had lived

Anyone over the age of 55 well remembers where they were on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 1977 when news came on the radio that Elvis Presley had died.

The man who defined rockand-roll, made several movies a year, and had one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the entertainment industry will remain forever young in the eyes of his fans. Gone forever at the age of 42. As thousands of Elvis fans make their pilgrimage to Penticton this weekend for the 17th annual Penticton Elvis Festival, it made us wonder, what would have happened if he were alive.

If he was alive today, Elvis would be 83.

At the time of his death, it had been eight years since his last No. 1 hit (“Suspicious Minds”) and five years since “Burning Love” reached No. 2.

Elvis was selling out shows in Las Vegas and scored 11 singles which landed in the top 40 during the last five years of his life.

But, when you’re Elvis Presley, that seems like a career meltdown.

Sadly, Elvis never lived to enjoy the nostalgia trend which was nowhere more evident than with The Travelling Wilburys and country music’s all-star jam The Highwaymen.

Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison were on the radio again — and with new material! Even the surviving members of The Beatles reunited — all too briefly — for the “Anthology” series in 1995.

Bruce Springsteen and U2 haven’t had a hit single for years, but can still sell out an outdoor stadium.

According to Pollstar, the top grossing concert tour in North America this month was Phil Collins, who began his career in the 70s as a member of Genesis.

If Elvis remained healthy and if he wanted to do it, chances are he would have kept touring and playing venues like Prospera Place . He would have become an elder statesman for rock-and-roll.

The King still had a few hit records left in him — most likely all-star duets with younger artists, maybe even with his daughter, Lisa Marie.

He would have definitely been a guest on “The Muppet Show.”

For Elvis fans, most never had the chance to see him live. Elvis tribute artists (ETAs for short), like the 30 or so that are in Penticton this weekend, give fans that opportunity. They keep the musical legacy, and that part of history, alive.

ETAs shouldn’t be mocked, but appreciated.

To the Elvis fans who are visiting the Okanagan because of the festival, welcome and we’re glad you’re here.