WITH ELVIS!
original writer of White Christmas, Irving
Berlin, was so horrified by how Elvis covered his song that he attempted to have it banned from radio. Naturally, in true Elvis style, it soared to the top of the charts and sold nearly 20 million copies – sorry, Irving!
While often described as being like a child around Christmas time, Elvis’s fondness for the season became even stronger once he had a family of his own.
“It really is the best season of the year. The Christmas carols, trees, and lights just grab you…” he once excitedly commented. Graceland was a house-shaped Christmas tree which he decorated with glee. The entire outside space was covered with brightly coloured lights and decked out to look like Santa’s grotto.
He once filled the front garden with a life-size Nativity scene – not just for himself and his family to enjoy, but also for his fans.
Now, 42 years on since The King died, his memory is still very much alive, particularly at Christmas time. In 2015, Christmas With Elvis And The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was released, with his wife Priscilla as executive producer. The album combines both Elvis’ Christmas Album and Elvis
Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas with the gentle background harmonies of the orchestra.
Having his songs accompanied in this way was apparently something Elvis had always dreamed of doing, perhaps because many of his own hits were versions of others’. His talent certainly proved there was more than one way for a song to be sung!
While the album was being made, Priscilla reflected on her fond memories of Christmas with her late husband, including the way he used to throw tinsel over the Christmas tree with childlike excitement rather than carefully decorating it in the way she wanted!
Elvis celebrated 23 Christmases as an entertainer, and each one seemed to mirror the happiness and success in his personal life. His generosity and family values are certainly worth emulating this season.
In his early years Elvis bounced back time and time again, even when the world was against him.
In the late 1950s he was called into duty by Uncle Sam, causing a two-year break from music and the temporary farewell to his signature hairdo. Music producers were certain his career would suffer from this time away, but returning a brave patriot simply heightened his image and earned him a whole new generation of fans.
Tragedy lay ahead as his beloved mother passed away in 1958. Many feel he never truly recovered from her death and he recorded more sombre songs such as My Happiness and That’s Where Your Heartaches Begin. But as one chapter ended, another began. He met Priscilla during service in Germany, and after nine months of marriage he welcomed his daughter Lisa Marie into the world – soon to be the true inspiration of his Christmas extravagances.
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