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#OTD 1977, Elvis Presley dies at age 42 - Am I myself a huge Elvis fan? Not exactly, for there are other singers and musicians from his prime era - roughly 1956 to 1962 - whose work I enjoy more (Chuck Berry, for instance.) But there is no question the early Elvis was a superstar; a charismatic presence that one couldn’t turn away from even as old prudes and morons attempted to censor his hip-shaking. In those years, Elvis worked with some great musicians, songwriters, and producers. He made a series of fun movies in the early 60s, appearing in a couple of them alongside Ann-Margret, which he had to have very much enjoyed (I know I would have.) The later period Elvis that had a residence in Vegas, gained a ton of weight, and wore silly jumpsuits invokes only feelings of pity and sadness for the man. Frankly, his music from the 1970s is hot garbage, absolutely cheesy pablum barely worthy of the likes of Pat Boone or Tony Orlando & Dawn. By every account I’ve ever seen, Elvis was an overall good-hearted individual who, upon reaching fame, took care of the various people who had shaped him in his youth. He fell in love with a 14-year-old named Priscilla, which is kind of skeevy, but he also waited for her to come of age before he made his move. The worst that could be said about him is that he was allegedly a philanderer; and perhaps a bit naive, having fallen under the control of an infamously crooked ‘Colonel’ that robbed him of millions and controlled most aspects of his life. Had he lived and continued to maintain a career into the ‘80s, ‘90s and beyond, the results probably would not have been great, and his legacy would be viewed very differently. Dying at 42 was unequivocally Elvis’ most successful career move. Through it all, he was never anything less than a completely authentic, once-in-a-lifetime performer and individual, and it is impossible to imagine American popular music over the past 75 years without him. Rest in Peace always, Elvis Presley.
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