A Tribute to the King

In loo of my first blog I feel that there is no better topic of which to speak of as "The King". I am not speaking of Lebron James, nor Arnold Palmer, I am of course speaking about Elvis Presley.  There has been no greater performer, nor person whom has carried them self with as much class as Elvis while influencing the future of music. As music changes as it always has and as it always will, it is often hard for the newest generation to take a step back from what they know to be music and look at the past.  They forget that there was a time in history when a man or woman would take to the microphone and leave their heart and soul on the stage. Elvis Presley did this, Dean Martin did this, Frank Sinatra did this, jumping ahead a few years, Janice Joplin did this, even more years Freddie Mercury did this,  but as I look to what music has become within the past 10 years, the world needs another Elvis.  It needs someone who can innovate, someone who can change music for the better.  As far as music goes I have always lived by the statement, there was nothing, and then there was Elvis, and music has fallen back into nothingness. There has been no substance to the popular music of this generation, being a part of it this sincerely hurts me.  Not to say that there is no good music in today's world but merely to say that the bulk of popularity rests on the shoulders of people more plastic than person.  The art of live entertainment has been watered down into club scenes and flashing lights.  The world today does have exceptional performers as well as musicians and song writers, so if anyone who reads this wants to give a million examples on why this generation is great, power to you.

             For a person to believe that Elvis Presley was perfect is just silly, he had problems and character flaws there is no argument from me on those grounds.  The  true message of Elvis is the following, no one person can be that important and still be the same person as they were when they started.  I would reference any performer/performers who have been on the same level as the king.  I believe that there have been 2 that have rivaled the popularity and influence of Elvis, The Beatles and Michael Jackson(again, if you want to suggest a million others Nirvana, Prince, Bowie, Queen etc...I just don't care because this is my list) .  The Beatles began like most bands, and ended drug infused and spouting off statements that they were bigger than Jesus.  They broke up after only a few years of being together.  Michael Jackson began a cute little kid with high hopes and a drunk father, he ended diddling children and different skin color.  One cannot blame any of these people (ok maybe MJ for all that diddling kids stuff) for what they ended as.  It is merely the cost of fame.  None of these greats didn't have issues.  The truth behind it all is that when there is that big of a spotlight on your life, being a roll model becomes impossible.
            Elvis Presley should not be remembered for the bad times, he should be remembered for what he did for music and what he did for the world. Elvis Presley transcended race, he transcended sex, he was what he needed to be.  Elvis Presley was a soldier, he was a singer, he was an actor, he was a guitar player, Elvis Presley was a King.