Friday, January 8, 2010

the Elvis blog

Today, Elvis Presley would have been 75 today. I know what you're thinking, 'would have been'? But I saw him at a gas station this morning or I saw him in Greenland chillin' out with Tupac and Jim Morrison!

It's a great celebration of his life. I've been a huge fan of Elvis since my grade-school days. I used to collect his merchandise, but I stopped, knowing it would be very difficult to pack a room with things with Elvis's name on it. I'd rather give that hobby for someone more-obsessed, if you know what I mean. I went to Graceland my freshman year of high school ('96), and I would love to go back. While there, I'd also love to check out many hotspots that relate to Elvis in Memphis, as well as go to that restaurant that makes peanut butter and banana sandwiches the same way Elvis liked them. I'd also love to go to Tupelo (his birthplace), where they have dozens of places devoted to him, including an Elvis-themed McDonalds. He still ranks atop my list as the only man I'd want to meet and conversate with, dead or alive.

Can I picture Elvis still being alive today? Absolutely not. My mom even made the weird comment that 'I just can't picture Elvis being alive', saying 'it would just be creepy'. She's probably used to him being dead. If he were alive today, what would he look like? I could picture him being chubby, but not too overweight as he was at his death. I can also picture him having salt-and-pepper-like hair, while between occasions, he would color his hair to make him look young. He wouldn't have wrinkles, except on his arms, hands and legs. Do I picture him still wearing his jumpsuit? No. People are meant to change their wardrobes, I believe. He would wear something hip for the 'Viagra crowd'. Could he still sing his hits like 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Suspicious Minds'? Maybe. Would he still put out new music? Probably not. He would probably be so disgusted with gangsta rap and rap-metal as well as emo. He would probably, however, take a liking with creative hip-hop and more adult-sounding music.

I think its awesome that Elvis's legacy will continue to go on for generations. Don't believe me? Elvis has been ranked in most years in the past as the richest dead entertainer (including last year, though Michael Jackson might surpass him this year). Millions continue to go to Graceland. His music still sells big. Some of his baby-boomer worshippers/admirers may die, but a new generation might take over. And even if Elvis's superstar fades, they can't take away the fact that he was the first beloved and most-collected dead celebrity (up there with Marilyn Monroe). I think the reason a lot of people respect and admire him is he is the classic Hollywood success story. Everybody loves a great rags-to-riches story, and Elvis is a great example. There are so many different rumors and legends about him, but whether or not they are true, he still holds a place in everyone.

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