by Uncle Muddy

Created on: January 25, 2007   Last Updated: February 13, 2007

Elvis Aaron Presley began the road to fame in the same studio as Roy Orbison, Johhny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Sun studios in Memphis was the first home to these greats. What Elvis, and his contemporaries tapped into was bringing elements of blues and gospel into the mainstream.

There is certainly the element of defiance in Elvis' work... from the swinging hips that prompted the Sullivan show to only film him from the waist up to playing 'rock and roll'. As many parents were opposed to this music, it created an edge or appeal to younger audiences sick of their parents music.

Elvis took his work seriously, even so far as going to singing lessons before giving his '68 comeback special performance. This speaks deeply to his commitment to his music, and his professionalism.

Spirituality and family played large roles in Elvis' life... from his humble beginnings with "That's all right Mama", to the extensive library of gospel material he recorded in his lifetime.

Elvis knew a good song when he heard it, leading to fantastic covers of varied material including "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and the Beatles "Something".

Elvis embodied defiance, and musicality in such conviction one would be hard pressed to find an equal.

Long live the King.

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