Elvis Presley died on this day, Aug 16, 1977. That’s 39 years ago. I remember it like it was yesterday. I was driving to work on that morning in 1977 and they announced on the radio that Elvis had been found dead. Most of us knew that he was having problems, but we never dreamed it would lead to this. I felt sad for several days after that and wondered what the world would be like without Elvis.

If he had lived, he would be 81 today and probably not swinging his hips quite so much. The next two songs for the number 1 project are “Hound Dog/Don’t Be Cruel” and “Love Me Tender,” both done, of course, by Elvis. It’s appropriate that we use this week to pay tribute to the “King of Rock & Roll.”

Elvis was born Elvis Aaron Presley on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. The name “Elvis” is Norse for “all wise”. Not everyone knows that he was a twin. His brother, Jesse Garon Presley was stillborn about 35 minutes before Elvis was born. His mother was Gladys Love Presley, who was 22 at the time and his father Vernon Elvis Presley, was only 18. It was reported that Jesse was buried in an unmarked grave in the Priceville Cemetary in Tupelo. No one really knows where the grave is, but there is a marker in the cemetery to mark the spot they believe it was. The birth cost Vernon $15 which welfare paid. The Presley’s were so poor that the neighbors and friends had to help supply them with diapers and other baby needs.

For the complete story of Elvis’s life, pick up my book:

Legends of Rock & Roll – Elvis Presley)