Despite all conspiracy theories including one that he appears with a beard behind Catherine O’Hara in Home Alone, Elvis Presley passed away on this date, Aug. 16, 1977. He was only 42.
I’ve never been to Graceland even though I’ve been through and around Memphis a lot. Back in January 2025, I stopped in Tupelo, Miss. on my trip back home following my mom’s funeral. I had picked up a virus from my brother and brother-in-law. I hadn’t eaten much in days but I managed to take a little trip through the town. I was also fighting time as a huge winter storm was about to come through.
I’ve never seen much of his movies which I know now were because Col. Tom Parker wanted to make as much money off Presley as he could. And even though he was The King, he didn’t have much business sense. I will say his granddaughter Riley Keough is not bad and I came close to appearing as an extra in her movie American Honey.
I agree with John Lennon who said, “Before Elvis, there was nothing.” The concept of a teenager was still very new when Presley burst on the scene. People in their teens were expecting to make a quick transition from children to adult overnight. Child labor laws probably had a lot to do with helping this. The Great Depression and World War II was over and the youth of America was expected to be in school not on the factory line.
This change in the way of life meant people could enjoy being younger longer. It’s kind of funny that many revolted against Presley, Buddy Holly and The Beatles as they felt Big Bands were here to stay. But it shows how pop culture changes as people get older and younger people discover or event other genres of music. Rockabilly, rock-n-roll, hard rock, heavy metal, power ballads, disco, alternative, rap, hip-hop, R&B, pop, and others are formed by changes in culture as current events.
And while Presley was mostly conservative, he also grew up around black people and embraced their music. Sadly, Presley became a warning about the price of fame and fortune and the people who feel you owe them more. Presley came close to co-starring with Barbra Streisand on A Star is Born. I feel if he did this role, it might have changed a lot. He might have been able to break free from the grips of Parker and his own father, Vernon.
What’s crazy is Elvis’ death actually made him more popular over the last 50 years. I guess that’s what every famous person wants is to be immortal long after they die. And Elvis probably will still be remembered for 50 years to come.
Zane Says 