Classic Oldies News

Classic Oldies News

Classic Oldies News

Elvis Presley is one of the biggest, most celebrated icons of the music world.

He had everything: Talent, charisma and looks to spare. Even looking back at the earliest performances of his career will make you feel all tingly. Some people just have that magical “It” factor, and Elvis certainly had that, too.

“The King” remains one of the best-selling artists in music history selling about 400 million records worldwide. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), 139 million of those records were sold in the United States. The only other artists to out-sell him in the United States are Garth Brook and The Beatles, who’ve sold 157 million and 183 million records, respectively.

The influence of Elvis is an incredible ripple effect. Notably, he was a massive influence on The Beatles. Paul McCartney is notably quoted saying, “When we were kids growing up in Liverpool, all we ever wanted to be was Elvis Presley.” John Lennon concurred and was quoted saying, “Nothing affected me until I heard Elvis. Without Elvis, there would be no Beatles.”

Even contemporaries recognized the magic of Elvis. Little Richard once said, “Elvis was God-given, there’s no other explanation. A Messiah comes around every few thousand years, and Elvis was it this time.”

To celebrate his life and career, check out the videos below. Long live “The King.”

  • 'Jailhouse Rock'

    Out of all the musical performances from Elvis’ film career, this is probably the best one. There weren’t any special effects, but there sure was a lot of electricity. Over six decades later, this clip still holds up.

  • 'Elders React To Elvis Presley'

    Honestly, watching some of these women swoon will kind of make you do the same. It’s nothing short of hilarious to hear these seniors recall what their parents thought of Elvis. It’s funny how the more things change, the more they stay the same.

  • 'Elvis, Aloha From Hawaii'

    Satellite technology was still pretty new when Aloha From Hawaii premiered in 1973. It was definitely a sign of the future. An estimated 1-1.5 billion people tuned in to see Elvis in that infamous white jumpsuit.

  • Anything from 'The ’68 Comeback Special'

    Seriously, the entire “’68 Comeback Special” is gold. It’s hard to pick a favorite performance, but this rendition of “One Night” is rather amazing. Never forget that “The King” could sing. What a voice!

  • Graceland Candlelight Vigil

    Graceland hosts a beautiful candlelight vigil during “Elvis Week” to honor the anniversary of Presley’s passing. The event has been livestreamed for years. You can see a clip from this year’s vigil below.

  • Tour of 'The Guest House'

    Speaking of Graceland, “The Guest House,” an Elvis resort in Memphis, opened in 2016. Honestly, we’ve now added it to our “Bucket List.” Check out a tour of the hotel below. It’s simply stunning!

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