Wop-bop-a-loom-a-boom-bam-boom! Happy Birthday Elvis!

January 05, 2011

If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead. ~ Johnny Carson

Gladys Presley gave birth to twin boys, Jessie and Elvis, in a shotgun shack on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. Jessie was stillborn, and Gladys and her husband Vernon raised Elvis as an only child. Elvis grew up to be not only the light of their lives, but loved by the world over as one of the most popular and influential singers of the 20th century. It is estimated that Elvis Presley has sold over one billion records worldwide, more than anyone in record industry history. He starred in 31 feature films and three television specials. His 1973 TV special, Elvis – Aloha from Hawaii, is said to have been seen on television in more American homes than man’s first walk on the moon.

Elvis died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977 at the age of 42. Thousands of fans converged on Memphis in the days following Elvis Presley's death; so many that President Carter ordered 300 National Guard troops to the area to maintain order. All city buildings in Memphis immediately lowered their flags to half-staff.

Celebrate the birthday of Elvis Presley by reading about his life, listening to his music, or watching one of his movies. The books, music, and DVDs are all available here at Parkville and other branches of Mid-Continent. Elvis may have "left the building" but he still remains the King of Rock and Roll, and you can find him in our building! Check out the selections below.

Music

• Essential Elvis Presley. Everything from Hound Dog to Can’t Help Falling in Love.
• Elvis 75. It features 25 of his biggest hits.

Movies / DVDs

• Elvis on Tour. A Golden Globe Award-winning American musical-documentary motion picture released by MGM in 1972. It was the thirty-third and final motion picture to star Elvis Presley before his death in 1977.
• Charro!
• It Happened at the World’s Fair
• Kissin’ Cousins
• Roustabout

Books

• Baby Let’s Play House by Alanna Nash tells about Elvis and the women who loved him.
• The Elvis Encyclopedia by Adam Victor
• Elvis Presley: a Twentieth Century Life by Wilborn Hampton

Sandi V.
Parkville Branch