We've all heard stories about Elvis Presley and maybe seen the footage from any one of the decades that were to follow up to his sudden death in 1977, but since rock and roll has a nasty habit of disposing of some of its stars in similar fashion how is the Elvis story any different ?
The very beginning and projected end of the "King" of rock and roll's story seems to point to just one year, 1956. The following is not an analysis of fine details that built up or followed, just a series of events, an outline of the year in that 21 year olds life.
It begins..
January : Young man with a love for r&b, blues and gospel music makes his first record. for RCA. His stage shows are energetic, abandoned and fun. Really fun. The guy expounds enthusiasm and humour with the music and the audience. Energy to burn.
April : He's quickly re-signed to another manager. 6 television shows are planned and he performs the first in April.
The single recorded in January is a number one hit.
For the first television show his mates and original group are replaced. After the first television show with all the usual effort put in to the performance and as a result the adulation received by a young audience he is described by the authorities as "a definite danger to the security of the United States."
June : During a hectic touring schedule he appears on television for the second show. This time due to the controversy of the first he is made to dress in top hat and tails and sings to a dog similarly attired (guess the song) looking increasingly uncomfortable throughout, exiting swiftly.
Next day records the song.
July - October : TV ratings are soaring every time he appears. Advance record sales are enormous. Responses at subsequent live shows are "increasingly fevered".
Following months, more songs released, more huge hits, more fevered audiences.
October : More live shows. After one performance, crowds in Nashville and St. Louis burned him in effigy.
November : Debuts in his first movie. Panned by the critics. Massive success with audience.
Billboard's declaration that he had placed more songs in the top 100 than any other artist since records were first charted.
December : With audiences so large and unmanageable he is no longer able to perform live. He is now completely in the hands of Hollywood.
The public never come as close to Elvis Presley again.
This then is the blueprint for what was to follow in rock/pop music. Just change the name and make the time scale longer. Coincidentally this year also saw the film opening of "Giant" starring another young teen idol, James Dean. He was already in the grave one year earlier.
Here is a short interview with Elvis from November 1956. It says it all. Exhausted. Confused. Energy burnt.
