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I clearly remember the first time I heard
Elvis Presley. I listened faithfully each week to the top ten hits played
on "Lucky Lager Dance Time." In April 1956, a singer I had never
heard of had reached number ten—Elvis Presley with "Heartbreak
Hotel."
I have to admit there was no great epiphany. I liked him OK, and found
him a bit "different," but I did not see him as a big star.
(Since Elvis had already had some country hits and regional success, you
can tell I led a sheltered life.)
Within a few weeks he had become a sensation, with a fanatic following
and horrified parents unable to talk of anything else. I grew to like him
over the next year, and Elvis and the Platters were the artists that made
me a lifelong rock & roll fan.
Considering the on-stage and
off-stage antics of today's entertainers, it's hard to believe that people
got worked up over Elvis, but after all, it was over a half century ago. I
guess complete redemption came when the United States government issued a
stamp in honor of the King. Now many other countries have issued Presley
stamps, some of which are pictured below.
As any human
who had a pulse in the late 1970s knows, Elvis died at age 42 on August 15
1977, sending shock waves through his legions of fans. Fortunately for RCA
Victor and his estate, death did not diminish his popularity, and his
recordings continue to sell.
Elvis Presley’s top ten hits:* "Heartbreak Hotel," "I
Want You, I Need You, I Love You," "Don’t Be Cruel,"
"Hound Dog," "Love Me Tender," "Love Me,"
"Too Much," "All Shook Up," "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear," "Jailhouse Rock,"
"Don’t," "I Beg of You," "Wear My Ring Around
Your Neck," "Hard Headed Woman," "One Night,"
"I Got Stung," "A Fool Such as I," "I Need Your
Love Tonight," "Big Hunk o’ Love," "Stuck on
You," "It’s Now or Never," "Are You Lonesome
Tonight," "Surrender," "I Feel So Bad,"
"Little Sister," "(Marie’s the Name) His Latest
Flame," "Can’t Help Falling in Love," "Good Luck
Charm," "She’s Not You," "Return to Sender,"
"(You’re the) Devil in Disguise," Bossa Nova Baby,"
"Crying in the Chapel," "In the Ghetto,"
"Suspicious Minds," "Don’t Cry Daddy," "The
Wonder of You," "Burning Love."
--Dick
Estel, updated August 2006
*Billboard pop singles chart, as reported in the book Top 40
Hits, copyright 1992 by Joel Whitburn.
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