The Collegian (Hurst, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 9, Ed. 1 Wednesday, November 6, 2002 Page: 8 of 8
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page 8 • November 6, 2002
Feature /x The Collegian
A hunks, hunks humin' •
King still reigns 25 years after death
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by Ashley Clark
reporter
Elvis Presley’s music career and
legacy continue 25 years after his death
with his new CD, Elvis 30. Featured
are 30 remixes of familiar tunes that
topped the charts from 1956 to 1977.
Presley has sold over one billion
record units worldwide, more than any-
one in music history. He has received
14 Grammy nominations with three
wins for his Gospel albums. At the age
of 36, he received the lifetime achieve-
ment award from the National Academy
of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Currently, more than 625 active
Elvis fan clubs exist worldwide. His
popularity is at an all-time high as his
legacy continues to reach new audi-
ences. Surprisingly, over half of Elvis’
fans are under the age of 35.
With the variety of contemporary
pop culture available and constantly
growing, to some, Elvis’ appeal may
still be a mystery.
Classics such as Hound Dog and
Heartbreak Hotel may have dominated
charts at their release; however, today
their sound is definitely a reflection of
the time. So is it the genre of music
fans hold on to? Do today’s audiences
have a craving for the rebirth of rock-a-
billy or is there something unique about
Elvis Aaron Presley, the boy from
Memphis, that causes fans —new and
old—to join clubs, invent ghost stories
and release yet another greatest hits
CD? Maybe it’s the sidebums.
“I like his music,” said NE Campus
student Jenell Underwood, 22. “I think
he was talented and sexy in the earlier
years.”
Ironically, Underwood said she will
purchase the new CD, but would not
consider herself a fan if Presley were
alive today.
“Most of the fascination is the lega-
cy. I think it’s a cult attraction, for
most,” she said.
“It’s interesting to think about what
Elvis would be doing now if he were
still alive,” she added.
NE Campus drama instructor and
actor Jakie Cabe is also among those
under 35 years of age who see Elvis as
an inspiration.
“He changed the face of musical
history by merging cultures,” he said.
Indeed, Presley’s controversial
choices have been duplicated in today’s
media.
Elvis introduced hip thrusting and
sexy musical croons before Madonna
and Britney. He brought soul and gospel
to suburban culture before Eminem
topped rap charts.
However, Presley’s ability to mix
controversy with conservative times and
black music with white culture is not
what inspired Cabe’s original song
about The King.
When portraying a twin during a
theatrical production, Cabe asked his
counterpart what he could do to make
their mannerisms and actions more
akin.
The other actor replied, “I just ask
myself in every situation, what would
Elvis do?”
Cabe titled his ode to Elvis If Elvis
Were Hamlet. It starts “If Elvis were
Hamlet, he would choose ‘To Be’ (or
not to be)/and fight against the ways of
his twisted family/He’d keep his cool
even when he saw his dead father’s
ghost/Elvis, you’re my Dane of
choice/Elvis, you’re the most.”
Clearly, Presley’s appeal extends
far beyond his musical talents, his good
looks and his charisma.
Elvis has also been remembered
and commended for his charitable en-
deavors.
In 1961, a benefit concert in
Hawaii raised more than $65,000 to
help build the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial
at Pearl Harbor.
Tickets for the pre-broadcast re-
hearsal of the Aloha from Hawaii televi-
sion special carried no price. Audience
members were asked only to make a do-
nation to the Kui Lee Cancer Fund.
Donations and merchandise sales raised
$75,000 for the organization.
Some friends of Elvis were occa-
sionally surprised with Cadillacs, cash
and jewelry. He also quietly paid hospi-
tal bills, bought homes, supported fami-
lies, paid off debts and did much more
for other friends, family members and
total strangers.
Kate Nuttall, NE Campus foreign
exchange student from Britain, 19, said
this aspect is what most attracts her to
the Elvis legacy.
“He’s well respected for his gen-
erosity in England as well,” she said.
Graceland Mansion, Elvis’ home
for 20 years is one of the most visited
homes in America, now attracting over
600,000 visitors. It was named the most
famous home after the White House.
His home did not receive the only j
posthumous honors. Elvis received the j
Academy of Country Music’s first
Golden Hat Award in 1984 recogniz-
ing his influence on country music.
In 1986, Elvis was among the
first group of inductees into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in
1998 was inducted into the j
Country Music Hall of Fame. In |
2001, he was inducted into the J
Gospel Hall of Fame making jf
him the first person in history ■
to become a member of all U
three halls of fame.
In 2002, whether it’s the
music, the charities or the
sideburns, Elvis Presley is
again topping charts at #1
and receiving generous
amounts of airtime. j
Perhaps the answer to j
the on-going fan question a
of whether or not S
Elvis is still
alive
“yes”-in
his music.
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The Collegian (Hurst, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 9, Ed. 1 Wednesday, November 6, 2002, newspaper, November 6, 2002; Hurst, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1315552/m1/8/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Tarrant County College NE, Heritage Room.