EDITOR:
Today, Jan. 8, marks the 85th birthday of Elvis Presley – the King of Rock and Roll. The incredible life of the King of Rock and Roll began on Jan. 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Elvis purchased his first guitar when he was just 11 years old. He wanted a rifle but his mom convinced him to get a guitar instead, and from then, history never looked back.
Globally, Elvis sold over one billion records, more than any other artist. Elvis started in 33 films, made history with his television appearances and specials, and his live concerts were record breaking performances on tour and in Las Vegas, where he owned the town until his untimely death on Aug. 16, 1977.
Elvis also had a great sense of humor. While performing "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" in Las Vegas in 1969, Elvis did one of his frequent lyric changes to amuse himself. Instead of "Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there?," he sang, "Do you look at your bald head and wish you had hair?"
Whether you're young or old, from Charlottetown to Memphis, Elvis Presley is, and will always be, the King of Rock and Roll to all his fans now and forever.
See you in Collingwood, Ont., this summer for the Elvis Festival!
Wade Czank,
Uigg, P.E.I.