It was a Friday when the man we still call The King died. That was 36 years ago but why does the world still remember the legend of Elvis Presley in the time where teens are going crazy over One Direction and Justin Bieber?
While tabloids focus on Lady Gaga, One Direction, and Canadian singing sensation Justin Bieber, the world hasn't forgotten about Elvis Presley -the legend.
As Larry Durstin wrote, "His music bled menace and lust, but also tenderness and vulnerability and an overpowering romantic lyricism." But even if this is so, why do the media and Elvis fans still remember a singer from ages ago? It's not just because we have a tendency to idolize people, it's because the Presley phenomenon is a representation of the American dream -to dream big and make those big dreams become a reality.
In old documentary about the king, Elvis Presley is seen strumming away on his guitar inside a church. The Rock God has a spiritual element in popular culture and it's just because of his music but because he represented and still represents change -the very reason why America voted for Barack Obama.
It is of course essential to listen to Presley's music to fully appreciate his influence in American rock culture. Elvis entered an industry that was racist and sexist and the "Hillbilly Cat" as he was referred to at the time strode and amused audiences with his quivering hips. The child of what many would call a dirt-poor share-cropper, Elvis roamed Memphis in clothes that he could barely afford but this afforded him the nickname "Memphis Flash."
Some say he ripped off his style from many black artists of the time but while Elvis squeezed more juice from black artist's work, he also introduced their music to the world. And in his own small way, helped America appreciate what they used to call "black music" more.
