Today marks the birthday of Elvis Presley which would lead us into the Rock and Roll Era. Because of him a generation was introduced to... record burnings, parental dismay, outraged preachers, teen hysteria, and hero worship! Elvis in the early early days WAS the rock and roll rebel. He dressed unlike any other singer, his clothes were cool, his shoes made a statement, his hair was an outrageous pompadour highlighted with those bad boy sideburns, he was undoubtedly blessed with good looks, a distinctive voice and a stage style that paved the way for ALL rock stars to follow. Every rock band lead singer since has wanted to be ‘that’ Elvis, even Jagger! He had swagger, sex appeal and songs that rocked! Once the Colonel took over and the Hollywood schlock movies and the drug indulgence and the isolation that consumed Presley’s life followed, those early magical days of Elvis became, unfortunately, mostly forgotten. If you weren’t lucky enough to experience his early impact, seek out 1950’s pictures to appreciate his style and you’ll see how every rock star to follow is an imitator. Listen to his songs from 1956 thru 1959 for ‘below the belt’ rock, like rock and roll is supposed to be! Elvis in the pre-army days is how the Rock and Roll Era started. (Remember THAT Elvis. When he got out of the Army in 1960 he weighed 170 pounds, when he died he had packed on another 100 pounds!)

Elvis and his early rock and roll directed my life and that influence on me continues to this very day.