My Top 10 Elvis Songs

If you know me or have been following me for a long time you'll understand and know my deep love of Elvis Presley. I've been to Graceland several times and can't wait to go back again. I also have an entire Christmas tree themed Elvis. Once when I was a kid, I had an entire Christmas where all of my gifts were related to Elvis, I'm talking Elvis 3D puzzles, movies, clothing etc.

I have Sirius Satellite Radio and literally the only reason why I have it is so I can listen to the Elvis channel day in/day out while I'm in the car. The other day I was sitting in my car, stuck in evening traffic, listening to Elvis and one of my favorite songs came on. It made me start thinking about if I had to pick my top ten Elvis songs which ones would they be? He has such an immense catalog. How could I only choose ten?



After some deep thinking and several more days of listening to the radio, I've compiled my favorite Elvis songs into this top ten list.



1. My Way.
2. Suspicious Minds.
3. Burning Love.
4. It's Now or Never.
5. If I Can Dream.
6. Blue Christmas.
7. Kentucky Rain.
8. Bossa Nova Baby.
9. Can't Help Falling In Love.
10. Unchained Melody.


I love all of these songs for different reasons. When I got married, we walked back down the isle to It's Now or Never so that one will always have a special place in my heart. The others all mean something to me as well. I think when a song means something to you, then you love it/hate it even more.


Do you have a favorite song or songs by Elvis? If so, share with me!

Happy Birthday Elvis

Yesterday would have been Elvis' 82nd Birthday!

Elvis loved celebrating his birthday and to honor him and his legacy, Graceland honor's throws him a little party featuring a spectacular cake! Each year crowds gather for the annual Birthday cake cutting. Usually the event features either Lisa Marie or Priscilla cutting the cake and saying a few special words about Elvis. They also have events featuring people who knew Elvis, working with him on music or movies and much more. This year the cake had a blue theme featuring musical notes.

Photo from @carolineloveselvis

I have never been fortunate enough to go to Memphis for the Birthday celebration weekends but I have been able to go to Graceland and an Elvis Week. Each year once the birthday celebration takes place, I instantly try to see the fabulous cake! Each year is a different color and theme. I love seeing these outrageous, Elvis inspired cakes. Take a look at just a few of the previous years...

Aren't they just amazing? I already can't wait to see what they bring out in 2018! Have you ever been to the Elvis Birthday celebration? How about an Elvis Week event? Either way all of these events are about celebrating the music, life and legend of Elvis Presley.

Happy Birthday Elvis!

Elvis, Always the King

 

Today in 1977, Elvis Presley left this world but left a lasting impression that is never to be forgotten. Since I was a little girl, I have always loved Elvis. His style, his music, his Graceland home, everything about him I've always been fascinated with. When I finally made a pilgrimage to Memphis, it was everything I thought it would be. I was even lucky enough to return for Elvis Week. Every year since then I when Elvis week begins, I always wish I could be back in Memphis celebrating his life and legacy.

Elvis Week begins a week before the death of Elvis and culminates on the day of his death with the candlelight vigil. Thousands of people flood the gates of Graceland and make their way to the meditation garden which is home to Elvis' resting place. Holding candles and paying their respects this event brings in tons of fans and is broadcast live on the internet.

While I can't attend this years celebrations. I'm still thinking of the King of Rock n' Roll today! You can see all of my love and previous Elvis Week posts on Elvis here. You'll also see my Elvis Christmas tree! In the meantime here's my top 5 Elvis songs...

My Way

Kentucky Rain

Burning Love

Always On My Mind

If I Can Dream

Happy Birthday Elvis!

 

Today would have been the King of Rock n' Roll's 81st birthday! If you've read my little blog you know I love Elvis Presley! So here's a big Happy Birthday to Elvis!

The Elvis Presley Christmas Tree

I love a good theme tree. I already have a movie tree, candy tree, travel tree and a beach tree. What else do I love? Elvis! Naturally it was time for me to create an Elvis themed tree. I went about collecting ornaments for it all year leading up to the holiday season and even ordered a new tree to celebrate Elvis. The tree I got to show off all my ornaments is the 7 foot Gold Pencil Tree...

I was a little nervous because I've never had a pencil tree. But once I got it out of the box and started to fluff it up, I knew I had made the right choice! I personally think it looks fabulous and Elvis made it even more gorgeous! For the garland I wrapped the tree in this music sheet ribbon.

 

 

 

 

 

I love how this tree turned out! Elvis had so many different looks and styles so I can't wait to keep adding to this tree year after year. I love capturing all of his jumpsuits so those are a must! I think I'll head the Elvis online shop right now...

 

Don't you just love Elvis?!

The Final Performance

Elvis Presley's final concert took place June 26, 1977 in Indianapolis, Indiana at the Market Square Arena. The Arena has since been torn down however a monument remains on site marking the site as Elvis' Last Live Performance. The concert began at 8:00 p.m. and included hits such as Release Me, I Can't Stop Loving You and Bridge Over Troubled Water. Elvis arrived at the arena was his girlfriend Ginger Alden. The Memphis Mafia and his father Vernon were also in attendance. His long time drummer Ronnie Tutt however, missed this show due to personal reasons. Sadly, he would never play for Elvis again.

Elvis arriving with Ginger Alden

Elvis was not in good health. During his 1977 concerts he had several incidents where he had to leave stage due to intestinal issues. Just weeks before, Elvis had filmed a live concert for CBS. To fulfill his duties they had to record two concerts to get the results they were looking for. Elvis agreed to these concerts because of the money and the fact that his manager had practically guilt tripped him into it. Elvis was paid the high price of $750,000.00 for the CBS concert. His manager took half. Elvis wore the Mexican Sundial Jumpsuit during all of these performances and it was the last jumpsuit he would ever wear in concert.



Elvis was in good spirits during his last concert. He even brought his father Vernon onto stage with him. Vernon had had several health scares in the previous months including a heart attack scare. His improving health no doubt helped lift Elvis' spirits. He gave out scarfs, spoke with the audience in between songs and played the guitar.

While Vernon's health was improving, the members of the band had grown increasingly alarmed at Elvis' erratic behavior. They noted he was forgetting words to songs, slurring his speech and his graceful mannerisms gone only to be replaced with a slower and sluggish Elvis. No one knew that only months later we would lose the King of Rock n' Roll.

Elvis & Charlie

You may have never heard this name before but you've probably seen him in photos.

His name was Charlie Hodge and he was one of the privileged to be one of Elvis' closest friends. They met in 1955 briefly when Charlie was playing guitar in a musical group. In 1958, they were both stationed at Fort Hood together in the Army. They quickly became good friends and at Elvis' request they were placed in the same area and were both sent to Germany.

 

Once they left the army, Charlie came back to the States with Elvis. He moved to Graceland and  began playing back up guitar for Elvis. He also went to Hollywood with Elvis while he filmed movies. Charlie was given many back ground parts. When Elvis' daughter was born Charlie was there and got to be one of the first people to hold her.

 

When Elvis went to make his comeback appearance in 1968, Charlie was there to support him on the intimate stage. He played guitar and back up vocals. Once the comeback launched Elvis in to performing full time again, he brought Charlie with him to Las Vegas for his sold out shows and then again on the road.

 

In one concert, Elvis took off his guitar and threw it behind him. Luckily, Charlie was there to catch it. Afterwards, Elvis was so impressed he started incorporating it into the act.

Charlie was present and behind the scenes for all of Elvis' major life events. He was there performing in Las Vegas, on the road, movies, etc. He even had a permanent room in all of Elvis' homes. He lived in Elvis' homes for more than 15 years.

The Memphis Mafia (which was Elvis' bodyguards and closest friends) say that Charlie was one of the few people who truly cared for Elvis. Charlie was one of the people who didn't need gifts or expensive things from Elvis. He really cared about his friendship. He remained by Elvis until the end. Charlie and Elvis were real friends. Charlie was also asked to be a pallbearer by Vernon for his funeral.

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Riding In Style

Elvis was famously known for his on stage performances and his lavish lifestyle. He worked hard so he could play hard. He would splurge on fancy clothing, shiny jewelry and sweet rides. What comes with a lavish lifestyle? Automobiles! Let's look at some of Elvis' most famous cars and get a glimpse into those sweet rides.

In 1955, Elvis bought a Cadillac Fleetwood Series 60. The car was originally blue but he had a neighbor paint it pink with a white top. He gifted this car to his mother and it is widely known and probably his most famous vehicle. He was very quick to point out that this was his mother's car.

The most surprising car in Elvis' collection was a three wheeled car called the Messerschmitt. The car was German built and had a bubble. He kept this car for a few years and later traded it to the famous Lansky brothers for a shopping spree in their clothing store. He was allowed to shop in the store alone for a few hours and take whatever he liked.

The 1969 Mercedes Benz Pullman is one of the few cars that Elvis bought and kept. This car can currently be seen on display at Graceland. Elvis rode around this car and could fit multiple people inside it with him.

 

In 1961, Elvis celebrated a 5 year contract in the motion picture business by going out and buying a Rolls Royce. He was in Beverly Hills and had the car shipped back to Graceland. The glossy paint distracted his chickens on the Graceland grounds and the chickens pecked at the paint. Elvis had to have the car repainted several times.

 

The last car that Elvis was photographed in was his 1973 Stutz Blackhawk III. He had owned three different Stutz vehicles before owning this one. One was in a wreck and then just placed into storage. This 1973 car was one that Elvis kept for years and loved. It is also the last car that he was ever seen driving before his death in 1977.

In addition to cars Elvis bought motorcycles, ski mobiles, golf carts and bikes. He loved to ride around the grounds of Graceland in style. He also owned two airplanes: the Lisa Marie and Hound Dog. The Lisa Marie was a cross country plane that could hold a large group of people. This plane became a great investment to Elvis when he started touring across the country in concerts.

 

The Hound Dog is smaller but very colorful on the inside.

 

That's just a sampling of Elvis' car collection but you can get an idea of how much he loved his toys!

Kung Fu Elvis

Elvis loved martial arts. He loved it so much he spent decades studying the art. He discovered karate while he was in the Army and spent a large part of his free time in Germany studying and practicing. Once he got back to the States he kept up the hobby. In 1960, in Beverly Hills he met Karate instructor Ed Parker and immediately started studying under him. By 1972, Elvis had earned his seventh degree black belt.

His early days of Karate

 

Elvis loved Karate so much that friends in his inner circle have been quoted as saying it was almost embarrassing how much he loved it. He would practice all of the time and get them involved. He also began incorporating karate moves into his movies and performances.

 

When Elvis would perform karate as an exhibition for friends or for a large group of people he would wear a specially made karate jumpsuit. It would have the red piping and his initials on the back jacket in red. However, when he was just practicing or not in front of a crowd of outsiders he would wear the traditional white or black karate pants and jacket.

Elvis enjoyed martial arts so much he started the makings of a karate movie called Gladiators. He started filming and financially backing the movie in 1973 and kept filming it until 1974. The film centered around Elvis narrating fights that the United States Karate team had done in London and Brussels. There was also demonstrations done by Elvis and his karate instructor Ed Parker.

 

When Elvis died in 1977, the documentary film had never been finished or edited for release. The raw footage laid in a garage in West Hollywood along with other memorabilia and was forgotten about.  When it was rediscovered in 2001, the footage was taken and restored. It was released later in 2002 as The New Gladiators. It will take you back to the 1970's and you'll really marvel at how much loved this sport. He even bestowed a TCB Karate patch to all of his Memphis Mafia who were involved.

 

At the time of his death, Elvis had practiced Martial Arts for over 20 years. He was the Karate King.