Elvis - The King Of Rock And Roll

Liz O’Rourke celebrates the phenomenon that was Elvis Presley.

ASK any Elvis Presley fan what they were doing 40 years ago on August 16, 1977 and there is no doubt they will be able to tell you, recalling their shock at hearing of his death, too early at the age of forty-two. Forty years on and the legend that is Elvis lives on, in fact more successfully in death than in life.

Last year concert-goers were able to listen to Elvis singing his best-loved hits with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a series of concerts featuring a digital image of the King. The accompanying album shot to the No.1 spot in no time. The same concert is now touring Europe with more dates promised for 2018. It’s a far cry from Tupelo,

Mississippi where Elvis Aaron Presley was raised before moving to Memphis, Tennessee.

The young Elvis had a job convincing teachers and friends he could sing. In fact, one teacher is on record as stating he had no aptitude for singing.