Would you believe that I didn't own any Elvis in the last century - I bought these two compilations, imaginatively titled Blue Suede Shoes and Always on My Mind - in this millennium! And I still don't have any Rolling Stones!
Of course, Elvis was one of the voices of the 20th Century, a legend of Rock'n'Roll. A true Great. But actually, I don't especially like him. Of course, if I said I detested him I would be showing my ignorance. Similarly if I said that he was over-rated. There's nothing like a premature death to boost someone's standing in the Pantheon, and nothing like an inglorious death to enhance it further.
But it's my head that's saying Elvis is good, rather than my gut.
Favourites are Burning Love; Way Down (both of which are 'Bonus Tracks'); King Creole, Blue Suede Shoes, Heartbreak Hotel; Can't Help Falling In Love; Are You Lonesome Tonight; A Fool Such As I. He is the only person, ever, to pull a successful cover of Bridge Over Troubled Water. Many have tried.
I have a general problem with very many of the songs in that there is such a familiarity about them that it is impossible to be objective. Despite the absence of Elvis in my collection, the fact that I have been listening to pop radio and watching pop TV, pop films, living in a pop world pretty much since he died, I can hardly be oblivious to so many of them. I can't decide whether the songs have any profundity, or whether they are just chuckatunes, given an extra woomf by that voice.
I remember when he died. We didn't have a TV at home in those days, but we were on holiday in Chapel St Leonards near Skegness (but not near enough to benefit from the excitement of a proper seaside resort), and the holiday chalet included a TV. The news came on. 'Elvis has died' they said. 'Who?' I said. I figured he must be important because this was a pop singer my parents had heard of.
I suspect that over the years I have been repelled from Elvis by the cult of Elvis, often followed with religious fervour by people of limited intelligence.
But no doubt, one of the most recognisable icons of the 20th century. I mean, I'm making an assumption that everyone reading this has not only heard of him but is also familiar with at least some of his work.
