Listmania! MORE Elvis Sevens!

Elvis Week is coming to a close today.  Today is Elvis and tomorrow we kick off Back to School week!  We are very busy around the 7w/D offices.  Always bustlin', always hustlin'.

I had some remaining lists from my preparations for Elvis week, and I wasn't gonna let them collect dust in my folders and files.  They are here for you to see and enjoy!

Here we go!


Seven Elvis Songs You Should Know
(I put together this list to sort of span the spectrum on Elvis. To me, if you listen to all of these songs you can hear how versatile, how vulnerable and how amazing Elvis’ talent was. A quick education in Elvis, perhaps?Herc, can I get a spotify playlist here?)

• The Wonder Of You

• In The Ghetto

• Wooden Heart

• Always On My Mind

• That’s All Right (Mama)

• Are You Lonesome Tonight?

• Stuck On You

Seven Favorite Elvis Themed Possesions(seven of my things that are Elvis related)

• Blue Hawaii Purse(made from actual vinyl album and cover)

• Elvis #1 Singles Deluxe Boxed Set (Its a limited edition, I'm #7919)

• The Red Suede Collection 30 CD boxed set(reproduced artwork!)

• Barbie Loves Elvis Collector’s Gift Set(Elvis+Barbie, I also have a Barbie collection)

• Assorted Elvis Glassware(I use it daily, big fan!)

• Set of Elvis Pez Dispensers(numbered sets and so cool and perfect, I actually got two as gifts!)

• Elvis portrait that hangs above my fireplace. (jealous much?)

• Wishlist: The Complete Elvis Presley Masters(my birthday is next month, its only about $1000)

My Seven Favorite Elvis Movies:

1. Viva Las Vegas
2. Jailhouse Rock
3. King Creole
4. GI Blues
5. Blue Hawaii
6. Clambake
7. Charro!
8. BONUS: Lilo and Stitch

There you have my completed trio of Elvis Sevens.  Maybe in January I will be back with another round of Elvis Week posts.  Would you like that?

Onward and Upward!

Seven Reasons Elvis Matters

Today is Friday! Happy Friday to all of you 9-5ers.

It also happens to be my 50th post today.  No celebrations or anything fancy planned.  Just a normal day!  50 days in a row I have been posting daily.  That's quite a feat for me.  I hope you have enjoyed the first fifty days with me.  On to the next 50!


Today I have prepared a post on why Elvis Presley matters.  Why he is important to the world and to music, really.  These are my personal reasons and opinions and I'm sure everyone has their own but you are here to read mine!  I think these sort of evolved into Elvis' legacy, but I think you will enjoy them.


Seven Reasons Elvis Matters

• Rock and Roll. He pretty much invented rock and roll.  He took his favorite musical styles from that time(gospel, country, blues) and fused them together and made his own style which eventually became rock and roll.  Rock and roll then dominated the music industry for the next 50 years, its no wonder he is called The King of Rock and Roll.  You can thank him for any sort of music you have ever enjoyed, technically...he's waiting.  Repeat after me: "Thank You Mr. Presley".
• Dancing.  In his day, dancing was really simple.  A guy and girl usually did it and it was very innocent.  Elvis went on national TV gyrating his hips in the way only he knew how and the world will never be the same.  They actually censored him and only showed him from the waist up and it was the biggest debacle ever.  It set the tone for the dancing of the modern age.  How dare he gyrate like that!  Too late everyone saw it and couldn't wait to do it themselves.  Nobody has ever performed so sensationally.  Say it with me, "Thank You Mr Presley"
• Blurred the Racial Gap. As a white man performing "black" music, Elvis created another hybrid style, which of course opened the door for modern artists and musicians.  Without him crossing these lines, we would never have Eminem, Beastie Boys, or any of the white soul singers.  Together now: "Thank you Mr. Presley".
• First Album to Sell One Million.  This has no relevance to me personally I guess.  I think its really significant that he was the first artist to sell 1,000,000 copies of self titled first album.  He had that widespread of an appeal to the universe.  Is this significant to anyone else but me?  That's not even a record that someone can take away from him(go Katy!).  Its just his own personal mark on the evolution of music. 
• Mens Fashion.  I wasn't around back in these days.  From the photographic evidence of the time I get the vibe that men were not trying to impress anyone with their looks.  Most had crew cuts or flat tops, leftovers from their military days.  They wore a shirt and pants and sometimes a tie on Sundays.  Simple blacks, whites, grays, and denim.  Elvis hit the scene wearing black pants with a pink stripe and a pink shirt with some ruffles.  He purposefully wore his pants as high waters and combed his hair with Vaseline into a duck-tail type style that will forever be attached to Elvis Presley.  He was a man with style.  Don't even get me started on his jumpsuits.  Too.Much.Awesome.  Mens clothiers and jewelers, pay your respects, "Thank you, Mr. Presley". 
• Future Dead Musicians.  I'm looking at you, Estate of Michael Jackson.  You have the Estate of Elvis Presley to thank for helping you realize you can earn more money and become even more popular in death than you ever were in life.  On this note, cities of Memphis, Tupelo and Las Vegas all owe you too, Elvis Presley.  Graceland is the 2nd most visited house in America.  #1 is that big white house in Washington DC.  Never been to #1 but I sure have been to #2.  Thank You, Mr. Presley.
• Las Vegas.  Las Vegas owes him.  He was one of the first to have a long standing gig at a hotel there(The Hilton even has a statue of him out front!).  His song has essentially become the theme song of Las Vegas.  You know the one, goes "Viva Las Vegas".  There are slot machines everywhere with his mug on them.  You can buy EVERYTHING with Elvis on it there.  His image and name and appeal has literally kept the souvenir market alive over there.  Also, on a personal note, Viva Elvis by Cirque de Soleil was the single greatest Elvis Presley show I have ever seen, if not the best show period.  I found tickets on sale last year but I would gladly pay full price again.  I am going to Vegas in November and am considering going again.  Yep.  That good.  The soundtrack is also worth purchasing.  And no they aren't paying me to say this.  Thank You Elvis.  I love you.

Seven Covers of Songs Made Famous By Elvis Presley

Thursdaytime! 

Or, as I like to refer to it, Day Before Pay Day.  I would prefer if this day didn't exist.  Love Wednesdays, love Fridays, just hate that middle day.  

Since my powers of day deletion and calendar reformatting are not working these days, I guess we must Keep Calm and Seven On.  (see what I did there?)

Herc wrote another Elvis Week post for you.  He broke the rule of sevens and expanded to 8.  I have forgiven him though, and so should you.  Its worth the extra brain calories, I promise.

Contrary to my post on covers that Elvis did, his post is about covers of Elvis' that were done in honor of The King. Between Herc and I, we've got you covered!

Make sure to read through to the end, it will be worth your while. And don't forget to Spotify while reading, its a totally 3D blog experience!

Go Herc, go!

Seven 8 covers of songs made famous by Elvis Presley

[part of ongoing series 7 Song Playlists]

It is no secret that Elvis was a singer and not a songwriter but what many non-believers fail to hear is that he was an undeniably talented and gifted stylist as well, imprinting each song he covered with a little bit of his own unique mojo.  Countless artists were inspired by Elvis Presley and they continue to honor and pay tribute to him by covering his songs.  These are a few of the best in Herc’s Book Of The King.

Viva Covers!

“Jailhouse Rock” - Jeff Beck Group featuring Rod Stewart on vocals

There were two Elvis covers on Beck-Ola, the 1969 album from which this track is lifted but this is the better one in Herc’s humble opinion.  Jeff and the boys fatten the sound while retaining its spirit, its outlaw-ish vibe.  There are a few too many solos but Rod Stewart’s distorted vocals pay tribute without imitation as most Elvis covers are prone to.  The lesser cover? “All Shook Up”.

“Always On My Mind” - Pet Shop Boys

In 1987, at a show mourning the Tenth Anniversary of Presley’s passing, Pet Shop Boys performed it live.  It was so well received that they soon entered the studio, recorded and released a single version which went on to become the duo’s biggest selling single in the UK and has since been named as one of the best cover versions of all time.  Vocally, it’s thinner but musically it’s deeper.  And you can dance to it!

“Suspicious Minds” - Fine Young Cannibals AND Dwight Yoakam

This was Elvis Presley’s 17th and final #1 Pop single in 1968.  Eighteen years later, the Fine Young Cannibals with a vocal assist from Jimmy Sommerville unleashed their version.  Lead singer Roland Gift demonstrates some fine Elvis mimicry even if he is gifted with a vocal range but it is Sommerville ultra-high yelping in the background that gets your attention.

In 1992, Dwight Yoakam recorded his version for inclusion on the all Elvis cover version soundtrack to the movie Honeymoon In Vegas.  The spiralling guitar is still there and Dwight’s twangy vocals are matched by dynamic female backing vocalists.  It is very Elvis-like in spirit and execution.

“Don’t Be Cruel” - Cheap Trick

Elvis’s biggest selling single was covered by the Boys from Illinois in 1987.  They stayed true to the E.P. original and the sound was standard Eighties rockabilly revival (think anything by Stray Cats or Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”).  The song made it into the Top 5 and gave the band one last gasp of fame before settling into the casino concert circuit.

“Viva Las Vegas” - Bruce Springsteen

The Boss snarls and howls his way through The King’s Sin City anthem.  It’s just as rockin’ and rowdy as the original if not more enthusiastic. Originally featured on the charity album, The Last Temptation Of Elvis, and later featured in Honeymoon In Vegas, Bruce has performed this song live in concert for decades.

“All Shook Up” - Paul McCartney

Lifetime Elvis fan Paul McCartney paid the ultimate tribute to his idol by faithfully reproducing the sound and attitude of this raver.  You just know he has sung this song thousands of times when no one else is listening and we’re fortunate he let us in on his private joy.

“(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You” - UB40

They renamed it, gave it a back-beat and then UB40 topped charts worldwide in 1993 with their ode to one of Elvis’s most beautiful love songs.  Herc serenades Mrs. Herc with this one so you know it’s powerful stuff.

Viva Covers!
 

*****Bonus Herc post!  An extra hunka hunka from my favorite resident music expert!  It was just too good to be forgotten or left out, I had to add it as a bonus! Enjoy!*****

7 Songs About Elvis
[part of ongoing series 7 Song Playlists]

The life and music of Elvis Presley has been the inspiration for many songs.  Here are Herc’s favorites songs and his favorite lyrics.

About Elvis!

“Black Velvet” - Alannah Myles [1988]
“The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true”

“Walking In Memphis” - Marc Cohn [1991]
“But there's a pretty little thing/Waiting for the King/Down in the Jungle Room”

“Graceland” - Paul Simon [1986]
“Poor boys and pilgrims with families/And we are going to Graceland”

“Calling Elvis” - Dire Straits [1991]
“Well tell him I was calling just to wish him well/Let me leave my number/
Heartbreak hotel”

“Riding With The King” - Eric Clapton & B.B. King [2000]
“You can see it in his face/The blues is his life”

“Man On The Moon” - R.E.M. [1992]
“Hey Andy, are you goofing on Elvis? Hey baby, are we losing touch?”

“Elvis Is Everywhere” - Mojo Nixon [1987]
“Elvis is in Nutty Buddies!”

About Elvis! 

A quick blurb on blog-keeping.  
     I am always trying to improve the experience for the reader and am open to your suggestions and input. Leave them in the comments or shoot me an email!  As you may have already noticed, I have added a few new features.  One is the "Your Thoughts?" poll at the bottom of each post.  Its just for fun(completely anonymous) and some of you have already had fun labeling some of my posts utter crap.  For this, I thank you.  Honesty is nice, especially if you are being sarcastic as intended.  On that note, has anyone noticed I can't handle not knowing who the "anonymous" comments are coming from? Sign your name!  Help me sleep at night!
     The next new thing is the "you might also like" links at the bottom of each post.  This is very new and works best with the blog posts that have images, all TWO of them.  I am thinking about retro-fitting some posts with images after discovering how easy it was to do.  Would you like that?
     Lastly, as a shameless plug, we are rapidly approaching my 50th post.  More of you read than I ever imagined.  I am wondering if my little slice of blog is worthy of being passed along to any of your friends and family?  Click any of the sharing widgets at the bottom of your favorite post and share it on your Twitter Feed, Facebook Wall, Gmail, Google+, or even your very own Blog!  I must reach more minds and grow the fanbase.  Bigger fanbase=bigger Devyn-ego.  Please and Thank you.  

     Truly, thank you for reading.  Thank you to those of you that guest post and take the reins every once in a while!  Thanks to Herc for letting me hijack the bottom of his post for business matters and for always letting me fluff up the start of each post of his, too!(Love that guy.) 

Just think, this is only the beginning...

Seven Photos of Elvis Presley

Hey there, Elvis fans!  To those of you who have tuned out, you are missing out.  I just thought you should know.  Welcome back to Elvis week! 

Today I am trying something new. 

Photos.

An entire post of photos.  With a few words so I can explain my favorite Elvis shots.

See, since I never actually SAW Elvis, pictures are all I've ever really had to go on.  I have several volumes of Elvis photo books.  They are how I know Elvis.  I want to introduce you to him in that way. 

Ready?

Okay!

 I call this one "Spikey hair".  I can't help but love his jawline and his sidevburn stubs.  Its just a striking portrait of the man.  The fact that he is not smiling just adds to the mystery, but you I can look into his eyes forever.  Full disclosure: This hangs in a 2 foot by 4 foot format over my fireplace here in my casa. I see it everyday and am never tired of it.  And yes, that's how big a fan I am.

Does that guy look 30 to you?  I would never believe he was 30 there.  He was and doesn't he look awesome?  He's on the roof of some building somewhere and staring off someplace.  He just looks really healthy and contemplative to me.  Plus his hair isn't dyed the dark dark black that was his signature.  Note the sideburns are a little more than stubs now...

 This is a still from the movie Charro!  It was Elvis' western movie, where he didn't sing.  More important than any of that, and even more important than the sexy cowboy getup was the facial hair.  Look at that beard!  I love the bearded Elvis.  Not a great movie, but fun to watch to see him all duded up like this.  This post is quickly becoming a love fest of epic proportions.  I love this guy!

 This is from when Elvis went back to Tupelo and did a charity concert if I'm not mistaken.  There are a ton of images from this concert and they are all very famous.  It just shows him doing what he truly loved.  There's another image in the series where he is up on his toes that is just as awesome.  This just seems to be the essence of Elvis Presley.  Early in his career, before the crazy came, before the drugs and demons took over and when he was at the high point of his life. 

 Shirtless!  Almost doesn't look like him, if you cover the hair.  Again with the natural hair color and the sideburns are no longer stubs, they are on their way to being full blown chops.  His pants are pulled up over his belly button and hes pasty and scrawny but I don't care!  Look how sultry he looks!  A model, even though he always had an unconventional beauty about him.  *swoon*

 This is from another movie, GI Blues(check out the dog tags).  However, look at that smile!  And his spiked up hair!  And the lack of sideburns!  He looks mischievous and funny and like hes having a blast!  I always prefer to think of happy, young Elvis.  Before the world really started to weigh on his shoulders.  This is how I like to remember The King.

 Biggest. Smile. Ever.  Look at that smile!  I can't stop.  Squinty eyes tell me he's probably laughing.  Check out the full chops!  I'd say this was taken right around 1970 give or take a couple years.  What was so funny Mr. Presley, I wanna laugh with you!!!!



There ends my first ever photo round up.  I hope you enjoy these photos and my commentary. 



*****All photos are credit to their original sources, I found them all over the web and in my big fat folder of saved Elvis pics, but I certainly am not taking credit for any images here.  Just praising some very lucky photographer's work!*****

Seven Excellent Elvis Covers

Welcome back to Elvis week.  

Today is August 16, 2011.  34 years ago today, Elvis passed away at the (way too young) age of 42.  The world was heartbroken.  I was still ten years away from being born and yet this anniversary still weighs on me every year.  Its strange, I know. This post was really hard for me.  I feel like nothing would be good enough for this day.  I should have just had 7w/D go dark today out of respect.  However I worked hard on the post you are about to read and I'm not about to let it go to waste.  

I hope you discover a new Elvis song you like or a little piece of trivia here or there.  I hope my love for the man is evident and not crossing the line into crazy-town.  Either way, I hope you think of Elvis Presley today, because I am(and so are millions of other people, I guess).

Here are seven covers that Elvis recorded.  So its clear, a cover in this case is a song that was originally recorded by someone else and recorded again later by Elvis.  In most cases I feel like Elvis' version was better than the original, but not all. 

Seven Excellent Covers Done By Elvis Presley

Elvis Covering
 

Hey Jude(1969) - The year after The Beatles brought us this #1 hit, Elvis recorded his own version.  His voice sounds so raw in this song, like he didn’t even have to try to convey the emotion.  He always sounds like singing is the easiest thing in the world for him.  The background vocals bring it to an almost gospel like level.  Obviously Elvis was no stranger to gospel. I especially love when he does the “...la la la la-la-la-la la-la-la...” part.  
 

Always On My Mind(1972) - Brenda Lee was the first recording artist.  Hundreds of people have covered this song.  Elvis’ version is my personal favorite.  It has just some raw emotion to me.  It was recorded a month after Elvis and Priscilla separated and I can’t help but feel like he was singing this song to her.  I listen to it and feel like it was never meant for my ears.  He was always in love with her, until the day he died.  
 

Blue Suede Shoes(1956) - Carl Perkins wrote this song and recorded it first but Elvis’s version came shortly thereafter and has since outshined the original.  Elvis and Carl were friends and touring mates and sharing songs was common in those days.  He performed it on TV several times in 1956, and those performances look like he is having so much fun and just truly enjoying the music.  The black and white 50s performances are my favorite.  When he was young and just completely obsessed with the music and having fun.    
 

 Here Come Santa Claus(1957) - Yes this is a Christmas song.  Ten years before Elvis’ version was the original and since then, hundreds of people have recorded this song and everyone knows the words.  Nobody can sing it like Elvis does though.  The flair(?) or gusto in his voice is just MAGICAL!  I have many favorite Christmas songs and this is one of my top 7!  
 

Hound Dog(1956) - Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton and Kansas City Bill recorded this song originally, but how can anyone have sung this before Elvis?  It is so distinctly Elvis’ style and clearly he worked hard at that style...31 takes(supposedly).  Dozens have tried to sing this song and one of my favorites, aside from my main man, was Jimi Hendrix’s 1988 version.  “Scratchin’ all the time”.  Who isn’t an Elvis fan, honestly?
 

One Night(1958) - Elvis borrowed this from Smiley Lewis who recorded it in 1956.  Only, Smiley’s version was called “One Night of Sin” and various other lyrics were changed to create a cleaner version.  I like the mental picture that Elvis’ version creates much better.  More longing and desire rather than regret and shame...plus the way his voice sounds when he says “onnnnneeeeee nigggghhhhhttttt” makes me melt.  (tmi? my bad.)  
 

What’d I Say(1964) - I love Ray Charles.  Let me just put that out there.  I love this song, he wrote it and performed it the best.  That scene in Elvis’ movie Viva Las Vegas where he sings this and that big dance scene breaks out and they sing this song is so memorable to me.  Watching him perform this, he just looks and sounds like he is having a blast!

Maybe Herc will see this and whip up a spotify playlist to go with this...if that's even possible...Guess who came through again! Elvis Covering

Viva Elvis!

Seven First Singles From Elvis Presley

Heya!

Thanks for tuning in to day 2 of Elvis Week!  Herc has written you an awesome post for Music Monday and it is all about The King's First Seven Singles.  

He first hit the scene 57 years ago.  Can you believe that?  I so wish I was around then.  I would love to take my DeLorean back to the early days and see him perform live, before 1960 once.  Who took my flux capacitor? 

Please leave some love in the comments for Herc's awesome work, please!

Elvis’s First 7 Singles

[part of ongoing series 7 Song Playlists]

(b/w means “backed with” and indicates the single’s B-Side as the A-side is usually promoted as the “hit”)

(The first five singles were on Sam Phillips’ Sun Records and consequently re-released once he signed with RCA on 11/21/55)

Elvis-ify!

7/19/54    “That’s All Right” b/w “Blue Moon Of Kentucky”

This is where it all began, everything fell into place and a star was born.  Elvis had recorded a few songs before this but this would be the first released single and although it failed to chart nationally, it was HUGE in the music melting pot known as Memphis.

9/25/54    “Good Rockin’ Tonight” b/w

“I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine”

A more perfect second single could not have been recorded and released.  Of course, he “stole” this song from the original artist, just like a lot of his early stuff.  Nothing was being written expressly for the man who would be The King yet so he sang what he liked.  And from the sound of it, he liked the crap out of this one.

12/28/54    “Milkcow Blues Boogie” b/w “You’re A Heartbreaker”

Originally written as a straight up blues song in the early Thirties, several covers before Elvis turned it into a rockabilly raver, and he honed it into a jittery showcase for his swivelling hips and trembling lips.

4/10/55    “Baby Let’s Play House” b/w

“I’m Left, You’re Right, She’s Gone”

A bubbling, hiccuping somewhat threatening plea to his baby to come back and “play house”, this was E.P.’s first nationally charting single, cracking the Top Ten on the Country and Western Charts.

8/6/55    “I Forgot To Remember To Forget” b/w

“Mystery Train”

Arguably, this is Elvis’s first strictly country-sounding song and it shot all the way to the top of the C&W charts becoming the first of many, many Number One records he would achieve.  It’s worth noting that the B-side, “Mystery Train” has become one of Elvis’s most acclaimed songs, covered by hundreds of artists.

1/27/56    “Heartbreak Hotel” b/w “I Was The One”

Co-written by a high school teacher and inspired by a suicide note left by a jumper that simply read “ I walk a lonely road”, this was the dam-buster, the song that put Elvis in the worldwide spotlight that he would enjoy endure even after his untimely demise.  It wasn’t an immediate smash - until he performed it on television a few weeks after its release.  His first Pop #1, his first million-selling single and his first single to make the Rhythm & Blues charts.

5/12/56    “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” b/w

“My Baby Left Me”

Similar sentiment to “Baby Let’s Play House”, this one is delivered in a more tender less demanding way, with begging and pleading.  Terribly romantic, Presley uses his voice to great effect and the nation swooned.  

Elvis-ify!

Seven Elvis What Ifs...

Surprise!  Its Elvis Week!

Are you excited?  Don't be. I am beyond nervous.  I have a very big thing for Elvis A. Presley.  I don't know how to describe it.  I'm not sure I love him.  I'm not sure I adore him.  I know I can't get enough of his music.  I know I am morbidly fascinated with his entire life.  I know I know more about him than most people my age.  I know I read anything and everything I can get my hands on about him.  I know I have a shelf or two full of assorted Elvis paraphernalia.  I know I can talk about him for days, but writing blogs about him and making sure they are just right and perfect and pay the right kind of respect to this man. 

I have been to Graceland.  It was one of the best days of my life.  I saw everything and I can't wait to go back.  They do Elvis week two times a year.  Once in August over his death-iversary.  Another time in January over the 8th, since that was the birthday of America's King and his twin.  

I brainstormed hundreds of blog topics for this week and psyched myself out a few times.  I just really wanna do it right.


Then I picked the posts I wanted to focus my efforts on and left the rest.  I turned them into this post.  Its a random list of questions and rambling train of thoughts.  I hope it gets you thinking.  I could just ponder and wonder about this for days.  Have at it!

Seven Sets of Related Questions and What Ifs About Elvis:
 
Drugs/Alcohol/Demons - Would he have ever kicked drugs and alcohol and the demons that plagued him his whole life?  They were his downfall twice in life. Once it led to him being fat and the next time he died...poor man.
 
Family/Children - How many more children would he have fathered by now?  Let’s be honest now, this is not a ridiculous question(if my family didn’t read this blog, I’d tell you I would have had a kid by Elvis).  Would he have been the greatest grandfather ever to Lisa Marie’s kids? (I mean good luck, as I happen to have the two greatest grandpas EVAH.)  Even further, would Lisa Marie have had such a tumultuous life?  He was always such a family man.  Adored his mother, idolized his father, he even had them live with him!  Like dominoes...so crazy that all things are connected like that.  
 
Modern Music - What would he think of modern music? Pop music, rock and roll’s evolution, country music these days, would he have been a fan of rap?  Would he have liked Eminem’s shout out in “Without Me”(I am the worst thing since Elvis Presley/to do black music so selfishly)?  What about Michael Jackson’s music(and death?)?  Would he have let his daughter marry him like that? I could go on and on and on...
 
Current Activities - What would he be doing these days?  He would be 76 this year...would he still be involved in music?  Stashed away in hiding at Graceland or some other new compound? Would we, the public watch him deteriorate due to some disease?
 
Money - Exactly how rich would he be now?  Touring bands and artists pull in loads of cash.  They release albums and singles and merchandise and just sit back and watch the money pour in.  Elvis had to work a little harder for his money back in the day, but would he have continued to be a hard worker?  He makes more money as a dead legend than he probably ever would have as a living pioneer.  
 
Views/Thoughts - What would 9/11 have done to him?  What else since 1977 would have affected him?  Would he have taken his religious beliefs and gone off the deep end at another point in time?  Would he be a crazy member of the NRA? Would he have changed into someone I would be less keen on?(yes it is all about me...my blog!)
 
What if he had never died? - Graceland would never have become the tourist destination it is now!  I would never have gone to Memphis all those years ago, I would not have 1000s of pictures from my day at his mansion.  I would know so much less about this guy.  I would probably not adore him like I do now.  He would never have had the legacy he has now though, because he essentially went out on top without releasing crappy music or trying to transition to some other genre.