There is only one Elvis, so there is no need for me to write Elvis Presley. (Don’t even argue with me about Elvis Costello – he’s ok, but he’s no Elvis Presley). Elvis is my favorite. I have loved him all of my life. I grew up watching Elvis movies with my mom on Sundays. I became a fan of his movies before I became a fan of his music. But it wasn’t until the mid 1990s that I became a true fan. Ok let’s be honest, I am obsessed with Elvis Presley. Elvis is basically the reason I moved to Memphis – twice (2002-2003 and 2008-2011). I lived just down the road from Sun Studio and about ten minutes from Graceland. I visited both about once a month while I lived in Memphis and about once a year now that I am back in Maryland.

I love Elvis because he is beautiful inside and out. He was so generous, charismatic, talented, passionate and gorgeous! My favorite Elvis Presley songs are “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Loving Arms,” “Just Pretend,” “Love Me” and “American Trilogy.” My favorite Elvis Presley movies are Girl Happy, Wild in the Country, Jailhouse Rock, Loving You and Blue Hawaii. (FYI there are some good, plot driven Elvis movies – about 4. The other 27 are just fun and a good way to watch the most beautiful man in the world for an hour and a half.) Even though Girl Happy is a cheesy 1960s beach movie, I love it because it was my favorite growing up because one of main characters is named Deena. I got such a kick hearing Elvis say my name, and to be honest I still do. I actually met the actress who played Deena, Mary Ann Mobley, in Girl Happy and told her my name was Deena and she imitated Elvis saying Deena. I have been lucky enough to meet most of Elvis’ friends, band members, co-stars, and most importantly his daughter Lisa Marie. (I have met and seen Lisa Marie in concert many times, but that will be in another blog post on another Music Monday.)

Elvis has been dead for over 38 years yet hundreds of thousands of fans still travel to Memphis each year on Elvis’ birthday and the anniversary of his death to celebrate him. Millions of people visit Elvis’ home Graceland each year. Cable television still plays his movies, radio stations still play his songs, and musicians today still honor him with tributes. John Lennon said it best when he said, “Before Elvis there was nothing.”

For everything I have ever written about Elvis, please click here.