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Two dates during my youth are forever etched in my mind: November 22, 1963 and August 16, 1977. If you were old enough in those years to be aware of life, you, too, will remember those two tragic days in American history. And, you'll likely know exactly where you were when heartbreaking news broke. November 22, 1963 was the death of a President, John F. Kennedy. August 16, 1977 was the death of a King, Elvis A. Presley. I spent my childhood in movie theatres. My father owned an indoor theatre and managed a drive-in from the 1950s through the late 1970s. Hence I became a fan of Elvis Presley at a young age. Elvis' music was a pivotal influence on my life, but his early movie career really lured me to become a huge fan of the man known as the King of Rock 'n' Roll. The year was 1956. I was six years old. Elvis' first movie was Love Me Tender. Though Elvis was featured on the movie billboard, he didn't get top billing. He actually had third billing behind Richard Egan and Debra Paget. Ah, Debra Paget, my first movie-screen crush - even before Marilyn Monroe. But, I digress...  Elvis recording with the Jordanaires in Nashville in 1956. Elvis eventually made 31 movies, however, many consider that first role to be his best acting performance. The title song, Love Me Tender, which Elvis introduced on the Ed Sullivan show September 9, 1956, became #1 on the music singles chart by early November. The success of the song influenced 20th Century Fox to change the name of the movie, which was released November 15, from The Reno Brothers to the song's title. Most fans didn't realize parental intervention almost derailed Elvis from accepting the role as Clint Reno, the younger of two Reno brothers. Elvis' mother disapproved of the killing of her son's character. However, Elvis' manager, Colonel Tom Parker, came up with a solution to the King's on-screen death. As the movie ends, Elvis reappears in a ghost-like character singing as the credits rolled. The Colonel demanded that the last impression of Elvis was to be of him alive. The studio acquiesced. After that first role, Elvis became the leading male in his movies. While I wasn't a big fan of his second film, Loving You, his third movie in 1958, Jailhouse Rock, solidified his stature as King of Rock 'n' Roll ... and I became a fan for life.  Colonel Parker sabotaged Elvis' true acting ability by demanding stereotypical roles. Subsequent Elvis movies weren't of Oscar caliber - and Elvis' ongoing frustration regarding scripts was well documented. This led to many disagreements with Colonel Parker. However, while unhappy with his stereotype roles, Elvis stayed loyal to the Colonel, and the Elvis-style movies continued. However, while his movies were box office successes, many believed Parker sabotaged Elvis' true acting ability by his demand that he stay in character as...well, Elvis. As The Beatles and other English groups took control of the music industry in the early 1960s, the Elvis '68 Comeback Special on NBC-TV revitalized his popularity and career. The special was Elvis' first live performance since 1961. Watching a fit, charismatic Elvis dressed in black leather for his one-man, in-the-round, TV special was incredible - and possibly his greatest music performance. So, as Elvis Week 2008 commences (August 9th, see www.Elvis.com), take time to reflect and remember one of America's greatest entertainers. Elvis may have permanently left the building on August 16, 1977, but he will forever be the King of Rock 'n' Roll. "Thank you. Thank you very much." Gil Vieira is the President and Publisher of HOFN.com.
He can be reached at
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