SERVING MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL / MINNESOTA
Donate Now Sustaining Member

MinnPost thanks these major sponsors:




Sponsor of
Second Opinion



Our major advertisers


Our in-kind partners


MinnPost thanks these generous donors:

INDIVIDUALS AND FOUNDATI0NS
Blandin Foundation
Otto Bremer Foundation
Bush Foundation
Sage & John Cowles
David & Vicki Cox
Toby & Mae Dayton
Jack & Claire Dempsey
Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation
Sam & Stacey Heins
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Joel & Laurie Kramer
Lee Lynch & Terry Saario
Martin & Brown Foundation
The McKnight Foundation
The Minneapolis Foundation
The Saint Paul Foundation
Rebecca & Mark Shavlik

(See all donors here.)

Listing Slightly by Don Effenberger

  • Switch to Small Text Size
  • Switch to Medium Text Size
  • Switch to Large Text Size
Email Print Submit a Comment

    Elvis at 75: traumatic -- but momentous -- day for baby boomers everywhere

    By Don Effenberger | Published Fri, Jan 8 2010 8:32 am

    If you want to make a baby boomer feel real-l-l-ly old, remind him or her that Elvis Presley would have turned 75 today.

    Graceland, the famed site of birthday weekend activities and the home of the official Elvis website, is providing live coverage of several high-profile events. Tributes, such as the weekend-long celebration at the True Oldies Channel radio network, are popping up everywhere. And you can check out all things Elvis at the Elvis Information Network.

    And if you’re planning to head to Graceland during this anniversary year, here’s an interesting “Graceland Too” side trip, with word coming courtesy of Ron Smith and his Oldies Music website.

    No matter that it has been nearly 33 years since the King’s death, he remains a show-biz giant — and guaranteed money-maker, actually finishing fourth  in the most current annual ranking of dead celebrities’ ongoing income ($55 million).

    In the years since he first burst on the national scene in 1956, Elvis acted in 31 films, charted more than 150 singles, sold more records than any artist and still annually draws more than 500,000 visitors to his Memphis estate.

    Family, friends, fans and — of course, in that good old American way — entrepreneurs looking for a financial score will be celebrating moments big and small throughout this anniversary year.

    The world sure isn’t forgetting to mark the day, so why should we?

    Here are a few of the ways the King still reigns in America today:

    New, new, new
    A new exhibit: The Newseum in Washington, D.C., looks at media coverage and the pop culture impact of Elvis in what is billed as aGroundbreaking, Hip-Shaking, Newsmaking Story." The exhibit opens March 12.

    A new Vegas — and Cirque du Soleil — show:  The latest Cirque extravaganza “Viva Elvis” — which already has experienced several delays (it originally was supposed to open today) — now is set to open in February at Aria, the city’s newest casino resort. Here’s a sample of the work-in-progress:




    And, of course, a new iPhone app: As comedian Mitch Benn, the app “voice” of Elvis, notes: “With 'Pocket Elvis' you can take a bit of Elvis everywhere you go, and hopefully have a lot of fun."

    Continuing impact
    His impact, of course, has been felt for many years in both pop culture and society as a whole:

    Stamp champ: His 1993 postage stamp image appears to be the most collected stamp in U.S. postal history (more than 124 million), although it now looks like the recent “Simpsons” stamps may have replaced Elvis as the all-time best-seller.

    Artistic inspiration: His likeness has been captured by artists ranging from Andy Warhol to Michael Israel and his live “Art in Concert” renditions of music legends. Not to mention more than a few velvet Elvises.

    Broadway musicals: He’s inspired two Broadway musicals:

    • “All Shook Up,” a 2005 "jukebox collection" of songs pieced together with a lame-o plot. It lasted for nearly 250 performances before going on tour.  
    “Bye Bye Birdie,” which recounts the national “agony” surrounding a certain teen idol’s Army induction. The 1960 musical is currently back on Broadway in a revival. The 1963 film version, meanwhile, happens to include my favorite movie-musical production number, the well-choreographed “Lot of Livin’ to Do.”




    And some personal favorites . . .
    Favorite movie theme:  “Flaming Star” (1961)

    Favorite B side: “Just Tell Her Jim Said Hello,” the flip side of “She’s Not You” (1962)

    Favorite “classic” Elvis performance: “Got a Lot of Livin’ to Do,” from his second movie, “Loving You” (1957)




    Like what you just read? Support high-quality journalism in Minnesota by becoming a member of MinnPost.

    Advertisement:

    2 Comments: Hide/Show Comments

    E-mail address

    Password

     

    Forgot Password? | Register to Comment

    MinnPost does not permit the use of foul language, personal attacks or the use of language that may be libelous or interpreted as inciting hate or sexual harassment. User comments are reviewed by moderators to ensure that comments meet these standards and adhere to MinnPost's terms of use and privacy policy.

    We intend for this area to be used by our readers as a place for civil, thought-provoking and high-quality public discussion. In order to achieve this, MinnPost requires that all commenters register and post comments with their actual names and place of residence. Register here to comment.



    Illustration by Hugh Bennewitz

    minnpost.com/listingslightly


    Don Effenberger, an inveterate list-maker, is a MinnPost news editor. Every week, Listing Slightly will offer a quirky, quick-read list on subjects ranging from pop culture to poetry and from movies to music. He can be reached at deffenberger [at] minnpost [dot] com.

    Recent Listing Slightly lists