February 27, 2018 ▸ Entertainment, People

Episode 275: Elvis Presley: The Rise and Fall of a King

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On this episode of The Sofa King Podcast, we gyrate our metaphorical hips and talk about the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Born the second of twin boys (his brother died in birth 35 minutes before Elvis was born), he was from a simple family. He was lavishly devoted to his mother, and he grew up as an average student and fairly typical kid. Early on, however, he had a love of music and would spend all of his time listening to radio and records and was given his first guitar at eleven years old.

Young Elvis Presley was often too shy to perform, but eventually, he started to win talent contests, and his confidence grew. In 1954, he recorded some songs for the famous blues label Sun Studio, and he was an instant success with number one songs. By 1955, he had penned a deal with RCA Records and had been signed to start releasing musical comedy films. With hit after hit musically, and with a lot of very successful (if not horrible) movies, Elvis was an instant icon on the American landscape.

His career trajectory took a slight detour as he was drafted into the army in 1957. He served at an army base in Germany during this time, and here he met three of life long loves: Priscilla Presley (who was 14 at the time), karate, and amphetamines! Elvis returned from the war with another string of hits and movies, and eventually he staged a massive comeback tour in 1968. From this point on, however, his life took a darker turn. He gained weight, became addicted to prescription drugs, and his marriage with Priscilla fell apart.

He divorced and lost custody of his daughter, Lisa Marie, and his films and music got increasingly predictable and lower quality. Toward the end of his life, his band mates said he was a train wreck who could barely sing without slurring his words. Eventually, on August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley was found dead in his bathroom. The coroner ruled it was a cardiac arrest, but the indications are that it was drug-related.

Elvis had one of the most important careers in American music, but many people argue that he stole the music of the African American and exploited it. Was this true? Was he a racist as many people (including Chuck D of Public Enemy) allege? What is the story with Graceland? Is Elvis, in fact, alive? Did he fake his death to avoid a hit by the mafia, and why do people think this? Listen, laugh, learn.

Is Elvis Alive: http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/weirdest-elvis-presley-sightings-conspiracy-2125270-2125270