Today is what would be the seventy-fifth birthday of Elvis Presley.  To celebrate, I would like to dedicate today's blog post completely to him. 

Elvis was born on January 8, 1935 in the town of Tupelo, Mississippi.  He was born poor, but recorded his first track in '53 and rose to fame by '56.  Elvis became such a star that fans would literally mob the stage to reach him.  Most adults despised him, believing that his wild dance moves caused "juvenile delinquency," and he was forbidden to dance in many towns.  He entered the army, and served for a couple of years, and that act of patriotism did endear him to America even more than before.  Elvis did enjoy his dancing, but his favorite kind of music was gospel, and he recorded many gospel songs in his life.  Close friends and relatives of Elvis have testified that gospel songs were what he sang around the house and in his free time, and he often read books about spirituality and the Bible.  In the mid-seventies, Elvis began having trouble with weight gain.  He became addicted to prescription medications, and he died on August 16, 1977.

One story that I enjoy reading about Elvis is when there were some fan girls that were holding up a sign that said, "Elvis is the King!"  Elvis turned to them from the stage and said something to the effect of, "You put that sign down.  I'm not the King.  Jesus is."  And that was that.

Elvis Presley was- and still is- a huge influence on the way music is today.  He is probably my greatest inspiration when it comes to music.  I may not sing the way he did, but his passion for music has most definitely inspired me to write my songs.

Elvis has influenced so much of American culture today.  He deserves thanks for not only changing our perspective on music itself, but he also helped erase judgment in some ways.  He proved (at least in his early years), that you could dance and enjoy life while still being an All-American, decent guy.

Rest in peace, Elvis.