Happy Birthday Elvis!

If he were still alive, Elvis would be celebrating his 74th birthday today. On his website, you can watch a live stream celebration from Graceland today. Click here for details. If you click for more information on that link, you'll find there's a bunch of things planned for people. I think this is amazing. It's a little tacky in one respect, but it's pretty cool that the man is such an icon that they do this. I mean, think about it. He died in 1977. That was 32 years ago. His fame and popularity has only gotten bigger. To be rich & famous is one thing. To be remembered so many years after you're gone is another, especially when your fame grows larger than it was when you were alive. What a challenge for any artist, whether a singer, dancer, actor or writer!

I'm a big Elvis fan. When I started this blog back in August, I talked about about my mom taking me to see Elvis concerts. Click here if you want to read that. Seeing Elvis Presley shows were definitely highlights of my life. No one put on a show like he did, but I have some regrets. I regret I don't have any of the programs or scarves they sold at the concerts. I regret I didn't let those Japanese girls toss me onstage like they wanted to. I regret I didn't see more of his shows. Regardless, I'm grateful for being able to see him in the first place. I'll never forget the excitement in the room right before he came on stage. Or how the lights turned red while he sang "Fever" and how the women all went wild. Or how he'd give kisses to ladies who walked up to the stage, or even rings off his fingers. He was a true entertainer.

I belong to another message board that did a poll once asking if people preferred Elvis or the Beatles. Not surprising, the Beatles were more popular, but I think it had to do with the average age of the members. Most are probably 10 years younger than me. I grew up with both. My mom was a huge Elvis fan and my sister loved the Beatles. They were great in their own way, but I still think Elvis was a better performer. There are many great singers in the world, but not many of them can sing well. Elvis could sing well, even without training. He had that gift. Here's a question -- what's your favorite song by Elvis? It's hard for me to pick just one because I like all of his music, but I do have one true favorite -- MOODY BLUE. So, in honor of The King's 74th birthday today, here is my song ...