NAME: Elvis Presley

AGE: 70 had he survived

NATIONALITY: American

CLAIM TO FAME: The king still reigns, 27 years after his death

EVEN 27 years after his death, Elvis Presley is still rocking the charts with his awesome music. Last week he notched another posthumous musical milestone when a re-release of his 1959 hit One Night became the 1000th song to top the British pop charts, and the new version is Presley’s 20th British Number One, more than any other solo artist. The limited-edition copies of the track quickly sold out across Britain. Presley first topped the charts in December 1957 with his single All Shook Up.

Dozens of international smashes from the mid-fifties to the mid-seventies, as well as the steady sales of his catalogue and re-issues since his death in 1977, may make him the single highest-selling performer in history. Elvis’ record label is releasing 18 of his No 1 singles at the rate of one a week in Britain, to celebrate the year in which the King would have turned 70. On January 8, Presleys fans around the world celebrated his birthday with tribute events.

Undoubtedly, Presley is the single most important figure in America’s 20th century popular music. While some may not consider him to be the best, no one can argue with the fact that he was the musician most responsible for popularizing rock ’n’ roll on an international level. Influenced by the pop and country music of the time, the gospel music he heard as a child, Elvis was the first artist to assertively fuse country and blues music with that of rock ’n’ roll. In addition to this, his mesmerizing and explosive stage presence was hard to ignore. He rocked the stage with such an uninhibited style that it made him particularly a favourite with the younger generation. Besides his incredibly powerful and versatile vocals were suitable for the different kinds of songs that he sang.

Born in the humblest of circumstances, Elvis grew up as an only child as his twin brother was stillborn. He began his singing career in 1954 with the legendary Sun Records and by 1956 he was an international sensation. Elvis made history with his television appearances and specials, and knew great acclaim through his many, often record-breaking, live concert performances on tour and in Las Vegas.

Starring in 33 films, he had a commercially successful acting career though only few of his films really required him to display any acting skills. The films were basically vehicles for his musical talent. Presley’s recording and movie careers were interrupted by his induction into the US Army for two years in early 1958.

Elvis’ final years were marred by personal problems. He grew overweight and became more dependent on a variety of prescription drugs. His marriage broke up and soon Elvis became a reclusive, rarely venturing outside his Graceland mansion in Memphis. On August 16, 1977, Presley was found dead in Graceland, most probably due to a drug overdose. To his fans worldwide, however, Elvis, the king of rock and roll is still alive.—Ambreen Arshad