Elvis is alive!
Yes, Elvis is alive in the hearts of millions of his fans worldwide and during Elvis week which culminates around the date of his death, Aug. 16, there is a pilgrimage to Memphis.
Elvis Aaron Presley was born Jan. 8, 1935 in Tupelo , Mississippi.
He died Aug. 16, 1977 at his home Graceland in Memphis Tennessee.
Elvis’s twin brother Jesse Garon was stillborn.
Festivals that tribute the life and music of Elvis and occur throughout the rest of the year are keeping the image of Elvis alive.
The Penticton Elvis festival is held on the last full weekend of June of each year and 2018 will be the 17th annual.
Elvis’ mom and dad moved to Memphis when he was 13 years old.
After graduation Elvis got a job driving truck for Crown Electric in Memphis. He wanted to give his mother a special birthday present in 1954 and went into Sun Studio to cut a record for her.
A little later that year he auditioned for a group called The Good Fellows who didn’t hire him stating that he couldn’t sing. On July 4, 1954 he recorded That’s Alright Mama.
Sitting in on the recording session was Floyd Cramer on piano and Chet Atkins on guitar.
People took notice of that song and he was asked to join the Louisiana Hayride for a couple of shows.
Once he hit the stage the crowd went crazy with his stage presence. Shortly after his first hit single, Sun Records sold their rights to Elvis to RCA for $35,000.
Col. Tom Parker was now in charge of his career.
His first hit single with RCA was Heartbreak Hotel.
In March 1958, Elvis enlisted in the army to do his two-year stint as regular recruit. He was honourably discharged in March 1960 with the rank of sergeant.
In 1961, Elvis did a benefit concert at Bloch Arena in Pearl Harbour to raise funds to rehabilitate the USS Arizona.
His goal was to raise $50,000. The concert raised $52,000 and after Elvis and the Colonel added $5,000 each the total was $62,000.
Elvis paid all of the expenses for the concert.
That concert was the last time that he wore the Gold lamé jacket.
In 1969, Elvis wanted to record In The Ghetto, but the Colonel said no, as this was not the time. Elvis replied this was the very best time because of the turmoil at the time.
During his career he made 35 movies and recorded well over 750 songs.
He was nominated for a Grammy 14 times and only won three for his gospel songs.
The aim of our annual festival is to bring the very best Elvis tribute artists from around the world to Penticton.
Terry Michels is one of the original organizers of the Penticton Elvis Festival and remains on the board to this day.