Thank You, Elvis
I remember the first time I heard Elvis Presley, though I didn’t know his name then.
It was the early 2000s before the September 11th terrorist attacks, so I might’ve been eight years old. I only mention that detail because I recall seeing the skyscrapers when my siblings, parents and I were en route to my uncle and aunt’s wedding. My older sister pointed them out to us. The rest of the day’s events are fuzzy. I like to compare my childhood memory to an old VHS tape: the audio and visuals may be warped by time, but there is still enough to get a sense of what happened.
However, I distinctly recall recognizing the beauty of the King of Rock n’ Roll’s voice, while he crooned “Can’t Help Falling in Love” during my aunt and uncle’s first dance. Turning to my mom, I asked, “Who is that?” She responded, “Elvis.” I turned back around to listen some more, soaking in the melody completely new to me. A few beats went by, then I asked my mom, “Does he have other songs?” My mom tells me she laughed to herself thinking, “Oh yeah he does.”
Later that year, I can’t recall whether it was for my birthday or Christmas, my parents (or Santa!) gave me an Elvis CD of his greatest hits. I bet I can still name most of the track list in order because I listened to that CD so much — even listening to it on a portable player while on a field trip to Sturbridge Village. My late aunt and parents indulged me, buying me books on him, some of his movies (which let’s be honest, I didn’t totally care for his movies then or now, sadly), and a figurine of him during the 1968 Comeback Special that’s still on my childhood dresser. Even a family friend gifted me a hat he purchased at Graceland.
And when the carpenter who worked on the addition to my parents’ home told me he was Elvis’ childhood neighbor — let’s just say, I nearly lost it.
It was a borderline obsession. My siblings would probably say I was outright obsessed. I bet they’d say I still am to a degree.
However, the indulgence went even further. My grade school teachers allowed me to perform Elvis songs in front of the class (I often went with “Hound Dog” — that was my favorite back then). And my third-grade teacher, as an organizer of the St. Mary’s Basketball Tournament cheerleading team, tapped my friend Patrick Benedosso and me to play Elvis-like characters in a 1950s themed skit during halftimes.
But the pinnacle of my Elvis impersonations of sorts came when I was in third or fourth grade. My friend Matt Bugaj and his dad took me to see an Elvis impersonator perform at a local community center. Unbeknownst to the three of us, there was a costume contest for the best-dressed Elvis. And the prize: the winner would perform on stage with the “King.” Apparently, the lucky winner didn’t know any songs, which left “Elvis” scrambling. Then, like a promoter, Mr. Bugaj called up to the stage saying, “I got a kid right here who could do it!” Within a few moments, I was up on stage with “Elvis” and we sang “Return to Sender” together. It was such a thrill. Here I was, a dumb kid, living out the closest realization of a dream — singing with my musical hero.
After the tune, “Elvis” complemented my singing, but added some quip about how I could be doing this one day once my voice dropped more. Then he gifted me a red scarf in an homage to Elvis’ later years (or as I call, the jumpsuit era).
I still have that scarf. I carry it with me in my guitar case.
That moment, and Elvis more than anyone else — even more than The Beatles — inspired my musical aspirations. And over the years, I’ve learned my experience is not unique. Some of the greatest rock n’ roll singers and songwriters have described their first encounters with the King as being a gravitating pull, a great awakening of the spirit, a revelation. Elvis inspired them to create music, and he did for me as well.
The first song I ever “wrote” (because I couldn’t play music at the time) was a carbon copy of one of his tunes. My siblings still tease me since it was, admittedly, awful. But another Elvis-inspired song I developed at the time I recently released on streaming platforms — “I Know and I Do.” (Listen here).
And though it took me a lot longer than I anticipated, I taught myself how to play the ukulele and guitar in college. Some of the first songs I learned were, you probably guessed it, Elvis tunes. When I performed at the Milford Oyster Festival back in 2018, for my encore I played “Blue Suede Shoes” to thank the man who inspired me to play in the first place.
Yet I still wonder: why him? And why do I still return to him? Years could, and have, passed in-between my appreciation for the King as I went down other musical rabbit holes and developed other tastes. To psychoanalyze myself, I wonder if his music reminds me of a more innocent era — a nostalgic crutch that transports me to a time before the harsh realities of the world destroyed that idealistic bubble. And perhaps that’s partially true.
His life also had a tragic end. Whether we admit it or not, that end adds to his mystique because of the ensuing “what ifs?” Personally, I think “What if I actually saw him perform live? And what would he sing?”
But I think his appeal is more otherworldly: he was a man who was given a gift and did not hide it under a bushel. He shared it with the world, inspiring countless others to recognize the power music can bring to our lives. If singing well is praying twice, like St. Augustine says, then Elvis certainly prayed.
Maybe that’s what I recognized way back when. But I can’t pretend to fully know. All I know is that I felt the music strike me right in my soul, and it continues to do so in the good and rough times in my life.
So thank you, Elvis. I hope you’re singing in the choirs of heaven.
No discussion about Elvis could be complete without a list of song recommendations, right? Below are some of my favorites. Check them out. Maybe his music will strike you too.
Also, if you want to learn more about the King, check out “Elvis: The Searcher” on HBO Max.
One of my oldest friends and I got to see Elvis at Curtis Hixon Hall in Tampa, FL... in the 70's! We were in the nosebleed section but it didn't matter! We sang all the songs and stood during the entire concert, because everyone in front of us was standing, and it was the only way we could see him. We didn't care! We loved it! It's still a fond memory for us! He was gone too soon and I'm so glad you were inspired by his music! I listen to his 'channel' on Sirius radio and still love him!! Thanks for your story!