[INTRO: I am a die hard, card carrying Elvis fan and have been for as long as I can remember. There is so much about Elvis to love; his incredible singing voice, his generous spirit, his looks (the most gorgeous man ever), his movies (yes, his movies. They make me happy, so critics can just shush), his service in the army, his magical presence on stage, his transcendent charisma, and…I could go on and on. As a matter of fact, on my 50th post, I believe it was, I DID go on and on. I listed 50 things I love about Elvis. It wasn’t difficult. I am an author and I mention Elvis in almost every story I write. I named my son Presley. I was fortunate to see Elvis in concert three times. I have been to Graceland five times… See? I love Elvis. I have been blogging weekly for more than a year, but going forward, I will blog every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. My life is insanely busy and I found myself missing weeks from time to time. This way, I’m more likely to be consistent. Hopefully, even if you are not an Elvis fan, you appreciate something about him and will find my posts interesting. Feel free to comment. Thank you so much for stopping by!]
Today’s post:
Wow, it’s hard to wrap my mind around the fact that, one week from today, Elvis would be turning 81. Since he died at 42, it’s much easier to picture him eternally youthful. But each year when his birthday rolls around, I can’t help but wonder what he would be like, what he would be doing, had he lived.
His hair dresser, who was also his close friend and confidant, Larry Geller, claims that, shortly before Elvis died, he revealed that he planned to make some changes. According to Larry:
“A new vision for his life was emerging, his attitude was showing signs of renewal. He spoke with me about changing his life outside and in. From new management, to paring down considerably our group, stop touring for a year, go to Hawaii and rest, get off all medications, eat a balanced, proper diet, exercise and meditate, to coming back and find some real dramatic roles and re-enter movies.”
So, maybe that’s what Elvis would have done. Maybe he would have become a well-respected actor in movie roles where he would be taken seriously. I can definitely imagine him still performing. I believe his voice would have held out and he would probably make a few changes to his shows, but would put on spectacular performances.
This is an image that came out last year on his 80th birthday of what experts think he would look like today. What do you think?
What kind of music would he be singing today? He always loved ballads. And gospel music. I think as he aged, he might have focused more on those genres.
A couple of tidbits…
On this day in 1959 – Elvis’ BMW was destroyed on Germany’s Autobahn by his father. German newspapers reported that Elvis had died in the accident. Can you imagine the uproar?
Billboard – More than 38 years after his death, Elvis has 5 albums on Billboard’s top 200. And, one in their top 100. No other entertainer, past, present, or future will maintain that kind of popularity.
So, whatever Elvis would be doing today, I am confident he would be doing it well, that he would be loved and adored as much as ever. He would be an amazing father and grandfather. He would likely be performing with his musical daughter and grandchildren.
At least, these are my guesses. What are yours?
Wishing all of you a happy, healthy and wonderful 2016!
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EOLS Charity
Elvis was known for his giving heart and charitable work during his lifetime. Lisa Marie and Elvis Presley Enterprises have continued that tradition with their involvement in various charities. In 1984, The Elvis Charitable Foundation was formed. The EPCF created a scholarship fund for students majoring in the arts. The charity also contributes to one of Elvis’ favorite charities, Goodwill Homes, a Memphis facility that provides counseling and services for abused children and their families. The EPCF also assists numerous other charities, especially focusing on arts, education and children’s programs.
Learn more here, including how to donate:
http://www.graceland.com/epcf/
END OF LONELY STREET – Now Only 99 Cents!
On Elvis’ birthday this year, I released a Vintage Romance short story set in 1957, and of course, my heroine is an Elvis fan. 🙂 As a tribute to Elvis’ generosity, and in order to assist with this worthy cause, 10% of my proceeds for End of Lonely Street will go to the EPCF.
All Toby Lawson wants is to go to college to become a teacher and to be free of her alcoholic mother and some painful memories. But when her mother nearly burns the house down, Toby must put her dreams on hold and return home to care for her. The only time she isn’t lonely and miserable is when she’s listening to her heartthrob, Elvis Presley. His music takes her away and helps her escape from everything wrong in her life.
Noah Rivers has always loved Toby, but no matter what he says, she can‘t get past the fact that her drunken mother once kissed him. He soon realizes the true problem lies in Toby’s belief she’s not good enough for him and in her fear she will be just like her mother.
What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?
Author Alicia Dean 
As always another inspirational post about “The King”! Wouldn’t it have been wonderful if he had been able to make the changes Mr. Geller said he was planning…Elvis might still be with us today and I think it would have been better for all of us if he were!
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Yes, it absolutely would have been wonderful to see. We’ll never know if that would have happened, but it’s nice to think about. Thank you!
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I agree that Elvis would have maintained a strong fan base, as well as his voice. So glad to know that he had planned to take charge of his life – what a courageous life role he planned to take on!
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Yes, most definitely. It would have been something to see. Thanks for stopping by!
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My cousin collects all things Elvis. She has a tremendous collection. I like him, too. I’m not so sure on the way he would look now. The nose isn’t right. 🙂 Linda Nightingale
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Oh, wow, cool! I have quite a collection myself. Yes, I think you’re right about the nose.
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I love Elvis. Even though I am not of his generation, I grew up on his music. My absolute favorite is Jailhouse Rock. I liked his movies, too. They were fun to watch! End of Lonely Street sounds like a journey to trust oneself. Beautiful!
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I love that Elvis’ music spans all generations, even today. Yes, Jailhouse Rock was fantastic. One of my faves for sure. So sad about Judy Tyler dying before it was even released. 😦 End of Lonely Street was such a pleasure to write. I enjoyed immersing myself in that era. Thank you, Kara!
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I think Larry Geller has written the second most inner circle books.
I think that Elvis Presley would have gone more blues if he’d lived into the 1980s where the synthesizers dominated and electronic and the second british wave of Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet U2 – australia Rick Springfield- wouldn’t have interested him, but at least artists were dressing again for the stage
the advent of AIDs would have had a big impact on Elvis on the road party life and he might have married again and taken the family role more seriously (not Ginger, there was already a replacement lined up by George Klien)
I doubt Elvis would have gone back to movies unless he was offered something far better, but given his unwillingness to change much about his appearance or accent, the potential roles were limited inside America
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I could see him going blues into the 1980s, but later in years, I thought he might settle into ballads and gospel. I think he would have been perfectly willing to change his appearance and accent. He desperately wanted to take on serious acting roles, but the Colonel and the movie industry wanted him churning out films that were not much more than vehicles for his singing. Although, personally, I enjoyed them a great deal. Watching Elvis do anything is a pure delight. Yes, I could see him getting married again. I don’t necessarily think he would marry someone just because GK had someone lined up, but yes, I could see him embracing family life. He was already a great and doting father to Lisa. Thank you for visiting!
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He didn’t wear eye contacts in Flaming Star and didn’t change his hair besides Change of Habit. Elvis would have been better off doing movies in Europe, where he could have been any American character, but in American movies was only going to be a southerner or military/cowboy characters. Did anyone take him playing a Chemist in Clambake seriously?
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I think you are correct that he might have retreated into gospel and become non-relevant to secular music. Little Richard waffled between rock and religion. I don;t think that the 18 year old to replace 19 year old Ginger Alden would have been the next Mrs Presley. It’s too bad that Joyce Bova didn’t or Linda Thompson, or most of all, if Ann-Margaret had taken him back in the 1970s.
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I would have loved to see him end up with Ann Margaret. I think they would have been perfect together, and I think they really loved each other.
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have you seen the photo of their first meeting? he was totally titterpatted
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Strangely, I have not. 🙂
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It’s the B*W with them holding a paper. http://dykewriter.wordpress.com/2016/01/01/elvis-girlfriends-ann-margaret/
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Reading about his plans makes his sudden death seem even more tragic, although it’s a good thing that he had hope for his future. It would have been wonderful to see him make those changes as he matured. And I think he would have been as charismatic in his more senior years as he was as a young man.
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I agree, Leah. It does seem more tragic. Yes, I don’t imagine he would have lost the charisma. 🙂 I’m sure his stage presence would still have been quite powerful.
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I admire your dedication to the subject! And those photos where they age people are always so interesting. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for stopping by!
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Thanks for posting Larry Geller’s comments regarding Elvis’s desires for a balanced life. I love knowing that about him and had he lived, he would have done it!
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You’re welcome, thank you. I would have loved seeing what he could have become with those changes.
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I would like to say “ditto” to what darcyflynn posted. As for the aged photo, I agree with Linda…something’s just off about his nose. Further, had Elvis followed his plans for a new emerging life style, I think he would have aged more attractively…like a fine wine…and less like Jon Voight. Just saying…
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Ha, yes, you have a very good point. I am not sure that is an accurate depiction of how he would have aged.
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Pingback: Writer Chat: Alica Dean on Elvis | Nina's Soap Bubble Box
Reading about his plans for the future makes it even harder not to be devastated by the loss of such a special person and talent.
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Absolutely. It’s sort of bittersweet.
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Elvis today would be singing and acting and helping the poor and needy. The “aged” image does him no justice! A bit of hair dye might help. I like the pic of him never aging that stays with me.
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Yes, I agree. I like that description a lot!
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A very interesting post and something to think about. Hopefully he would have made some major changes and let a healthier, more peaceful life.
That’s what we can all aspire to.
JMHO 🙂
PamT
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True, we can all aspire to that, Pam. Thanks for stopping by!
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I did not know about all of the positive changes Elvis was planning. How wonderful it might have been for him (and for us fans)! I always feel a little tug at my heart when I think of him. His impact was so monumental, his talent unsurpassed and so much potential left unseen. I remember reading that Barbara Streisand wanted him badly for her co-star in A Star Is Born, but he backed out. I’d also read at that time (~’76) that he hoped for a more serious acting career. Can’t believe everything you read, but I know he had the potential to do anything. Thanks for a lovely post!
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I feel that tug too, Lida. It’s true about Barbara wanting him for A Star is Born. I have heard it straight from his best friend, George Klein’s, mouth on Elvis radio. I have heard a few different accounts of the reasons it didn’t happen, one being that Babs was such a diva there was a fear she and Elvis wouldn’t get along, even though they were great friends. The most popular theory is that Colonel Parker refused to allow Elvis to do it. Years earlier, Robert Mitchum wanted Elvis to co-star in Thunder Road with him, but Parker wouldn’t allow it. Elvis definitely wanted more serious acting roles. 😦 You’re welcome…thank you!
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The photo of Elvis how he may have looked at 80 has great resemblance to his father.
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Yes, it does.
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