One thing, among many, that proves what an impact Elvis had on the world of music, and the world in general, is the deep admiration and respect that other celebrities had for him. Priscilla Presley and photographer, Christopher Amuruoso, created a magnificent book called Shades of Elvis, where various celebrities don Elvis’ famous glasses and pose for photographs. The book is gorgeous. The photos are black and white, and they are amazing. I don’t own the book yet, but I will soon. J In addition to the photos, many celebrities contributed statements about Elvis to be published in the book. I love hearing other successful, famous people speak about Elvis.
Here is a fabulous interview with Priscilla Presley about the book:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pat-gallagher/elvis-and-priscilla-presley-_b_5385183.html
Below is a just a sampling of quotes about Elvis from celebrities (These quotes are not taken from Shades of Elvis)
“I remember Elvis as a young man hanging around the Sun studios. Even then, I knew this kid had a tremendous talent. He was a dynamic young boy. His phraseology, his way of looking at a song, was as unique as Sinatra’s. I was a tremendous fan, and had Elvis lived, there would have been no end to his inventiveness.” ~ B.B. King
“’That period was different. When Elvis was there, they were stopping everything. Elvis had the moment for real. While I’m here, its not all about 50 Cent, but it was all about Elvis.” -50 Cent
“Ask anyone. If it hadn’t been for Elvis, I don’t know where popular music would be. He was the one that started it all off, and he was definitely the start of it for me.” -Elton John
“He had total love in his eyes when he performed. He was the total androgynous beauty. I would practice Elvis in front of the mirror when I was twelve or thirteen years old.” -k.d. lang
“That’s my idol, Elvis Presley. If you went to my house, you’d see pictures all over of Elvis. He’s just the greatest entertainer that ever lived. And I think it’s because he had such presence. When Elvis walked into a room, Elvis Presley was in the f***ing room. I don’t give a f*** who was in the room with him, Bogart, Marilyn Monroe.” -Eddie Murphy
“There have been a lotta tough guys. There have been pretenders. And there have been contenders. But there is only one king.” -Bruce Springsteen
“…it was like he came along and whispered some dream in everybody’s ear, and somehow we all dreamed it.” -Bruce Springsteen
“When I first heard Elvis’ voice, I just knew that I wasn’t going to work for anybody; and nobody was going to be my boss…Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail.” -Bob Dylan
“A lot has been written and said about why he was so great, but I think the best way to appreciate his greatness is just to go back and play some of the old records… Time has a way of being very unkind to old records, but Elvis’ keep getting better and better.” -Huey Lewis
“Elvis was the king. No doubt about it. People like myself, Mick Jagger and all the others only followed in his footsteps.” -Rod Stewart
“He was a unique artist – an original in an area of imitators.” -Mick Jagger
“He was an integrator, Elvis was a blessing. They wouldn’t let black music through. He opened the door for black music.” ~ Little Richard
“Nothing really affected me until I heard Elvis. If there hadn’t been an Elvis, there wouldn’t have been the Beatles.” ~ John Lennon
Author Alicia Dean 