American Trilogy, How Great Thou Art, If I Can Dream, Lonely Man...

When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic book. I saw movies, and I was the hero in the movie. So every dream I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times...I learned very early in life that: ‘Without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain’t got a friend; without a song, the road would never bend - without a song.' So I keep singing a song. Goodnight. Thank you.”
-From his acceptance speech for the 1970 Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation Award. Given at a ceremony on January 16, 1971.

IF I CAN DREAM

“It was the finest music of his life. If ever there was music that bleeds, this was it.”
Greil Marcus
From his book, Mystery Train, remembering the 1968 Comeback TV Special.

Elvis & Gladys, Elvis Up Close...


“The image is one thing and the human being is another...It's very hard to live up to an image, put it that way.” Elvis

"Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique, irreplaceable. More than twenty years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense. And he was a symbol to people the world over of the vitality, rebelliousness and good humor of this country."

President Jimmy Carter, 1977, following Elvis' death

Like 'em all...

“A Presley picture is the only sure thing in Hollywood.”
Hal Wallis
Producer of nine of Elvis' films.
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"The only thing worse than watching a bad movie is being in one." Elvis

He had a great capacity to love...

“I ain't no saint, but I have tried never to do anything that would hurt my family or offend God.
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I figure all any kid needs is hope and the feeling he or she belongs. If I could do or say anything that would give some kid that feeling, I would believe I contributed something.” Elvis
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"Elvis as a man was a reverberation of every man / woman at a soul-level, for he was as a little child - without guile, possessing a great sense of compassion, adventure, loving, and humor. He was HUMAN, he erred, yet he was noble, and through it all his integrity remained chiseled in the foundation stone of his heart."
*excerpt from www.elvislightedcandle.org