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Stories Behind the Music -- Elvis as the Comeback Kid

By
Home Inspector with King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. Home Inspector Lic #207
It might sound foolish to refer to Elvis as the comeback kid. After all, even years after his death, Elvis is still the King. The fact is that Elvis' did have a career slump in the mid-sixties. That was turned around in November 1969.

Elvis went through a period, during the British Invasion, where he was not the hitmaker he had been. But interest in Elvis came rushing back after he had a major NBC television special in December 1968. After that show, Elvis went back to Memphis where he had not recorded since 1955. One of the tracks recorded in those sessions went on to become one of Elvis's most popular songs. It peaked at the top of the Billboard charts in November 1969. Elvis was back in a big way. 

 

Suspicious Minds was the seventeenth #1 song for the King. It was, also, his last #1 song. However, after this smash, Elvis did have a few great releases -- Don't Cry Daddy, Kentucky Rain, Burning Love, to name only a few. Unfortunately, Elvis died in August 1977, ending an incomparable career. At least it ended his career but, think about it, how many people are still making a living by impersonating the King! As I hear it, the good ones make good money.

For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar

Steven L. Smith

Bellingham WA Home Inspections

Posted by

Steven L. Smith

If you enjoy nostalgia and music of yesteryear, click on Elvis' gold record to visit This Day In History. To explore The Stories Behind The Music blog posts click on the electric guitar. 

 

        

 

 

 

 

Comments (6)

Fran and Rowena, La Canada Realtors - (818) 952-0077
Dilbeck Real Estate - La Canada, CA

Steve - so you're an Elvis fan?  Some of the best music came out of that era.  Thank you for the information and the link to more info.  Best wishes.

Jan 31, 2009 02:23 AM
Rick Sergison
Keller Williams Real Estate Associates in the Toronto Area - Toronto, ON

All of my favourite Elvis songs were his later tunes - after his comeback.If I Can Dream,In The Ghetto, Kentucky Rain, Suspicious Minds, Until It's Time For You To Go

Jan 31, 2009 02:41 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Rick,

I liked those too. I agree.

Jan 31, 2009 02:46 AM
Rick Sergison
Keller Williams Real Estate Associates in the Toronto Area - Toronto, ON

Hit "Submit" too soon...

The Wonder Of You, You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - for me, he really didn't "come back" as much as he arrived.  That was what was so sad to me about his passing.  I think he was just getting started after maturing as a performer and artist.

I feel that his best years may still have been ahead of him.

(Having lived and grown up in Detriot in the mid-late 60's with the Detroit riots and the slaying of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King, In the Ghetto has more meaning as does Lightfoot's Black Day in July, and CSNY's Ohio, Southern Comfort's Woodstock, Barry McGuire's Eve of Destruction and certainly, Country Joe and the Fish I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixing-To-Die-Rag!)

Jan 31, 2009 02:51 AM
Lynn911.com ~ Dallas Real Estate Agent Top Team
Dallas Houses for Rent Dallas Apartment Rentals Lynn911.com - Dallas, TX

If not toured the Memphis Mansion recommend do so amazing what type of life he had contribution back to world we live in . Have a great and successful weekend.

Feb 14, 2009 02:47 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Lynn,

Glad you liked this bit of nostalgia.

Feb 14, 2009 02:58 AM