Kings and Queens
‘If it once was assumed that Elvis fans defined themselves by class, and were predominantly from the lowers stratas, this is an assumption that has long been confounded. His fans are also Presidents, Prime Minister and royals. In May 2014, Prince William and his brother Prince Harry and their cousins went to Memphis for a friend's wedding. In spite they were born after Elvis death, the power of Elvis mystique made them pay their respects just like millions have...’
Ted Harrison in his book the Death and Resurrection of Elvis Presley.
I don’t know what to make of this section. Elvis is a king among kings. And the odd queen. The extent to which this is a good thing depends upon your political persuasions and tastes. Personally, I see Elvis as a democrat, a man of the people, ‘one of us.’ But he has fans, if not friends, in high places.
‘I felt like I was meeting Elvis Presley or the president.’
Leeann Fortenberry, in reference to how she felt meeting Dr Adrian R Krainer, a Uruguayan-American Biochemist who chairs the Cancer and Molecular Biology Departmenty at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York and who is currently treating her daughter Faith, a sixth grader, with Spinraza, the first and only US- FDA approved medication to treat a form of muscular dystrophy she lives with called SMA Type 2, in an interview aired by Channel 10, KWT on November 8, 2018.
‘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 equalled. 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' official statement following Elvis' death, as reprinted by graceland.com
‘It’s always been my dream to come to Madison Square Garden and be the warm-up act for Elvis.’
- Senator Al Gore, accepting the nomination for vice president at the 1992 Democratic Convention & prior to Bill Clinton's (aka "Elvis" by his security staff) acceptance of the presidential nomination
‘Elvis Presley was a great entertainer who helped define an era. Thirty years after his death, his unmistakable sound and sensational performances continue to influence generations of artists and inspire countless fans. This week is an opportunity to celebrate his life and career and recognize his enduring contribution to popular culture.’
US President George W. Bush's laud of Elvis on the 30th Anniversary of his death, in a letter addressed to EPE and the Presley family, sent from his White House office and signed by him on Jul 19, 2007
‘You know, Bush is always comparing me to Elvis in sort of unflattering ways. I don’t think Bush would have liked Elvis very much, and that’s just another thing that’s wrong with him. He was the first and the best, and is my favorite of all time.’
Bill Clinton, during the 1992 presidential campaign, obviously unaware that Bush was a Presley admirer, and had in fact met him at the 1971 Jaycees ceremony, during his time as US Ambassador to the United Nations.
‘Yes, I really love Elvis He is the best and a class by himself when he sings rock or ballads or any type of songs. I never get tired of listening no matter how many times I hear him over more than 40 years in my life. Above all, I like his songs, say, ‘I Want You, I Need You, I Love You’ and ‘Hawaiian Wedding Song. I almost forgot to say this: my birthday is January 8, the same day of Elvis.’
Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi's letter to the EP Fan Club of Japan
‘After his show, Sammy Davis Jr said he would arrange for my wife Joyce and I to see the best entertainer in Las Vegas which, considering Sammy´s fame, was quite a compliment (Once at the show), the audience was enthralled as the singer sang songs of every genre. And that evening I became a fan of Elvis Presley. Even today, particularly on Sundays when we do not get to church, Joyce and I listen to Elvis singing gospel songs.’
Donald Rumsfeld, former Secretary of Defense, as cited in his memoirs "Known and Unknown", published by the Penguin Group (pp 128-29)
I move on in the spirit of Elvis, making no comments and taking no sides. I’m just a writer, I’d sooner keep my opinions to myself.
‘As a free speech near-absolutist, I unreservedly defend the right of anyone to trumpet political views. But more than ever I admire those celebrities who steadfastly resist the temptation (or the hectoring) to talk politics. There are still some of them, following the footsteps of one of the greatest entertainers in American history. At the peak of his long career, Elvis Presley’s influence on popular culture was unparalleled, but about politics he would say nothing. A classic illustration occurred during a pre-concert press conference at Madison Square Garden in 1972. It was at the height of the antiwar movement, and Presley, an Army veteran, was asked for his thoughts on the Vietnam War protests. “Honey, I’d just as soon keep my own personal views about that to myself,” he answered modestly. “I’m just an entertainer and I’d rather not say.” Faced with the pressure to get political, Elvis knew how to shake it off. Would that could still be said about Taylor Swift?’
Jeff Jacoby, discussing Country singer̪ Taylor Swift's decision to endorse the campaigns of two Democrat candidates in the 2018 Tennessee mid-term elections, as published in the Patriot Post on October 15, 2018.
I don’t mind people having political views. I don’t much like people using the platforms they have for expertise or talent in certain areas to deliver political lessons to the rest of us. Elvis’ view was that just because he had a degree of success and popularity as a singer doesn’t make his political views any more relevant than any other citizen.
Politics needs to bend the knee to truth and justice. One day, maybe:
‘I believe we need to restore confidence in Illinois. We deserve a state government that you can trust. It has been my mission as your state representative to support, sponsor, and vote for common sense solutions that provide for balanced budgets, to resist tax increases without a commitment to responsible spending, and to secure jobs for working families. I believe doing so will help you have more faith in our state government. I agree with Elvis Presley. “Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t goin’ away.”’
Brian W. Stewart, Illinois State representative, in an article entitled Restoring confidence in Illinois, and pubkished on September 27, 2018, in rrstar.com
‘He’s all for love and who else can give you this? Elvis Presley for President!’
Lou Monte's words heard in RCA's "Elvis Presley For President" single from the summer of 1956. In that year's otherwise inconsequential Presidential election, no less than 5000 people, by write-in, voted Elvis...
‘He was an extraordinary figure of his and our time, his legacy tremendous in terms of the music he created, his films, and as an entertainment personality. The generosity that he showed toward others is simply remarkable and I think it's these aspects of his character, his persona, that make him such a special person.’
Albert II, Prince of Monaco, after his visit to Graceland on August 7, 2010 as noted by EPE.
I’ve often wondered what Popes and Queens think about in their private moments. It seems they think about Elvis. They’re just like us, then:
‘Now tell me all about Elvis Presley? Will he come to England?’
Queen Elizabeth II's question to UK actress Suzanna Leigh, whom she knew had recently co-starred with Elvis in ‘Paradise Hawaiian Style,’ as Her Majesty greeted guests on the line-up to the Royal Film Variety Performance Gala in 1966. I wrote to Suzanna about her book ‘Paradise Suzanna Style’ and received a very nice reply. Suzanna liked Elvis very much. The Queen, too, seems to have Elvis on her mind a lot. Almost thirty years after Elvis died, she confided to UK TV and radio personality Terry Wogan that her favourite Elvis song was the laughing version of "Are you lonesome Tonight", as told in an interview held at the HQ of the BBC's Broadcasting House on April 20, 2006. I do hope she played that daily to the Duke of Edinburgh.
The Pope also takes an interest in Elvis:
‘Did you ever meet Elvis Presley?’
This was the question that Pope Benedict XVI's asked to the Irish comedian Frank Carson. Carson had been ordained with a Papal knighthood of the "Order of St. Gregory" in 1987 by the now Saint Pope John Paul II. Pope Benedict’s interest may stem from the fact that as a young professor he was stationed within the German priesthood at a town not too far from Elvis’ barracks during his 18 month stay in Germany with the US Army. Carson, then quite ill, responded: ‘Not yet, your Holiness, but I soon will’ (Published in the Belfast Telegraph on August 10, 2017).
‘There was a real threat of danger, a cold war with an iron curtain and there was a Soviet army stacked up on the other side, so those were serious times. He was just another soldier, he was Elvis Presley but at the same time they assigned him in accordance with the needs of the service and unlike others who have gone in the military from celebrity life and essentially used their talents to entertain troops, he was a scout. Despite living in a house "off post", when it came to the field Elvis Presley was not a celebrity and I think his fellow soldiers respected him for his dedication even though he was as famous as he was. When I met him, he was out in the field and he was recognized for his professional performance in the Third Division which I, interestingly, subsequently commanded 28 years later and it occupied the shallowest part of NATO battle front. Elvis' unit and my unit were in that division and we had the toughest job and it was a time of heightened tension. Anyway, we were in this wooded area and I was driving along in my jeep and somebody noted that, there he was. When I walked over to him he saluted and was very proper and what struck me was that he looked just like another GI. Other than the fact that he was REALLY Elvis Presley, he acted, and I saw him, as just another soldier, in the woods, kind of dirty, doing a job...’
General Colin Powell, former Chairman of the US Joint Chief of Staff and Secretary of State, abridged from his autobiography My American Journey and a BBC interview, in 2005.
Nelson Mandela was an Elvis fan:
‘Be like Elvis, go man, go!!’
These were the words of encouragement that Princess Zenani Mandela-Dlamini wrote on the envelope to a letter she sent to her father, Nelson Mandela during his time at Robben Island prison, (published in a book in 2018, and as reviewed by the Guardian on August 11, 2018).
‘The music of Elvis Presley is very lively and popular, and I am glad to know that you are as fond of his music as I am, too.’
Nelson Mandela's comment in a handwritten letter dated March 1971, sent to his oldest daughter the now Princess Zenani Mandela-Dlamini from Robben Island Prison (published in the 2018 book entitled 'The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela').
‘I love Elvis because he was my generation, but then again, he's everyone's generation and will always be.’
Margaret Thatcher
We’re beginning to have the full house here:
‘Boris Yeltsin was best known for his role as the President of Russia, but he also had another unique claim to fame: Moscow’s biggest Elvis Presley fan. According to sources, Yeltsin was a huge fan of Presley and would often listen to his recording of “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” during times of stress, such as in August, 1991, when he prevented a coup by standing on top of a tank. But while Yeltsin loved Presley, he hated staples with an equal amount of passion, as reflected in a memo from a Yeltsin aide demanding that no one use staples on any papers given to their fearless leader, as "this practice holds up the President’s very decisions.”’
Wireless's edition of April 24, 2007.
‘So what happened to the gifted scholar who spent his years in Rhodesian jail to acquire a long list of degrees and whose only frivolity was his passion for Elvis Presley?’
This was a question that South African journalist and writer Heidi Holland put in reference to Robert Mugabe's love for Elvis, (as noted in her bestselling book ̊̊̊"Dinner with Mugabe̠̟, the untold Story of a freedom fighter who became a tyrant̊ ̈(page xiv)).
‘He is a huge fan of Elvis Presley, even naming his own thirty bedroom mansion "Graceland" after Elvis's Memphis home.’
Author Karl Shaw, in reference to Robert Mugabe, in his book "The Mammoth Book of Tasteless and Outrageous Lists."
‘He was ahead of his time because he had such deep feelings and had the privilege of deep feelings because he was deeply loved by his mother, Gladys. He was able to appreciate profound beauty in sounds and he started a musical revolution. In fact, they say all revolutions start from love.’
Imelda Marcos, former First Lady of the Philippines.
Still ‘no comment.’
‘Frankly speaking, I don't know much about rock and roll music and I enjoyed some when I was in high school and college. But I stopped listening after Elvis Presley...’
Ban Ki-moon, eight Secretary General of the United Nations, a national of South Korea, as noted in brainy quote/quotes/keywords/elvis_presley.html
There really is no ‘after Elvis Presley.’ It’s like the Charles Aznavour song ‘De t’Avoir Aimeé.’ There is no ‘after Elvis.’
I love this quote:
‘The 2018 Pohottuwa Party victory is a Mahinda Rajapaksa victory. At all election rallies, the former President was cheered like mad when he arrived on the platform. It reminded me of Elvis Presley, who was virulently hated and deeply loved in equal proportions throughout his career. But Elvis did not care, he continued singing.’
About Mahinda Rajapaksa, former Sri Lankan President, in an article written by Kamalika Pieris and published at the Lankaweb on 30 March,2018
Elvis was more deified than demonized, but the vilification was particularly vicious and nasty and came from influential areas. I think Elvis did care. He carried on singing regardless, and singing his way.
‘But my generation did not ONLY love America because she defended freedom. We also loved America because for us she embodied what was most audacious about the human enterprise, because America for us embodied the spirit of conquest. We loved America, because for us, America was a new frontier that was continuously being rolled back, a constantly renewed challenge to the inventiveness of the human spirit. My generation, without even coming to America, shared all of your dreams. In our imaginations, our imaginations were fuelled by Hollywood, by the great conquest of the western territories, by Elvis Presley, and you probably haven't heard his name quoted often here -- but for my generation, he is universal.’
French President Nicolai Sarkozi, during his speech at a Joint Session of Congress,delivered on November 8, 2007, explaining how Elvis and American values influenced all French people born in the immediate aftermath of the end of the Second World War, as was his case.
“One good turn deserves another/Be my love, I'll be your lover/It's all part of nature's laws/If you'll scratch my back, then I'll scratch yours" That’s not a poem; it’s actually the first stanza of an Elvis Presley song, titled ‘Scratch my back". The phrase, ‘scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours’ was not coined by the writers of Presley’s song, having been in existence way before Presley was even born but what it basically means is that a favour done will be returned, and that nothing goes for nothing.’
Buchi Obichie, writing on Legit about Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari̼’s 2019 re-election bid, and the price he may have to pay to garner the support he needs, as published on November 2, 2018.
That sounds more like Richard Dawkins giving us the lessons biology teaches for politics. I very much remember seeing Elvis perform the song ‘Scratch My Back’ in a duet with a long-legged woman in ‘Paradise Hawaiian Style.’ Even at twelve I knew there was a subtext to this song and its lyric. I asked my mother whether I should tape this song (like I did with all the others). She said I could do what I like and left the room.
‘I may be the King in Los Angeles but there’s only one King.’
Ross King, in an article entitled |Elvis Presley lives on…and that’s the gospel truth", published in the Sunday Post on August 23, 2018