Friday, November 30, 2018

The King and the Fool


The King of Rock and Roll brought himself up by his bootstraps, served Uncle Sam as a soldier and before his early demise came he had made an honest fortune for himself and many others. For that, he is belittled by those who hardly knew him.

“A little nod to the good old days, back when black visionaries could invent rock-and-roll but only a white man could become the king.” Washington Post pop music critic Chris Richards commenting on Elvis Presley being awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump.

Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo Mississippi in 1935 as the surviving twin son of Vernon and Gladys Presley. His twin, Jesse was stillborn. He grew up in a two-room house and when he was 13 moved with his family to Memphis.

Presley’s rendition of “That’s All Right” by black delta blues writer Arthur Crudup was the beginning for Presley’s career. Presley spoke often of his love and appreciation of black music and black artists.

2 comments:

  1. “A little nod to the good old days, back when black visionaries could invent rock-and-roll but only a white man could become the king.” Washington Post pop music critic Chris Richards

    Yeah, those 'black visionaries' also harnessed electricity, and invented the electric guitar, and the amplifier.

    Oh wait!

    But they didn't.

    Pogue.

    ReplyDelete