Column Chronicles: Elvis elegy ensues, part 1

Elvis elegy ensues, part 1

Frank Cotolo
July 11, 2024

The myths collecting in the story of Elvis Presley stack high as the decades pass. Here are some mutating legends as they emerge.

2025
Elvis was one of triplets born on Jan. 8, 1935. He was one of two boys and a girl. Her was named Alicia. She died shortly after the first son, Jesse, was still born.

In September 1948 the Presley family moves to Memphis. Papa Vernon made enough money selling bootleg booze to afford a small house with a bathroom. Ironically, it would not have been enough money if all of the triplets lived.

On Jan. 4, 1954, Sun Records producer Sam Phillips produces some tracks of Elvis singing blues songs but thinks they sound "too black." Elvis says of course they do, they're blues songs. Young Jerry Lee Lewis disagrees and gets into a fight with Elvis. Both leave the session bruised and Sam jumps for joy, thinking he has created a new music genre, The Black and Blues.

On Sept. 1, 1956, Ed Sullivan sees Elvis perform. Ed asks Elvis to be on a TV show. Elvis says, "Who's TV show?" and Ed says, "Mine". Elvis says, "Can I move my legs?" says Elvis. "No," says Ed. Elvis manager Tom Parker makes a deal so Elvis can at least move his legs to walk on stage.

In October 1957 Elvis joins the Marines.

In November 1957 The Marines trade Elvis for three Army sharpshooters and an officer to be named later.

In January 1958 Elvis learns new guitar chords for songs to sing in the rest of the movies he will make in his career.

2030
Elvis was one of quadruplets born on Jan. 8 and 9, 1935. He is the only surviving child after the other three die suddenly after crying in harmony.

When Elvis turns a year old, in 1936, papa Vernon wants to move to Alaska but mama Gladys tells him Alaska is not in the Union yet so they move to Memphis.

Frank Cotolo can be found hosting the talk and interview programme Cotolo Chronicles. You can send him an e-mail at this address: frank@148.ca.