There have been so many talented artists in the world - from Cher to Bob Dylan, to Paul McCartney; from Carrie Underwood to Alan Jackson - the world has truly had some phenomenal entertainers. Although, among the many greats, there has been only one King! That is none other The King of Rock and Roll, himself, Mr. Elvis Presley.
Elvis Presley turned the world upside down with his musical debut in 1954. He music offered something new, exciting, and fun to people around the world, and before anyone could even stop him, Elvis Presley and 'Rock-a-billy' (the genre he pioneered that focused on a fast Country/Rhythm-and-Blues mix) were taking over the world.
In 1956, Elvis released his very first single, “Heartbreak Hotel.” The song immediately caught the entire world’s attention and Elvis Presley and his dreamy voice 'ooh-ed' and 'ahh-ed' ears everywhere.
“Heartbreak Hotel” was not just a great hit, though, it was also a cultural movement. Elvis played in a band with talented musicians from every cultural background. The dynamic of the sound and energy was radical in the American Culture, especially during the 1950s.
Over the next several years, Elvis would go on to create record-breaking songs, serve in the U.S. Military, go on world tours, and start a family. He was a world icon and his music carried millions through nearly 20 years of life.
Sadly, Elvis Presley struggled with prescription drugs and died suddenly from an overdose in 1977 when he was just 42 years old. The world really lost a superstar when Elvis died. However, his memory lives on in his music.
Weeks before he died, Elvis performed one of his most beloved songs in history, “Unchained Melody.” While the song wasn’t an Elvis original, his performance was deemed as “the last great performance of his career.” The performance is raw, real, and fully nostalgic.
Check out the performance, below. If you’re an Elvis fan, let us know what you think of this performance! Do you think it’s “the last great performance of his career?” We think it’s pretty amazing!