King's Anniversary

In a stark contrast, today not only marks the birth of one of the most important figureheads in popular music, but also the anniversary of the death of another.

Elvis Presley left the building for one final time this day in 1977.
From what my mother recalls of that day as she flew into Hawaii, unawares of the events that unfolded throughout the night, watching the people in the streets screaming and crying and the media circus that followed was as though the USA had just lost their father.

And in a way he was. He was one of the first real cultural icons in music to conquer the transition from the all-hailing country and blues roots to popular rock n roll. And not only that, he graced the silver screen, the magazines and a lot of America (and those around the first world for that matter) considered him arguably the first widely documented "celebrity".

Whether you're a fan or not, Vegas the music world would be a lot different today without his influence, and all tacky jewel encrusted jumpsuits aside you've got to admit - he was a damn cool cat.

Mahalo.