Thinking Elvis

Summer Lotus June 6 3 mins read

I will always remember where I was when people talked about the day Elvis Presley died.

It was August 16, 1997. I was a flight crew with SQ then. It was early morning when I heard wailing outside my room of The Old Melbourne Hotel in Melbourne, Australia.

I opened the door to find the chambermaids gathered outside my room sobbing hysterically. It was unbelievable that Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll had died.

At 19, I had seen Elvis briefly on TV and glimpses of the screaming audiences. The voice and the songs of the handsome singer were indelible. I had no idea that the King had impacted people all over the world in such a great way that subsequently inspired Elvis look-alike events even to this day.

Last night I binged on Elvis’ videos about his life on Youtube and finally understood immensely about this amazing legend. Thanks to technology, we get to watch and learn and be inspired by extremely talented people.

His looks, his voice, and his inimitable style arrested my attention for the full two hours on the well-curated programs of his life. Elvis, being himself, loving what he did, immersed in his passion and bringing his God-given talents to entertain us all.

We could see why he moved people. He genuinely loved what he did and he gave it his all, and yet he seemed effortless in his singing and seamless in his moves. There will never be another human being like him. This legend will live on as the most original, authentic, and unique being God has ever made.

Every song that he belted out had a hold on the audience’s emotions but they were actually his own. We could all relate to them because they were about life, struggles, and dreams. Many of his great hits were reflective of his life experiences. His gospel music in particular moved the people’s souls.

His disarming smile and facial expressions nailed the performances and when he moved, heaven moved within us too. We could not get enough of this beautiful man.

Soft-spoken, his demeanor made him exceedingly attractive. What he said in those short conversational excerpts showed him to be a humble, charming and nice man despite his riches.

I am truly inspired by the man. His work ethic was phenomenal. He was known for his hard work and his good relationships with his colleagues.

He was an au naturale. Even with the simplest and mundane lyrics, he could croon it into a lovely, entertaining song. And to watch him smile and move was a treat. I think it was his ability to enter into a focused, flow, and uninhibited state putting his authenticity into action.

He was a loving son who took good care of his parents as he came from an impoverished background.

With more than 700 songs, and exceeding a thousand five hundred concerts, he achieved what was humanly impossible to most in life that is short. It shows grit and persistence and dedication to his craft.

Watch Elvis for true-life inspiration. Live your life with a passion for what you love to do and do it well. Do not fear even when challenged by new situations.

My husband said that Elvis died tragically in the last part of his life. I like to think that he lived spectacularly. He came, he lived, he loved, he inspired.

That one percent of his life where he deteriorated later was far surpassed by what he had achieved for himself and the joy that he gave to the world.

Long live the King!