Elvis Presley - VOA Story -recomendado-

For many people it is hard to believe that it has been 30 years [August 16th] since the death of rock-and-roll legend Elvis Presley. Every year, 600,000 people from around the world visit his home, Graceland, in the U.S. southern city of Memphis, Tennessee.

In the mid-1950s, Elvis Presley played a new kind of music, fusing country and rhythm-and-blues with a new rock-and-roll style. He swiveled his hips on stage, mimicking the moves of black entertainers. At first, many people did not know what to think about him. But it was not long before young people went crazy over his music and flocked to his concerts. Elvis became known as the king of rock and roll.

Bernard Lansky met Elvis when he was in high school. Lansky owned a clothing shop in an African-American neighborhood with clubs where black singers performed. Elvis would stop to admire the clothes in the window. One day Lansky asked him to come in.

Elvis wanted clothes that would make him stand out. Lansky gave the young man some clothes on credit. Soon after, Elvis sang on national television and became a star.

Elvis became a life-long customer. Lanksy made a coat to match Elvis' pink Cadillac and designed shirts for him in unusual color combinations -- shirts Lansky still sells today.

As rock music changed over the decades, Elvis adapted and had at least one top 40 hit on the music charts every year.

Despite his many hit songs, Elvis won only three American Grammy music awards -- all for gospel albums. At a young age Elvis began singing gospel music at church.

Elvis showcased his music in more from 30 films. Klein says although Elvis had a lucrative movie career, he hungered for better roles. "Halfway through Elvis's career he became disenchanted with his movies. And I'd ask him, 'What's the new movie about?' He'd say, 'Same story, different location. I beat up the guy, get the girl and sing 12 songs.' "

On August 16, 1977 Elvis Presley died at Graceland at the age of 42. He was buried in a white suit -- designed by Bernard Lansky. "And he was a gentlemen," said Lansky. "A real gentlemen."

About half the visitors to Graceland are under the age of 35 and were not even born when Elvis Presley died. His music is still immensely popular worldwide. If Elvis were alive today, he would be 72 years old, but to his fans he is forever young