Happy birthday, Elvis Presley

Happy Birthday Elvis Presley!

If he had lived, the King of Rock 'n' Roll would have turned 75 Friday.

I know a few people who are going to hold Elvis parties, and I know at least one (me) who started listening to Elvis early this morning and won't be stopping until around midnight tonight.

Elvis Aron Presley was born in Tupelo, Miss., on Jan. 8, 1935, to Vernon Elvis and Gladys Love Presley.

As many of you know, Elvis was a twin. His brother, Jesse Garon, was stillborn.

Elvis and his family moved to Memphis, Tenn., in 1948, a move that would change his life. As a child, he was shy.

And in one account, his junior high school teacher said he couldn't sing and gave him a C in music.

But that would soon change.

It all started in the summer of 1953 when Elvis walked into Sam Phillips' Sun Records Recording studio to record a cover of the Inkblots' "My Happiness" as a gift for his mother.

Phillips had been trying to find a bridge between the blues and country. And in walked Elvis.

The rest is history.

RCA/Legacy is celebrating Elvis' birthday. Late last year, the label released the four-CD box set "Elvis 75: Good Rockin' Tonight," which featured the aforementioned recording of "My Happiness."

Earlier this week, the label released "Elvis 75," a single-CD compilation featuring 25 of his most popular songs.

The gems include "That's All Right," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Blue Suede Shoes," "Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender" and "Jailhouse Rock."

His soulful "If I Can Dream," the dramatic "In the Ghetto" and his patriotic "An American Trilogy" are also included in this collection of remasters.

This isn't the only Elvis celebration going on.

Cirque du Soleil's "Viva Elvis" opened at the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

I remember when Elvis died on Aug. 16, 1977. I was in fifth grade. I heard it on the news.

That whole week — until his funeral — I clipped out every newspaper article I could find. I tacked them on a bulletin board in my room. I pulled out my aunt's Elvis 45s and played them on my little record player and sang to all the songs.

A couple of years ago, my father-in-law gave me a present — all his 45s. He had a huge collection of Elvis. And those are among my most cherished possessions.

I love Elvis and I always will.

e-mail: scott@desnews.com