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Elvis Aaron Presley, Elvis, came from poor beginnings
born in Tupelo, Mississippi to Vernon and Gladys
this boy loved the gospel music in church . . . . 
at thirteen his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee 
when Elvis started school he was a loner and quiet
given a guitar on his birthday he learned to play it
and was taking it to school playing and singing . . . 
he was teased a lot and called, "a trashy kid
who plays Hillbilly music" . . . 
and bullied for being a mama's boy (well, that's true)
his music teacher said that he had no aptitude for singing
by junior year he stood out because of his good looks and style
he loved going to Beale Street the heart of Memphis's blues scene 
meeting BB King and others . . .
he made a few recordings paid for by his truck driving job
and was told to stick to driving a truck
was rejected over and over
remember this was the same man
who became The King of Rock and Roll

He recorded a song called 'That's All Right' 
that became an instant hit  . . . 
he was doing a show at the Louisiana Hayride Show
when Colonel Tom Parker took an interest in him
he saw that Elvis had something special
and he wanted part of that ( to control him) 
convincing his parents to sign a contract
that would sign away 50% of Elvis's earnings to Parker
Elvis recorded 'Heartbreak Hotel' that hit number 1 . . .    
there were television shows and tours followed by more
top charting hits and with his new wealth he bought a house
that would be known as Graceland . . .
he bought cars, things for his mother, father, family, friends

Some tried to change him but Elvis fought back
he went into military service, gosh he looked good in uniform . . . 
met Priscilla and fell in love but sadly while he was serving
his mother passed away (she was a heavy drinker) 
and Elvis was shattered . . . 
but Colonel Parker picked up the pieces
Elvis was doing a series of cheap movies and he was not happy
more tours, more television specials and interviews
it was endless . . .
he did a song called, 'If I Can Dream' (1969) 
Elvis Presley would say later
that it was the greatest thing he ever sang 
he sold 500 million records in his career  
and was declared the best selling music artist of all time
he tried to leave Parker's to get away from his control  . . .
but he could not do it because it would mean losing Graceland

Then, came the drugs ...

And the International Hotel in Vegas
a contact that Parker arranged
that was a prison to Elvis . . . 
his divorced caused him to spiral down (true he was having affairs)
his health was not good and Parker was pushing him
Elvis's look changed . . .
gone was the black leather and baggy suits 
replaced by gaudy costumes
his good looks faded . . . 
as he descended into this living hell
and as his health was failing the drugs took over
his last days were tragic to read about 
(was there no one who could reach out with a helping hand) 
he died of a heart attack full of prescription drugs
I wonder if he had never met Colonel Tom Parker 
who was not a Colonel but a fake and fraud . . . 
would his life have been different,
I can dream  . . .  
 
______________________
May 12, 2023


Poetry/Bio/I Love You Elvis
Copyright Protected, ID 05-1546-676-12
All Rights Reserved, 2023, Constance La France

Written for the Premiere contest, Elvis Presley Inspiration
sponsor, Robert James Liguori, Judged 05/13/2023

First Place
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