AHTER 1977 Elvis Dies

The rise of Elvis Presley in the 50s might have seemed on the surface to have more to do with sax than with music. He came to prominence at a moment when teenagers were growing in numbers and wielding economic clout, while technology made possible the mass medium in which his music could flourish.

Transistor radios, portable record players, and of course television, where his good looks dazzled perhaps more than his voice. Elvis himself had no conscious political agenda, but he was altering the social consciousness of a generation by turning them on to the power and allure of music which had sprung directly from black culture, and young white teenagers lapped it up.

Elvis would put together a string of hit records in the late 50s, followed by over 30 motion pictures. But by the 60s and 70s, he was overshadowed by more flamboyant and daring musical performers and the evolving musical culture.

By August 16, 1977, he seemed more like an afterthought than a revolutionary figure. The man whose legend seemed much older than his 42 years. Elvis Presley Dead at the age of 42. I'm John Meyer.

Elvis Presley died today at Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Presley was 42 years old. parlayed a four-dollar visit to a recording studio into a multi-million-dollar career. He was rushed to the hospital late this afternoon, suffering from what officials say was respiratory distress.

The County Medical Examiner in Memphis, Dr. Jerry Francisca says, The calls of the cardiac arrhythmia is not known at present time. It may never be known because there are several possible causes for cardiac arrhythmia, including high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.

And he had both of those diseases. So either or both acting together. have been responsible. Here in Washington, the White House issued a statement on the death of Presley, a report from mutual news correspondent Duff Thomas.