Remembering the King of Rock-n-Roll

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ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — There was an Elvis sighting on Friday, Aug. 16 at the George P. Thames Adult Activity Center in Robertsdale.

Well, not really, but Robertsdale Seniors did hold Elvis Day in memory of “The King of Rock-n-Roll. Presley died Aug. 16, 1977, 42 years ago, at age 42.

Seniors enjoyed a lunch of hamburgers, tater tots, baked beans, pasta salad and dessert, followed by the showing of the movie “Jailhouse Rock.”

Born Jan. 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, Presley moved with his family at the age of 13 to Memphis, Tennessee. His music career began in 1954, recording for legendary producer Sam Phillips at Sun Records.

In 1955, RCA Victor acquired Presley’s contract and his first single, “Heartbreak Hotel,” topped the charts in the United States.

To this day, Presley remains the best-selling solo artist with sales estimates ranging from $600 million to $1 billion.

He holds records for most songs charting in Billboard’s top 40 with 115, and top 100 with 152. While statistics for top 10 and No. 1 hits vary, Presley is ranked among the top artists for top 10 hits with as many as 38 and ranks either second or third in No. 1 hits with some statistics showing as many as 18.

Presley began his film career in 1956 with is debut effort, “Love Me Tender” and went on to make 31 films between 1956 and 1969.

For all his commercial success, Presley won just three Grammy awards for music during his lifetime, all for Gospel music. He was, however, awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1971.

The George P. Thames Adult Activity Center hosts daily, weekly, monthly and special events for adults over age 50 at the center on East Chicago Street and at the PZK Hall on Alabama 104 in Robertsdale.

For more information you can pick up a monthly calendar at the center, call Center Director Amy Ochello or staff volunteers at 251-947-8973, or email robertsdaleseniorcenter@gmail.org. You can also check out the Robertsdale Senior Center page on Facebook.