TUPELO, Miss. --A Mississippi Blues Trail marker
will be placed at the Tupelo birthplace of
legendary musician Elvis Presley on Tuesday, on
what would have been his 73rd birthday.
"By all accounts, Elvis Presley was the single
greatest influence on modern day rock 'n roll in
America, and much of his musical inspiration
drew on the Mississippi blues," Gov. Haley
Barbour said in a statement Friday.
The ceremony will honour the king of rock 'n'
roll for his for his contribution to Mississippi
and America's blues heritage.
The event is sponsored by the Mississippi
Development Authority's Tourism Heritage Trails
Program, the Mississippi Blues Commission, the
Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau and the
Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum.
Presley's early recordings helped revolutionize
popular music with a unique mix of blues and
country music, which led many rock 'n roll
artists to follow his lead.
Presley first encountered the blues in Tupelo,
and it remained central to his music throughout
his career. According to Mississippi blues
legend Big Joe Williams, Presley listened in
particular to Tupelo blues guitarist Lonnie
Williams.
Presley and his family lived in several homes in
Tupelo that were next to black neighbourhoods. A
young Elvis and his friends would often hear the
sounds of blues and gospel streaming out of
churches, clubs and other venues.
Throughout his career blues continued to be a
main element in his live performances until his
death at Graceland on Aug. 16, 1977. He is
buried in a small garden beside the famous
white-columned house in Memphis.
Posted: 8th. January 2008