Classic Pop Icons

Elvis Presley died 36 years ago today at his Graceland mansion in Memphis. One of the most important aspects of Elvis’ legacy is the huge impact he had on both his contemporaries in the entertainment field and those who came after.

Without Elvis, the music world would have been very different.

To mark the anniversary, here’s some of the biggest names in entertainment sharing their thoughts on Elvis and the influence he had on them.

Bruce Springsteen

“Once he was heard and seen in action, you could not put the genie back in the bottle. After that moment there was yesterday and there was today, and there was a red hot rockabilly forging of a new tomorrow.”

James Brown

“He will always live because of the fact that he was such a beautiful man.”

John Lennon

“I am an Elvis fan.”

Tom Jones

“Elvis used to love to sing late at night in Vegas. After we would do the shows, we would go to his suite and sing gospel songs.”

Keith Richards

“It was like the world went from black and white to technicolour.”

Paul McCartney

“I saw ‘Love Me Tender,’ his first film. We were all so excited sitting there waiting for Elvis.”

Cliff Richard

“For me, Elvis was the beginning of rock ‘n’ roll. He was the prototype.”

Martin Sheen

“There were two icons in the ’50s thst made all the difference in our lives; there was Elvis Presley and James Dean. And they had a profound effect on our culture.”

Steven Tyler on Elvis

“He was the beginning of me loving rock ‘n’ roll.”

George Harrison

“It [Elvis’ music] had an incredible impact on me because I’d never heard anything like it.”

John Lee Hooker

“He was the King.”

Bill Medley

“He was a really good guy.”

Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins

“He always was a star.”

To conclude, here’s a reminder of just how good Elvis was.

“if I Can Dream” – Elvis Presley