When Elvis left the building for the last time

WHERE were you when Elvis died? The passing of the king of rock n roll falls on Sunday (August 16), 38 years since he sang his last, a moment that many fans will remember with painful clarity.

The year 1977 is thought of as a bit of a marker in history – the point when many opposing forces clashed in what was culturally a tumultuous year. The Queen’s jubilee was celebrated with huge street parties, while masses of workers went out on strike. The music charts were choked with saccharine pop, but punk was crystalising a youth rebellion, and the cool kids were dancing all night through the summer of disco.

Above it all stood Elvis, universally adored. His honey voice, delivering tunes that instantly conveyed joy or sorrow, the deepest love or the worst heartbreak.

He burst into the charts in the early 50s, the young, soulful singer almost single-handedly inventing the concept of ‘sexy’ for an unsuspecting, straight-laced audience. He survived his war years, and his comeback special is one of music’s defining moments.

So what do you remember about the day Elvis left the building for the very last time? What were you doing and how did you hear the terrible news?

Was 1977 the year that everything changed, for music, for TV, for culture in general? And if you could wave a magic wand, is it a year you would whisk yourself back to? Share your memories with Euro Weekly readers below!

And check out our story on Marbella’s very own new Elvis.