The King Is Gone

The discussion that's going on here about Michael Jackson reminded me of how involved we become with the stars we come to idolize, (both with their music, and with their real lives as well, thru both success and tragedy or scandal), and that in turn reminded me this tribute I wrote to Elvis, (the bulk of which was written the night he died in 1977, and was added to and modified slightly in 2001). I've tried to capture as much I could of the musical success, as hopefully, that, as opposed to his personal life, will be his true legacy.

I am including my recording of this song (completed many years later) at http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=328210&t=2966

I apologize in advance for the hokey arrangement and limited vocals but hopefully it will give an idea of what I was striving for.

"The King Is Gone"

The king, the king is gone, but not his music.
The king, the king is gone but not his songs.
The man has died, who gave us all those memories.
The man has died.....The memories linger on.

He started it all with a song called "Lawdy Miss Cawdy".
He won the world with a song 'bout "Blue Suede Shoes".
He blended the old time Spirituals with Country;
Spiced them up with a little Rhythm and Blues.

It's been many long years since he passed from life to legend.
But his legacy lives on for all to know.
His memory and his songs will long be with us.
For he's the man who gave us Rock and Roll.

Yes, The king, the king is gone. It's hard to face
"Cause we still feel him living in his songs.
And, even now, it seems he's so much with us
It's hard, at times, accepting that he's gone.

In the early years....he left the young girls screaming.
In those early years....he left their daddies cold.
He sang his songs with his soul and with his body.
He sang his songs....They came out Rock and Roll.

He gave us movies filled with joy and laughter,
Light but happy tales that left a smile.
He gave us ballads warm and soft and tender,
That touched our hearts and lingered for a while.

Now, the king, the king is gone....There's no denying,
But his spirit's strong and his presence still stands tall.
Many have traveled onward in his footsteps.
Still he stands as the king of Rock and Roll.
He'll always be the king of Rock and Roll.

Yes, He'll always be the king of Rock and Roll.

Copyright: © 1977, 2001, James R.Hoye

Thanks for the kind words, Nolita. I hadn't thought of my music for this as having a "Gospel" sound, but I guess that would be, at least, somewhat appropriate as his only Grammy winners were all "Gospel".

As for the Neal Young song that featured the phrase "The King is Gone", Blacbird. I wasn't familiar with it until I looked it up on the internet, and I don't think the Sex Pistols deserve to be considered in the same breath as Elvis.

One side note, Ronnie McDowell, a country singer/songwriter who sounded much like Elvis. had a hit by the same name shortly after Elvis died, and I don't remember ever hearing it at the time but found it on the web while looking for the Neal Young song.

It's more an appreciation than a tribute (made stronger by the eerie similarity of his voice),and can be found at:
http://www.homestead.com/grannyooops/TheKingIsGone.html

I'm just glad my song worked out as well as it has.

Jim Hoye, (JRH)