Dressed in one of his trademark, jewel-encrusted suits that came to define his 1970s style, Elvis Presley took the stage during a 1972 concert and addressed the audience in his unmistakable Mississippi drawl. “We’d like to do a gospel song that we did in 1966,” he announced. This may surprise Music Man readers, as Elvis is usually known as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, famous for versions of songs like ‘Jailhouse Rock’ and ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ or his cover of Big Mama Thornton’s bluesy ‘Hound Dog.’
However, Elvis’s love for music started with gospel when he attended church as a child. He began to release gospel records in the ’60s, with ‘How Great Thou Art’ being released to great critical acclaim in 1966. Performing the hit here in 1972, he had the audience in awe of his heartfelt rendition. His performance has continued to captivate viewers into the present day, with fans flocking to the online video and leaving comments such as “Elvis and his beautiful voice were a gift to us all.”
Despite gaining a reputation as a rebel who was leading the youth astray during the 1950s, Elvis was, in fact, deeply religious for his entire life, and his faith was of great importance to him. While he was open about this from early on in his career, reflecting his faith in his music became more and more important to him as time went on. Music Man readers may be surprised to find out that all of Elvis’ top ten hits from between the years of 1963 and 1969 were gospel songs.
This meant that, through his years of extensive touring during the 1970s, gospel sounds were a central part of the show. Gone were the hip thrusts of “Elvis the Pelvis” from the 1950s; in their place was a slower, more reverent energy. A staple of his later shows was the Kris Kristofferson gospel hit ‘Why Me Lord’. In 1974, he invited close friend J.D. Sumner of the Stamps to sing it with him, his voice blending beautifully with Sumner’s stunning bass-led vocals.
While Elvis’ public image often evokes the iconic visuals of greased quiffs and swinging hips or white suits and oversized sunglasses, the variety found across the King of Rock’n’Roll’s career is what makes him so beloved to so many. Whether it’s his energetic takes on blues records, his rock’n’roll hits, his gospel hymns, or his crooning ballads, there truly is something for everyone when it comes to the works of Elvis. So, if you haven’t already, why not dig a little deeper into Elvis Presley’s vast musical catalog? Chances are, you might just discover something unexpected.
If you would like to hear more from the legendary Elvis Presley, you can subscribe to his YouTube Channel for more incredible music. Follow him on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates. Visit his website to explore more about his life and legacy.