When Elvis Presley died suddenly in 1977 at the age of 42, his stunned fans were left reeling from their sadness. Across America and around the world, people mourned. The King of Rock and Roll was gone and no one could replace him, not ever. He was one of the leading cultural figures of the twentieth century in so many ways. Artists galore have said that if it had not been for Elvis, their own career might not have been possible. His passing was deeply tragic because he seemed to have it all - talent, millions of fans, a beautiful home and family, striking good looks, and wealth beyond measure. An enviable life, right?
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Yet Elvis was gone too soon. If you watch video of his concerts from the mid- and late-1970s, he is a spangled, jump-suited husk of what he once was. He almost seems to be going through the motions. The electrifying young whippersnapper of days gone by was no more.
Presley's Passing Gave Rise To A Classic Song
To Ray Davies, frontman of The Kinks, "Elvis' death also coincided with his band's near-collapse, and he amalgamated these two notions in one song about the demise of the rock 'n' roll dream, per faroutmagazine.co.uk. The band had reached an impasse. Some of its members were exiting. RCA had shown them to the door and they were now with Arista Records. Too much turmoil was going on.
Partly Based On The Death Of Elvis Presley, The Song 'A Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy' Revitalized The Kinks
From all that upheaval came the song, "A Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy." It rejuvenated The Kinks, rescuing them from the doldrums. Per the outlet via Rolling Stone, Ray Davies said, ""The song was almost an homage to them [Andy Pyle and John Gosling, who were leaving the group]; if you listen to the lyrics, it's about someone leaving the band because they've given up the cause, and the two brothers will find a way through this."
Then Elvis passed away. Davies added, "I started writing that song about my brother and I breaking up the band - and it's evident in the lyric. And the next day the television comes on and Elvis Presley's died. It was like having a film or a story with no ending and that provided the ending and the impetus for us to keep going."
