BY RYAN E. SMITH
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Often impersonated, never duplicated, Elvis Presley would have celebrated his 75th birthday today. From humble beginnings, Elvis, who died in 1977, and his famously gyrating hips ushered in the era of rock and roll and went on to become perhaps the greatest entertainer of all time. Who else can claim a television special that was seen by more than 1 billion people — and more Americans than who watched the first moon landing — as well as a legacy of fashion, film, and music that continue to bedazzle the world to this day? So sit down, make yourself a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich, (a Presley favorite,) and try this quiz in honor of The King's birthday (Answers below.)
1. Where was Elvis born?
A. Memphis
B. Tupelo, Miss.
C. Las Vegas
D. Biloxi, Miss.
2. What was not one of Presley’s nicknames?
A. The Hillbilly Cat
B. The Pelvis
C. Memphis Flash
D. Plastic Man
3. Which of the following recordings won Elvis a Grammy?
A. “Heartbreak Hotel”
B. “Jailhouse Rock”
C. “How Great Thou Art”
D. “A Little Less Conversation”
4. From where does the name of Presley’s mansion, Graceland, come?
A. His grandmother
B. A relative of those who originally built the house
C. Presley’s belief in God’s grace
D. Grace Kelly
5. What was the name of Presley’s airplane?
A. Hound Dog One
B. Lisa Marie
C. Memphis Belle
D. Trouble
6. Elvis had 10 albums reach No. 1 on the American pop charts. Which stayed there the longest?
A. “Elvis Presley,” 1956
B. “Loving You,” 1957
C. “Blue Hawaii,” 1961
D. “Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite,” 1973
7. Elvis appeared in more than 30 movies. Who was not among the women to appear in one with him?
A. Julie Andrews
B. Nancy Sinatra
C. Angela Lansbury
D. Mary Tyler Moore
8. Globally, Elvis has sold more than 1 billion records. Who is the only artist to sell more, according to elvis.com?
A. The Beatles
B. No one
C. Michael Jackson
D. Mariah Carey
9. What was Presley’s final No. 1 hit on the pop charts?
A. “Suspicious Minds”
B. “Burning Love”
C. “In the Ghetto”
D. “Kentucky Rain”
Answers
1. B, 2. D, 3. C, 4. B, 5. B, 6. C, 7. A, 8. B, 9. A
Originally published in The Blade on Friday, January 8, 2010
Elvis would have been 75 today.