The King
It’s has been four decades since we said goodbye to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley. However, it seems that he was never really forgotten and gone because his musical legacy continues to live. Now, he is heading back to the top album slot in world chart. And he is head-to-head with Ed Sheeran on the U.K. Official Albums Chart Update this week.
In Memory
Today, August 16 marks the exact date of Elvis’ demise. His compilation, The 50 Greatest Hits, is leading the race for Friday’s No. 1 in Britain as the first country to put him in the top spot, with other European nations likely to follow.
Last year, Presley landed no. 4 in the Forbes List of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities worth $27 million. He has sold more than a billion records of all kinds worldwide, says the record company.
However, in the U.S. the present best-sellers on Billboard are the contemporaries. Arcade Fire and Kendrick Lamar are leading in the race. Still, Elvis’ earnings continue to surge especially during the week that marks the anniversary of his death. The income stream from music is dwarfed by the cash that still flows in from Graceland, Memphis. Presley died at his Tennessee mansion in 1977 aged 42.
The Compilation
Among the many compilation albums of Elvis in the country, they include “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “All Shook Up,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Trouble,” “It’s Now Or Never,” “In The Ghetto” and “Burning Love.” All these songs are part of The 50 Greatest Hits collection. So far, the most famous compilation is ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits, a chart-topper around the world in 2002.
Somehow, Elvis has always had a special place among the Brits. His albums sell better than where he came from despite having visited the U.K for a very brief one-time plane stopover.
Elvis’ release is less than 200 combined chart sales ahead of Sheeran’s album ÷ (said aloud Divide). This album has not left the Top 3 since its release 23 weeks ago. I think it is doing great and if it does hold its top position, his record as the soloist with the most U.K. No.1 albums will be extended to 14.