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'In the end, though, it is his voice above all, that lives on; from the very beggining as a bright and eager youngster capering around the SUN studios, exitedly hammering together two musical styles to create an unforgettable allow, all of his own, right up until the later years, spent booming out ballads in the massive auditoria that were his domain during the seventies - even during the frequently written-off Hollywood years-, his voice never let him down; it is impossible from this perspective to imagine a world without Elvis, his voice booming out from radios and computers, from spaceships circling the further reaches of the galaxy, his voice echoing back; (in fact), it is almost inconceivable that any single individual could have made such a mark'

Elvis Presley#122

MusicCultureVoiceLegacyCultural impact

About this quote

What does it mean?
The quote argues that Elvis's voice is his lasting legacy, persisting across time and even imagined future contexts, making it hard to imagine music without him.
In plain terms
Elvis's voice is his enduring legacy that would be hard to imagine without.
What can you take from it?
A distinctive voice can become a cultural touchstone.

Where it applies

  • discussing music history
  • imagining future media
  • considering cultural icons

Putting it to work

  • preserve iconic recordings
  • use voice as brand identity

Questions to consider

  • Why do some voices become iconic?
  • Can any artist achieve similar lasting impact?

Another view

The claim exaggerates his universal relevance across all contexts.

More from Elvis Presley

  1. 'I was about 10 years old, the first time I heard Elvis Presley's voice, pouring from my father's car radio, in East St. Louis, Illinois; I can't recall the so…

    Permalink to quote #121
  2. 'Elvis loved gospel music, he was raised on it, and he really did know what he was talking about; we would jam with him for an hour, and he had a feel for it a…

    Permalink to quote #123
  3. 'The voice of Elvis Presley is perhaps the most contested acoustical phenomenon in modern culture. I can understand why some listeners may prefer the original …

    Permalink to quote #120

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