Talking about Elvis

"His kind of music is deplorable, a rancid smelling aphrodisiac ... It fosters almost totally negative and destructive reactions in young people."-- Frank Sinatra, 1950s

"I wanted to say to Elvis Presley and the country that this is a real decent, fine boy."-- Ed Sullivan during Elvis' third appearance on his show, Jan. 6, 1957

"When I first heard Elvis' voice, I just knew that I wasn't going to work for anybody; and nobody was going to be my boss ... Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail."-- Bob Dylan

"... It was like he came along and whispered some dream in everybody's ear, and somehow we all dreamed it."-- Bruce Springsteen

"Elvis is the greatest cultural force in the 20th century. He introduced the beat to everything: music, language, clothes, it's a whole new social revolution -- the '60s comes from it."-- Leonard Bernstein, 1960s

"... If any individual of our time can be said to have changed the world, Elvis Presley is the one. In his wake more than music is different. Nothing and no one looks or sounds the same. His music was the most liberating event of our era because it taught us new possibilities of feeling and perception, new modes of action and appearance, and because it reminded us not only of his greatness, but of our own potential."-- Greil Marcus, from his book "Mystery Train"

"He was ahead of his time because he had such deep feelings. He had the privilege of deep feelings because he was deeply loved by his mother, Gladys. He was able to appreciate profound beauty in sounds. And he started a musical revolution. They say all revolutions start from love."-- Imelda Marcos

"There have been many accolades uttered about Elvis' talent and performances through the years, all of which I agree with wholeheartedly. I shall miss him dearly as a friend. He was a warm, considerate and generous man."-- Frank Sinatra, 1977

"Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique, irreplaceable. More than twenty years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense. And he was a symbol to people the world over of the vitality, rebelliousness and good humor of this country."-- President Jimmy Carter, 1977, in his official statement following Elvis' death

"Before Elvis, there was nothing."

-- John Lennon