Elvis Presley's Life: Would Elvis Be Alive Today?

Would Elvis Be Alive Today?
Mention the name Elvis Presley and many things come to mind. Most people automatically think of music and the impact he had on the industry. Others think of his upbringing in the South and the years he spent singing Gospel tunes. Wild images of Graceland and Cadillacs are iconic when it comes to discussing Elvis. Through the years, his physical appearance changed drastically. From young and in excellent shape to older, larger, and showing the signs of poor lifestyle choices. Elvis singlehandedly changed the face of American music. He influenced an entire generation to break from long-held traditions. However, for all the incredible talent and charisma the man possessed, he could not break free from the addictions that plagued him in his later years. Moreover, sadly, many remember that as his last legacy.

After relocating to Memphis in his teens, he continued to sing in churches and at functions. He rose to fame faster and with more audience attention than any previous performer. He was adored by thousands of fans and held in awe by fellow musicians. Throughout the course of his life, Elvis began using prescription medications. Stories abound as to what precisely he used and when, but in the 70’s he is noted to have heavily used prescription medications like amphetamines and Demerol.
During the 60’s and 70’s, drug use became a social phenomenon. It has been called the age of experimentation. People were trying drugs at a rate never before seen. Part of this was the ease of distribution due to the interstate systems. However, also many adopted an attitude that it was just an “experiment.” One issue was the lack of understanding on the addictive quality of these drugs. Another problem was that if it was prescribed medication, people held the belief that it could not be a dangerous or harmful thing to take. Combined, these attitudes began to have large-scale, adverse effects in