Elvis Presley's country music legacy highlighted

As fans observe the 49th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, a retrospective highlights the singer’s enduring connection to country music. While primarily known for rock and roll and later orchestral ballads, Presley maintained a significant affinity for the country genre throughout his career, particularly during the 1970s. His final number one single, ‘Moody Blue’ (1977), reached the top of the country charts.

Key early milestones include his 1954 recording of Bill Monroe’s ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’ for Sun Records, which served as a breakthrough for both Presley and producer Sam Phillips. Additionally, his 1955 track ‘I Forgot to Remember to Forget’ is noted as his most traditionally country-sounding recording from his Sun Records era and became his first number one country single.