Elvis question why is he still so popular

Really i want to know, i like his gospel and I am not knocking him but can anyone explain the cult like attraction? Side note what brings this up I found a pick of me as a baby in a scrapbook attending in an Elvis concert in chicago. Is that why my middle initial is just an in "E"?

1. incredible talent
2. tragic story/ending

I was never an Elivs fan until I saw him in a live concert. I'm still not a great fan, but I admit to his talent... and I had a GREAT time at the concert. You should ask your questions of Forrest Gump. He's not only a fan, he's an impersonator.

I think he was hot. Even the blimped-out version in the 1970s, he still had a great face.

Was he talented? He had a terrific voice. Was his music/notes original? I doubt it; it seemed heavily influenced by a pioneering type of music made by African Americans, whose music was ingored at the time simply because they were black. Elvis is somewhat overrated as being an originator of rock and roll given these circumstances.

He was a decent looking kid with a aura of rebellion and was pretty wild compared to other entertainers that were in the public view.

He didn't "invent" rock and roll nor did he "steal" it from the blacks. Although he was heavily influenced by gospel, rhythm and blues, county and blues he was also very influenced by contemporary singers such as Dean Martin.

I think his popularity survives because he was a talented singer who had a recording career that lasted for close to 3 decades. He recorded many genres of music and had a few hits in all of them. Because of his crossing over into different types of music he created an audience from all different walks of life and that can help you a lot to become pretty popular.

It's the fanaticism I can't grasp. I love Bruce Springsteen's music, but I wouldnt build a shrine to the man, dress up like him etc. I think it's that X factor that cause people to follow the"king" to such great lengths is whats confusing me.

He was obvously talented, I'll give him that.

But I, for one, just don't get it. ESPECIALLY the cultish aspect - the people with shrines to Elvis, the near worship of him, the trips to Graceland as though they are trips to Mecca, the teary eyed "I love Elvis!"...

I don't get any of it.

terrible songs though