Today marks the 33rd anniversary of Elvis’s leaving the building, so to speak. Celebrations and Elvis-themed events took place all week, at Graceland and around Memphis. When I visited the Land of Elvis in May 2008, I was very impressed and the fond memories of my trip remain. While I really liked Graceland as a house, especially the outside architecture and how time stood still with all the 70′s stylish (read: tacky) decor, the thing that impressed me most was the Trophy Room at the back of the house. It was more than a room, as it had cases and cases of his outfits, many of his gold records on the wall, posters from his films, video monitors with concert footage, and much more Elvis memorabilia. Visitors walk around with small hand-held monitors and headphones to guide them through every step of Graceland. It’s a testament to the vast catalog of Elvis music, his extensive film work, and the unmeasurable influence he had on music and culture. Long live the King!

Below, is a short film about the Graceland Trophy Room, where Elvis’s jumpsuits and gold records are on display.

I saw gold records of some of Elvis greatest hits close up, and here are just a few of those songs.

Don’t Be Cruel

In the Ghetto

At the Rock & Soul Museum in Memphis, there was more Elvis memorabilia on display, including one of his guitars and, encased in plastic, the organ on which Suspicious Minds was composed. Below, pictures I took with my cell phone. Of course, visitors are instructed not to touch anything, but I could not refrain from leaning over and touching the organ for a quick second. Plus, my friend and I were the only people at the museum at the time, so I knew I probably wouldn’t get busted.

And here is Elvis performing Suspicious MInds.

When the compilation Elvis 30 #1 Hits was released in 2002, it included one “new” song, the JXL remix of “A Little Less Conversation.” It was a hit, even with the kids who perhaps had heard of Elvis, but didn’t know any of his songs.

One year later, realizing that one collection of Elvis hits wasn’t enough, 2nd to None was released, and included the Paul Oekenfold remixed “Rubberneckin’,” an attempt to re-create the excitement of JXL’s fantastic remix from the previous year. It was so-so.

After that, everyone jumped on the Elvis remix bandwagon, with remixes of King Creole, Too Much and several others. There’s one that I actually like…(Marie’s the Name) of His Latest Flame.

Check it out below.

Singer Bob Geldof formed Band Aid to record “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” in 1984. His fundraising efforts led to the creation of the Live Aid concert the following year. A performance of “We are the World” wrapped up the historic day.

Do you remember these moments?

U2 – Bad

The Police – Roxanne

Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody and Radio Gaga

Cyndi Lauper, with her 80s pop classics like Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Time After Time, and She Bop, had us dancing and singing along; however, it isn’t until this last decade with 2003’s album of standards At Last, 2005’s The Body Acoustic, and 2008’s dance extravaganza Bring Ya to the Brink, that she’s had listeners realizing how great she really is. Her voice is a natural force and she can really hit those notes. Not everyone can sing “At Last” but Cyndi can, and her version is my favorite.

Now she’s signing the blues. With her recently released Memphis Blues, she pays homage to the Delta and is joined by great musicians, including the blues legend B.B. King.

As soon as you hear the opening bars of Charlie Musslewhite’s harmonica on the first track, “Just Your Fool,” you know you’re in for something pretty cool. The playful piano of Allen Toussaint is featured on three tunes; B.B. King lends his guitar and vocals on “Early in the Mornin’,” and Ann Peebles duets with Lauper on “Rollin’ and Tumblin’,”

one of the standout songs on the album. Her best partner though, is Jonny Lang, the 29-year-old who has always been talented beyond his years. Their vocals and Jonny’s guitar licks make “How Blue Can You Get?” and “Crossroads” sizzle. Her solos “Down So Low,” “Romance in the Dark,” and “Shattered Dreams” are scorchers!

Blues music, as does the city itself, brings out the best in Lauper. She dedicates this album to “the early blues artists who traveled through the cross roads, suitcase in hand, to Memphis.” On Memphis Blues, Lauper has reinvented herself and has confirmed her true artistry yet again. She’s singing those blues as though she’s lived them!

2008 I Kissed a Girl – Katy Perry

2007 Umbrella – Rihanna featuring Jay-Z

2006 Do I Make You Proud – Taylor Hicks

2005 Inside Your Heaven – Carrie Underwood

2004 Burn - Usher

2003 This Is the Night – Clay Aiken

2002 Hot in Herre – Nelly

2001 Lady Marmalade – Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya & Pink

2000 Be with You – Enrique Iglesias

Enrique Iglesias is currently on the top of the Billboard Latin charts with his newest hit
Cuando Me Enamoro (When I Fall in Love), which features Juan Luis Guerra of 4.40.

Cuando Me Enamoro

Coincidently, but not surprisingly, Enrique was also on the top of the charts ten years ago today with his English-language smash hit Be With You.

Be With You

Today marks the one year anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death. Let’s remember the music, the moves, and the moonwalk.

Sarah McLachlan’s Laws of Illusion is her first studio album of new material in seven years. Upon hearing the first song “Awakenings,” her fans will feel like an old friend-one with a soothing and instantly recognizable voice-and has come back into their lives. Even though we don’t hear from Sarah McLachlan very often, it’s as if she never left and her return is always welcomed and worth the wait.

The thing about Laws of Illusion though, is that it could’ve easily been released in the late 1990s; very little has changed about McLachlan’s style of songs and their delivery. But that’s okay with Sarah lovers, of which there are many.

Critics would say that musicians should show musical growth with each new release; however, with McLachlan, it seems that her own personal growth-tackling and recovering from life’s downs-is what motivates her to move us so directly and seemingly without effort. And that’s what a music lover wants from a listening experience-to be moved by someone’s voice or a songs’ instrumentation. McLachlan still has a skillful sense of song construction and a haunting, yet soothing, voice. And that’s we love about her.

On Laws of Illusion, her voice is as strong as ever, and the album, like all her albums, will grow on you with every listen. There are several standout tunes; “Awakenings” is a great starter and the song that follows, “Illusions of Bliss,” has more acoustic guitar than keys-a bit uncommon for a McLachlan tune-and it’s quite refreshing to hear it here. “Loving You Is Easy” is peppy and catchy, and as close to a pop song as we’ve heard from Sarah. With its heavy banging on the piano, it’s the happiest tune of this set. (Watch the video below.) “U Want Me 2″ and “Bring on the Wonder” are nice closers.

“Forgiveness” has the strongest lyrics, including the lines: “You ask for forgiveness, you’re asking too much. I have sheltered my heart in a place you can’t touch…I don’t want your deceiving smile standing at my door.” After hearing this one, you’ll hit the repeat button. This is the break-up song of this album.

Laws of Illusion is another strong collection from McLachlan.

Welcome back, Sarah! Please don’t keep us waiting another seven years; we need your familiar and soothing voice.

1978: Shadow Dancing by Andy Gibb

1977: Dreams by Fleetwood Mac

1976: Silly Love Songs by Paul McCartney & Wings

1975: Love Will Keep Us Together by The Captain & Tennille

1974: Billy, Don’t Be a Hero by Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods

1973: My Love by Paul McCartney & Wings

1972: Candy Man by Sammy Davis, Jr

1971: It’s Too Late/I Feel the Earth Move by Carole King

1970: The Long and Winding Road/For You Blue by The Beatles

1988: One More Try by George Michael

1987: With or Without You by U2

1986: Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston

1985: Everything She Wants by Wham!

1984: Let’s Hear It for the Boy by Deniece Williams

1983: Flashdance … What a Feeling by Irene Cara

1982: Ebony and Ivory by Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder

1981: Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes

1980: Funkytown by Lipps, Inc.