Viva Paradise Springs: the King Has Returned
by BONZO, HSM team writer
You knew it was only a matter of time: the only surprise is that it took this long. We have already seen, for years, imitations with what we’ve had available to work with.
What is more iconic than slot machines, flashing lights, disgruntled gamblers, and the ambiance of a Las Vegas casino than one of the biggest headliners in the history of that bright oasis in the desert?
Elvis!
What makes this performer who passed on long before most of us were even born such a beloved legend? Elvis is an American icon, credited as the King of Rock and Roll, and a symbol of the rebellious youth of a period which marked the end of a very stricken, ideologically-oppressive era of this country’s past. History marks the 50’s as the end of the old values, the oppressive period where sexism, racism and segregation were still enforced by law, and the 60’s mark the beginning of change for civil liberties that continue to be fought for to this day.
It is hard for many of us to truly understand the monumental impact Elvis had on the nation and it’s youth, since his performances are tame by our standards today. Particularly as Elvis has been to a great degree reduced to a cliche of a flamboyant performer of the 70’s Las Vegas lounge, by those who don’t know or fail to completely understand his impact. There was more to Elvis than the flashy jump suit, the pills, the lip curl, and gyrating pelvis. Yet it is this image that is what most of us think of when we think Elvis. While he may be reduced to an iconic image, there is no doubt that he remains a legend.
Home has provided the means to emulate the King, and pay homage to his memory in a limited way. The Gold Suit is a direct emulation of the Gold suit he wore for the cover of the 1959 Elvis’ Golden Records – Volume 2; the diamond blazer paired with black pants is another iconic outfit, Lockwood gave us a more realistic pompadour aptly named The King with a more classic younger approach, and now, appropriately, Digital Leisure’s Paradise Springs Casino has an epic reward with the The King jumpsuit. This iconic outfit is available for male and female avatars.
Before you fill up your virtual wallet: you can’t buy it directly. You have to earn it. Achieve tier 3 in all the Casino games and you will be awarded the iconic bell bottomed jump suit. Elvis had an assortment of these performance jump suits, in various colors, but it is the white one that is the most emulated and remembered. You may now proceed to fill up your virtual wallet and buy those chips.
This epic reward coincides with the anniversary of Elvis’ passing. He died on August 16th, 1977 and this year marks a milestone as the 35th anniversary of his death. The folks at Digital Leisure make a memorable tribute to the King’s memory, reminding us that he is not forgotten even after all these years.
Most of us weren’t born when he was around, and those of us that were, likely were children and too young to appreciate his music. However as we got older and got some exposure we likely became fans, and more legions continue to sprout with every generation. There is a timeless quality to music; we can break it down and categorize it into genres and eras, but what appeals to the aural senses can not be restricted by time, ethnicity, nationality or generations.
Elvis proved this by exposing a large portion of the 50’s youth to music that would have otherwise been neglected and moderated to a segregated portion of the American population. Not only did he expose it, but he popularized it. What we forget, by taking the technology we have for granted, is that at the time radio, live performances and vinyl records were the only method of exposure to music. Radio in the days before satellites had a very limited range. Those methods were limited further still by the resources to market it, and distribute it.
In a time when segregation was lawful, this meant even more restrictive resources to the African–American community. Elvis broke a lot of barriers, and exposed the music to the world, popularizing blues and gospel. Inspiring further musicians into a genre that was considered rebellious, controversial, and depraved. This is a man who inspired the Beatles, the Doors, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, and in turn they inspired even more musicians to follow in their wake. John Lennon was once quoted as saying, “Before Elvis, there was nothing.”
Maybe you aren’t a fan of Elvis, but unless you don’t like any music at all, I’ll bet you are a fan of an artist who was a fan and inspired by Elvis.
The Paradise Springs Casino has introduced a variety of games with some very cool rewards. This homage is an epic reward commemorating the beloved iconic image of a legend that may have been wrangled into a cliche of the man he was towards the end of his career, but it takes nothing away from the commemoration and tribute to the King. For the gents it is a direct emulation, and to the ladies it is a tribute. If you walk away with nothing else from this article or from that reward, remember that Elvis not only changed music — he changed history.
August 16th, 2012 by BONZO | 6 comments
BONZO is an editor and artist for HomeStation Magazine.
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I hope that’s licensed.
As the outfit is simply called “The King,” and *just* different enough from the actual outfits Elvis wore, it’s safe to say that there are no licensing issues. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have made it through QA and Sony legal.
Thank you Bonzo for this article…ah..thank you very much
Bon bop a lula…
I have to say I have a love/hate relationship with the idea of Elvis. I think that Elvis- as described in the Charlain Harris books -is actually a vampire. It explains all the random sitings… I am going to wait for the Elvis vampire costume. heh. For as wise men say, “Only fools rush in.”
Nice article Bon
I want Sigfried and Roy and cirque du soleil… ooo and Tom Jones LOL.
What would be better would be the Rat Pack. Why not old “blue eyes” and Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Its far more classier.