On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley - the "King of Rock and Roll" - died in his Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. At age 42, Elvis Presley was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor of his Graceland mansion.
The next day, Former US President Jimmy Carter made a statement that described Elvis Presley as someone "unique and irreplaceable" when he wrote,
"Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique and irreplaceable. More than 20 years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense, and he was a symbol to people the world over of the vitality, rebelliousness, and good humor of his country."
Elvis Presley's legacy was in his musical influences, style, and iconic image as an American pop culture artist.
Presley opened the door for "black music" as Black artists like Little Richard and Al Green remembered Presley as someone who "opened the door" and "broke the ice" to black musicians (Victor, Adam (2008). The Elvis Encyclopedia. Overlook Duckworth. ISBN 978-1-58567-598-2.)
Presley epitomizes the "American Dream" that opens up opportunities for prosperity and success with his rise from poverty to riches and fame.
American music journalist, Greil Marcus described Elvis Presley in his book titled "Mystery Train: Images of America in Rock "n" Roll Music" which summarized Elvis Presley's musical contributions and achievements when he wrote,
"Elvis Presley is a supreme figure in American life, one whose presence, no matter how banal or predictable, brooks no real comparisons. ... The cultural range of his music has expanded to the point where it includes not only the hits of the day, but also patriotic recitals, pure country gospel, and really dirty blues. ... Elvis has emerged as a great artist, a great rocker, a great purveyor of schlock, a great heart throb, a great bore, a great symbol of potency, a great ham, a great nice person, and, yes, a great American."