I really believe that’s true. You had to be there. My father-in-law is still an Elvis fanatic after all these years. As for 50s rock and roll, I’ve always been a Chuck Berry guy.
I only went to 2 concerts in my life, Elvis and Chuck Berry. I remember them well, both were fantastic experiences.
I remember being annoyed at the Elvis concert because the crowd started screaming and I couldn’t hear much of his voice.
I was there. Presley was the “face” of rock ‘n Roll, the Bobby Sherman, Shaun Cassidy, Fabian, Frankie Avalon, etc [take your pick]. The real king of rock was Buddy Holly, writer, producer, guitar player, visionary. Just didn’t have the looks. And for creativity [along with Holly], you have Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc [again, take your pick].
My mother-in-law is an absolute Elvis fanatic. I have heard stories from my wife’s family about how she used to walk to the nearest movie theater (six miles, over a state line, often in the snow) every time an Elvis movie came out.
I am with your Father in-law. I was born in 53 so Elvis was not my age group. But as a 8-9 year old I saw a Elvis movie on tv. I think it was “loving you”, and I was hooked ever since. No one could do it like “The King”.