Born into poverty, he lived the dream and became the icon of the 20th Century. Adored by millions, he provoked merriment, hysteria and outrage before departing stage left on a gold-plated throne in his palatial home. If Carling made life stories, we surely would have wanted to taste a little of Elvis’ life experience, albeit short.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of his demise. His legacy has embraced longevity and with sounds that still sound fresh and relevant today, the legend sees no sign of abatement. Women wanted to be with him and guys wanted to be him, so much so that there is still a large class in the school of thought that is in denial as to his unfortunate ending. Rumour has it that he is living his days out in an Israeli Kibbutz protected by Mossad assassins, while others would have you believe that he runs a chippy in Saffron Walden.

His popularity was such that he released an album of his talking between songs entitled Having Fun with Elvis on Stage. Ever the quandary, he wore a crucifix, Hebrew chai and the star of David around his neck, reckoning that he might miss out on heaven on a ‘technicality’ if he did not cover all bases.

Aged 35 when he passed, there were 170 working Elvis impersonators on the ‘circuit’. Today that figure stands at a quarter of a million working daily and telling anyone who will listen not too step on their blue suede shoes. The largest Elvis festival in the world takes place every September in Porthcawlin, Wales with over 100 shows for Hound Dogs to enjoy.

The statistics are staggering: he sold over a billion records, had 114 Billboard top 40 hits, with 18 number ones and achieved 52 platinum albums. He was undoubtedly a one man tour de force in an era that had seen nothing of the like before. He was the untamed, gyrating, cultural-shifting anti-Christ that flew in the face of generations of conservativism stateside.

It is unlikely, nay impossible, that in half a century’s time we will be revering modern day starlets in anywhere near the same esteem as the Pelvis. As I write this, I feel aged as I look at the current top 10 of the hit parade, kids. Who on earth are Stefflon Don, Camila Cabello (which sounds like a thrush ointment) and Rockstar? In the age of throwaway consumerism, theirs are names that will live fleetingly in the memory and will remain anything but ingrained in the national cultural psyche.

So, what was the secret to Elvis success? Undoubtedly it is a culmination of factors. Lack of competition being one, looks and ‘aesthetic’ being another, along with humility, likeability and of course, a stonking back catalogue. If situations had been different, Elvis could have been part of a duo (he was a twin: his brother died shortly after birth). His success this side of the pond is even more astounding with the knowledge that he never performed outside of Canada or the States. His manager, Colonel Parker, was classified as an illegal immigrant and had concerns about being afforded safe passage back into the USA if he went abroad.

Sleep well, Memphis Flash. It may be 40 years since your passing but the legend lives on. In your own words: "The Lord can give, and the lord can take away. I might be herding sheep next year". Crazy to the last but all the more loveable for it. The King is dead, long live the King.