Paul McCartney never hid his admiration for Elvis Presley. As a teenager in Liverpool, he studied Elvis’ music, mimicked his style, and even tried to move like him. “There’s only one person in the world I’ve ever asked for an autograph,” McCartney once admitted. “Elvis Presley.” The Beatles’ music was shaped by The King. However, things didn’t end well between them.
Years later, McCartney stood at Elvis’s grave at Graceland to pay tribute to him. It proved that despite the bad blood between both parties before Elvis’ demise, McCartney had gotten over it. Elvis Presley died in 1977 at the age of 42. The official cause of death was a heart attack, but his long-term prescription drug use is believed to have contributed to his death.
Paul McCartney dropped his guitar pick to honor Elvis Presley
Paying Respects #OutThere at #Graceland pic.twitter.com/eCV1FXCzed
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) May 26, 2013
In 2013, McCartney visited Graceland and took a tour around the legendary home that once belonged to his musical hero. He saw Elvis’ guitars, his records, and the famous Jungle Room. He even played Elvis’ guitars, which were kept in the archives and frequently tuned by staff. Surprisingly, one thing both musicians have in common is that they play by ear. They lacked the ability to read sheet music.
Despite doing all these amazing things, and seeing impressive things at Graceland, it was the Meditation Garden, where Elvis is buried, that got people talking. When McCartney got to the grave, he pulled out his own guitar pick, and left it there. It was a personal tribute from one musician to another. He stated that the guitar pick was so that Elvis could play in heaven.
Paul McCartney was impressed by Elvis Presley’s gold and platinum records
While touring Graceland, McCartney also got a close look at Elvis’s gold and platinum records lining the walls. “He had millions of them!” McCartney said, clearly impressed. “It was very special to see.” He added that he thought the Beatles had gold records until he went to Graceland, it was then he realised that Elvis has the most Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum sales of all of us…
Despite The Beatles’ massive success, McCartney never lost sight of what Elvis meant to his music. “Before Elvis, there was nothing,” John Lennon famously said. McCartney honored Elvis throughout his career. Even after surpassing records and setting new ones, he still saw Elvis as the King.