It’s 49 years since Elvis Presley recorded ‘Charro’

Today marks 49 years since Elvis Presley recorded ‘Charro’ as part of the soundtrack for his 1969 American western action film, Charro!.

Dubbed the king of rock ‘n’ roll, Presley is regarded as one of the most important figures in music history. 

The track ‘Charro’ played in the film’s opening credits, and was the only song played in the film. ‘Charro’ was written by American songwriters Billy Strange and Mac Davis.

‘Let’s Forget About the Stars’ was the second track that Presley originally recorded for the film, but it only appeared in the 1970 budget album, Let’s Be Friends.

The successful album was Presley’s thirty-seventh album released on RCA Camden Records, a budget record label. Let’s Be Friends peaked at number 105 on the Billboard 200 album chart and was awarded a gold and platinum by Record Industry Association of America.

Starring rock royalty, Charro! was the only film that Presley didn’t sing in. The motion picture co-starred Ina Balin, Victor French, Barbara Werle and Solomon Sturges.

Not an immediate success, the film remains as one of Presley’s last-seen films. 

Presley began his singing career in 1954 and by 1956 he was known as an international sensation. Globally, Presley has sold over one billion records. 

Influenced by pop, country and gospel music, Presley’s sound and style blurred and challenged the social barriers of the time. 

Presley’s success earned him gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards including, 13 Grammy nominations, winning three in total. At just 36-years-old, Presley won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation in 1970. 

He had talent, charisma and good looks, and is now renowned as one of the most influential artists from the twentieth century. 

Were you a fan of Elvis Presley? Do you remember this song?