It's March 29th, and on this day in 1974, Elvis learned of the death of rhythm and blues legend Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup. Crudup, known for writing and performing the original version of "That's All Right," had a profound influence on Elvis’s early sound. In a 1956 interview, Elvis recalled hearing Crudup play in Tupelo, Mississippi, and vowed that if he ever reached a level of musical expression like him, he would be a unique music man.
Although they never met, Elvis showed his respect by financing some of Crudup’s recording sessions in the 1960s. Crudup passed away at the age of 68 in Nassawadox, Virginia, leaving behind a legacy that would forever be intertwined with Elvis's rise to fame.
