a biography of elvis presley

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Elvis Presley Bio: A Full History of Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll

Elvis Presley, often hailed as the “King of Rock and Roll,” was a monumental figure in American music and a cultural icon whose influence resonated worldwide. He brought a unique blend of rock and roll, country music, and R&B to the forefront of the music industry, reshaping the landscape of popular music.

His impact extended beyond music into film and popular culture, making him one of the most famous figures of the 20th century.

Table of Contents

Early Life, Family, and Background

Elvis Aaron Presley was born in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, during the Great Depression. He was the son of Vernon Presley and Gladys Love Presley and was a twin, though his brother, Jesse Garon Presley, was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. The Presley family faced many hardships, relying on various odd jobs and government assistance. Elvis’s parents were deeply religious, and the family often attended the Assembly of God Church, where he was exposed to gospel music .

Despite these financial difficulties, Presley’s family was extremely close-knit. Music was a major part of his life from an early age. He received his first guitar as a birthday gift at the age of 11, and while he never received formal music training, he was a regular participant in local talent shows. This early exposure to music, particularly gospel and blues, played a critical role in shaping his musical tastes and talents.

Elvis attended Humes High School in Memphis, where his family had moved in search of better opportunities when he was 13 years old. During his high school years, he was known for being shy but was also recognized for his unique musical abilities. He would bring his guitar to school and sing during lunchtime, gradually gaining popularity among his peers.

Growing up, Presley was deeply influenced by the local African-American music scene, which was vibrant with blues, gospel, and rhythm. He would often visit music shops and shows that were popular in the African-American community.

Early Career and Rise to Fame

Presley’s early career officially took off after he walked into Sun Studio and recorded That’s All Right in 1954. This recording, done initially as a personal session paid for by Elvis himself, unexpectedly turned into his first single release and marked a definitive moment in his career. Sam Phillips of Sun Records saw potential in Elvis’s distinctive style, which combined elements of various musical genres, resonating with a broad audience.

The success of That’s All Right on local radio stations ignited Presley’s rise to fame. It was a sound that many had never heard before, blending country music and rhythm and blues in a way that appealed to both white and black audiences. This crossover appeal was crucial, as it occurred in a period of significant racial segregation in the United States. His energetic interpretation and charismatic stage presence quickly made him a popular figure among teenagers, who were drawn to his music and rebellious image.

To give an idea of how much of an impact he exactly had, by the 1980s, Elvis Presley’s legacy was already firmly established, though he had passed away in 1977. Despite not being alive during this decade, his impact on music and popular culture continued to resonate powerfully with both existing fans and new generations.

During the 1980s, his influence could be seen in the rockabilly revival and the enduring popularity of his music and films. His songs remained radio staples, and a wave of Elvis impersonators began to emerge, celebrating and perpetuating his style and persona.

Musical Career and Iconic Performances

Elvis’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker , played a significant role in shaping his early career. Parker arranged a deal with RCA Victor, which led to the release of the 1956 hit single Heartbreak Hotel . This song went to number one on the charts, solidifying Elvis’s status as a music sensation. His appearances on national television and his provocative performance style earned him the nickname “Elvis the Pelvis,” controversial at the time but undeniably part of his growing appeal.

Following his initial successes, Presley’s career continued to skyrocket. He churned out hit after hit, such as Hound Dog and Don’t Be Cruel , both reaching the top of the charts. His impact on the music industry was profound, helping to usher in the rock and roll era. Presley became the leading figure in this new musical movement, capturing the hearts of young fans across the country and around the world.

Elvis Presley’s performances over the years showcased significant changes in his approach to entertainment, adapting to both personal evolution and shifts in the music industry. The ’68 Comeback Special , an important event in his career, marked his return to live performances after a period primarily focused on film roles. This television special brought him back to his musical roots, featuring more intimate, stripped-down sessions that contrasted with his earlier, more flamboyant stage shows. This transition was crucial for re-engaging an audience that had grown, perhaps, unaccustomed to seeing him in a musical context due to his extended focus on Hollywood movies.

The Aloha from Hawaii concert in 1973 demonstrated another phase of his career, leveraging new broadcasting technology to reach an international audience via satellite. The concert was notable for its global reach but also highlighted a shift towards more polished, choreographed performances compared to his raw, energetic beginnings. This concert, while a technical achievement and a massive undertaking, was less about musical innovation and more about showcasing Elvis as a staple of American entertainment capable of drawing massive viewership numbers.

During these years, Elvis’s style and performance tactics underwent transformations that aligned with broader entertainment trends, including an increased focus on spectacle and the commercial aspects of show business. His live performances, though still significant, often leaned heavily on past successes and familiar hits to satisfy fan expectations and draw in large crowds rather than pushing musical boundaries.

Musical Style and Influence

Elvis Presley’s musical style was a vibrant mix that blended rock, country, and rhythm and blues. His singing was super flexible, and he easily handled soft ballads and loud rock songs with the same ease.

On stage, he had a magnetic pull, often highlighted by his energetic dance moves and charming ways of connecting with the audience. His singing had a unique shake to it, and he could pack a lot of emotion into his songs, making his performances stand out. Elvis’s way of making music was ahead of its time, combining strong rhythms with a laid-back, almost chatty singing style that came to define rock and roll.

Elvis’s impact on rock and roll is undeniable. He didn’t just help shape the sound but also changed how people saw the music. His style helped bridge racial gaps in music during a time when many parts of America were still heavily segregated. He drew a lot from African-American music styles, bringing sounds like blues and gospel into the pop scene. This mix of styles broke down barriers between music genres and set the stage for future artists who pull from a variety of sounds in their own music.

Presley’s influence is seen in many big-name artists. Icons like The Beatles, Bob Dylan , and Bruce Springsteen have pointed to Elvis as a big influence. His reach goes beyond rock; artists in genres from pop to country often tip their hats to Elvis’s role in shaping their music. Today, stars like Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake echo Elvis’s vibe, especially in how they grab an audience’s attention and mix different musical styles on stage.

Discography and Filmography

Studio albums and key songs:.

• Blue Suede Shoes
• I Got a Woman
• Tutti Frutti
• Tryin’ to Get to You
• I’ll Never Let You Go (Lil’ Darlin’)
• When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again
• Long Tall Sally
• First in Line
• (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
• Got a Lot o’ Livin’ to Do!
• Lonesome Cowboy
• Mean Woman Blues
• Blue Christmas
• Silent Night
• White Christmas
• Santa Claus Is Back in Town
• I’ll Be Home for Christmas
• Are You Lonesome Tonight?
• It’s Now or Never
• Reconsider Baby
• The Girl of My Best Friend
• Such a Night
• His Hand in Mine
• I Believe in the Man in the Sky
• He Knows Just What I Need
• Swing Down Sweet Chariot
• Mansion Over the Hilltop
• I’m Comin’ Home
• There’s Always Me
• Give Me the Right
• It’s a Sin
• I Feel That I’ve Known You Forever
• Something Blue
• Easy Question
• Night Rider
• Your Cheatin’ Heart
• Summer Kisses, Winter Tears
• Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers
• Tomorrow Night
• Memphis Tennessee
• How Great Thou Art
• In the Garden
• Crying in the Chapel
• Without Him
• In the Ghetto
• Suspicious Minds
• Kentucky Rain
• I’ll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms)
• After Loving You
• I Just Can’t Help Believin’
• You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
• Bridge Over Troubled Water
• Patch It Up
• The Next Step Is Love
• I Really Don’t Want to Know
• There Goes My Everything
• It’s Your Baby, You Rock It
• Love Letters
• When I’m Over You
• Got My Mojo Working
• Heart of Rome
• Only Believe
• Help Me Make It Through the Night
• Put Your Hand in the Hand
• Early Mornin’ Rain
• Fools Rush In
• Miracle of the Rosary
• He Touched Me
• I’ve Got Confidence
• Amazing Grace
• Seeing Is Believing
• An Evening Prayer
• Where Do I Go From Here
• Love Me, Love the Life I Lead
• It’s Still Here
• I Will Be True
• Raised on Rock
• For Ol’ Times Sake
• Girl of Mine
• Find Out What’s Happening
• Take Good Care of Her
• I’ve Got a Thing About You Baby
• Spanish Eyes
• Loving Arms
• Promised Land
• It’s Midnight
• Honor Thy Father
• Love Song of the Year
• You Asked Me To
• T-R-O-U-B-L-E
• Bringing It Back
• Pieces of My Life
• Never Again
• Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
• For the Heart
• Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall
• She Thinks I Still Care
• Pledging My Love
• Little Darlin’

Fact: Elvis Presley recorded over 700 songs in his career!

Besides music, Elvis also forayed into the world of films. Elvis Presley’s venture into the film industry was as much a product of his musical success as it was a strategic move by his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, who saw movies as a way to expand Elvis’s appeal and revenue streams.

His acting career began with Love Me Tender in 1956, where he played the younger brother who comes home after the Civil War to find his beloved has married his older brother. Initially intended to be a minor role, Elvis’s part was expanded due to his rapidly growing fan base. While his acting received mixed reviews, his natural charisma and screen presence were undeniable.

Elvis’s foray into acting continued with a mix of dramatic roles and light-hearted musicals, with Jailhouse Rock (1957) becoming one of his most memorable performances. In this film, he played a young man imprisoned for manslaughter who becomes a music star. The movie is often noted for its classic dance sequence.

Throughout his career, Elvis starred in 31 feature films , and while his movies were commercially successful, they were often seen as formulaic. The roles he was given typically mirrored his public persona—charming, good-looking, and often surrounded by beautiful women and catchy tunes. These roles rarely challenged him as an actor and did not offer much in terms of depth or development.

His later films, such as Viva Las Vegas and Blue Hawaii , were particularly popular, continuing the trend of light entertainment over substantial storytelling. People often remarked that Elvis had potential as an actor, but the types of movies he was in didn’t fully allow him to explore or display serious acting chops.

The commercial focus of his film career ensured his continued visibility but did little to enhance his reputation as a serious actor.

Elvis Presley as a Sex Symbol

Elvis Presley’s status as a sex symbol in the mid-20th century was heavily influenced by his charismatic stage presence, distinctive voice, and good looks. His emergence coincided with a time when television was becoming a dominant medium in American households, which amplified his appeal. His physical appearance—distinctive sideburns, styled hair, and gyrating dance moves—became iconic and was seen as emblematic of youthful sexuality and rebellion.

Elvis’s impact on popular culture extended beyond his music to influence the fashion and beauty standards of his time . His slicked-back hair and casual yet polished attire set trends among young men of the era, who emulated his style in droves.

The Elvis look often included tight-fitting clothes and flashy accessories that emphasized a new, more relaxed but bold approach to personal style. This fashion sense played a significant role in the way masculinity was portrayed in the media; it challenged the more conservative dress codes of earlier generations and introduced a more liberated, flamboyant form of male beauty.

Furthermore, Elvis’s portrayal of masculinity had a profound impact on societal norms. He combined a rough, rebellious vibe with a smooth, charming persona, creating a multifaceted form of masculinity that was new to mainstream media.

This complex presentation allowed men to explore a range of behaviors and appearances that had previously been less accepted, broadening the societal definitions of what it meant to be masculine. His influence was so significant that it persisted long after his peak, affecting generations of musicians and fashion icons who sought to capture a similar magnetic appeal.

Elvis also played a key role in the transformation of beauty standards in the media. His dark, brooding looks, coupled with a passionate performance style, set a new benchmark for what was considered attractive, not just in America but globally. The casual yet suggestive manner in which he dressed and moved led to a more open embrace of sexual expression in popular culture, paving the way for future artists and public figures to express their identities more freely.

Personal Life, Challenges, and Legacy

Elvis was closely connected to his family, particularly to his mother, Gladys, until her death in 1958, which deeply affected him. His relationships often made headlines, including his high-profile marriage to Priscilla Beaulieu . The couple met when she was very young, during his stint in the Army in Germany, and eventually married on May 1, 1967. Their daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, was born exactly nine months later, on February 1, 1968. Despite his strong connections to family and friends, Elvis’s personal life was often complicated by the demands of his career, leading to the eventual divorce from Priscilla in 1973.

Elvis’s ascent to fame brought immense pressures that would later contribute to significant personal challenges. From a young age, Elvis was thrust into a spotlight that intensified as his career progressed. Managed by Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis’s schedule was grueling, filled with back-to-back concerts, movie filming, and public appearances. This relentless pace was demanding and left little room for a normal life, contributing to a growing sense of isolation and dependence on prescription drugs for stress and pain management. His drug use began to affect his health visibly and performances, particularly noted during his later tours and the infamous Elvis in Concert TV special in 1977.

The strain of fame also impacted Elvis’s mental and physical health. As early as his mid-30s, he was dealing with multiple health issues, including high blood pressure, liver damage, and severe sleep disorders, which were exacerbated by his lifestyle and the medications he was taking. Prescription drug abuse became a significant problem, marked by his frequent hospitalizations in the 1970s.

These personal struggles greatly influenced the public’s perception of Elvis, especially as his physical appearance changed and his performance quality declined. Despite this, he remained a beloved figure; his concerts still drew large crowds, and his albums continued to achieve gold and platinum status.

Military Service

Elvis Presley’s military service began in March 1958 when he was drafted into the United States Army. This period marked a significant pause in his skyrocketing career as a music and film star. Despite the potential disruption, his induction into the army was handled with great public interest, and it was seen as a testament to his character that he chose to serve as a regular soldier rather than taking advantage of special entertainment services that could have leveraged his fame. Elvis underwent basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, where he was treated much like any other recruit, albeit with massive media attention.

In October 1958, Elvis was deployed to Friedberg, Germany, serving in the 3rd Armored Division. His time in Germany was pivotal; not only did it impact his personal life through experiences such as meeting Priscilla Beaulieu, whom he would later marry, but it also matured him as a person. During his service, Elvis was exposed to the broader world outside America, encountering new cultural perspectives and deepening his sense of responsibility. Despite being an international star, Elvis maintained his musical interests privately, buying records to keep up with the latest trends and occasionally performing in small settings to stay connected with his musical roots.

Elvis’s down-to-earth attitude won him respect from fellow soldiers and superiors alike. His service was relatively uneventful, but the isolation from the celebrity world allowed him some time to reflect away from the public eye. However, it was during this period that his mother, Gladys, passed away, a personal tragedy that deeply affected him. Elvis continued to receive fan mail and support from back home, ensuring that his popularity remained intact upon his return.

His discharge from active duty in March 1960 was met with media fanfare and marked his transition back to civilian life, where he quickly resumed his recording and acting careers. This break from entertainment had refreshed his image and perhaps grounded him in ways that few other experiences could have.

Final Years and Death

Fame comes with a cost. Elvis Presley’s final years were marked by significant personal and health struggles despite ongoing artistic output. He died on August 16, 1977. At the time of his death, he was 42 years old. The official cause of death was heart failure, although it is widely acknowledged that prescription drug abuse and associated health complications played a significant role in his premature demise.

In the years leading up to his death, Elvis’s health visibly deteriorated, exacerbated by his weight gain and dependence on a variety of medications prescribed to treat various health issues, including pain, weight management, and insomnia. Despite these challenges, he continued to tour and record music. His performances, however, were inconsistent, sometimes brilliant while at other times lethargic, reflecting his worsening condition.

Artistically, he still had moments of greatness; his last few albums, while not as commercially successful as his earlier works, included tracks that showed he could still deliver performances with emotional depth and vocal power.

The impact of Elvis’s death on the music world and his fans was profound and immediate. News of his passing sent shockwaves around the globe, leading to an outpouring of grief from millions of fans who had followed his career for decades. Elvis had been a cultural icon, not just a music star, influencing not only music but also fashion, film, and the very notion of celebrity. His home, Graceland, quickly became a shrine for mourning fans, and to this day, it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. His legacy was further cemented by posthumous inductions into multiple music halls of fame and continued sales of his music and memorabilia.

Wrapping Up the Elvis Presley Bio

There aren’t many performers that get to call themselves the face of American music. Elvis Presley was perhaps one of the first ones who earned the right to establish himself as one of the very few who actually managed to do it. He rode the waves of the American symphony to the top and became the glass ceiling that no one has quite been able to break through to this day. Though he met a tragic end, Elvis Presley’s voice and image will undoubtedly echo and inspire the minds of many flourishing musicians.

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Biography of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll

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• B.A., History, University of California at Davis

Elvis Presley (Jan. 8, 1935–Aug 16, 1977) was a singer, actor, and cultural icon of the 20th century. Presley sold more than 1 billion records and made 33 movies, but his cultural impact far exceeds even those numbers.

Fast Facts: Elvis Presley

• Known For : A rock 'n' roll icon
• Also Known As : The King of Rock 'n' Roll
• Born : Jan. 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi
• Parents : Gladys and Vernon Presley
• Died : Aug 16, 1977 in Memphis, Tennessee
• Songs : "Love Me Tender," "Hound Dog," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Jailhouse Rock," "Can’t Help Falling in Love"
• Movies : "Kid Galahad," "Blue Hawaii," "Jailhouse Rock," "King Creole"
• Spouse : Priscilla Beaulieu Presley
• Children : Lisa Marie Presley
• Notable Quote : "Rock 'n' roll music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can't help but move to it. That's what happens to me. I can't help it."

Elvis Presley was born to Gladys and Vernon Presley in the couple's two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, following a difficult delivery. Presley's twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, and Gladys was so ill from the birth that she was taken to the hospital. She wasn't able to have more children.

Gladys Presley doted on her sandy-haired, blue-eyed son and worked hard to keep her family together. She struggled when her husband was sentenced to three years in the Mississippi state penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm, for forgery after changing the amount on a check. With him in prison, Gladys couldn't earn enough to keep the house, so she and her 3-year-old moved in with relatives, the first of many moves for the family.

Learning Music

Since they moved often, only two things were consistent in Presley's childhood: his parents and music. With his parents usually at work, Presley found music wherever he could. He listened to music in church and taught himself to play the church piano. When Presley was 8, he often hung out at the local radio station. For his 11th birthday, his parents gave him a guitar.

By high school, his family had moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Although Presley joined R.O.T.C., played football, and worked as an usher at a movie theater, his activities didn't stop other students from picking on him. Presley was different. He dyed his hair black and wore it in a style that made him look more like a comic book character than other kids in his school.

So he surrounded himself with music, listening to the radio and buying records. After the family moved to Lauderdale Courts, an apartment complex, he often played with other aspiring musicians who lived there. Although segregation was still a fact in the south, Presley crossed the color line and listened to African-American artists such as B.B. King. He often visited Beale Street in the African-American section of town to watch Black musicians play.

By the time Presley graduated from high school, he could sing in various styles, from hillbilly to gospel. He also had a style of singing and moving that was all his own. He had combined what he saw and heard into a unique new sound. The first to realize this was Sam Phillips at Sun Records.

After spending the year after high school working a day job and playing at small clubs at night, Presley received a call from Sun Records on June 6, 1954. Phillips wanted Presley to sing a new song. When that didn't work out, he set Presley up with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black. After a month of practicing, they recorded "That's All Right (Mama)." Phillips convinced a friend to play it on the radio, and it was an instant hit.

Moore, Black, and drummer D.J. Fontana continued to back Presley on dozens of legendary rock 'n' roll songs over the next decade.

Presley quickly built an audience. On Aug. 15, 1954, he signed with Sun Records for four albums. He then began making appearances on popular radio shows such as "Grand Ole Opry" and "Louisiana Hayride." Presley was so successful on "Hayride" that he was hired to perform every Saturday for a year. He quit his job and toured the south during the week, playing anywhere there was a paying audience, then returned to Shreveport, Louisiana, every Saturday for "Hayride."

High school and college students went wild for Presley, screaming and cheering and mobbing him backstage. He put his soul into every performance and moved his body—a lot. Presley gyrated his hips, jiggled his legs, and fell to his knees on the floor. Adults thought he was lewd and suggestive; teenagers loved him.

As Presley's popularity soared, he hired "Colonel" Tom Parker as his manager. In some ways, Parker took advantage of Presley, including taking a generous cut of his proceeds, but he steered Presley to mega-stardom.

Presley's popularity soon became more than Sun Records could handle, so Phillips sold Presley's contract to RCA Victor for $35,000, more than any record company had ever paid for a singer.

To further boost Presley's popularity, Parker put him on television. On Jan. 28, 1956, Presley made his first television appearance on "Stage Show," followed by appearances on "The Milton Berle Show," "The Steve Allen Show," and "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In March 1956, Parker arranged an audition with Presley at Paramount studios. Studio executives liked Presley so much that they signed him to do his first movie, "Love Me Tender" (1956), with an option for six more. Two weeks after his audition, Presley received his first gold record for "Heartbreak Hotel," which had sold 1 million copies.

Presley's popularity was skyrocketing and money was flowing. He bought his mother the house he had promised her and in March 1957, he purchased Graceland—a mansion with 13 acres of land—for $102,500. He then had the entire mansion remodeled to his tastes.

Just as it seemed like everything Presley touched turned to gold, on Dec. 20, 1957, he received a draft notice. Presley could have been excused from military service, but he chose to enter the Army as a regular soldier. He was stationed in Germany.

With a nearly two-year hiatus from his career, many people, including Presley, wondered if the world would forget him. But Parker worked hard to keep Presley's name and image before the public, succeeding so well that some said Presley was as popular after his military experience as before it.

While Presley was in the Army, two major personal events occurred. The first was the death of his mother, which devastated him. The second was meeting and dating 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, whose father was also stationed in Germany. They married eight years later, on May 1, 1967, and had one child, a daughter named Lisa Marie Presley, on Feb. 1, 1968.

Following Presley's discharge in 1960, he launched into recording songs and making movies. It had become obvious to Parker and others that anything bearing Presley's name would make money, so Presley was pushed to make movies in quantity rather than quality. His most successful movie, "Blue Hawaii" (1961), became a template for many that followed. He grew increasingly upset about the poor quality of his movies and songs.

From 1960 until 1968, Presley made few public appearances, focusing on making movies. In all, he made 33 movies.

While Presley was busy making movies, other musicians took the stage, some of whom, including the  Beatles , sold lots of records and threatened to make Presley share his title of "King of Rock 'n' Roll,"—if not steal it. Presley had to do something to keep his crown.

In December 1968, he dressed in black leather and made an hour-long television special titled "Elvis." Calm, sexy, and humorous, he wowed the crowd. The "comeback special" energized Presley. He returned to recording songs and doing live performances. In July 1969, Parker booked Presley at the largest venue in Las Vegas, the new International Hotel. His shows were huge successes and the hotel booked Presley for four weeks a year through 1974. The rest of the year he toured.

Since he became popular, Presley had worked at breakneck speed, recording songs, making movies, and giving concerts with little to no rest. To maintain that pace, he started taking prescription drugs.

By the early 1970s, continued drug use had begun to cause problems. Presley started having severe mood swings with aggressive and erratic behavior, and he gained a lot of weight. Presley and Priscilla had grown apart, and in January 1973, they divorced. His drug addiction became worse; he was hospitalized several times for overdoses and other health problems. His performances began to suffer; on many occasions, he mumbled through songs.

On Aug. 16, 1977, Presley's girlfriend Ginger Alden found him on the bathroom floor at Graceland. He wasn't breathing. He was taken to the hospital, but doctors were unable to resuscitate him and he was pronounced dead at 42. His death initially was attributed to "cardiac arrhythmia," but the cause later was changed to a lethal mix of prescription drugs. 

Elvis Presley was one of the few artists to become known worldwide by just his first name and whose talent and accomplishments made him pop culture royalty. His fame has endured.

Twenty-five years after his death, RCA released an album of his No.1 records, titled "ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits." The album debuted at No. 1 on the charts, selling half a million copies in its first week. Having an album debut atop the U.S. charts was something Presley hadn't accomplished while he was alive.

It opened at No. 1 in 16 other countries, including Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates .

• " Forever Elvis ." Legacy.com.
• " The Legacy of Elvis Presley ." HowStuffWorks.
• Kreps, Daniel. “ Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley Guitarist, Dead at 84 .” Rolling Stone, 25 June 2018.
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Elvis Presley

• Born January 8 , 1935 · Tupelo, Mississippi, USA
• Died August 16 , 1977 · Memphis, Tennessee, USA (cardiac arrhythmia)
• Birth name Elvis Aaron Presley
• Elvis the Pelvis
• The King of Rock 'n' Roll
• Height 5′ 11¾″ (1.82 m)
• Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in East Tupelo, Mississippi, to Gladys Presley (née Gladys Love Smith) and Vernon Presley (Vernon Elvis Presley). He had a twin brother who was stillborn. In 1948, Elvis and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he attended Humes High School. In 1953, he attended the senior prom with the current girl he was courting, Regis Wilson. After graduating from high school in Memphis, Elvis took odd jobs working as a movie theater usher and a truck driver for Crown Electric Company. He began singing locally as "The Hillbilly Cat", then signed with a local recording company, and then with RCA in 1955. Elvis did much to establish early rock and roll music. He began his career as a performer of rockabilly, an up-tempo fusion of country music and rhythm and blues, with a strong backbeat. His novel versions of existing songs, mixing 'black' and 'white' sounds, made him popular - and controversial - as did his uninhibited stage and television performances. He recorded songs in the rock and roll genre, with tracks like "Jailhouse Rock" and "Hound Dog" later embodying the style. Presley had a versatile voice and had unusually wide success encompassing other genres, including gospel, blues, ballads and pop music. Teenage girls became hysterical over his blatantly sexual gyrations, particularly the one that got him nicknamed "Elvis the Pelvis" (television cameras were not permitted to film below his waist). In 1956, following his six television appearances on The Dorsey Brothers' "Stage Show", Elvis was cast in his first acting role, in a supporting part in Love Me Tender (1956) , the first of 33 movies he starred in. In 1958, Elvis was drafted into the military, and relocated to Bad Nauheim, Germany. There he met 14-year old army damsel Priscilla Ann Wagner ( Priscilla Presley ), whom he would eventually marry after an eight-year courtship, and by whom he had his only child, Lisa Marie Presley . Elvis' military service and the "British Invasion" of the 1960s reduced his concerts, though not his movie/recording income. Through the 1960s, Elvis settled in Hollywood, where he starred in the majority of his thirty-three movies, mainly musicals, acting alongside some of the most well known actors in Hollywood. Critics panned most of his films, but they did very well at the box office, earning upwards of $150 million total. His last fiction film, Change of Habit (1969) , deals with several social issues; romance within the clergy, an autistic child, almost unheard of in 1969, rape, and mob violence. It has recently received critical acclaim. Elvis made a comeback in the 1970s with live concert appearances starting in early 1970 in Las Vegas with over 57 sold-out shows. He toured throughout the United States, appearing on-stage in over 500 live appearances, many of them sold out shows. His marriage ended in divorce, and the stress of constantly traveling as well as his increasing weight gain and dependence upon stimulants and depressants took their toll. Elvis Presley died at age 42 on August 16, 1977 at his mansion in Graceland, near Memphis, shocking his fans worldwide. At the time of his death, he had sold more than 600 million singles and albums. Since his death, Graceland has become a shrine for millions of followers worldwide. Elvis impersonators and purported sightings have become stock subjects for humorists. To date, Elvis Presley is the only performer to have been inducted into three separate music 'Halls of Fame'. Throughout his career, he set records for concert attendance, television ratings and recordings sales, and remains one of the best-selling and most influential artists in the history of popular music. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Ed Stephan and Chris Holland
• Spouse Priscilla Presley (May 1, 1967 - October 9, 1973) (divorced, 1 child)
• Children Lisa Marie Presley
• Parents Gladys Presley Vernon Presley
• Relatives Harper Lockwood (Grandchild) Finley Lockwood (Grandchild) Minnie Mae Presley (Grandparent) Vester Presley (Aunt or Uncle) Patsy Presley Geranen (Cousin) Billy Smith (Cousin) Riley Keough (Grandchild) Benjamin Keough (Grandchild)
• The famous left-sided grin
• His movements, with his pelvis, that gave him the nickname, "Elvis, the pelvis", which he strongly disliked
• Longer and slightly deeper sideburns
• White sequined jumpsuits with rhinestones
• Onstage karate moves
• When The Beatles came to America in 1965 there was only one person they wanted to meet: Elvis. On 8/27/65 they got their wish and, according to John Lennon , spent an enjoyable evening at the Presley home in Bel Air, CA, talking, singing and laughing with each other.
• Once an opera singer attended one of his 1950s concerts and met him backstage. The singer told Elvis that he sang like a hillbilly and needed singing lessons. Elvis replied, "Thanks for the advice, but how many of the thousands of people out there tonight came to hear you sing?".
• From the time they met until his death, he always sent a roomful of flowers to Ann-Margret whenever she opened a show in Las Vegas.
• His personal entourage were known as the "Memphis Mafia", and were given matching rings by Elvis. The diamond and gold rings sported a thunderbolt and the letters "TCB" (reportedly standing for "Take Care of Business"). Elvis was buried wearing one of the rings.
• Elvis owned one of the world's first mobile phones. He had to have one after seeing Sean Connery use a car phone in the James Bond movie From Russia with Love (1963) . Elvis's phone was contained in a suitcase-size carrying case with his name in black letters on a gold label on the front. He would use it to talk from his limousine.
• [asked who he sounded like] I don't sound like nobody.
• [asked what kind of music he sings] I sing all kinds.
• I don't like being called Elvis The Pelvis. That's gotta be one of the most childish expressions I've ever heard coming from an adult.
• Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do 'em all together, I guess.
• [his acceptance speech from the 1970 Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation Awards] When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic book. I saw movies, and I was the hero in the movie. So every dream I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times . . . I learned very early in life that "Without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain't got a friend; without a song, the road would never bend - without a song". So I keep singing a song. Goodnight. Thank you.
• Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii (1973) - $450,000
• Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970) - $500,000 + 60% of profits
• The Trouble with Girls (1969) - $850,000 + 50% of the profits
• Charro! (1969) - $850,000 + 50% of profits
• Live a Little, Love a Little (1968) - $850,000 + 50% of the profits

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Elvis Presley Biography

Born: August 8, 1935 Tupelo, Mississippi Died: August 16, 1977 Memphis, Tennessee American singer

Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock 'n' Roll," was the leading American singer for two decades and the most popular singer of the entire early rock 'n' roll era.

Young Elvis and Sun Records

Elvis Aron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935, to Gladys and Vernon Presley. His twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley, died shortly after birth. His father worked as a carpenter, farmer, and factory worker to support the family but was not successful in any of his jobs. Raised in a poor and religious environment, Elvis grew especially close to his mother. Elvis's singing ability was discovered when he was an elementary school student in Tupelo, and he first started singing with the choir of his local church. He received his first guitar as a birthday present when he was about twelve and taught himself how to play, although he could not read music. He went on to participate in numerous talent contests in Tupelo and in Memphis, Tennessee, where the family moved when Elvis was thirteen.

The birth of rock 'n' roll

Elvis reached the top of the country charts with "Mystery Train" in 1955. His first number one song on the so-called "Hot 100" was "Heartbreak Hotel" (1956), which held that position for seven of the twenty-seven weeks it was on the chart. This song also reached the top of the country charts, and it became a symbol of his ability to combine country singing with rhythm-and-blues, as well as with the new rage that had grown out of rhythm-and-blues: rock 'n' roll. The rest of the 1950s brought Elvis "living legend" status with records that included "Hound Dog" (1956), "Don't Be Cruel" (1956), "Blue Suede Shoes" (1956), "Love Me Tender" (1956), "All Shook Up" (1957), and "Jailhouse Rock" (1957). He started the 1960s in similar fashion with "It's Now or Never" (1960) and "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" (1960).

Elvis was universally dubbed the "King of Rock 'n' Roll" and led the new music from its beginnings in the 1950s to its peak in the 1960s and on to its permanent place in the music of the 1970s and the 1980s. His impact on American popular culture was tremendous, as he seemed to affect manner of dress, hairstyles, and even behavior. John Lennon (1940–1980) would later note Elvis as one of the most important influences on the Beatles. Even his spinning hip movements became legendary as he continued his rock 'n' roll conquest to the extent of 136 gold records (500,000 sold) and 10 platinum records (1 million sold). Ultimately he had the most records to make the rating charts and was the top recording artist for two straight decades, the 1950s and the 1960s.

Elvis in the movies

Elvis was an instant success in television and movies as well. Millions watched his television appearances on The Steve Allen Show, The Milton Berle Show, The Toast of the Town, and a controversial (open to dispute) appearance on the The Ed Sullivan Show, in which cameras were instructed to stay above the hips of "Elvis the Pelvis." He was an even bigger box office smash, beginning with Love Me Tender in 1956. Thirty-two movies later, Elvis had become the top box-office draw for two decades, with ticket sales over $150 million.

Although few of Elvis's motion pictures were well-received by the critics, they showcased his music and extended his image and fame. His movies included Jailhouse Rock (1957), King Creole (1958), G. I. Blues (1960), Blue Hawaii (1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), Viva Las Vegas (1964), and Spinout (1966). Wild in the Country (1961), based on the J. R. Salamanca novel The Lost Country, marked his debut in a straight dramatic role.

Controversy

Elvis began a well-publicized stint in the army in 1958. That year, while he was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, his mother died. The remainder of his military service was spent stationed in Germany, until his discharge (release) in 1960. It was in Germany that he met Priscilla Beaulieu (1945–), his future wife.

Elvis's success in the entertainment industry was accompanied by numerous failures in his personal life. He arranged to have Priscilla, still a teenager, live at his new Memphis home, Graceland Mansion, while she finished high school there. He married her in 1967, and she bore him his only child, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1968. In 1973 he and Priscilla were divorced. During this time, and for his entire career, his personal manager, Tom Parker, controlled his finances. As Elvis's millions grew, so too did the mismanagement of Parker, a known gambler. Parker was later prosecuted for his financial dealings, but he was acquitted (proven innocent). Elvis made an estimated $4.3 billion in earnings during his lifetime, but he never acquired a concept of financial responsibility. This caused frequent legal battles during and after his lifetime among his management people and several record companies. Elvis had similar luck with his friendships, and frequently surrounded himself with a gang of thugs to shield him from an adoring public.

Beginning of the end

A weight problem became evident in the late 1960s, and in private Elvis became increasingly dependent on drugs, particularly amphetamines and sedatives. His personal doctor, George Nichopoulos, would later be prosecuted, but acquitted, for prescribing and dispensing thousands of pills and narcotics (illegal drugs) to him.

Though Elvis's weight and drug dependency were increasing, Elvis continued a steady flow of concert performances in sold-out arenas well into the 1970s. On August 16, 1977, the day before another concert tour was about to begin, Elvis was found dead in Graceland Mansion by his fiancée, Ginger Alden. The official cause of death was heart disease, although information revealed after his death about his drug dependency created a media event. His death caused worldwide scenes of mourning.

Elvis continues to be celebrated as superstar and legend as much in death as he was in life. Graceland Mansion, which he had purchased in 1957 for $102,500, is the top tourist attraction in Memphis and has attracted millions of visitors from both America and around the world.

Presley became the first-ever inductee into three music halls of fame when it was announced that he would be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame on November 27, 2001, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was already a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Country Hall of Fame.

For More Information

Gordon, Robert. The Elvis Treasures. New York: Villard, 2001.

Jenkins, Mary. Memories Beyond Graceland Gates. Buena Park, CA: West Coast Publishers, 1989.

Lichter, Paul. The Boy Who Dared to Rock: The Definitive Elvis. Garden City, NY: Dolphin Books, 1978.

Parish, James Robert. The Elvis Presley Scrapbook. New York: Ballantine Books, 1977.

Sauer, Wendy. Elvis Presley: A Complete Reference. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1984.

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Biography Online

Elvis Presley Biography

Elvis Presley became one of the most influential cultural icons of a generation. He is commonly referred to as the “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” and epitomises the post-war pop generation.

Elvis was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. When he was 13, his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis was relatively shy and as a youngster was not keen on performing in public. However, he received a guitar as a present and learnt to play and sing; he gained no formal musical training, but had an innate natural talent and could easily pick up music. As a teenager, he was uninterested in school – but become absorbed in music, listening to a huge range of contemporary American music. He also started to sport a distinctive look with sideburns and styled hair. This image would later become an ‘Elvis’ trademark.

In 1953, he went to Sun recording studio – to record a song for his mother, but also with the hope he may get noticed and offered a recording deal. However, it didn’t come to anything; he was also turned down for auditions to other groups. In April 1954, he took a job as a truck driver.

However, later on in the year, the Sun boss Sam Phillips invited Elvis to come in for a recording session. Initially, the recording session was unpromising, but towards the end of the allotted time, Elvis started to play a song he had composed himself. Phillips was immediately impressed by the verve, enthusiasm and dynamism of Elvis’s music. Phillips believed that Elvis had a unique voice and talent which could capture the interest of Americans.

For his first studio recording, Elvis performed the 1946 blues number, Arthur Crudup’s “That’s All Right”; it was well received on local radio stations.

This initial success launched Presley into a lucrative pop music career.

His performances were a fusion of country, gospel, pop and rhythm and blues. His unique gravelly voice gave the impression Presley combined both ‘black’ and ‘white’ sounds, something which was an issue during an era of tense civil rights campaigns. Elvis’s on stage routines were also criticised for their flamboyance and provocativeness; he was criticised for the idea that rock ‘n ‘roll music was having a negative effect on American teenagers, making them more rebellious. As the leading figure of pop music, Presley was often the target of these criticisms. However, he defended his music saying:

“No, I haven’t, I don’t feel like I’m doing anything wrong. … I don’t see how any type of music would have any bad influence on people when it’s only music. … I mean, how would rock ‘n’ roll music make anyone rebel against their parents?”

“Nothing really affected me until Elvis. Before Elvis there was nothing. When I first heard “Heartbreak Hotel,” I could hardly make out what was being said. It was just the experience of hearing it and having my hair stand on end. We’d never heard American voices singing like that.”

Ironically, Elvis was never keen to meet the Beatles and when they did meet on one occasion – 27 August 1965 – it was a mutual disappointment. But, Lennon always maintained without Elvis, there would have been no Beatles.

At live concerts, his crowds increasingly became overly exuberant. When Presley began playing hits like “You ain’t nothin’ but a Hound Dog” the crowd would go wild. This led Presley to take a break from live performances.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a kid. But I used to pray to God that I’d amount to something some day. I never dreamed that something like this would happen.”

– Elvis Presley

In 1958-60, Presley was called up for national service in the American army. He was stationed in Germany and served in the regular army, and was keen to be seen as an ordinary soldier doing his duty. He could have signed up for Special Services, which would have enabled him to perform live music, but he preferred to stay in the regular army. During his stay in Freiburg, Germany he met Priscilla Beaulieu, who he would marry after a seven-year courtship. They married in 1967 and, in 1968, Priscilla gave birth to Elvis’s only child – Lisa Marie.

However, from 1973, Presley began to increasingly suffer health problems – related to his obesity and drug dependency. He continued to try and maintain a hectic touring schedule, but his performances were negatively affected by his obvious health problems. In 1976, aged only 42, he died from multiple causes; fourteen different drugs were found in his bloodstream.

His early death only cemented his legendary status, and Elvis Presley has become deeply ingrained in popular culture.

Presley’s home Graceland was opened to the public in the 1980s and attracts over half a million visitors annually. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006.

Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan . “Biography of Elvis Presley”, Oxford, UK.  www.biographyonline.net , 1st Jan. 2013. Updated 10th January 2018.

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From his birth in a shotgun shack in East Tupelo, Mississippi, to his death in a mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, and through all the struggles and triumphs in between, the life of Elvis Presley is a fascinating story. Even now, thirty years after his death, there's still so much to learn about this man who touched so many lives.

Perhaps because of his humble beginnings, Elvis was always accepted by his fans as "one of them," an honor that no amount of fame, riches, or celebrity could change. Elvis gave unprecedented access and sincere thanks to his fans throughout his life, even when those same fans made it impossible for him to live a normal life.

In the pages of this article, you can explore the life of Elvis Presley, starting with his birth and early life, and the heady first days of fame as a musician. Follow along as he serves his country in the army, then returns to the United States to embark on a new phase of his career, this time as a film idol. Experience again the flamboyant spectacle of the 1970s concert years, and explore the lasting fan phenomenon that continues to surround Elvis to this day.

Start at the beginning, with the birth of Elvis Presley. Learn more about the boy who would grow up to be King in the next section.

For more fascinating information about Elvis Presley, see:

• Elvis Presley Quotes
• Elvis Presley Collectibles
• Elvis Presley Songs
• Elvis Presley Movies

Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article:

Elvis Presley Biography

Birthday: January 8 , 1935 ( Capricorn )

Born In: Tupelo, Mississippi, United States

Elvis Aaron Presley was a noted American singer and actor. He is most acknowledged for his contribution to the Rock and Roll genre of Western music. Also known as ‘The king of Rock and Roll’, Presley popularized rockabilly, which was a blend of rhythm and blues and Country music. His performance style was a combination of energy and erotic sensuousness. He was greatly influenced by the African-American singers like Arthur Crudup and his music cut across racial prejudices. This made him quite a controversial figure. His gorgeous looks and scintillating stage performances brought Hollywood to his threshold. He acted in several movies and even composed music for movie soundtrack albums. After a seven year long break from live performances, Presley returned to the small screen with ‘Elvis’, a show that became an instant hit. He was the first performer whose concert was broadcast via satellite. He received numerous music awards and was included in several music halls of fame. He is also the best selling solo artist in the history of music. One of the most celebrated music and cultural icons of the twentieth century, Elvis Presley died at the age of 42 due to drug overdose.

Recommended For You

Nick Name: The King of Rock and Roll, The King

Also Known As: Elvis Aaron Presley

Died At Age: 42

Spouse/Ex-: Priscilla Presley (m. 1967–1973)

father: Vernon Presley

mother: Gladys Presley

siblings: Jesse Garon Presley

children: Lisa Marie Presley

Born Country: United States

Pop Singers American Men

Died on: August 16 , 1977

place of death: Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Grouping of People: Twins

Cause of Death: Cardiac Arrhythmia

Ancestry: French American, German American

U.S. State: Mississippi

You wanted to know

When did elvis presley start his music career.

Elvis Presley began his music career in 1954 when he signed with Sun Records.

What was Elvis Presley's first number one hit song?

Elvis Presley's first number one hit song was "Heartbreak Hotel," released in 1956.

What was the significance of Elvis Presley's 1968 Comeback Special?

Elvis Presley's 1968 Comeback Special marked his return to live performances after years of focusing on movies. It revitalized his music career.

What was Elvis Presley's impact on the music industry?

Elvis Presley is credited with popularizing rock and roll music and shaping the sound of modern pop music. He also influenced fashion and performance styles.

Where is Elvis Presley buried?

Elvis Presley is buried at Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, in a meditation garden on the grounds of his former home.

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On May 1, 1967, Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulie at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. They divorced in January 1973.

Elvis' daughter, Lisa Marie, was born on February 1, 1968. She, too, went on to become a singer.

His drug addiction worsened after the divorce. On the morning of August 16, 1977, Elvis was found on the floor of his bathroom at Graceland. The doctors said that the immediate cause of death was cardiac arrest. He was only 42.

Elvis Presley had a pet chimpanzee named Scatter, who would often join him at the dinner table and even wear matching outfits with him.

Elvis Presley was a black belt in karate and was known to practice martial arts regularly to stay in shape.

Elvis Presley once bought a limousine for a fan who admired his car, simply because he liked to make others happy.

Elvis Presley had a collection of police badges from various law enforcement agencies, which he would often use to play pranks on friends and fans.

See the events in life of Elvis Presley in Chronological Order

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Elvis Presley Biography | A Comprehensive history of Elvis Presley's dynamic life

In the links below we have the important separate articles focusing on each of these individual topics and more and then following that, as much of an overview as one could reasonably be expected to want to read as a basic summary of the life of the one and only King Of Rock 'N' Roll ... Elvis Presley ...

• Elvis Presley Biography

Elvis Aaron Presley was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. His twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child.

Elvis and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, and Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953. Elvis' musical influences were the pop and country music of the time, the gospel music he heard in church and at the all-night gospel sings he frequently attended, and the black R&B he absorbed on historic Beale Street as a Memphis teenager. In 1954, Elvis began his singing career with the legendary Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his recording contract was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956, he was an international sensation. With a sound and style that uniquely combined Elvis' diverse musical influences and blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of the time, he ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture. Elvis Presley's dynamic life story from his humble beginnings through his rise to stardom is a fascinating journey that has earned Elvis his still undefeated title of the ' King of Rock 'N Roll '.

His songs are unforgettable - they have stood the test of time, especially his singles of the 1950s, a decade in which he had a song at No. 1. for a full 6 months of that year. An even more incredible statistic is Elvis only started at RCA in January of 1956, there is only two years until he is drafted into the U.S. Army , he made 4 movies during this time. A testament to his incredible breakthrough is the fact that he managed to sell twice as many records in the entire decade of the 1950s with only these two years of recording than any other performer. (There were also the SUN years 1954-1955 but these were not huge for record sales like when he became a national sensation in 1956).

 Dixie Locke Emmons | Elvis' girlfriend

They were also unpredictable. Who could know what the next one would be like? Elvis liberally altered his style to suit each song. There were the early country-boy rockabillies sung in a breathless high pitch, of which My Baby Left Me , Milkcow Blues Boogie and Money Honey are examples. His more mature, aggressive rock 'n' roll stance came out with songs such as Blue Suede Shoes , One Night and A Big Hunk O' Love . his approach to ballads ranged from the ethereal vocal effects on the guitar-tapping version of Blue Moon to smooth crooning on As Long As I Have You , Can't Help Falling In Love and many other slow numbers and movie songs.

January 8, 1935

Elvis Aaron Presley , in the humblest of circumstances, was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935. His twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. He and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1948, and Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953.

His First Guitar

On Elvis' eleventh birthday, his parents bought him a guitar. With the help of his uncle Johnny (Smith) and pastor Frank Smith of the Assembly of God Church, which the Presleys were now attending, he learned some basic cords. However while Elvis did play rhythm in the 1950's he never progressed further as a guitar player, content to let the guitar become more of a prop as time went on. When you have a voice as good as Elvis Presley's, you are not motivated to learn more, instead, he concentrated on improving his voice to get it where he wanted, to be able to sing the bigger songs, like Are You Lonesome Tonight? , It's Now Or Never , both from 1960 and songs such as My Way in the 1970s just to name but a few.

Getting to SUN

Soon after Elvis graduated in June of 1953, he began to explore the possibilities of singing professionally. In July, he went to 706 Union Avenue, a facility owned and run by Sam Phillips , where you could walk in and, for the amount of $3.98, record a two-sided record of your own performance. Elvis chose My Happiness and That's When Your Heartaches Begin . Amazingly both tracks and his follow-up recording in July 1954 of I'll Never Stand In Your Way / It Wouldn't Be The Same (Without You) survived and are available on CD to this day. Biographer Peter Guralnick argues that he chose SUN in the hope of being discovered. Asked by receptionist Marion Keisker what kind of singer he was, Elvis responded, 'I sing all kinds'.

When she pressed him on whom he sounded like, he repeatedly answered, 'I don't sound like nobody'. After he recorded, Sun boss Sam Phillips asked Keisker to note down the young man's name, which she did along with her own commentary: 'Good ballad singer. Hold'. Elvis cut a second acetate in January 1954 - I'll Never Stand In Your Way and It Wouldn't Be the Same Without You - but again nothing came of it.

Not long after, he failed an audition for a local vocal quartet, the 'Songfellows'. He explained to his father, 'They told me I couldn't sing'. Songfellow Jim Hamill later claimed that he was turned down because he did not demonstrate an ear for harmony at the time. In April, Elvis began working for the Crown Electric company as a truck driver. His friend Ronnie Smith, after playing a few local gigs with him, suggested he contact Eddie Bond, leader of Smith's professional band, which had an opening for a vocalist. Bond allegedly rejected him after a tryout, advising Elvis to stick to truck driving 'because you're never going to make it as a singer'.

Then Sam Phillips received a song from Nashville music publisher Sam Wortham, the same person who had delivered Just Walking In The Rain , SUN's first big hit record (The Prisonaires (Sun 186)). Phillips heard something in this new song, but he couldn't find the singer on the demo, so he finally decided that it just might fit the young man that Marion had kept reminding him about. The song was called Without You , a heartfelt, but an unexceptional ballad. The date, June 26, 1954, Marion phoned Elvis asking if he could come down to the studio. Elvis later said he ran all the way. But Elvis just couldn't get it right. This could have been the final rejection, the ultimate disappointment, if not for Sam's belief in raw talent and how to uncover it. He invited Elvis to sing everything he knew. Although just shop-worn ballads were presented to him, Phillips did not make a final decision on 'the boy'. Sam talked about it with Scotty Moore , guitarist in the group 'The Starlite Ranglers'. Sam told Scotty to check Elvis out and gave him Elvis' phone number.

On July 4, 1956 Elvis went over to Scotty Moore's house to sing with Scotty and Bill Black to see what Elvis could do. Bobbie Moore, Scotty's wife says he had a good voice and they sang a lot of songs like ' I Love You Because ' (Eventually it become the second song professionally recorded and released on Elvis' first RCA LP, Elvis Presley ). When Elvis left, Scotty and Bill discussed the proceedings, Bill turned to Scotty and looked at him kinda funny, 'What do you think of him?' Scotty said, 'Well, he's got a good voice, good singer, if we can find the right material'. So he called Sam and Sam said, You got the next night to rehearse' (At SUN).

July 5, 1954 : Rockabilly and Rock 'N' Roll are Born

July 5, as agreed, Elvis, Scotty, and Bill arrived at the SUN Studio after work. Sam went into the control room. The threesome continued, as they had done at Scotty's house, with what was basically a recap of artists like Eddy Arnold, Hank Snow and 'The Ink Spots'. The first documented song was Harbor Lights , a #1 hit in 1950 for Sammy Kaye and his Orchestra, but covered instantly by Bing Crosby .

The evening's defining moment came after four shaky attempts at Leon Payne's 1949 country hit, I Love You Because . It was during a break that Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup's That's All Right materialized.

That's All Right

Scotty Moore: 'All of a sudden, Elvis just got started singing this song, jumping around and acting the fool, and then Bill picked up his bass and started acting the fool, too, and I started playing with them. Sam had the door to the control room open and stuck his neck out. 'What are you doing?' he asked. 'We don't know', we said. 'Well, back up, try to find a place to start, and do it again'.

Elvis: 'I never sang like that in my life, until I made that first record ... I remembered that song because I heard Arthur sing it, and I thought I would like to try it. That was it'.

The DJ : Dewey Phillips

Interviewing Elvis on-air, Phillips asked him what high school he attended in order to clarify his color for the many callers who had assumed he was black.

Blue Moon Of Kentucky: The 'B' Side

A B-side was needed so on July 7 the trio again gathered at SUN with nothing prepared. Scotty Moore: 'Bill was the one who started to clown around singing the Bill Monroe song, Blue Moon Of Kentucky , imitating Bill Monroe in a high falsetto voice, but at a fast tempo, whereas the original was done real slow. (But it can be said he was no imitating Elvis' performance on That's All Right ). Elvis started singing along, with both singing high tenor. Things started to happen real fast. Two-sided dubs were sent to nearby radio stations, including Bob Neal at WMPS and 'Sleepy-Eyed' John at WHHM. Concerned about control, Sam convinced Scotty Moore to take on Elvis' management, ensuring that the teenager would be insulated from opportunists.

It is interesting that Bill Monroe who wrote Blue Moon of Kentucky and recorded it with his Bluegrass Boys in 1946 re-recorded it himself in 4/4 time rather than the original 3/4 after hearing--and seeing--Elvis perform it and at the Louisiana Hayride . (See Peter Guralnick's Last Train to Memphis , pages 121-129, for a more detailed account of this interesting collision of musical worlds.) Sam Phillips was relieved when the country legend and 'founder' of Bluegrass offered praises rather than the anticipated scorn for Presley's version of his tune. At 19, Elvis somehow had the instinct to sing the song perfectly. Even the songwriter admitted it.

The First Live performances

The trio played publicly for the first time on July 17 at the Bon Air club - Elvis still sporting his child-size guitar.

At the end of the month, they appeared at the Overton Park Shell, with Slim Whitman headlining. A combination of his strong response to rhythm and nervousness at playing before a large crowd led Elvis to shake his legs as he performed: his wide-cut pants emphasized his movements, causing young women in the audience to start screaming. Moore recalled, 'During the instrumental parts he would back off from the mike and be playing and shaking, and the crowd would just go wild'. Black, a natural showman, whooped and rode his bass, hitting double licks that Elvis would later remember as 'really a wild sound, like a jungle drum or something'. Soon after, Moore and Black quit their old band to play with Elvis regularly, and promoter Bob Neal became the trio's manager. From August through October, they played frequently at the Eagle's Nest club and returned to Sun Studio for more recording sessions, and Elvis quickly grew more confident on stage. According to Moore, 'His movement was a natural thing, but he was also very conscious of what got a reaction. He'd do something one time and then he would expand on it real quick'. Elvis made what would be his only appearance on Nashville's Grand Ole Opry on October 2; after a polite audience response, Opry manager Jim Denny told Phillips that his singer was 'not bad' but did not suit the program. Two weeks later, Elvis was booked on Louisiana Hayride, the Opry's chief, and more adventurous, rival. The Shreveport-based show was broadcast to 198 radio stations in 28 states. Elvis had another attack of nerves during the first set, which drew a muted reaction. A more composed and energetic second set inspired an enthusiastic response.

House drummer D.J. Fontana brought a new element, complementing Elvis' movements with accented beats that he had mastered playing in strip clubs. Soon after the show, the Hayride engaged Elvis for a year's worth of Saturday-night appearances. Trading in his old guitar for $8 (and seeing it promptly dispatched to the garbage), he purchased a Martin instrument for $175, and his trio began playing in new locales including Houston, Texas, and Texarkana, Arkansas. In October D.J. Fontana was hired to play drums for Elvis.

Using a very bare-bones drum kit, D.J. sat behind a curtain, unseen by the audience, and played behind Elvis and the boys as they performed the two songs allotted them, which were That's Alright Mama , and possibly (D.J.'s memory was a little sketchy) Blue Moon of Kentucky .

By early 1955, Elvis' regular Hayride appearances, constant touring, and well-received record releases had made him a substantial regional star, from Tennessee to West Texas. In January, Neal signed a formal management contract with Elvis and brought the singer to the attention of Colonel Tom Parker , whom he considered the best promoter in the music business. Parker, Dutch-born, though he claimed to be from West Virginia - had acquired an honorary colonel's commission from country singer turned Louisiana governor Jimmie Davis. Having successfully managed top country star Eddy Arnold, he was now working with the new number one country singer, Hank Snow. Parker booked Elvis on Snow's February tour. When the tour reached Odessa, Texas, a 19-year-old Roy Orbison saw Elvis for the first time: 'His energy was incredible, his instinct was just amazing, I just didn't know what to make of it. There was just no reference point in the culture to compare it'.

RCA and The Colonel

RCA Victor acquired Elvis' contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker , who would go on to be his famous manager. Parker arranged with the owners of Hill and Range Publishing, Jean and Julian Aberbach, to create two entities, Elvis Presley Music and Gladys Music, to handle all of the new material recorded by Elvis. Songwriters were obliged to forego one-third of their customary royalties in exchange for having him perform their compositions. By December, RCA had begun to heavily promote its new singer, and before month's end had reissued many of his Sun recordings. Elvis, at 20, was still a minor, so his father signed the contract.

Commercial breakout and controversy (1956-58) : First national TV appearances

On January 10, 1956, Elvis made his first recordings for RCA in Nashville. Extending the singer's by now customary backup of Scotty Moore, Bill Black, and D.J. Fontana, RCA enlisted pianist Floyd Cramer, guitarist Chet Atkins, and three background singers, including Gordon Stoker of the popular Jordanaires quartet, to fill out the sound. The session produced the moody, unusual Heartbreak Hotel , released as a single on January 27. Colonel Parker finally brought Elvis to national television, booking him on CBS's Stage Show for six appearances over two months. The program, produced in New York, was hosted on alternate weeks by big band leaders and brothers Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. After his first appearance, on January 28, Elvis stayed in town to record at RCA's New York studio . The sessions yielded eight songs, including a cover of Carl Perkins' rockabilly anthem Blue Suede Shoes . In February, Elvis' I Forgot to Remember to Forget , a Sun recording initially released the previous August, reached the top of the Billboard country chart. Neal's contract was terminated and, on March 2, Parker became Elvis' manager. RCA Victor released Elvis' self-titled debut album on March 23. Joined by five previously unreleased Sun recordings, its seven recently recorded tracks were of a broad variety. There were two country songs and a bouncy pop tune. The others would centrally define the evolving sound of rock and roll: Blue Suede Shoes - 'an improvement over Carl Perkins ' in almost every way', according to critic Robert Hilburn - and three R&B numbers that had been part of Elvis' stage repertoire for some time, covers of Little Richard, Ray Charles, and The Drifters. As described by Hilburn, these 'were the most revealing of all. Unlike many white artists, who watered down the gritty edges of the original R&B versions of songs in the '50s, Elvis reshaped them. He not only injected the tunes with his own vocal character but also made guitar, not piano, the lead instrument in all three cases'. It became the first rock and roll album to top the Billboard chart, a position it held for 10 weeks. While Elvis was not an innovative instrumentalist like Moore or contemporary African American rockers Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry , cultural historian Gilbert B. Rodman argues that the album's cover image, 'of Elvis having the time of his life on stage with a guitar in his hands played a crucial role in positioning the guitar, as the instrument that best captured the style and spirit of this new music'.

Historic Television Guest Appearances

In 1956, Elvis made his network television debut.

The first of his six appearances on Stage Show, a weekly variety program hosted by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. He followed these with two appearances on The Milton Berle Show , the second of which included a performance of Hound Dog that was so provocative (for that time, anyway) that it caused a national scandal. Elvis next appeared on The Steve Allen Show , with Allen mocking the sensation of the Berle appearance by having Elvis dress in a tuxedo, eliminate his usual physical gyrations, and sing Hound Dog to a Basset Hound.

Ed Sullivan had once said he would never have the controversial singer on his top-rated show, but that was before the week that Elvis' appearance on Steve Allen had surpassed Sullivan's ratings. After negotiating with Elvis' manager, Ed Sullivan paid Elvis the huge sum of $50,000 for appearing on three of his shows: September 9, 1956 , October 28, 1956 , and then on January 6, 1957 . $50,000 was, at the time, more money than any performer had ever been paid to appear on a network variety program. Elvis' first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show was a major success. Over 60 million people, both young and old, watched the show and many people believe it helped bridge the generation gap for Elvis' acceptance into the mainstream. Elvis performed, Don't Be Cruel, Love Me Tender, Ready Teddy and Hound Dog . When Elvis made his third Sullivan appearance in January of 1957, Ed Sullivan surprised Elvis by telling him on camera that his show had never had a better experience with a name act, and said 'I wanted to say to Elvis and the country that this is a real decent, fine boy'.

It was on this very same Sullivan appearance that Elvis was shown on camera from the waist up only, one of early television history's most memorable moments. Elvis' next network television appearance was in 1960 when Frank Sinatra gave his variety show a 'Welcome Home, Elvis' theme to herald Elvis' return from the army. Elvis was paid $125,000 to appear - again, making history.

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Milton Berle Show and 'Hound Dog'

Elvis made the first of two appearances on NBC's Milton Berle Show on April 3. His performance, on the deck of the USS Hancock in San Diego, prompted cheers and screams from an audience of sailors and their dates. A few days later, a flight taking Elvis and his band to Nashville for a recording session left all three badly shaken when an engine died and the plane almost went down over Arkansas. Twelve weeks after its original release, Heartbreak Hotel became Elvis' first number one pop hit. In late April, Elvis began a two-week residency at the New Frontier Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The shows were poorly received by the conservative, middle-aged hotel guests - 'like a jug of corn liquor at a champagne party', wrote a critic for Newsweek. Amid his Vegas tenure, Elvis, who had serious acting ambitions, signed a seven-year contract with Paramount Pictures. He began a tour of the Midwest in mid-May, taking in 15 cities in as many days. He had attended several shows by Freddie Bell and the Bellboys in Vegas and was struck by their cover of Hound Dog , a hit in 1952 for blues singer Big Mama Thornton. It became the new closing number of his act. After a show in La Crosse, Wisconsin, an urgent message on the letterhead of the local Catholic diocese newspaper was sent to FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. It warned that 'Elvis is a definite danger to the security of the United States, (His) actions and motions were such as to arouse the sexual passions of teenaged youth, After the show, more than 1,000 teenagers tried to gang into Elvis' room at the auditorium, Indications of the harm Elvis did just in La Crosse were the two high school girls, whose abdomen and thigh had Elvis' autograph'.

The second Milton Berle Show appearance came on June 5 at NBC's Hollywood studio, amid another hectic tour. Berle persuaded the singer to leave his guitar backstage, advising, 'Let 'em see you, son'. During the performance, Elvis abruptly halted an uptempo rendition of Hound Dog with a wave of his arm and launched into a slow, grinding version accentuated with energetic, exaggerated body movements.

Elvis' gyrations created a storm of controversy. Television critics were outraged: Jack Gould of The New York Times wrote, 'Mr. Elvis has no discernible singing ability, His phrasing if it can be called that, consists of the stereotyped variations that go with a beginner's aria in a bathtub, His one specialty is an accented movement of the body, primarily identified with the repertoire of the blond bombshells of the burlesque runway'. Ben Gross of the New York Daily News opined that popular music 'has reached its lowest depths in the 'grunt and groin' antics of one Elvis Presley, Elvis, who rotates his pelvis, gave an exhibition that was suggestive and vulgar, tinged with the kind of animalism that should be confined to dives and bordellos'. Ed Sullivan, whose own variety show was the nation's most popular, declared him 'unfit for family viewing'.

To Elvis' displeasure, he soon found himself being referred to as 'Elvis the Pelvis', which he called 'one of the most childish expressions I ever heard, comin' from an adult'.

Steve Allen Show and first Sullivan appearance

The Berle shows drew such high ratings that Elvis was booked for a July 1 appearance on NBC's The Steve Allen Show in New York. Allen, no fan of rock and roll, introduced a 'new Elvis' in a white bow tie and black tails. Elvis sang 'Hound Dog' for less than a minute to a basset hound wearing a top hat and bow tie.

As described by television historian Jake Austen, 'Allen thought Elvis was talentless and absurd, (he) set things up so that Elvis would show his contrition'. Allen, for his part, later wrote that he found Elvis' strange, gangly, country-boy charisma, his hard-to-define cuteness, and his charming eccentricity intriguing' and simply worked the singer into the customary 'comedy fabric' of his program.

Elvis would refer back to the Allen show as the most ridiculous performance of his career. Later that night, he appeared on Elvis Hy Gardner Calling a popular local TV show. Pressed on whether he had learned anything from the criticism to which he was being subjected, Elvis responded, 'No, I haven't, I don't feel like I'm doing anything wrong, I don't see how any type of music would have any bad influence on people when it's only music, I mean, how would rock 'n' roll music make anyone rebel against their parents?' The next day, Elvis recorded Hound Dog , along with Any Way You Want Me and Don't Be Cruel . The Jordanaires sang harmony, as they had on The Steve Allen Show; they would work with Elvis through the 1960s. A few days later, the singer made an outdoor concert appearance in Memphis at which he announced, 'You know, those people in New York are not gonna change me none. I'm gonna show you what the real Elvis is like tonight'. In August, a judge in Jacksonville, Florida, ordered Elvis to tame his act. Throughout the following performance, he largely kept still, except for wiggling his little finger suggestively in mockery of the order. The single pairing Don't Be Cruel with Hound Dog ruled the top of the charts for 11 weeks - a mark that would not be surpassed for 36 years. Recording sessions for Elvis' second album took place in Hollywood during the first week of September. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller , the writers of Hound Dog , contributed Love Me .

The Ed Sullivan Show

Allen's show with Elvis had, for the first time, beaten CBS's The Ed Sullivan Show in the ratings. Sullivan, despite his June pronouncement, booked the singer for three appearances for an unprecedented $50,000. The first, on September 9, 1956, was seen by approximately 60 million viewers - a record 82.6 percent of the television audience. Actor Charles Laughton hosted the show, filling in while Sullivan recuperated from a car accident. Elvis appeared in two segments that night from CBS Television City in Hollywood. According to Elvis legend, Elvis was shot only from the waist up. Watching clips of the Allen and Berle shows with his producer, Sullivan had opined that Elvis 'got some kind of device hanging down below the crotch of his pants - so when he moves his legs back and forth you can see the outline of his cock, I think it's a Coke bottle, We just can't have this on a Sunday night. This is a family show!' Sullivan publicly told TV Guide, 'As for his gyrations, the whole thing can be controlled with camera shots'. In fact, Elvis was shown head-to-toe in the first and second shows. Though the camera work was relatively discreet during his debut, with leg-concealing close ups when he danced, the studio audience reacted in customary style: screaming. Elvis' performance of his forthcoming single, the ballad Love Me Tender , prompted a record-shattering million advance orders. More than any other single event, it was this first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show that made Elvis a national celebrity of barely precedented proportions. Accompanying Elvis' rise to fame, a cultural shift was taking place that he both helped inspire and came to symbolize. Igniting the 'biggest pop craze since Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra, Elvis brought rock'n'roll into the mainstream of popular culture', writes historian Marty Jezer. 'As Elvis set the artistic pace, other artists followed, Elvis, more than anyone else, gave the young a belief in themselves as a distinct and somehow unified generation - the first in America ever to feel the power of an integrated youth culture'.

Elvis Presley's Graceland

Graceland , Elvis Presley's home and refuge for twenty years, is one of the most visited homes in America today, now attracting over 600,000 visitors annually. It is also the most famous home in America after the White House. In 1991, Graceland Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Military service and mother's death (1958-60)

On March 24, 1958 , Elvis was inducted into the U.S. Army as a private at Fort Chaffee, near Fort Smith, Arkansas. Captain Arlie Metheny, the information officer, was unprepared for the media attention drawn by the singer's arrival. Hundreds of people descended on Elvis as he stepped from the bus; photographers then accompanied him into the base. Elvis announced that he was looking forward to his military stint, saying he did not want to be treated any differently from anyone else: 'The Army can do anything it wants with me'. Later, at Fort Hood, Texas, Lieutenant Colonel Marjorie Schulten gave the media carte blanche for one day, after which she declared Elvis off-limits to the press. Soon after Elvis had commenced basic training at Fort Hood, he received a visit from Eddie Fadal, a businessman he had met when on tour in Texas. Fadal reported that Elvis had become convinced his career was finished - 'He firmly believed that'.

During a two-week leave in early June, Elvis cut five sides in Nashville. He returned to training, but in early August his mother was diagnosed with hepatitis and her condition worsened. Elvis was granted emergency leave to visit her, arriving in Memphis on August 12. Two days later, Gladys died of heart failure, aged 46 . Elvis was devastated; their relationship had remained extremely close - even into his adulthood, they would use baby talk with each other and Elvis would address her with pet names.

After training at Fort Hood, Elvis joined the 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, Germany, on October 1. The Army also introduced Elvis to karate, which he studied seriously, later including it in his live performances. Fellow soldiers have attested to Elvis' wish to be seen as an able, ordinary soldier, despite his fame, and to his generosity while in the service. He donated his Army pay to charity, purchased TV sets for the base, and bought an extra set of fatigues for everyone in his outfit.

While in Friedberg, Elvis met 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu . They would eventually marry after a seven-and-a-half-year courtship. In her autobiography, Priscilla says that despite his worries that it would ruin his career, Parker convinced Elvis that to gain popular respect, he should serve his country as a regular soldier rather than in Special Services, where he would have been able to give some musical performances and remain in touch with the public. Media reports echoed Elvis' concerns about his career, but RCA producer Steve Sholes and Freddy Bienstock of Hill and Range had carefully prepared for his two-year hiatus. Armed with a substantial amount of unreleased material, they kept up a regular stream of successful releases. Between his induction and discharge, Elvis had ten top 40 hits, including Wear My Ring Around Your Neck , the best-selling Hard Headed Woman , and One Night in 1958, and (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I and the number one A Big Hunk O' Love in 1959. RCA also managed to generate four albums compiling old material during this period, most successfully Elvis' Golden Records (1958), which hit number three on the LP chart.

Focus on movies (1960-67) : Elvis Is Back

Elvis returned to the United States on March 2, 1960 , and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant on March 5 . The train that carried him from New Jersey to Tennessee was mobbed all the way, and Elvis was called upon to appear at scheduled stops to please his fans. Back in Memphis, he wasted no time in returning to the studio. Sessions in March and April yielded two of his best-selling singles, the ballads It's Now or Never and Are You Lonesome Tonight? , and Elvis Is Back! The album features several songs described by Greil Marcus as full of Chicago blues 'menace, driven by Elvis' own super-miked acoustic guitar, brilliant playing by Scotty Moore, and demonic sax work from Boots Randolph. Elvis' singing wasn't sexy, it was pornographic'.

As a whole, the record 'conjured up the vision of a performer who could be all things', in the words of music historian John Robertson: 'a flirtatious teenage idol with a heart of gold; a tempestuous, dangerous lover; a gutbucket blues singer; a sophisticated nightclub entertainer; (a) raucous rocker'. Released only days after recording was complete, it reached number two on the album chart.

Elvis returned to television on May 12 as a guest on The Frank Sinatra Timex Special - ironic for both stars, given Sinatra's not-so-distant excoriation of rock and roll. Also known as Welcome Home Elvis, the show had been taped in late March, the only time all year Elvis performed in front of an audience. Parker secured an unheard-of $125,000 fee for eight minutes of singing. The broadcast drew an enormous viewership.

It is important to note that at the time Elvis came to prominence it was the normal thing for a big star in the music field to cross over to movies. They did not have the technology nor music videos, MTV etc. So Hollywood it was, and it was Elvis' dream to be a good actor, he held out hope for years that he would be given a good script and succeed in the movie business, eventually accepting this was not to be ...

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Elvis Presley starred in 31 feature films as an actor and two theatrically released concert documentary films , all of which enjoyed financial success. For a number of years he was one of Hollywood's top box office draws and one of its highest-paid actors. His two most critically acclaimed films, Jailhouse Rock (1957) and King Creole (1958) have become classics of their era. His movies and concert films enjoy a healthy life today in television syndication and home video sales and rentals. Some of his top-selling music came from his movies. Eleven of his movie soundtrack albums went to the top ten, and of those, four went to number one.

The soundtrack for G.I. Blues (1960), was number one on the Billboard Top 100 album chart for 10 weeks and remained on the chart for 111 weeks. The album from Blue Hawaii was number one for 20 weeks and was on the chart for 79 weeks G.I. Blues , the soundtrack to Elvis' first film since his return, was a number one album in October. His first LP of sacred material, His Hand in Mine , followed two months later. It reached number 13 on the U.S. pop chart and number 3 in Great Britain, remarkable figures for a gospel album. In February 1961, Elvis performed two shows for a benefit event in Memphis, on behalf of 24 local charities. During a luncheon preceding the event, RCA presented him with a plaque certifying worldwide sales of over 75 million records . A 12-hour Nashville session in mid-March yielded nearly all of Elvis' next studio album, Something for Everybody. As described by John Robertson, it exemplifies the Nashville sound, the restrained, cosmopolitan style that would define country music in the 1960s. Presaging much of what was to come from Elvis himself over the next half-decade, the album is largely 'a pleasant, unthreatening pastiche of the music that had once been Elvis' birthright'. It would be his sixth number one LP. Another benefit concert, raising money for a Pearl Harbor memorial, was staged on March 25, in Hawaii. It was to be Elvis' last public performance for seven years.

Lost in Hollywood

Parker had by now pushed Elvis into a heavy movie making schedule, focused on formulaic, modestly budgeted musical-comedies. Elvis at first insisted on pursuing more serious roles, but when two films in a more dramatic vein - Flaming Star (1960) and Wild in the Country (1961) - were less commercially successful, he reverted to the formula. For the remainder of the decade, during which he made 27 movies, there were few further exceptions. His films were almost universally panned; one critic dismissed them as a 'pantheon of bad taste'. Nonetheless, they were virtually all profitable. Hal Wallis , who produced nine of them, declared, 'An Elvis picture is the only sure thing in Hollywood'. Of Elvis' films in the 1960s, 15 were accompanied by soundtrack albums and another 5 by soundtrack EPs. The movies' rapid production and release schedules - he frequently starred in three a year - affected his music.

According to Jerry Leiber , the soundtrack formula was already evident before Elvis left for the Army: 'three ballads, one medium-tempo (number), one up-tempo, and one break blues boogie'. As the decade wore on, the quality of the soundtrack songs grew 'progressively worse'. Julie Parrish, who appeared in Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966), says that he hated many of the songs chosen for his films. The Jordanaires ' Gordon Stoker describes how Elvis would retreat from the studio microphone: 'The material was so bad that he felt like he couldn't sing it'. Most of the movie albums featured a song or two from respected writers such as the team of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman . But by and large, according to biographer Jerry Hopkins, the numbers seemed to be 'written on order by men who never really understood Elvis or rock and roll'. Regardless of the songs' quality, it has been argued that Elvis generally sang them well, with commitment. Critic Dave Marsh heard the opposite: 'Elvis isn't trying, probably the wisest course in the face of material like No Room to Rumba in a Sports Car and Rock-a-Hula Baby .

In the first half of the decade, three of Elvis' soundtrack albums hit number one on the pop charts, and a few of his most popular songs came from his films, such as Can't Help Falling in Love (1961) and Return to Sender (1962). Viva Las Vegas , the title track to the 1964 film, was a minor hit as a B-side, and became truly popular only later.) But, as with artistic merit, the commercial returns steadily diminished.

During a five-year span - 1964 through 1968 - Elvis had only one top ten hit: Crying in the Chapel (1965), a gospel number recorded back in 1960. As for non-movie albums, between the June 1962 release of Pot Luck and the November 1968 release of the soundtrack to the television special that signaled his comeback, only one LP of new material by Elvis was issued: the gospel album How Great Thou Art (1967). It won him his first Grammy Award, for Best Sacred Performance. As described in The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, Elvis was 'arguably the greatest white gospel singer of his time (and) really the last rock & roll artist to make gospel as vital a component of his musical personality as his secular songs'.

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Comeback (1968-73) : Elvis: the '68 Comeback Special

Elvis' only child, Lisa Marie , was born on February 1, 1968, during a period when he had grown deeply unhappy with his career. Of the eight Elvis singles released between January 1967 and May 1968, only two charted in the top 40, and none higher than number 28. His forthcoming soundtrack album, Speedway, would die at number 82 on the Billboard chart. Parker had already shifted his plans to television, where Elvis had not appeared since the Sinatra Timex show in 1960. He maneuvered a deal with NBC that committed the network to both finance a theatrical feature and broadcast a Christmas special.

Later known as the '68 Comeback Special , the show featured lavishly staged studio productions as well as songs performed with a band in front of a small audience - Elvis' first live performances since 1961. The live segments saw Elvis clad in tight black leather, singing and playing guitar in an uninhibited style reminiscent of his early rock and roll days. Director and co producer Steve Binder had worked hard to reassure the nervous singer and to produce a show that was far from the hour of Christmas songs Parker had originally planned. The show, NBC's highest rated that season, captured 42 percent of the total viewing audience. Jon Landau of Eye magazine remarked, 'There is something magical about watching a man who has lost himself find his way back home. He sang with the kind of power people no longer expect of rock 'n' roll singers. He moved his body with a lack of pretension and effort that must have made Jim Morrison green with envy'.

From Elvis In Memphis and the International

Buoyed by the experience of the Comeback Special, Elvis engaged in a prolific series of recording sessions at American Sound Studio , which led to the acclaimed From Elvis in Memphis . Released in June 1969, it was his first secular, non-soundtrack album from a dedicated period in the studio in eight years. As described by Dave Marsh, it is 'a masterpiece in which Elvis immediately catches up with pop music trends that had seemed to pass him by during the movie years. He sings country songs, soul songs and rockers with real conviction, a stunning achievement'. The album featured the hit single In the Ghetto , issued in April, which reached number three on the pop chart - Elvis' first non-gospel top ten hit since Bossa Nova Baby in 1963. Further hit singles were culled from the American Sound sessions : Suspicious Minds , Don't Cry Daddy , and Kentucky Rain .

Elvis was keen to resume regular live performing. Following the success of the Comeback Special, offers came in from around the world. The London Palladium offered Parker $28,000 for a one-week engagement. He responded, 'That's fine for me, now how much can you get for Elvis?' In May, the brand new International Hotel in Las Vegas, boasting the largest showroom in the city, announced that it had booked Elvis. He was scheduled to perform 57 shows over four weeks beginning July 31. Moore, Fontana, and the Jordanaires declined to participate, afraid of losing the lucrative session work they had in Nashville.

Elvis assembled new, top-notch accompaniment, led by guitarist James Burton and including two gospel groups, The Imperials and Sweet Inspirations . Nonetheless, he was nervous: his only previous Las Vegas engagement, in 1956, had been dismal. Parker, who intended to make Elvis' return the show business event of the year, oversaw a major promotional push. For his part, hotel owner Kirk Kerkorian arranged to send his own plane to New York to fly in rock journalists for the debut performance.

Elvis took to the stage without introduction. The audience of 2,200, including many celebrities, gave him a standing ovation before he sang a note and another after his performance. A third followed his encore, Can't Help Falling in Love (a song that would be his closing number for much of the 1970s).

At a press conference after the show , when a journalist referred to him as 'The King', Elvis gestured toward Fats Domino, who was taking in the scene. 'No', Elvis said, 'that's the real king of rock and roll'. The next day, Parker's negotiations with the hotel resulted in a five-year contract for Elvis to play each February and August, at an annual salary of $1 million. Newsweek commented, 'There are several unbelievable things about Elvis, but the most incredible is his staying power in a world where meteoric careers fade like shooting stars'. Rolling Stone called Elvis' upernatural, his own resurrection'. In November, Elvis' final non-concert movie, Change Of Habit , opened.

The double album From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis came out the same month; the first LP consisted of live performances from the International, the second of more cuts from the American Sound sessions. Suspicious Minds reached the top of the charts - Elvis' first U.S. pop number one in over seven years, and his last. Cassandra Peterson, later television's Elvira, met Elvis during this period in Las Vegas, where she was working as showgirl. She recalls of their encounter, 'He was so anti-drug when I met him. I mentioned to him that I smoked marijuana, and he was just appalled'.

He said, 'Don't ever do that again'. Elvis was not only deeply opposed to recreational drugs, he also rarely drank. Several of his family members had been alcoholics, a fate he intended to avoid.

Back on tour and meeting Nixon

Elvis returned to the International early in 1970 for the first of the year's two month-long engagements, performing two shows a night. Recordings from these shows were issued on the album On Stage. In late February, Elvis performed six attendance-record - breaking shows at the Houston Astrodome . In April, the single The Wonder of You was issued - a number one hit in Great Britain, it topped the U.S. adult contemporary chart, as well.

The album That's the Way It Is , produced to accompany the documentary and featuring both studio and live recordings, marked a stylistic shift. As music historian John Robertson notes, 'The authority of Elvis' singing helped disguise the fact that the album stepped decisively away from the American-roots inspiration of the Memphis sessions towards a more middle-of-the-road sound.

With country put on the back burner, and soul and R&B left in Memphis, what was left was very classy, very clean white pop - perfect for the Las Vegas crowd, but a definite retrograde step for Elvis'. After the end of his International engagement on September 7, Elvis embarked on a week-long concert tour, largely of the South, his first since 1958. Another week-long tour, of the West Coast, followed in November.

On December 21, 1970 , Elvis engineered a bizarre meeting with President Richard Nixon at the White House, where he expressed his patriotism and his contempt for the hippie drug culture. He asked Nixon for a Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs badge , to add to similar items he had begun collecting and to signify official sanction of his patriotic efforts. Nixon, who apparently found the encounter awkward, expressed a belief that Elvis could send a positive message to young people and that it was therefore important he 'retain his credibility'. Elvis told Nixon that The Beatles , whose songs he regularly performed in concert during the era, exemplified what he saw as a trend of anti-Americanism and drug abuse in popular culture. (Elvis and his friends had had a four-hour get-together with The Beatles five years earlier.)

The U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce named Elvis one of its annual Ten Most Outstanding Young Men of the Nation on January 16, 1971. Not long after, the City of Memphis named the stretch of Highway 51 South on which Graceland is located 'Elvis Presley Boulevard'. The same year, Elvis became the first rock and roll singer to be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award (then known as the Bing Crosby Award ) by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Grammy Award organization. Three new, non-movie Elvis studio albums were released in 1971, as many as had come out over the previous eight years. Best received by critics was Elvis Country , a concept record that focused on genre standards. The biggest seller was Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas , 'the truest statement of all', according to Greil Marcus. 'In the midst of ten painfully genteel Christmas songs, every one sung with appalling sincerity and humility, one could find Elvis tom-catting his way through six blazing minutes of Merry Christmas, Baby , a raunchy old Charles Brown blues, If (Elvis') sin was his lifelessness, it was his sinfulness that brought him to life'.

Marriage breakdown and Aloha from Hawaii

MGM again filmed Elvis in April 1972, this time for Elvis on Tour , which went on to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Documentary Film that year. His gospel album He Touched Me , released that month, would earn him his second Grammy Award, for Best Inspirational Performance. A 14-date tour commenced with an unprecedented four consecutive sold-out shows at New York's Madison Square Garden.

The evening concert on July 10 was recorded and issued in LP form a week later. Elvis: As Recorded at Madison Square Garden became one of Elvis' biggest-selling albums. After the tour, the single Burning Love was released - Elvis' last top ten hit on the U.S. pop chart. 'The most exciting single Elvis has made since All Shook Up , wrote rock critic Robert Christgau. 'Who else could make 'It's coming closer, the flames are now licking my body' sound like an assignation with James Brown's backup band?' Elvis and his wife, meanwhile, had become increasingly distant, barely cohabiting. The Presleys separated on February 23, 1972, after Priscilla disclosed her relationship with Mike Stone, a karate instructor Elvis had recommended to her. Five months later, Elvis' new girlfriend, Linda Thompson , a songwriter and one-time Memphis beauty queen, moved in with him. Elvis and his wife filed for divorce on August 18. In January 1973, Elvis performed two benefit concerts for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund in connection with a groundbreaking TV special, Aloha from Hawaii . The first show served as a practice run and backup should technical problems affect the live broadcast two days later.

Aired as scheduled on January 14, 'Aloha from Hawaii' was the first global concert satellite broadcast, reaching approximately 1.5 billion viewers live and on tape delay.

Elvis' costume became the most recognized example of the elaborate concert garb with which his latter-day persona became closely associated. As described by Bobbie Ann Mason, 'At the end of the show, when he spreads out his American Eagle cape , with the full stretched wings of the eagle studded on the back, he becomes a god figure'. The accompanying double album, released in February, went to number one and eventually sold over 5 million copies in the United States. It proved to be Elvis' last U.S. number one pop album during his lifetime. At a midnight show the same month, four men rushed onto the stage in an apparent attack. Security men leapt to Elvis' defense, and the singer's karate instinct took over as he ejected one invader from the stage himself.

Health deterioration and death (1973-77)

Elvis' divorce took effect on October 9, 1973. He was now becoming increasingly unwell.

On July 13, 1976, Vernon Presley - who had become deeply involved in his son's financial affairs - fired ' Memphis Mafia ' bodyguards Red West (Elvis' friend since the 1950s), Sonny West , and David Hebler, citing the need to 'cut back on expenses'. Elvis was in Palm Springs at the time. An associate of Elvis', John O'Grady, argued that the bodyguards were dropped because their rough treatment of fans had prompted too many lawsuits. Elvis and Linda Thompson split in November, and he took up with a new girlfriend, Ginger Alden . He proposed to Alden and gave her an engagement ring two months later, though several of his friends later claimed that he had no serious intention of marrying again.

RCA, which had enjoyed a steady stream of product from Elvis for over a decade, grew anxious as his interest in spending time in the studio waned. After a December 1973 session that produced 18 songs, enough for almost two albums, he did not enter the studio in 1974. Parker sold RCA on another concert record, Elvis: As Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis . Recorded on March 20, it included a version of How Great Thou Art that would win Elvis his third and final competitive Grammy Award. (All three of his competitive Grammy wins - out of 14 total nominations - were for gospel recordings.) Elvis returned to the studio in Hollywood in March 1975, recording 10 songs that would form the Elvis Today album, (his last studio album). but Parker's attempts to arrange another session toward the end of the year were unsuccessful. In 1976, RCA sent a mobile studio to Graceland that made possible two full-scale recording sessions at Elvis' home. Even in that comfortable context, the recording process was now a struggle for him.

For all the concerns of his label and manager, in studio sessions between July 1973 and October 1976, Elvis recorded virtually the entire contents of six albums. Though he was no longer a major presence on the pop charts, five of those albums entered the top five of the country chart, and three went to number one: Promised Land (1975), From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee (1976), and Moody Blue (1977).

'The Lisa Marie' : Elvis Presley's Convair 880 Jet

On April 17, 1975 Elvis bought a Convair 880 Jet recently taken out of service by Delta Airlines for the then-substantial sum of $250,000. With complete refurbishing the total exceeded $600,000. He immediately rechristened it the Lisa Marie . But this wasn't just an impulse purchase of some sort of ultimate flying Cadillac.

The Death Of Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley died at Graceland on August 16, 1977. He was 42 years old. Through the early morning of the 16th Elvis took care of last minute tour details and relaxed with family and staff. He was to fly to Portland, Maine that night and do a show there on the 17th, then continue the scheduled tour. Elvis retired to his master suite at Graceland around 7:00 AM to rest for his evening flight. By late morning, Elvis Presley had died of heart failure. In a matter of hours the shock registered around the world. Read more .

Overview of Elvis Presley's Achievements

Elvis starred in 33 movies , made history with his television appearances and specials, and knew great acclaim through his many, often record-breaking, live concert performances on tour and in Las Vegas.

Globally, he has sold over one billion records , more than any other artist. His American sales have earned him gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards for 131 different albums and singles, far more than any other artist. Among his many awards and accolades were 14 Grammy nominations (3 wins) from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, which he received at age 36, and his being named One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation for 1970 by the United States Jaycees. Without any of the special privileges his celebrity status might have afforded him, he honorably served his country in the U.S. Army .

His talent, good looks, sensuality, charisma, and good humor endeared him to millions, as did the humility and human kindness he demonstrated throughout his life. Known the world over by his first name, he is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture. Elvis died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977.

Record Sales

It is estimated that Elvis Presley has sold over one billion record units worldwide , more than anyone in record industry history. In America alone, Elvis has had 141 different albums and singles that have been certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with more certifications expected as research into his past record sales continues and as current sales go on.

Research is also underway to document his record sales achievements in other countries. It is estimated that 40% of Elvis' total record sales have been outside the United States.

International Acclaim

Elvis Presley's trophy room at Graceland is filled with gold and platinum records and awards of all kinds from around the world. Some of the countries represented are Norway, Yugoslavia, Japan, Australia , South Africa, England, Sweden, Germany, France, Canada, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

It is interesting to note that, except for a handful of movie soundtrack songs, Elvis did not record in other languages, and, except for five shows in three Canadian cities in 1957, he did not perform in concert outside the United States. Still, his recordings and films enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, popularity all over the globe, and he is known throughout the world by his first name.

Record Chart Statistics

Elvis Presley has had no less than 149 songs to appear on Billboard's Hot 100 Pop Chart in America. Of these, 114 were in the top forty, 40 were in the top ten, and 18 went to number one. His number one singles spent a total of 80 weeks at number one. He has also had over 90 charted albums with ten of them reaching number one. These figures are only for the pop charts, and only in America. He was also a leading artist in the American country, R&B, and gospel fields, and his chart success in other countries was substantial.

Television Specials

Elvis Presley's three network television specials : Elvis (1968), Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii, via Satellite (1973), and Elvis in Concert (1977) - stand among the most highly rated specials of their time. His 1968 special, Elvis, is one of the most critically acclaimed music specials of all time. His 1973 special, Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii, via Satellite , was seen in 40 countries by 1 billion to 1.5 billion people and made television history. It was seen on television in more American homes than man's first walk on the moon.

 Mindy Campbell flight attendant

The Concert Stage

When Elvis returned to the live stage after the success of his 1968 television special and the wrap-up of his Hollywood movie contract obligations, he opened at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in the summer of 1969 for a 4-week, 57-show engagement that broke all existing Las Vegas attendance records.

He returned to the International a few months later in early 1970, during the slow winter season in Vegas, and broke his own attendance record. Right after that came a record-breaking six-show engagement at the Astrodome in Houston, where Elvis played to a total of 207,494 people.

Elvis took his elaborate live show on the road in the latter part of 1970 for his first concert tour since 1957. Throughout the 1970's Elvis toured America, breaking box office records right and left, and continued to play an engagement or two per year in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe. Among the outstanding highlights of this period was in 1972, when Elvis performed four sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden . During his 'concert years' from 1969 to 1977 , Elvis gave nearly 1,100 concert performances.

Elvis Presley's Grammy Awards

Elvis received 14 Grammy nominations from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS). His three wins were for gospel recordings - the album How Great Thou Art (1967), the album He Touched Me (1972) and his live Memphis concert recording of the song How Great Thou Art (1974). In 1971, NARAS also recognized him with their Lifetime Achievement Award (known then as the Bing Crosby Award ... in honor of its first recipient). Elvis was 36 years old at the time. Five of Elvis' recordings have been inducted into the NARAS Hall of Fame - his original 1956 recordings of Hound Dog (inducted 1988) and Heartbreak Hotel (inducted 1995), his original 1954 recording of That's All Right (inducted 1998), his original 1969 recording of Suspicious Minds (inducted 1999), and his original 1956 recording of Don't Be Cruel (inducted 2002). The Hall of Fame recognizes 'early recordings of lasting, qualitative or historical significance, with many inductees being recordings that were created and released before the 1958 inception of NARAS and the Grammy Awards.

One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation

The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (the Jaycees) named Elvis Presley One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation for 1970 in a ceremony on January 16, 1971, one of Elvis' proudest moments. This award has been given since 1938 and has honored men of achievement in all areas of endeavor - sports, government, science, medicine, entertainment, etc. It recognizes outstanding personal achievement and the exemplification of the opportunities available in the free enterprise system, along with patriotism, humanitarianism, and community service. (In the 1980s, eligibility was opened to women as well as men, and the award has since been presented to the year's Ten Outstanding Young Americans.)

Charitable Endeavors

Elvis Presley was famous for giving away Cadillacs , cash, and jewelry, often on the spur of the moment. But, the true depth and breadth of his generosity and community involvement is not so widely known.

In 1961, Elvis gave a benefit concert at Bloch Arena in Hawaii that raised over $65,000 toward the building of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. The resulting publicity gave new life to the fund-raising effort, which had, by then, lost its momentum. The memorial opened a year later.

Audience tickets for his 1973 Aloha from Hawaii television special and its pre-broadcast rehearsal show carried no price, as each audience member was asked to pay whatever he or she could. The performances and concert merchandise sales were a benefit raising $75,000 for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund in Hawaii.

Each year, for many years, Elvis gave $1,000 or more to each of fifty Memphis-area charities, but also continually made many other charitable donations in Memphis and around the country. Most of Elvis' philanthropic endeavors received no publicity at all. Throughout his adult life, for friends, for family, and for total strangers, he quietly paid hospital bills, bought homes, supported families, paid off debts, and much more.

Elvis' legacy of generosity continues through the work of the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, which is the philanthropic branch of Elvis Presley Enterprises , Inc. and the creator of the Elvis Presley Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Memphis. The tradition of giving also continues through the work of the Elvis fan clubs worldwide, most of which are heavily involved in charitable endeavors in Elvis' memory.

The Elvis Presley Stamp

In 1992, the U.S. Postal Service announced that Elvis' image would be used for a commemorative postage stamp. The Postal Service narrowed the artwork choices down to two images - one of Elvis in the 1950s as a sizzling young rocker, and one of him as a still-svelte concert superstar in his 1973 Aloha from Hawaii special. In an unprecedented move, the USPS put the decision to the American people and distributed ballots coast to coast. Over 1.2 million votes were cast, and the image of the young rocker won. The stamp was released on January 8, 1993, with extravagant first day of issue ceremonies at Graceland. The Elvis stamp is the most widely publicized stamp issue in the history of the U.S. Postal Service, and it is the top-selling commemorative postage stamp of all time. The USPS printed 500 million of them, three times the usual print run for a commemorative stamp. Several countries outside the USA also have issued Elvis stamps over the years.

Special Posthumous Honors

The 1984 W.C. Handy Award from the Blues Foundation in Memphis recognized Elvis for 'keeping the blues alive in his music - rock and roll'. The Academy of Country Music's first Golden Hat Award presented in 1984 recognized Elvis' influence on country music. In 1986, Elvis was among the first group of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1987, Elvis was honored with the first posthumous presentation of the Award of Merit by the American Music Awards, 1987. In 1998, Elvis received the Country Music Association's highest honor, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2001, Elvis was inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame. With that honor, Elvis is the only person, so far, to become a member of all three of these halls of fame - Rock and Roll, Country and Gospel .

Generations of Fans

Currently, there are over 625 active Elvis Presley fan clubs worldwide. Elvis' popularity is at an all-time high, and his legacy continues to reach new audiences. Half of Graceland's visitorship is age 35 and under.

A New Concert Career

On August 16, 1997, Elvis Presley, via video, starred in an extravagant concert production titled Elvis in Concert '97 at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee, accompanied live on stage by over thirty of his former bandmates and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. The show played before a capacity crowd of fans who had come to Memphis from around the world to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of Elvis' death. Elvis broke the Mid-South Coliseum's all-time record dollar figure for box office sales. This concert was the prototype for the 1998/99 touring production Elvis Presley In Concert (On DVD as Elvis Lives ). By being the first performer ever to headline a live concert tour while no longer living, Elvis made history again. The March 1998 tour included a three-show smash engagement at Radio City Music Hall in New York. The August 1998 tour included the excitement of Elvis' 'return' to the Las Vegas Hilton with an eight-show engagement. The January/ February 1999 European tour opened with a sell-out at London's Wembley Arena and, in effect, marked Elvis Presley's first-ever concerts outside of North America. The show continues to tour periodically.

Elvis Presley: A Musical Prodigy

Elvis was a genius. He didn't express himself the way the middle classes do, which is with wordplay and being able to explain his actions and reactions. He acted on gut instinct and expressed himself by the way he held the microphone, by the way he moved his hips, by the way that he sang down the microphone. That was his genius ... I believe the essence of any performer is gut instinct ... Because it's all in you, it's instinct.

Elvis' musical style, as a musician and impact as a vocalist and stage performer

'Elvis Presley has been described variously as a baritone and a tenor. An extraordinary compass- the so-called register-, and a very wide range of vocal color have something to do with this divergence of opinion. The voice covers two octaves and a third, from the baritone low-G to the tenor high B, with an upward extension in falsetto to at least a D flat. Presley's best octave is in the middle, D-flat to D-flat, granting an extra full step up or down. Call him a high baritone. In 'It's Now Or Never', (1960), he ends it in a full voice cadence (A, G, F), that has nothing to do with the vocal devices of R&B and Country. That A-note is hit right on the nose, and it is rendered less astonishing only by the number of tracks where he lands easy and accurate B-flats. Moreover, he has not been confined to one type of vocal production. In ballads and country songs he belts out full-voiced high G's and A's that an opera baritone might envy. He is a naturally assimilative stylist with a multiplicity of voices - in fact, Elvis' is an extraordinary voice or many voices.

The Fifty Voices of Elvis Presley

So different are Elvis' voices, that if one could find a person who has never heard his recordings and you put him or her on an island and then had them listen to these fifty songs, mixed with say, those of 12 other distinctive singers, and then you then ask him or her, to classify them, to separate the singers, I could bet a million dollars that the person will never say that there are 13 singers, as would be the case, but at least 25.

Elvis Presley and Racism: The Ultimate, Definitive Guide

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Elvis Presley's songs are unforgettable - they have stood the test of time, especially his singles of the 1950s, a decade in which he had a song at No. 1. for 59 weeks and 4 No. 1 albums ('56-'59). Read More .

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Elvis Presley summary

Elvis Presley , (born Jan. 8, 1935, Tupelo, Miss., U.S.—died Aug. 16, 1977, Memphis, Tenn.), U.S. popular singer, the “King of Rock and Roll.” Presley was raised in Memphis, where he sang Pentecostal church music and listened to black bluesmen and Grand Ole Opry broadcasts. In 1954 he began to record for the producer Sam Phillips, who had been searching for a white singer who sounded like a black man. In 1956, under his new manager, “Colonel” Tom Parker, he released “Heartbreak Hotel,” the first of numerous million-selling hits that included “Hound Dog” and “All Shook Up.” In the same year, he appeared in Love Me Tender , the first of 33 mediocre films, and on several TV shows, notably the Ed Sullivan Show. Presley’s intensely charismatic style—including his sexy hip shaking, ducktail haircut, and characteristic sneer—excited young fans, especially females, to wild adulation. After a stint in the army (1958–60) he resumed recording and acting, but his earlier raucous style was moderated. In 1968 he introduced a Las Vegas-based touring act with orchestra and gospel-type choir. Battling public pressures, weight gain, and drug dependence, he underwent a personal decline. His death at age 42, attributed to natural causes, was mourned by hundreds of thousands of fans at Graceland, his Memphis estate, which remains a place of international pilgrimage.

Elvis Presley

• Occupation: Singer, actor
• Born: January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi
• Died: August 16, 1977 in Memphis, Tennessee
• Best known for: A founder of rock-and-roll music
• Nickname: The King of Rock-and-Roll

• Rolling Stone magazine called "That's All Right" the first ever rock-and-roll recording.
• Elvis bought a mansion outside of Memphis called Graceland. Today Graceland serves as a museum.
• His daughter Lisa Marie was married to Michael Jackson.
• He was nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, winning 3 times.
• When Elvis first met his future wife Priscilla, she was only fourteen years old.
• Elvis recorded 40 top 10 songs including 18 number one hits.
• His music and movies are still very popular. He made an estimated $55 million in 2012.
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Elvis: A Biography Paperback – April 26, 2022

Jerry Hopkins's Elvis: A Biography was the first book on popular music to top the U.S. bestseller list, and its sequel was equally popular. Long out of print, both books, along with a wealth of exciting new interviews, are brought together in Elvis to form the most exhaustive account available of the King's life. Telling the complete story of Presley's rise and fall, from his poverty-stricken childhood in Tupelo through his musical development and emergence as pop's first superstar to his decline and death, the book explores Presley's singular appeal, his far-reaching influence, and his extraordinary legacy. Featuring newly published first-hand interviews with people close to Elvis - including high school teachers, girlfriends, directors, agents, recording engineers, bodyguards, sidemen, karate instructors, medical professionals, and even his personal jeweller - Elvis presents a comprehensive and amazingly intimate look at this cultural icon.

• Print length 416 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Plexus Publishing
• Publication date April 26, 2022
• Dimensions 5.5 x 1.25 x 8 inches
• ISBN-10 0859655644
• ISBN-13 978-0859655644
• See all details

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Editorial Reviews

• 'Packed with newspaper reports, interviews and historical references, Hopkins provides a sturdy, thoroughly researched context for the rock'n'roll superstar phenomenon.' - London Metro
• 'The Elvis bookshelf is crowded now, but don't let that put you off. This thoroughly revised and updated version of Hopkins' two classic books deserves a shelf of its own.' - Jann Wenner, founder and editor of Rolling Stone
• 'The book that Jim Morrison wanted to read. Jerry Hopkins retells the Elvis tale with both authority and compassion.' - Mojo
• 'The early chapters, recounting Presley's transformation from bashful youth to supreme performer are almost as exciting as listening to the music.' - Evening Standard
• 'With a rare combination of seat-of-the-pants reporting and thoughtful portraiture, Hopkins creates a richly nuanced picture of a world in flux.' - Peter Guralnick, author of Last Train to Memphis
• 'Packed with newspaper reports, interviews and historical references, Hopkins provides a sturdy, thoroughly researched context for the rock'n'roll superstar phenomenon.' – London Metro
• 'The Elvis bookshelf is crowded now, but don't let that put you off. This thoroughly revised and updated version of Hopkins' two classic books deserves a shelf of its own.' – Jann Wenner, founder and editor of Rolling Stone
• 'The book that Jim Morrison wanted to read. Jerry Hopkins retells the Elvis tale with both authority and compassion.' – Mojo
• 'The early chapters, recounting Presley's transformation from bashful youth to supreme performer are almost as exciting as listening to the music.' – Evening Standard
• 'With a rare combination of seat-of-the-pants reporting and thoughtful portraiture, Hopkins creates a richly nuanced picture of a world in flux.' – Peter Guralnick, author of Last Train to Memphis

About the Author

Product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Plexus Publishing (April 26, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0859655644
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0859655644
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.25 x 8 inches
• #461 in Country & Folk Composer Biographies
• #2,134 in Rock Band Biographies
• #2,515 in Rock Music (Books)

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The Cult of the King: The Disciples of Elvis Presley

In 1956, Elvis Presley burst onto the national scene with the release of Heartbreak Hotel. The world of popular entertainment was never the same.

As Peter Guralnick, author of the definitive two-volume biography of Presley, notes, there is perhaps no figure in modern times who has been written about more. Critics, lovers, friends, and colleagues have all thrown in their two cents, mythologizing a man whose magic appears impossible for mere mortals to comprehend.

But despite his numerous biographers’ protestations of his greatness, the picture that emerges of Presley is complicated and depressing: one of a generous, talented, spoiled, magnetic, kind-hearted, manipulative man-child whose overwhelming addiction issues and hyperactive delusions led to destruction. “He never had the chance to be human, to grow up to be a mature adult, to experience the world outside his artificial cocoon,” his ex-wife, Priscilla, writes in her 1986 memoir, Elvis and Me.

The grandiosity with which Presley’s story is presented can become grating when one has perspective beyond the gates of Graceland. “He constructed a shell to hide his aloneness, and it hardened on his back. I know of no sadder story,” Guralnick writes in the second volume of his Presley biography, Careless Love. This reviewer can think of many.

In fact, the stories of those in Presley’s orbit—their journeys of growth, discovery, and despair—are often more interesting than the travails of the enigmatic man they defined as their north star. “He was like a mirror in a way,” Sun Records executive Marion Keisker recalled, per Guralnick. “Whatever you were looking for, you were going to find in him. “

Elvis Aron Presley was born January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, along with his stillborn twin brother, Jesse Garon. The coddled, beloved only child was part of an anxious, tight triumvirate with his spunky, warm mother, Gladys, and withdrawn, handsome father, Vernon. “The three of us,” Vernon later recalled, “formed our own private world.”

In the richly textured, beautifully Last Train To Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley , Guralnick paints a sympathetic southern tapestry of the poor, proud Presleys and their dreamy, polite son. Covering Elvis’s life through 1958, this first volume describes his early love of gospel music, the Presleys’ 1948 move to Memphis, and the future superstar’s years as a gentle, naïve, awkward misfit teen playing his guitar in the garden of the Lauderdale Courts Housing Project.

Guralnick lovingly chronicles the vibrant forces propelling Elvis’s rise in the bubbling Memphis music scene—especially the fascinating, revolutionary Sun Records founder Sam Phillips, at whose studio Elvis appeared in 1953. He was there, Presley said, to make a record to “surprise his mother.” When the gangling teen arrived at the studio, Marion Keisker asked, “Who do you sound like?”

“I don’t sound like nobody,” Elvis reportedly responded.

While the meteoric rise of “Elvis the Pelvis” is undeniably magical, the most compelling character in Guralnick’s tome is that of the overprotective, loving Gladys. Never quite at ease with her son’s fame, she sipped beer at Graceland while he conquered the globe, uncomfortable amongst her new riches.

When she died at the age of 42 in 1958, reporters descended on Graceland and came across a haunting scene. “They found Elvis and his father sitting on the front steps of Graceland, utterly bereft,” Guralnick writes. “They had their arms around each other and were sobbing uncontrollably, oblivious to the presence of anyone…He cried throughout the interview. ‘She’s all we lived for,’ he sobbed. ‘She was always my best girl.’”

Master of His Domain

Life went on, although every biographer seems to agree that the early death of Gladys helped set Elvis on his path of rudderless destruction and ruthless control. His obsessive, smothering love for his mother would soon be transferred to the serenely beautiful, graceful Air Force brat Priscilla Beaulieu, who he met in 1959 in Germany while serving in the Army.

She was only 14 years old at the time. This fact echoes throughout Priscilla’s own 1986 memoir Elvis and Me —an easy, enjoyable read that is nevertheless the tale of a young girl who was groomed by an older man and eventually discovered she was stronger and more self-actualized when away from him.

Throughout the memoir, one gets the sense that Priscilla is understandably holding back to protect both the legacy of Elvis and the feelings of their daughter, Lisa Marie. She treats everyone from Colonel Tom Parker to the Memphis Mafia and Elvis’s legion of girlfriends with grace and respect—Elvis most of all.

Even so, the book sends perhaps unintended chills up the spine. Nicknamed “Little One” by Elvis, Priscilla found herself living in bizarre isolation at Graceland in the 1960s as a teenager: trained to be his ideal woman, obsessed with pleasing him while he and the Memphis Mafia cavorted in Hollywood. She documents his violent outbursts, increasing intake of pills (which he also fed her), creepy obsession with her virginity, and the control he exhibited over everyone around him.

“There were definitely rules. You had to play by the rules. The more you knew, the longer you lasted,” she writes.

After their marriage in 1967, and the birth of Lisa Marie nine months later, a mostly absent Elvis lost interest in his wife sexually, and a maturing Priscilla became less interested in following his rules. Priscilla charts her own self-discovery through dance, karate, motherhood, and affairs that are quickly dispatched in a few lines. Though they divorced in 1973, her devastation over Elvis’s death is palpable. “Over the years he had become my father, my husband, and very nearly God,” she writes. “Now he was gone, and I felt more alone and afraid than ever in my life.”

Suspicious Minds

Guralnick’s second Elvis biography, Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley , clocks in at an exhaustive 768 pages, charting the star’s life from the age of 23 to his death in 1977. Published in 2000, it presents the damage that fame and adulation can do to an unprepared person’s soul in touching, painful detail.

While many biographies of Elvis, including Baz Luhrmann’s recent biopic Elvis , portray the musician’s slippery, show-boating manager Colonel Parker as the figure responsible for his downfall, Guralnick (and many of Elvis’s associates) take pains to point out that Elvis adopted a certain passivity in his career—and stresses that the Colonel had a hands off approach when it came to Elvis’s peculiar personal life.

Throughout the 1960s, Elvis’s dissatisfaction with his lackluster, goofy film career and slide in the charts appears to have encouraged the increasingly out-of-touch, jittery dreamer to find himself through drugs, religion, and esoteric knowledge. “He was always trying to figure out why he was the one picked to be who he was, why he was the one chosen—he was into all these things that you couldn’t solve,” his road manager Joe Esposito recalled, per Guralnick. “He liked to show his intelligence by trying to find the answers that no one else knew.”

This desperate search for meaning and excitement led Elvis to go on a vision quest with hairdresser turned spiritual advisor Larry Geller. While driving on an endless road outside of Flagstaff, Elvis saw the face of Joseph Stalin in a cloud. Geller recalled the scene to Guralnick:

“Why Stalin? Why Stalin?” Elvis asked, his voice breaking. “Of all people, what’s he doing up there?” … Elvis swung the bus over to the roadside and brought it to a violent halt. “Just follow me, Larry!” he shouted as he bolted out the door and began running across the sand. I finally caught up, and as we stood in the cool desert breeze Elvis’ face beamed with joy. “It’s God!” he cried. “It’s God…”

Always conscious of his image, a bemused Elvis then asked Geller, “Can you imagine what the fans would think if they saw me like this?”

Guns and Gods

By the early 1970s, Elvis was riding a wave of professional resurgence. Starting with his smash 1968 comeback special, he enthusiastically delved into rhythm and blues, churning out gritty hits like “In The Ghetto” and “A Little Less Conversation.” But a decade of increasing pill abuse, coupled with Priscilla leaving him for karate instructor Mike Stone, sent him into a final spiral.

Enter Linda Thompson, a quirky, clean living, sunny and spiritual Memphis Beauty Queen. In her 2016 memoir, A Little Thing Called Life: On Loving Elvis Presley, Bruce Jenner and Songs in Between , she describes being brought to meet Elvis at a midnight movie screening in Memphis in 1972. As was his pattern, Elvis immediately glommed onto the young college student; by the end of the screening, they were making out. “Where have you been all my life?” he asked.

“Umm, growing up,” she replied.

Although cloyingly new age and self-promoting at times (each chapter is interspersed with lyrics from her prolific songwriting career), Thompson displays a wry sense of humor that she says she shared with the silly, sly Elvis, who loved odd babytalk and endless, soulful cuddling. “His eyes were often described as bedroom eyes,” she writes. “I rather think they escaped the bedroom…and circumnavigated the globe, gathering beauty along the way.”

Insightful and reflective, Thompson describes how Elvis love-bombed her in wry, knowing detail—whisking her away to Las Vegas and Hawaii; telling her sweet nothings an older, wiser Linda Thompson makes clear she would never fall for today. She became a nocturnal creature, monitoring his breathing in the dark of various presidential suites, escaping his terrifying, abusive temper, and even saving his life after he passed out in a bowl of chicken soup. One day while getting out of the shower, Thompson was nearly the victim of one of his arsenal of guns:

I felt a rush of air behind me, against my lower legs. There were a couple of loud pings, and the glass mirror on the bathroom door shattered with a dramatic cascade of broken glass. “Linda , Linda , are you all right?” said one of Elvis’s guys. “Yeah , what was that?” I asked. “What happened?” “Elvis was just having a little target practice out here, and the bullet went through the wall.”

After four and half years, Linda—much like Priscilla—grew up and away from Elvis’s reckless, childlike world of self-destruction. But “for the first few years, at least, I was more than happy to put his needs above my own,” she writes. “After all, he was Elvis Presley.”

Requiem For a Dream

According to almost everyone who knew him, in his last year a bloated, erratic Elvis was haunted by the upcoming publication of Elvis: What Happened?, a torrid tell-all written by three tough talking, disgruntled members of his legendary Memphis Mafia. Fired by Vernon in 1976, Elvis acolytes Red West, Sonny West, and Dave Hebler (and writer Steve Dunleavy) quickly set out to expose the King’s secrets to the world. “He will read it and he will get hopping mad at us because he will know that every word is the truth,” Sonny West is quoted as saying in the opening publisher’s note. “…But maybe, just maybe it will do some good.”

Published in August 1977, only 15 days before its subject’s death, this chatty, trashy, vindictive, mocking book details the rise of Elvis and his pack of good old boys who lived off his enormous generosity for decades. “I guess you could say we were a bunch of hicks, [but] there was a great warmth between us,” Sonny writes. “Just a bunch of young guys setting out for some excitement and going to conquer the world. It was fantastic, and the guy who was most fantastic was Elvis.”

Hopped up on Dexedrine, the boys and Elvis indulged in machismo and childish pranks such as watching women change through one-way mirrors Elvis installed in his Hollywood Mansion and releasing his chimp Scatter to torment a friend in midst of a sexual escapade. There are also more disturbing tales—of an irate Elvis piercing a woman with a pool cue, doing drugs with a girlfriend until she overdosed, and his strange penchant for visiting morgues and collecting guns.

Constantly competing for favors and attention, Elvis manipulated his roving pack of buddies as they became his muscle, beating up enemies and acting as his personal secret service. He even allegedly directed Red to hire a hitman to kill Priscilla’s new boyfriend. “For many years, with real seriousness, he called us his disciples. He was willing to feed and clothe and give you a good time, but he liked to be in charge of what he gave you when he gave it to you,” Red writes. “Above all, he needs to be needed.”

He would gather the boys together to preach, giving them a drugged-up rendition of the Sermon on the Mount—which in his version began, “Whoa, all ye Pharisees and motherfuckers.” Elvis also believed he had magical powers and would often “heal” Red’s back—thoughin an oddly telling aside, Red admits that he and Sonny believed those supernatural abilities may have been real.

The book ends with a haunting transcription of a phone call that an inebriated Elvis placed to Red in an attempt to stop publication of the book, where the once fresh-faced boy from Tupelo sounds defeated. “Hank Williams wrote, ‘You never walked in that man’s shoes and saw things through his eyes,” a weary Elvis says. “You do whatever you have to do. I just want you …to know I’m still here.”

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Hadley Hall Meares

How Elvis Became a Movie Star—By Playing Himself

The rock 'n' roll icon saw acting as the natural next step to his musical career, but soon became disillusioned with the repetitive cookie-cutter roles.

Rock 'n' roll icon Elvis Presley made 31 movies between 1956 and 1969, of which 27 were produced in the 1960s . Almost all of Presley's films were box-office smashes that made him, his manager and movie studios a lot of money. However, these films were critically derided, and Presley disdained most of them. After he left Hollywood behind, he said in private, "It was just that Hollywood's image of me was wrong, and I knew it and couldn't say anything about it."

When Did Elvis Go to Hollywood?

By 1956, Elvis Presley had become a musical phenomenon. Amid screaming, adoring fans, he'd ushered in a new era of rock 'n' roll. He had hit records, and his television appearances were ratings bonanzas. Putting Presley in movies was the next logical step.

Presley was excited about Hollywood. He'd grown up watching movies and, inspired by singers who'd transitioned into films like Bing Crosby and Dean Martin, dreamed of movie stardom. He told Life magazine, "I want to become a good actor because you can't build a whole career on just singing. Look at Frank Sinatra. Until he added acting to singing, he found himself slipping downhill."

Presley's first screen test took place in April 1956. It didn't display much raw acting talent, but that didn't keep his manager, Colonel Tom Parker , from landing Presley a deal with Paramount Studios. The contract also reserved Presley's right to work with other movie studios.

Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender (1956), a Civil War western. He took the job seriously enough to memorize the entire script before shooting. The movie became a hit and was quickly followed by other films, including Jailhouse Rock (1957).

Elvis Leaves Hollywood for the Army

In 1957, the U.S. Army drafted Presley . He was able to delay his enlistment to finish King Creole , a film in which he portrayed a young singer who must overcome poverty and organized crime.

Presley was concerned that being away in the army would damage his career. Parker, his manager, reassured the star: "Elvis, you have records that haven't been released and a movie in the can. We can stretch out the product we have. There'll be a certain dark period, but that will only double the demand for your records and movies once you get out of the service."

In March 1958 , Presley began serving in the army. In the meantime, his movies helped keep him in the public eye. King Creole was released in 1958, then was re-released along with Love Me Tender in 1959. And while Presley was in Germany, he got the script for his next movie, G.I. Blues (1960). Producer Hal Wallis also arranged for footage to be filmed in Germany —though Presley himself didn't film any scenes.

Elvis Returns to Hollywood

After Presley's discharge in 1960, Parker wanted the star to focus on movies, which offered the largest paychecks. The only question was: What kind of films was Presley going to make? He'd acquitted himself well in King Creole . Costar Walter Matthau later said , "He was intelligent enough to understand what a character was and how to play the character simply by being himself through the means of the story."

For the 1960s film Flaming Star , Presley took on a role that had been written for Marlon Brando and delivered a respectable performance as a half-white, half-Indian man. After making Flaming Star , Presley said , "I'd like to do a little more of a serious role. Because my ambition is to progress as an actor."

However, Flaming Star was not as successful as G.I. Blues , which came out the same year. As a result, Parker encouraged Presley to focus on the successful movie formula that called for him to sing in various exotic locations; this resulted in a huge success with Blue Hawaii (1961).

Elvis Was Disappointed by His Films

Presley was aware that pictures like Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962) were not great cinema and dubbed his films "travelogues." He wanted better roles, but Parker reportedly turned down parts in movies such as West Side Story and Midnight Cowboy . However, Presley never took acting lessons and was perhaps not entirely focused on altering the arc of his career.

Presley continued to appear in formulaic movies, for which the studios paid him well. He earned $500,000 or more per picture and a percentage of the net profits. The lackluster Kissin' Cousins (1963), which starred Presley in dual roles, demonstrated that an Elvis film would make money even when production was rushed. The movie shot in 17 days under the aegis of a producer nicknamed "King of the Quickies."

Though still part of the "Elvis genre," Viva Las Vegas (1964) was a higher-quality affair . However, that shoot ran long, which cut into the movie's profits. After this, Parker pushed for short productions , with just two or three weeks of filming, because it boosted the bottom line. This resulted in pictures like Harum Scarum (1965), which exhibitors deemed "Presley's worst movie yet" (and that was without the talking camel that Parker had unsuccessfully tried to add to the film). Still, being seen as a bad movie didn't prevent it from being profitable .

Elvis Movies Made Hollywood Money

Presley's movies performed so well that they spared the studio Allied Artists from bankruptcy. Producer Wallis also said Presley's films were bankrolling more "artistic pictures." Presley didn't like hearing this, but he needed Hollywood money to fund his lifestyle.

Hollywood had Presley compromise his artistic integrity in other ways. Though he made a few non-film recordings, most of his musical talent was used to create soundtracks with subpar songs. He stopped giving live performances around 1961. As rock music changed in the 1960s with the Beatles, the Beach Boys and Bob Dylan, Presley's creativity floundered .

In 1965, Presley met with the Beatles. In one version of their encounter, John Lennon asked , "Why don't you go back to making rock 'n' roll records?" Presley supposedly answered , "It's my movie schedule. It's so tight."

Why Did Elvis Stop Acting?

By 1968, box-office revenue declined as audiences finally tired of Presley's low-quality films. Presley, who'd become dissatisfied with his Hollywood career, told Parker he wanted to re-focus on music. In December 1968, Presley's TV Christmas special demonstrated the talent and musical ability that had made him a star in the first place.

Change of Habit (1969) was Presley's last feature film. He was later offered a starring role opposite Barbra Streisand in A Star Is Born (1976) , but the part fell through. It's unsure what exactly went wrong; in one version of the story, Parker undermined his star by making unreasonable demands.

Presley spent much of the 1970s singing to devoted crowds. Yet as the decade progressed, there were more and more cancellations . Presley died on August 16, 1977 at the age of 42. His time spent in Hollywood, good and bad, is now one of the ways his legacy lives on.

Sara Kettler is a Connecticut-based freelance writer who has written for Biography.com, History, and the A&E True Crime blog. She’s a member of the Writers Guild of America and also pens mystery novels. Outside of writing, she likes dogs, Broadway shows, and studying foreign languages.

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