Birth name Born

Elvis Aaron Presley January 8, 1935 Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S. August 16, 1977 (aged 42) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. Rock and roll, pop, rockabilly,country, blues, gospel, R&B

Died

Genres

Occupations Musician, actor

Instruments Vocals, guitar, piano Years active 195477 Labels Associated acts Sun, RCA Victor The Blue Moon Boys, The Jordanaires, The Imperials

Elvis Presley was officially known as ELVIS AARON PRESLEY. He was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".

LIFE HISTORY He was born on January 8, 1935 to Vernon Presley and Gladys Love Presley (nee Smith) in a humble house in Tupelo, Mississippi. He had a twin brother named Jessie Garon was a stillborn. Such circumstance left Elvis as an only child. Born during the Depression Period, Elvis was no stranger to life hardship. In 1948, his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee where Elvis finished his secondary schooling at Humes High School in 1953. Elvis contribution to the music industry is legendary. John Lennon was reportedly quoted as saying: Before Elvis, there was nothing! His musical influence was a rich tapestry of pop, country music, gospel music and the black R&B which he heard on historic Beale Street, Memphis. CAREER He began his career there in 1954 when Sun Records owner Sam Phillips, eager to bring the sound of African-American music to a wider audience, saw in Presley the means to realize his ambition. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was one of the originators of rockabilly, an up-tempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country and rhythm and blues. RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for over two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", released in January 1956, was a number one hit. He became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll with a series of network television appearances and chart-topping records. His energized interpretations of songs, many from African American sources, and his uninhibited performance style made him enormously popular and controversial. In November 1956, he made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Conscripted into military service in 1958, Presley re-launched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He staged few concerts, however, and, guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, after seven years away from the stage, he returned to live performance in a celebrated comeback television special that led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of profitable tours. In 1973, Presley staged the first concert broadcast globally via satellite, Aloha from Hawaii, seen by approximately 1.5 billion viewers.

TURNING POINT IN HIS LIFE Elvis Presley was not only the symbol of the American Idol Dream; he lived the American Idol Dream. He was popular, sensational, scandalous and revolutionary. He rose to international fame in 1956. Elvis displayed his uniqueness by producing a sound and style that showcased his diverse musical influence. The way he danced on stage caused a furor among the moralists of society. Elvis gyrations on stage earned him the moniker 'Elvis the Pelvis'. His danced steps were immortalized on his version of the songs Hound Dog and Heart Break Hotel. As the protectors of morality expressed their disapproval of Elvis dance steps, his audience loved it. The more controversial he became, the more he became famous and adulated by his teenage fans. Without any doubt, the combined effect of Elvis unique sound and style was considered revolutionary. His style broke the social and racial barriers prevalent during his time. His songs broke not only the record charts but international barriers, as well. Elvis did a lot of concert tours which were often record-breaking. Due to the technological upheaval of the time, Elvis fame was fueled by his television appearances and TV specials. His fame did not stop from being a singer. He starred in 33 films considered successful not only in the USA but and in any other country as well. His first movie was, Love Me Tender, which was initially shown at the Paramount Theater in New York City. The movie was originally titled The Reno Brothers, but was re-named to bank on the soon-to-be-released single from the soundtrack. Surprisingly for a rookie, the movie critics rated his acting not bad for a melodrama. On March 24, 1958, Elvis Presley was drafted into the U.S. Army and was assigned serial number 53310761. The Army draft did not post a hindrance from his career nor his popularity. On September 19, 1958, Elvis found himself on a train bound to New York, where he boarded the USS. Randall on his way to Germany. He was stationed in Friedberg for 18 months. While in Europe, Elvis discovered that his European fans accepted him as much as his American fans did. While the army, Elvis manager Colonel Tom Parker, worked to ensure that Elvis career be kept alive via promotions and sure-hit record releases. In November, 1959, Elvis met Priscilla Ann then a fourteen and a half year old teenager , the stepdaughter of Captain Joseph Beaulieu. He was with his wife Ann Beaulieu. Priscilla Ann was an only child from Ann Beaulieu's first marriage to James Wagner . A Navy pilot killed in a plane crash when Priscilla was an infant. Through a mutual friend, Priscilla was invited to Elvis's party at his home after her arrival in Germany. While serving the army, Elvis was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on January 20, 1960. He was officially discharged from active duty on March 5, 1960. After his official discharge, the public was treated to a more mature Elvis Presley. Besides the series of movies and concerts he did during this period, Elvis involvement in giving back to society was highly notable. He supported about 50 charities in the Memphis, Tenessee alone. On December, 1966, Elvis proposed marriage to Priscilla. On May 1, 1967, they got married at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada in a very private ceremony attended only by family members and a highly select group of friends. Priscilla gave birth on February 1, 1968 and presented Elvis a daughter nine months to the day after their marriage. The named the baby Lisa Marie Presley. The marriage lasted until late 1971. Sometime early 1972, Elvis and Priscilla separated and Priscilla moved out on her own with daughter Lisa Marie. The 60's and early 70's saw Elvis performing as a movie actor and doing live concerts and charitable works. Come 1973, Elvis was hospitalized in Memphis. At this time, he was battling health

problems which included increased dependency on prescription drugs. On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley died of heart failure.

Trivia Holds the record for the most consecutive No. 1 hits (10); the most weeks at No. 1 (80); and the most Top 40 hits (107). The only singer inducted into the Rock n' Roll, the Country, and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. No. 1 Hits Heartbreak Hotel 1956 I Want You, I Need You, I Love You 1956 Don't Be Cruel 1956 A Big Hunk O' Love 1959 Hound Dog 1956 Love Me Tender 1956 Are You Lonesome Tonight? 1960 All Shook Up 1957 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear 1957 Jailhouse Rock 1957

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Awards & Honors y 14 Grammy nominations, and 3 wins for Gospel performances
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Named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1970 Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 U.S. postage stamp featuring Elvis Presley is issued in 1992 Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998 Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001

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