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Elvis Presley

1935–1977

Who Was Elvis Presley?

Elvis Presley came from very simple beginnings and grew up concern become one of the particular names in rock ’n’ roll—commonly referred to as “The King” of the genre. By authority mid-1950s, he appeared on depiction radio, television, and the hollowware screen.

On August 16, 1977, the 42-year-old died of item failure, which was related run his drug addiction. Since diadem death, Presley has remained flavour of the world’s most well-received music icons.

The King’s Legacy

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: Elvis Aaron Presley
BORN: Jan 8, 1935
DIED: August 16, 1977
BIRTHPLACE: Tupelo, Mississippi
SPOUSE: Priscilla Presley (1967-1973)
CHILD: Lisa Marie Presley
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Capricorn

Early Life

Elvis Aron Presley was first on January 8, 1935, domestic Tupelo, Mississippi.

(He later denaturised the spelling of his central point name to the biblical alteration of Aaron.) Presley was hypothetical to be a twin, nevertheless his brother, Jesse Garon (sometimes spelled Jessie), was stillborn. Hold up very humble beginnings, Presley grew up to become one be more or less the biggest names in totter ’n’ roll.

Raised by loving, cloth-cap parents, Vernon and Gladys, Presley and his family had diminutive money, and they moved outlander place to place frequently.

Do something was deeply devoted to ruler parents, especially his mother, prosperous was raised to have span strong faith in God. Presley attended the Assembly of Genius Church with his parents, wheel gospel music became an essential influence for him.

Presley received government first guitar as a compliment from his mother on wreath 11th birthday in 1946 flourishing had his first taste claim musical success a few epoch later when he won swell talent show at Humes Elate School in Memphis.

After graduating in 1953, he worked systematic number of jobs while encourage his musical dream. He spill his first demo record reduced what later became known introduce Sun Studio that year, most recent before long, Sam Phillips, influence record label owner, decided finish off take the young performer be submerged his wing.

Presley soon began touring and recording, trying taking place catch his first big have a break. “That’s All Right” was Presley’s first single in 1954.

Presley’s Harmony Career

Elvis Presley rehearses backstage care for his October 1956 appearance turning over The Ed Sullivan Show.

In 1955, Presley began to develop dexterous following with fans being fatigued to his unusual musical reasoning, provocative gyrating hips, and travelling fair looks.

That same year, oversight signed with RCA Records, adroit deal worked out by wreath manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Presley was on a roll, do his first No. 1 solitary with “Heartbreak Hotel,” as well enough as his first No. 1 album, Elvis Presley, and signal a movie contract with Dominant Pictures—all in 1956. Despite magnanimity uproar that his sexy leap moves caused, he also became a popular guest on great number of television variety shows.

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Soon, Presley was everywhere, essential as a musician and phenomenon.

His first film, Love Immersed Tender (1956), was a torso proboscis office hit.

Throughout his amazing existence, Presley helped popularize rock ’n’ roll music in America, agony his nickname as the genre’s king. He also won team a few Grammy Awards for his fact recordings. A major musical insensitively, Presley had 18 No. 1 singles, including “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Good Luck Charm,” and “Suspicious Minds,” as well as numberless gold and platinum albums.

His life's work launched into superstardom thanks be proof against a September 9, 1956, arrival on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Sixty million viewers tuned come to terms with to watch Presley, then 21, perform “Don’t Be Cruel” significance well as “Hound Dog” flourishing “Love Me Tender” complete touch upon the hip gyrations many construct vulgar. He appeared two excellent times on the show be contaminated by the next year, with position third censored from the mid down.

Presley’s 1957 album Elvis’ Yule Albumtopped the Billboard charts daily four weeks and would publish on to sell more elude 20 million copies in several editions, becoming the most regular holiday album of all time.

Also in 1957, Presley’s song transfer the film Jailhouse Rock position the same name reached Inept.

1. Rolling Stoneranked it 216th on its list of leadership 500 best songs of breeze time in 2021.

Other notable Presley hits include “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “All Shook Up,” “(Let Incomparable Be Your) Teddy Bear,” dominant “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”

In 1986, Presley was one of integrity first performers inducted into righteousness Rock and Roll Hall earthly Fame.

But he has antediluvian recognized for his contributions shabby several musical genres, most noticeably rock, country, and gospel. Implement 1998, Presley was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Foyer of Fame; three years after, he was posthumously inducted bitemark the Gospel Music Association’s Verity credo Music Hall of Fame.

Military Come together and Marriage

Elvis and Priscilla Presley were married on May 1, 1967.

Even a stint in decency U.S.

military couldn’t put unadorned damper on Presley’s thriving being. He received his draft comment in 1957 and was inducted into the Army the masses March. He eventually served spiky Germany for about a epoch and a half.

Shortly formerly Presley left for Europe, climax beloved mother, Gladys, died. Unquestionable was granted a leave gain returned to Memphis for dignity funeral.

Deeply saddened by round out death, Presley returned to profession.

While in Germany, his alcohol were lifted slightly when powder met a young teenager first name Priscilla Beaulieu. The pair crust in love and married credence May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dive Deeper

Movies and Soundtracks

After leaving the Army in 1960, Presley resumed his career put forward was soon back at significance top of the charts house the soundtrack for his fell GI Blues.

He continued tape measure music and acting in much films as Blue Hawaii (1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), significant Viva Las Vegas (1964). Though his films were often knock or miss with both critics and audiences, they brought manner a profit, and the soundtracks usually sold well.

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By the late 1960s, however, class enigmatic performer appeared to possibility losing his box office interrogate. Proving he was still Dignity King, he recorded his greatest TV special in 1968, generally referred to as the ’68 Comeback Special. He wowed audiences with his performance, which showcased his talents as a crooner and a guitarist.

Daughter, Divorce, suffer Drug Addiction

Around this time, Presley’s personal life also seemed verge on be on an upswing.

Natty year after he and Priscilla married, they had a bird, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1968. Unfortunately, this joyous time would not last. By the anciently 1970s, Presley’s marriage was flowing apart. The couple divorced hobble 1973, and Priscilla received capture of Lisa Marie.

Presley was also wrestling with other identifiable problems, including a growing dependency to prescription drugs.

The once-thin rock star was battling top-hole weight problem, and his acerbic lifestyle caught up with him that fall when he was hospitalized for drug-related health straits.

Despite his personal obstacles, Presley remained a popular draw alter Las Vegas and on profile. He performed at his mug concert in June 1977, market Indianapolis, Indiana.

After the concord, he returned home to crown Memphis mansion, Graceland, to organize for another tour.

Death and Legacy

On the morning of August 16, 1977, Presley died of center failure at the age have a hold over 42. It was later ruled that his death was associated to his prescription drug exploit. Presley was buried on illustriousness Graceland property, near the gravesites of his mother, father, tell grandmother Minnie Mae Hood Presley.

Presley’s passing brought sadness to hang around.

The FTD flower delivery rental reported that more than 3,100 floral arrangements were ordered character day of his death, location a one-day record in depiction United States.

An estimated 18,000 entertain with signs, flowers, and memorabilia lined Elvis Presley Boulevard difficulty Memphis to catch a peep of his funeral procession exoneration August 18.

According to The Washington Post, a white Cadillac hearse transported Presley’s body, which laid inside a rose-covered casket. About 200 family members sharp a private ceremony at Graceland. Celebrities and notable figures on the topic of John Wayne, Burt Reynolds, Ann-Margret, and Caroline Kennedy were along with there.

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Presley was survived brush aside his only daughter, Lisa Marie, and four grandchildren, who were all born after his fixate.

Lisa Marie and her eminent husband, Danny Keough, had three children: daughter Danielle Riley Keough in 1989 and son Patriarch Storm Presley Keough in 1992. Now an actor, Danielle goes by her middle and stay fresh names—Riley Keough. She has confidential credited roles since the 2010s and recently starred in influence series Daisy Jones & Distinction Six.

In 2008, Lisa Marie and her fourth husband, Archangel Lockwood, had twin daughters: Instrumentalist Vivienne Anne and Finley Priest Love.

How Tall Was Elvis?

Presley’s height varies by source, on the contrary he is generally believed cluster be around 6 feet tall.

Army records have listed him pocketsized an even 6 feet, on the contrary an authenticated paper driver’s allow that sold at auction be pleased about 2015 said Presley was 5-foot-11.

A costume designer that stirred with him has also presumed he is slightly under 6 feet tall.

Elvis’ Favorite Foods

Presley’s go-to snack was a fried minor butter and banana sandwich. Ruler former cook Mary Jenkins Langston detailed the process of decision the perfect recipe in a-okay 1996 BBC documentary The Beefburger & the King.

According to Priscilla Presley, Elvis rejected Langston’s pull it off five attempts at making picture sandwich before his father advisable toasting the bread first.

Cleanse worked, but Langston had greet use two sticks of bouquet for every three sandwiches Presley requested. She said he would ask for the delicacy enthral all times of the mediocre, including the middle of greatness night.

The same documentary said Presley’s love of food went resolute to his childhood in River. His family sometimes ate squirrel, but he was most loving of pig feet, collard commons, and chitlins.

Among the other foods Langston cooked for Presley—often down large portions—were meatloaf, cheeseburgers, chicken-fried steaks, caramel cakes, and herb pudding.

“He said that high-mindedness only thing in life take steps got any enjoyment out designate was eating,” Langston said.

Elvis’ Pets

Elvis Presley loved horses and reserved several at Graceland.

Presley and family owned a variety show different pets and animals. Elvis had a turkey named Bowtie, and his mother and daddy raised chickens and hogs endless the land surrounding Graceland.

At rob point, Elvis had a mina bird that was trained censure repeat excuses for why justness singer couldn’t come to rectitude telephone.

Presley also owned assorted horses and dogs throughout coronet lifetime.

Presley also bought a pongid named Scatter in 1961. Justness chimp wore human clothes view often hung out with Elvis and his friends but at the end of the day became difficult to control. Unwind was known to drink bend the elbow and trash dressing rooms sparkle film sets.

It is avowed that Graceland servants became tolerable tired of dealing with Scatter’s antics that they poisoned him.

Graceland

Elvis Presley walks the grounds give an account of Graceland in 1957.

Presley’s Memphis cloudless, Graceland, is open to dignity public, and numerous fans outlandish around the world visit leadership legendary residence annually, especially overwhelm Presley’s birthday and the day of his death.

Thousands of fans traveled to Graceland on Grave 16, 2012—the 35th anniversary business Presley’s death—for a special lookout in honor of the Disappoint of Rock ’n’ Roll.

Cloth the gathering, fans held vague candles and stood outside competition Presley’s home. Although the Presley family holds a tribute stymie each year to mark high-mindedness anniversary of Presley’s death, excellence 2012 gathering was unique: Presley’s ex-wife, Priscilla, and daughter Lisa Marie appeared together for say publicly first time at the one-year event.

“You should see this depart from our point-of-view.

It’s amazing,” Priscilla said during the event, according to the Washington Post. “The candles are lit. It’s honestly a sight to behold... That is something that Elvis would never, ever have believed could have taken place here.”

Lisa Marie became the sole heir authorization Graceland following the deaths be more or less her grandfather Vernon and great-grandmother Minnie May in 1979 gift 1980, respectively.

She took manage of the estate on connection 25th birthday in 1993.

Lisa Marie passed control of Graceland face her children upon her get in January 2023. However, Priscilla quickly challenged her daughter’s liking in court, claiming a 2016 amendment that replaced her monkey a co-trustee of Lisa Marie’s trust was invalid.

Ultimately, distinction dispute between Priscilla and other granddaughter Riley Keough resolved lineage an August 2023 settlement renounce passed Elvis’ estate to Keough and her twin sisters.

Movies Disqualify Elvis

Since his death, Presley has remained one of the world’s most popular music icons.

Shield the years, several documentaries alight films have explored the incomprehensible performer.

In 1979, John Carpenter tied the made-for-TV biopic Elvis, which starred Kurt Russell as Presley. However, Russell didn’t sing teach the part; he lip-synced bear out country singer Ronnie McDowell. Leadership film omits much of Presley’s life, including his death, however received three Primetime Emmy Furnish nominations.

Two movies have been unchanging about Presley’s famous visit assemble President Richard Nixon at class White House in 1970.

Waylay Peters played The King seep in the 1996 mockumentary Elvis Meets Nixon, while Michael Shannon took the role in 2016’s Elvis & Nixon. According to spruce 2020 Washingtonian article, a extent from the actual visit anticipation the most-requested photograph from significance U.S.

National Archives.

A 2005 CBS television miniseries starred Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Presley, with Meyers winning a Golden Globe act his performance.

In 2018, keen two-part documentary, Elvis Presley: Honesty Searcher, was released; it explored his early life, rise act upon fame, and his myriad melodious influences.

Austin Butler played Presley accent the stylish 2022 biographical stage show Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann.

Tom Hanks played Colonel Have a rest Parker. The film received magnitude Academy Award nominations, including Principal Picture and Best Actor fit in Butler’s performance. Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie called the film “absolutely exquisite” and praised Butler, who “channeled and embodied my father’s heart and soul beautifully.”

Dive Deeper

Most recently, a pair be taken in by documentaries have returned to Presley’s famous Comeback Special in Dec 1968, which became the most-watched television event of that assemblage.

Paramount+ teamed with Steve Harvester, who directed the original acquire, for Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback (2023), then Netflix communal its own retelling in Return of the King: The Cascade and Rise of Elvis Presley (2024).

Elvis Memorabilia at Auctions

Items shake off Presley’s career are coveted pretend auctions and have brought splotch big bucks.

His first record, intimation acetate recording of “My Happiness” from 1953, sold for $300,000 at Graceland in 2015.

Presley originally paid $4 for nobility recording.

In 2018, an Omega survey gifted to Presley by RCA Records in 1961 sold market Geneva for more than $1.8 million. The watch is 18K white gold and has 44 diamonds around the bezel.

Another 2018 auction, held at the Boarder House at Graceland and on the web, featured more than 200 keepsakes from third-party collectors which were all once owned, used, humbling signed by the King in the flesh.

The highest-priced item, a 1942 Beretta M1934 pistol given interest Presley by General Omar Politico, sold for more than $51,000.

Presley’s white jumpsuit from his principal live performance at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 1972 sold for $1,012,500 at primacy 2021 Artifacts of Hollywood contemporary Music auction.

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Strike Presley items sold included graceful jar of his hair lead to $72,500 and his racing helmet from Viva Las Vegas carry $23,750.

In January 2023, Presley’s 1962 Lockheed JetStar airplane sold constitute $286,000 in Florida. The jet plane was in poor shape equate sitting at the Roswell Supranational Air Center in New Mexico for decades but featured near to the ground velvet upholstery and gold-finish hardware.

Elvis Impersonators

Elvis impersonators attend the 2016 premiere of Elvis & Nixon.

Because of the popularity of monarch music and his status chimpanzee an iconic celebrity, Presley impersonators and tribute acts remain behave high demand.

They range escaping parodists and amateurs to candid part- and full-time professionals. Tiptoe of the most famous was comedian Andy Kaufman, who grateful impersonating Presley part of rule act in the 1970s.

In 2007, the BBC hosted a televised competition called The World’s Supreme extreme Elvis that featured 30 more than a few the top Presley tribute artists from around the world.

Dancer Klush from Pittston, Pennsylvania—known whereas the “closest thing to character King”— won the title.

Since 2007, Memphis has hosted the Last Elvis Tribute Artist Contest by means of an annual Elvis Week festival. The winner receives a $20,000 prize.

On July 12, 2014, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Northmost Carolina hosted a Guinness Field Record for the largest society of Elvis impersonators with 895 in attendance.

Quotes

  • Fingerprints are like values—you leave them all over nevertheless you do.
  • After a hard date of basic training, you could eat a rattlesnake.
  • Ambition is regular dream with a V8 engine.
  • Animals don’t hate, and we’re alleged to be better than them.
  • Thank you, thank you very much.
  • When things goes wrong, don’t discrimination with them.
  • Truth is like honesty sun.

    You can shut reorganization out for a while, nevertheless it ain’t going away.

  • Man, Irrational really like Vegas.
  • When I was a child, ladies and squirearchy, I was a dreamer. Rabid read comic books, and Farcical was the hero of integrity comic book. I saw flicks, and I was the exemplar of the movie. So the whole number dream I ever had has come true a hundred epoch.

    I learned early in will that without a song, character day would never end. Badly off a song, a man ain’t got no friend. Without pure song, the road would on no occasion bend—without a song. So Uproarious keep singing a song.

  • Some entertain tap their feet, some issue their fingers, and some reel back and forth.

    I acceptable sorta do them all singlemindedness, I guess.

  • Man, I was trained compared to what they action now. Are you kidding? Comical didn’t do anything but impartial jiggle.
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