He was born to remain in the memory of music lovers and beyond, a legend. An icon of music, acting, and fashion. A symbol of male charm and allure, qualities that only propelled his star higher.
Elvis Presley embodied the spirit of a generation. Everything that shapes his artistic pinnacle stems from the determination of a unique personality, the explosive force of an individual’s creative energies, and simultaneously, those of a generation to which he belonged.
The world of the 60s and 70s would crown him a king and an idol. With his first step, a new understanding of art emerged. The thirst for beauty in a restless world would endure, laying the foundations upon which the towering walls of today’s music world stand.
Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, USA. His twin brother died during childbirth, leaving Elvis as an only child. In 1954, at the age of 19, Elvis began his career as a singer. By the end of 1955, he had become world-famous.
Elvis starred in 33 successful films. Globally, he has sold over a billion music records, more than any other artist. Elvis Presley passed away at his home in Graceland, Memphis, on August 16, 1977.
Elvis Presley
Born on January 8, 1935, at 4:35 AM, Elvis Presley was a world-renowned American actor and singer. He is considered one of the most prominent cultural figures of the 20th century and is also known as the “King of Rock and Roll” or simply “The King.”
Early Life
Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, as a twin without a twin (his twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley, was stillborn). At the age of 13, he and his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. His musical career began around 1954 when he recorded a song with producer Sam Phillips from Sun Records. Collaborating with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley became one of the pioneers of rock music, combining upbeat tempos and backbeat elements with country and R&B influences.
Managed by Colonel Tom Parker for over two decades, Presley signed a contract with RCA Records. His first RCA song, “Heartbreak Hotel,” was released in January 1956 and became a No. 1 hit in the U.S. His energetic performances, provocative style, and immense talent made him a cultural icon and earned him the title “The King of Rock and Roll.” These same qualities also stirred controversy.
In November 1956, Elvis made his film debut with Love Me Tender. In 1958, he was drafted into the military. After two years of service, Presley resumed his music career, producing some of his most commercially successful works before focusing more on Hollywood films and their accompanying soundtracks during the 1960s. These ventures, however, received criticism for their perceived lack of substance.
In 1968, after a seven-year break from live performances, Presley made a celebrated comeback with his iconic ’68 Comeback Special. This revival led to extended concert residencies in Las Vegas and a series of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley made history with the “Aloha from Hawaii” concert, the first globally televised performance via satellite.
Despite his success, years of prescription drug abuse took a toll on his health, leading to his untimely death in 1977 at the age of 42.
Legacy
Elvis Presley remains one of the most recognized and influential musicians of the 20th century. He achieved commercial success across various genres, including pop, blues, and gospel. As the best-selling solo artist in music history, he is estimated to have sold around 600 million records worldwide. Presley won three Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at just 36 years old, and was inducted into numerous music halls of fame.
Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, to Gladys Love (née Smith; April 25, 1912 – August 14, 1958) and Vernon Elvis Presley (April 10, 1916 – June 26, 1979), in a two-room house built by Vernon’s father in preparation for his birth. Elvis’s identical twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley, was stillborn 35 minutes before him. As an only child, Elvis grew very close to both parents, forming an especially tight bond with his mother. The family attended an Assembly of God church, where he found his initial musical inspiration.
Presley’s heritage was predominantly a mix of Western European ancestry, including Scots-Irish, Scottish, German, and some French Norman. His maternal great-great-grandmother, Morning Dove White, was likely of Native American descent. His mother was considered the dominant figure in the small family, while Vernon moved between various jobs, reflecting limited ambitions. The family often relied on neighbors and government food assistance for support. They survived the F5 tornado that struck Tupelo in 1936. However, in 1938, they lost their home when Vernon was jailed for eight months for forging a check. During this time, Gladys and Elvis stayed with relatives.
In September 1941, Elvis began first grade at East Tupelo Consolidated, where teachers rated him as “average.” He was encouraged to participate in a singing contest after surprising his teacher with a rendition of the country song “Old Shep” during morning prayers. Held at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show on October 3, 1945, this was his first public performance. Dressed as a cowboy, 10-year-old Elvis sang “Old Shep” while perched on a chair to reach the microphone, finishing fifth. A few months later, he received his first guitar for his birthday, though he had hoped for a bicycle or a rifle instead. Over the following years, he learned basic guitar skills from his uncles and the pastor of the family church. Reflecting on this period, Elvis said, “I got the guitar, and I watched people, and I learned to play a little. But I would never sing in public. I was too shy for that.”
When he began sixth grade at Milam School in September 1946, Presley felt isolated. A year later, he started bringing his guitar to school daily, playing and singing during lunch. This led to teasing from other students, who called him “the kid who played hillbilly music.” The family lived in a predominantly African-American neighborhood during this time. Encouraged by a classmate whose brother owned a radio station, Elvis performed for listeners. With continued guitar lessons and more performances, he gradually overcame his stage fright. By age 12, Elvis had begun performing in public.
Adolescence in Memphis
In November 1948, the family relocated to Memphis, Tennessee. After a year of renting homes, they moved into a two-bedroom apartment in the public housing complex known as Lauderdale Courts.
Enrolled at L.C. Humes High School, Elvis received a C in music during eighth grade. When his music teacher claimed he lacked talent, Elvis brought his guitar to school and performed “Keep Them Cold Icy Fingers Off Me” to prove otherwise. A classmate later said that the teacher did not appreciate his style of singing. He was too shy to perform openly and was occasionally bullied by peers who viewed him as a “mama’s boy.”
By 1950, Elvis was playing guitar regularly with the guidance of Jesse Lee Denson, a neighbor. Along with Denson and the Burnette brothers—future rock pioneers—Elvis formed an informal musical group that played occasionally in the Courts. In September of that year, he began working at Loew’s State Theater and later took jobs at Precision Tool Company, MARL Metal Products, and other places.
During his senior year, Elvis became more social, partly due to his appearance—he grew out his hair and styled it with rose oil and Vaseline. He frequented Beale Street in Memphis to admire stylish clothing in Lansky Brothers’ shop windows, eventually wearing those outfits. In April 1953, Elvis competed in Humes’s talent show, singing and playing guitar to open the show with “Till I Waltz Again With You,” a hit by Teresa Brewer. Recalling the event, Elvis said, “I wasn’t popular in school… Then they put me in the talent show… When I went on stage, I heard people cheering and whispering because no one knew I sang. It was amazing how famous I got afterward.”
Although Presley never received formal music lessons or learned to write songs, he played by ear and frequently visited record shops to listen to music. He admired artists like Hank Snow, Roy Acuff, and gospel singer Jake Hess. He attended monthly All-Night Sings in downtown Memphis and was deeply influenced by African-American gospel and blues musicians such as Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Arthur Crudup, and Rufus Thomas. By June 1953, Elvis had graduated high school and was determined to pursue music.
Early Recordings
Some of Presley’s early recordings include: “That’s All Right,” “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” “I Don’t Care if the Sun Don’t Shine,” “Good Rockin’ Tonight,” and others.
RCA Records and Colonel Tom Parker
When Elvis began working with RCA Records and Colonel Tom Parker, he released hit after hit, including the No. 1 song “Heartbreak Hotel” and his debut album Elvis Presley in 1956. His unique style and charismatic performances catapulted him to stardom. Soon, Elvis was omnipresent on radio, television, and the silver screen, although he paused his career for military service from 1957 to 1960.
During his service, his beloved mother, Gladys, passed away, deeply affecting him. While stationed in Germany, he met a teenager named Priscilla Beaulieu. Returning in 1960, Elvis resumed his career with successes like GI Blues. He also acted in films like Blue Hawaii (1961) and Viva Las Vegas (1964). However, by the late 1960s, his popularity waned until his “’68 Comeback Special” reignited his career.
Personal Life
Elvis married Priscilla in 1967, and they had a daughter, Lisa Marie, in 1968. However, their marriage ended in 1973, and Elvis faced health issues and substance abuse. He passed away in 1977, reportedly from a heart attack, and was buried near his family in Graceland.
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