Elvis Presley: The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Elvis Presley was the undisputed King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. His electrifying style and charismatic delivery made him one of the most popular entertainers of his generation.

Early life and influences

Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. He and his parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley, moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1948. As a young man, Elvis was influenced by the music he heard on the radio and on records by artists like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Bill Haley & His Comets. He also loved gospel music. Elvis began his career as a singer with Sun Records in Memphis in 1954.

Rise to fame

In 1954, Elvis Presley recorded a song at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. The recording, “That’s All Right,” was released as a single and became a local hit. Presley’s success on the local level led to a contract with RCA Victor Records, and he soon rose to national fame.

During his career, Elvis Presley released numerous hits, including “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” “James Bond Theme,” and “Suspicious Minds.” He also starred in several movies, such as Jailhouse Rock (1957), King Creole (1958), and Viva Las Vegas (1964). Elvis Presley is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.

Cultural impact

Elvis Presley’s impact on popular culture is undeniable. His music and style have influenced artists for generations, and his image has been appropriated by everything from fashion to advertising. Even today, “Elvis sightings” are commonplace, with people claiming to have seen the King alive long after his death.

Whether you love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Elvis Presley was a true original who left an indelible mark on American culture.

Later years and legacy

In the later years of his career, Elvis continued to be a successful live performer, but his recordings were less popular and critics were often unkind. His health also began to decline, and he was plagued by drug addiction and weight gain. He died unexpectedly in 1977 at the age of 42.

Despite the ups and downs of his career, Elvis is remembered as one of the most important and influential musicians of the 20th century. He is often referred to as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” or simply “the King.” His unique style – a mix of country, blues, gospel, and R&B – has influenced countless artists over the years.

Personal life

Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, to Gladys Love (née Smith; 1912–1958) and Vernon Elvis Presley (1916–1979), in the two-room shotgun house built by his father in preparation for the birth. Jack Moore, a family friend, delivered the baby Elvis. Elvis’s identical twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley, was delivered stillborn 35 minutes before him.

As an only child, Presley rose to the center of his parents’ attention. When Gladys was seven months pregnant with Elvis, she took a fall down some stairs and went into premature labor. As a result of this trauma, when Elvis was born he had a deformed left hip—later corrected by surgery—and a scar that caused him chronic constipation throughout his life.

Elvis’ parents were extremely poor and sometimes could not afford to buy their son new clothes. He would often wear his older cousin’s hand-me-downs. Despite their poverty, however, they instilled strong values in their son. Vernon taught Elvis to be honest and never steal (a lesson that would stay with him throughout his life). Gladys taught her boy how to pray and instilled in him a strong sense of faith.

Music career

Elvis Presley’s music career began in 1954 when he signed with Sam Phillips’ Sun Records. At Sun, he recorded a series of rhythm and blues songs, including “That’s All Right” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky”. These recordings were popular among African American audiences and helped to launch Presley’s career. In 1955, Presley was drafted into the army, which put his recording career on hold for two years.

In 1957, Presley resumed his recording career with RCA Records. His first single for RCA, “Heartbreak Hotel”, was a huge success, reaching number one on the Billboard charts. From there, Presley went on to have a string of number one hits, including “Don’t Be Cruel”, “Hound Dog”, and “All Shook Up”. He also became known for his rebellious image and unconventional musical style, which combined elements of rock ‘n’ roll, gospel, and country music.

During his career, Presley released over 60 albums and starred in 33 films. He was one of the most commercially successful performers of his time, selling more than 600 million records worldwide. In addition to his musical accomplishments, Presley is also remembered as an important cultural figure. He was one of the first white performers to be widely accepted by African American audiences, and he helped to break down racial barriers in the music industry.

Acting career

Elvis Presley’s acting career began in 1957 with the release of his first film, Love Me Tender. He would go on to star in 33 feature films, most of which were musicals. Though he was often criticized for his acting abilities, Elvis’ natural charisma shone through on screen and he became one of the most popular movie stars of his time. His most successful films included Jailhouse Rock (1957), Viva Las Vegas (1964), and Speedway (1968).

Business ventures

In addition to his successful musical career, Elvis Presley was also a successful businessman. He started his business ventures early in his career, and by the time he died, he had an estimated net worth of $10 million.

Most of Elvis’s businesses were related to his music career, such as his record label, record store, and music publishing company. He also had a clothing line and a line of Elvis-themed merchandise. He even started his own airline, called “Elvis Air.”

Elvis was also a real estate investor, and owned several properties around the country. He even bought a castle in Germany!

Although Elvis died in 1977, his businesses are still going strong today. The Elvis Presley Enterprises is now worth an estimated $300 million.

Religion

Religion played a significant role in Elvis Presley’s life. He was raised a Baptist, but his family also attended services at the local Assembly of God church. As a child, he sang in the choir at both churches.

Presley’s faith influenced his music, and he often incorporated gospel themes into his songs. He even recorded a gospel album, called “How Great Thou Art.”

In later years, Presley became more interested in the mysticism of Eastern religions. He studied the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and even spent time at the guru’s ashram in India. However, he always remained a Christian and once said, “The thing I’d like to be remembered for is that I was kind.”

Death

On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley was found dead in his Graceland bathroom. He was 42 years old. The official cause of death was listed as a heart attack, but many fans and experts believe that years of drug abuse played a role in his untimely death.