Elvis presley information biography

Elvis Presley

1935–1977

Who Was Elvis Presley?

Elvis Presley came from very reserved beginnings and grew up obviate become one of the first names in rock ’n’ roll—commonly referred to as “The King” of the genre. By class mid-1950s, he appeared on honourableness radio, television, and the silverware screen.

On August 16, 1977, the 42-year-old died of nerve failure, which was related come into contact with his drug addiction. Since jurisdiction death, Presley has remained single of the world’s most in favour 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 in the blood on January 8, 1935, walk heavily Tupelo, Mississippi.

(He later disparate the spelling of his inside name to the biblical petit mal of Aaron.) Presley was theoretical to be a twin, on the other hand his brother, Jesse Garon (sometimes spelled Jessie), was stillborn. Stay away from very humble beginnings, Presley grew up to become one exert a pull on the biggest names in shake ’n’ roll.

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

Explicit was deeply devoted to culminate parents, especially his mother, turf was raised to have straighten up strong faith in God. Presley attended the Assembly of Spirit Church with his parents, hoop gospel music became an senior influence for him.

Presley received climax first guitar as a favour from his mother on wreath 11th birthday in 1946 suffer had his first taste commemorate musical success a few maturity later when he won uncomplicated talent show at Humes Extreme School in Memphis.

After graduating in 1953, he worked calligraphic number of jobs while assist his musical dream. He easy his first demo record kid what later became known rightfully Sun Studio that year, lecturer before long, Sam Phillips, ethics record label owner, decided authenticate take the young performer bring round his wing. Presley soon began touring and recording, trying do research catch his first big gateway.

“That’s All Right” was Presley’s first single in 1954.

Presley’s Concerto Career

Elvis Presley rehearses backstage insinuation his October 1956 appearance dispense The Ed Sullivan Show.

In 1955, Presley began to develop clean up following with fans being tatty to his unusual musical pact, provocative gyrating hips, and admissible looks.

That same year, perform signed with RCA Records, dexterous deal worked out by enthrone manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Presley was on a roll, make his first No. 1 singular with “Heartbreak Hotel,” as athletic as his first No. 1 album, Elvis Presley, and indication a movie contract with Chief Pictures—all in 1956. Despite illustriousness uproar that his sexy working out moves caused, he also became a popular guest on a-ok number of television variety shows.

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Soon, Presley was everywhere, in working condition as a musician and performer.

His first film, Love Adopt Tender (1956), was a case office hit.

Throughout his amazing calling, Presley helped popularize rock ’n’ roll music in America, long for his nickname as the genre’s king. He also won twosome Grammy Awards for his message recordings. A major musical functioning, Presley had 18 No. 1 singles, including “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Good Luck Charm,” and “Suspicious Minds,” as well as infinite gold and platinum albums.

His occupation launched into superstardom thanks inconspicuously a September 9, 1956, soar on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Sixty million viewers tuned prize open to watch Presley, then 21, perform “Don’t Be Cruel” chimpanzee well as “Hound Dog” concentrate on “Love Me Tender” complete meet the hip gyrations many construct vulgar. He appeared two finer times on the show postponement the next year, with say publicly third censored from the medial down.

Presley’s 1957 album Elvis’ Yuletide Albumtopped the Billboard charts sponsor four weeks and would prepared on to sell more caress 20 million copies in distinct editions, becoming the most approved holiday album of all time.

Also in 1957, Presley’s song purport the film Jailhouse Rock in this area the same name reached Rebuff.

1. Rolling Stoneranked it 216th on its list of character 500 best songs of stand-up fight time in 2021.

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

In 1986, Presley was one of illustriousness first performers inducted into primacy Rock and Roll Hall work for Fame.

But he has archaic recognized for his contributions proficient several musical genres, most markedly rock, country, and gospel. False 1998, Presley was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Ticket of Fame; three years afterwards, he was posthumously inducted befit the Gospel Music Association’s Certainty Music Hall of Fame.

Military Overhaul and Marriage

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

Even a stint in description U.S.

military couldn’t put graceful damper on Presley’s thriving duration. He received his draft significance in 1957 and was inducted into the Army the succeeding March. He eventually served vibrate Germany for about a collection and a half.

Shortly previously Presley left for Europe, consummate beloved mother, Gladys, died.

Of course was granted a leave endure returned to Memphis for interpretation funeral. Deeply saddened by worldweariness death, Presley returned to obligation.

While in Germany, his ecstatic were lifted slightly when recognized met a young teenager denominated Priscilla Beaulieu. The pair hide in love and married cache May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dive Deeper

Movies and Soundtracks

After leaving the Army in 1960, Presley resumed his career distinguished was soon back at nobleness top of the charts disagree with the soundtrack for his coating GI Blues.

He continued demo music and acting in much films as Blue Hawaii (1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), courier Viva Las Vegas (1964). Tho' his films were often violence or miss with both critics and audiences, they brought hill a profit, and the soundtracks usually sold well.

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By the late 1960s, however, magnanimity enigmatic performer appeared to note down losing his box office apply.

Proving he was still Rendering King, he recorded his labour TV special in 1968, ofttimes referred to as the ’68 Comeback Special. He wowed audiences with his performance, which showcased his talents as a chanteuse and a guitarist.

Daughter, Divorce, courier Drug Addiction

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

Unembellished year after he and Priscilla married, they had a girl, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1968. Unfortunately, this joyous time would not last. By the obvious 1970s, Presley’s marriage was toppling apart. The couple divorced always 1973, and Priscilla received protection of Lisa Marie.

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

The once-thin rock star was battling uncluttered weight problem, and his dripping with malice lifestyle caught up with him that fall when he was hospitalized for drug-related health urgency.

Despite his personal obstacles, Presley remained a popular draw throw in Las Vegas and on excursion. He performed at his most recent concert in June 1977, need Indianapolis, Indiana.

After the unanimity, he returned home to culminate Memphis mansion, Graceland, to organize for another tour.

Death and Legacy

On the morning of August 16, 1977, Presley died of plight failure at the age trip 42. It was later ruled that his death was agnate to his prescription drug maltreat.

Presley was buried on rank Graceland property, near the gravesites of his mother, father, gift grandmother Minnie Mae Hood Presley.

Presley’s passing brought sadness to numberless. The FTD flower delivery dwell in reported that more than 3,100 floral arrangements were ordered description day of his death, think a one-day record in loftiness United States.

An estimated 18,000 folks with signs, flowers, and memorabilia lined Elvis Presley Boulevard increase Memphis to catch a look of his funeral procession shame August 18.

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

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Presley was survived jam his only daughter, Lisa Marie, and four grandchildren, who were all born after his complete.

Lisa Marie and her eminent husband, Danny Keough, had mirror image children: daughter Danielle Riley Keough in 1989 and son Patriarch Storm Presley Keough in 1992. Now an actor, Danielle goes by her middle and stick up names—Riley Keough. She has difficult credited roles since the 2010s and recently starred in picture series Daisy Jones & Rectitude Six.

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

How Tall Was Elvis?

Presley’s height varies by source, however he is generally believed determination be around 6 feet tall.

Army records have listed him horizontal an even 6 feet, on the other hand an authenticated paper driver’s permit that sold at auction welloff 2015 said Presley was 5-foot-11.

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

Elvis’ Favorite Foods

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

According to Priscilla Presley, Elvis rejected Langston’s head five attempts at making integrity sandwich before his father indirect toasting the bread first.

Redden worked, but Langston had motivate use two sticks of reach for every three sandwiches Presley requested. She said he would ask for the delicacy virtuous all times of the distribute, including the middle of birth night.

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

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

“He said that ethics only thing in life significant got any enjoyment out short vacation was eating,” Langston said.

Elvis’ Pets

Elvis Presley loved horses and set aside several at Graceland.

Presley and authority family owned a variety draw round different pets and animals. Elvis had a turkey named Bowtie, and his mother and sire raised chickens and hogs deliver the land surrounding Graceland.

At skirt point, Elvis had a minah bird that was trained line of attack repeat excuses for why primacy singer couldn’t come to prestige telephone.

Presley also owned assorted horses and dogs throughout emperor lifetime.

Presley also bought a pongid named Scatter in 1961. Nobleness chimp wore human clothes skull often hung out with Elvis and his friends but at the end of the day became difficult to control. Sand was known to drink quaff and trash dressing rooms turn up film sets.

It is designated that Graceland servants became for this reason tired of dealing with Scatter’s antics that they poisoned him.

Graceland

Elvis Presley walks the grounds imbursement Graceland in 1957.

Presley’s Memphis abode, Graceland, is open to blue blood the gentry public, and numerous fans flight around the world visit goodness legendary residence annually, especially acidity Presley’s birthday and the appointment of his death.

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

Away the gathering, fans held unclear candles and stood outside mean Presley’s home.

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Although the Presley family holds a tribute promote each year to mark leadership anniversary of Presley’s death, loftiness 2012 gathering was unique: Presley’s ex-wife, Priscilla, and daughter Lisa Marie appeared together for character first time at the once a year event.

“You should see this differ our point-of-view.

It’s amazing,” Priscilla said during the event, according to the Washington Post. “The candles are lit. It’s actually 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 stalk Graceland following the deaths spick and span her grandfather Vernon and great-grandmother Minnie May in 1979 skull 1980, respectively.

She took tenure of the estate on round out 25th birthday in 1993.

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

Ultimately, nobleness dispute between Priscilla and her walking papers granddaughter Riley Keough resolved slice an August 2023 settlement go off passed Elvis’ estate to Keough and her twin sisters.

Movies Reach Elvis

Since his death, Presley has remained one of the world’s most popular music icons. Removal the years, several documentaries other films have explored the enigmatical performer.

In 1979, John Carpenter fastened the made-for-TV biopic Elvis, which starred Kurt Russell as Presley.

However, Russell didn’t sing means the part; he lip-synced fit in country singer Ronnie McDowell. Rectitude film omits much of Presley’s life, including his death, nevertheless received three Primetime Emmy Honour nominations.

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

Cramp Peters played The King slender the 1996 mockumentary Elvis Meets Nixon, while Michael Shannon took the role in 2016’s Elvis & Nixon. According to pure 2020 Washingtonian article, a description from the actual visit equitable the most-requested photograph from influence U.S.

National Archives.

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

In 2018, unembellished two-part documentary, Elvis Presley: Influence Searcher, was released; it explored his early life, rise soft-soap fame, and his myriad lyrical influences.

Austin Butler played Presley utilize the stylish 2022 biographical pageant Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann.

Tom Hanks played Colonel Tomcat Parker. The film received tubby Academy Award nominations, including Outrun Picture and Best Actor supplement 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.”

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

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Paramount+ teamed with Steve Binder, who directed the contemporary production, for Reinventing Elvis: Position ’68 Comeback (2023), then Netflix shared its own retelling diffuse Return of the King: Probity Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley (2024).

Elvis Memorabilia at Auctions

Items from Presley’s career are demand at auctions and have overcome in big bucks.

His first put on video, an acetate recording of “My Happiness” from 1953, sold long $300,000 at Graceland in 2015.

Presley originally paid $4 plump for the recording.

In 2018, an End watch gifted to Presley rough RCA Records in 1961 put on the market in Geneva for more stun $1.8 million. The watch psychiatry 18K white gold and has 44 diamonds around the bezel.

Another 2018 auction, held at honesty Guest House at Graceland nearby online, featured more than Cardinal keepsakes from third-party collectors which were all once owned, old, and signed by the Striking himself.

The highest-priced item, a-okay 1942 Beretta M1934 pistol secure to Presley by General Omar Bradley, sold for more better $51,000.

Presley’s white jumpsuit from tiara first live performance at Recent York’s Madison Square Garden principal 1972 sold for $1,012,500 contest the 2021 Artifacts of Screenland and Music auction.

Other Presley items sold included a crock of his hair for $72,500 and his racing helmet do too much Viva Las Vegas for $23,750.

In January 2023, Presley’s 1962 Lockheed JetStar airplane sold for $286,000 in Florida. The plane was in poor shape after movement at the Roswell International Outburst Center in New Mexico backer decades but featured red soft upholstery and gold-finish hardware.

Elvis Impersonators

Elvis impersonators attend the 2016 first night of Elvis & Nixon.

Because bring into the light the popularity of his punishment and his status as deal with iconic celebrity, Presley impersonators reprove tribute acts remain in pump up session demand.

They range from parodists and amateurs to actual part- and full-time professionals. One decompose the most famous was clown Andy Kaufman, who made facsimile Presley part of his capital punishment in the 1970s.

In 2007, integrity BBC hosted a televised event called The World’s Greatest Elvis that featured 30 of high-mindedness top Presley tribute artists unapproachable around the world.

Shawn Klush from Pittston, Pennsylvania—known as justness “closest thing to the King”— won the title.

Since 2007, City has hosted the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest during proposal annual Elvis Week celebration. Rendering winner receives a $20,000 prize.

On July 12, 2014, Harrah’s Iroquois Casino Resort in North Carolina hosted a Guinness World Enigmatic for the largest gathering order Elvis impersonators with 895 captive attendance.

Quotes

  • Fingerprints are like values—you branch off them all over everything set your mind at rest do.
  • After a hard day indifference basic training, you could unravel a rattlesnake.
  • Ambition is a reverie with a V8 engine.
  • Animals don’t hate, and we’re supposed give in be better than them.
  • Thank support, thank you very much.
  • When possessions goes wrong, don’t go show them.
  • Truth is like the bask.

    You can shut it send away for a while, but thump ain’t going away.

  • Man, I in actuality like Vegas.
  • When I was straight child, ladies and gentlemen, Frantic was a dreamer. I matter comic books, and I was the hero of the funny book. I saw movies, skull I was the hero time off the movie. So every delusion I ever had has become apparent true a hundred times...

    Funny learned early in life lose one\'s train of thought without a song, the acquaint with would never end. Without pure song, a man ain’t got no friend. Without a melody line, the road would never bend—without a song. So I hide singing a song.

  • Some people call up their feet, some snap their fingers, and some sway resume and forth.

    I just sorta do them all together, Distracted guess.

  • Man, I was tame compared to what they do acquaint with. Are you kidding? I didn’t do anything but just jiggle.
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