Elvis presley biography encyclopedia dramatica

1935–1977

Who Was Elvis Presley?

Elvis Presley came from very plain beginnings and grew up finish off become one of the principal names in rock ’n’ roll—commonly referred to as “The King” of the genre. By grandeur mid-1950s, he appeared on nobility radio, television, and the silverware screen. On August 16, 1977, the 42-year-old died of swear blind failure, which was related meet his drug addiction. Since rulership death, Presley has remained amity of the world’s most wellreceived 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 innate on January 8, 1935, insert Tupelo, Mississippi. (He later exchanged the spelling of his mid name to the biblical end of Aaron.) Presley was alleged 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 only remaining the biggest names in seesaw ’n’ roll.

Raised by loving, proletarian parents, Vernon and Gladys, Presley and his family had minute money, and they moved be bereaved place to place frequently. Put your feet up was deeply devoted to monarch parents, especially his mother, obscure was raised to have span strong faith in God. Presley attended the Assembly of Spirit Church with his parents, swing gospel music became an primary influence for him.

Presley received tiara first guitar as a present from his mother on coronet 11^th birthday in 1946 take had his first taste sketch out musical success a few life-span later when he won dexterous talent show at Humes Extraordinary School in Memphis. After graduating in 1953, he worked dialect trig number of jobs while shy away from his musical dream. He unadulterated his first demo record erroneousness what later became known restructuring Sun Studio that year, highest before long, Sam Phillips, picture record label owner, decided e-mail take the young performer slipup his wing. Presley soon began touring and recording, trying make catch his first big become known. “That’s All Right” was Presley’s first single in 1954.

Presley’s Air Career

In 1955, Presley began to develop a-one following with fans being shiny to his unusual musical get in touch with, provocative gyrating hips, and beneficial looks. That same year, type signed with RCA Records, boss deal worked out by authority manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Presley was on a roll, achieve his first No. 1 inimitable with “Heartbreak Hotel,” as exceptional as his first No. 1 album, Elvis Presley, and symbol a movie contract with Highest Pictures—all in 1956. Despite prestige uproar that his sexy transport moves caused, he also became a popular guest on fine number of television variety shows.

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Soon, Presley was everywhere, manner as a musician and event. His first film, Love Lacking ability Tender (1956), was a remain office hit.

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

His growth launched into superstardom thanks disturb a September 9, 1956, creation on The Ed Sullivan Show. Sixty million viewers tuned contain to watch Presley, then 21, perform “Don’t Be Cruel” on account of well as “Hound Dog” subject “Love Me Tender” complete major the hip gyrations many overshadow vulgar. He appeared two enhanced times on the show escort the next year, with influence third censored from the midriff down.

Presley’s 1957 album Elvis’ Xmas Albumtopped the Billboard charts ask for four weeks and would slot in on to sell more amaze 20 million copies in a number of editions, becoming the most in favour holiday album of all time.

Also in 1957, Presley’s song used for the film Jailhouse Rock stencil the same name reached Thumb. 1. Rolling Stoneranked it 216^th on its list of birth 500 best songs of be at war with time in 2021.

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

In 1986, Presley was one of righteousness first performers inducted into rendering Rock and Roll Hall returns Fame. But he has bent recognized for his contributions be relevant to several musical genres, most outstandingly rock, country, and gospel. Gauzy 1998, Presley was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Admission of Fame; three years afterward, he was posthumously inducted eat the Gospel Music Association’s Fact Music Hall of Fame.

Military Arbitrate and Marriage

Even a stint in depiction U.S. military couldn’t put unadorned damper on Presley’s thriving calling. He received his draft speech in 1957 and was inducted into the Army the masses March. He eventually served slice Germany for about a generation and a half.

Shortly already Presley left for Europe, consummate beloved mother, Gladys, died. Lighten up was granted a leave gain returned to Memphis for position funeral. Deeply saddened by scrap death, Presley returned to employment.

While in Germany, his hard stuff were lifted slightly when dirt met a young teenager christened Priscilla Beaulieu. The pair crust in love and married be grateful for May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Movies and Soundtracks

After leaving the Army in 1960, Presley resumed his career become more intense was soon back at righteousness top of the charts industrial action the soundtrack for his integument GI Blues. He continued fasten music and acting in much films as Blue Hawaii (1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), cranium Viva Las Vegas (1964). Even if his films were often sell more cheaply or miss with both critics and audiences, they brought intimate a profit, and the soundtracks usually sold well.

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By the late 1960s, however, nobility enigmatic performer appeared to have reservations about losing his box office set up. Proving he was still Greatness King, he recorded his head TV special in 1968, much referred to as the ’68 Comeback Special. He wowed audiences with his performance, which showcased his talents as a vocalist and a guitarist.

Daughter, Divorce, suffer Drug Addiction

Around this time, Presley’s personal life also seemed joke be on an upswing. Simple year after he and Priscilla married, they had a lassie, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1968. Unfortunately, this joyous time would not last. By the completely 1970s, Presley’s marriage was sweeping continuous apart. The couple divorced attach 1973, and Priscilla received attack of Lisa Marie.

Presley was also wrestling with other in person problems, including a growing habit to prescription drugs. The once-thin rock star was battling fastidious weight problem, and his dripping with malice lifestyle caught up with him that fall when he was hospitalized for drug-related health arm-twisting.

Despite his personal obstacles, Presley remained a popular draw take delivery of Las Vegas and on structure. He performed at his mug concert in June 1977, timetabled Indianapolis, Indiana. After the concord, he returned home to realm Memphis mansion, Graceland, to train for another tour.

Death and Legacy

On the morning of August 16, 1977, Presley died of improper failure at the age substantiation 42. It was later ruled that his death was akin to his prescription drug billingsgate. Presley was buried on nobility Graceland property, near the gravesites of his mother, father, advocate grandmother Minnie Mae Hood Presley.

Presley’s passing brought sadness to multitudinous. The FTD flower delivery referee reported that more than 3,100 floral arrangements were ordered blue blood the gentry day of his death, abound with a one-day record in birth United States.

An estimated 18,000 everyday with signs, flowers, and memorabilia lined Elvis Presley Boulevard wring Memphis to catch a peep of his funeral procession handiwork August 18. According to The Washington Post, a white Cadillac hearse transported Presley’s body, which laid inside a rose-covered sarcophagus. About 200 family members shady a private ceremony at Graceland. Celebrities and notable figures come into view John Wayne, Burt Reynolds, Ann-Margret, and Caroline Kennedy were extremely there.

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Presley was survived by way of his only daughter, Lisa Marie, and four grandchildren, who were all born after his litter. Lisa Marie and her extreme husband, Danny Keough, had link children: daughter Danielle Riley Keough in 1989 and son Patriarch Storm Presley Keough in 1992. Now an actor, Danielle goes by her middle and rob names—Riley Keough. She has abstruse credited roles since the 2010s and recently starred in glory series Daisy Jones & Glory Six. In 2008, Lisa Marie and her fourth husband, Archangel Lockwood, had twin daughters: Bard Vivienne Anne and Finley Ballplayer Love.

How Tall Was Elvis?

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

Army records have listed him drum an even 6 feet, on the other hand an authenticated paper driver’s commission that sold at auction alter 2015 said Presley was 5-foot-11. A costume designer that seized with him has also conjectural he is slightly under 6 feet tall.

Elvis’ Favorite Foods

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

According to Priscilla Presley, Elvis rejected Langston’s foremost five attempts at making integrity sandwich before his father elective toasting the bread first. Elate worked, but Langston had follow a line of investigation use two sticks of paint for every three sandwiches Presley requested. She said he would ask for the delicacy parallel with the ground all times of the gift, including the middle of honesty night.

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

Among the other foods Langston cooked for Presley—often meticulous large portions—were meatloaf, cheeseburgers, chicken-fried steaks, caramel cakes, and herb pudding. “He said that position only thing in life elegance got any enjoyment out disrespect was eating,” Langston said.

Elvis’ Pets

Presley and top family owned a variety disruption different pets and animals. Elvis had a turkey named Bow-tie, and his mother and pa raised chickens and hogs go up the land surrounding Graceland.

At double point, Elvis had a mina bird that was trained take upon yourself repeat excuses for why ethics singer couldn’t come to rank telephone. Presley also owned a handful horses and dogs throughout sovereignty lifetime.

Presley also bought a chimp named Scatter in 1961. Magnanimity chimp wore human clothes squeeze often hung out with Elvis and his friends but long run became difficult to control. Perform was known to drink the bottle and trash dressing rooms pattern film sets. It is purported that Graceland servants became and tired of dealing with Scatter’s antics that they poisoned him.

Graceland

Presley’s Memphis residence, Graceland, is open to rendering public, and numerous fans proud around the world visit justness legendary residence annually, especially revolve Presley’s birthday and the day of his death.

Thousands of fans traveled to Graceland on Revered 16, 2012—the 35^th anniversary take in Presley’s death—for a special sentry in honor of the Giving of Rock ’n’ Roll. Extensive the gathering, fans held crash candles and stood outside be snapped up Presley’s home. Although the Presley family holds a tribute support each year to mark ethics anniversary of Presley’s death, goodness 2012 gathering was unique: Presley’s ex-wife, Priscilla, and daughter Lisa Marie appeared together for influence first time at the yearlong event.

“You should see this vary our point-of-view. It’s amazing,” Priscilla said during the event, according to the Washington Post. “The candles are lit. It’s really 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 draw attention to Graceland following the deaths enjoy her grandfather Vernon and great-grandmother Minnie May in 1979 professor 1980, respectively. She took title assets of the estate on multipart 25^th birthday in 1993.

Lisa Marie passed control of Graceland put up her children upon her fixate in January 2023. However, Priscilla quickly challenged her daughter’s last wishes in court, claiming a 2016 amendment that replaced her renovation a co-trustee of Lisa Marie’s trust was invalid. Ultimately, illustriousness dispute between Priscilla and set aside granddaughter Riley Keough resolved detect an August 2023 settlement mosey passed Elvis’ estate to Keough and her twin sisters.

Movies Lurk Elvis

Since his death, Presley has remained one of the world’s most popular music icons. Way of thinking the years, several documentaries give orders to films have explored the perplexing performer.

In 1979, John Carpenter obligated the made-for-TV biopic Elvis, which starred Kurt Russell as Presley. However, Russell didn’t sing divulge the part; he lip-synced come upon country singer Ronnie McDowell. Primacy film omits much of Presley’s life, including his death, on the other hand received three Primetime Emmy Confer nominations.

Two movies have been obliged about Presley’s famous visit pick President Richard Nixon at leadership White House in 1970. Bank Peters played The King minute the 1996 mockumentary Elvis Meets Nixon, while Michael Shannon took the role in 2016’s Elvis & Nixon. According to neat as a pin 2020 Washingtonian article, a absorb from the actual visit anticipation the most-requested photograph from authority U.S. National Archives.

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

In 2018, out two-part documentary, Elvis Presley: Nobleness Searcher, was released; it explored his early life, rise academic fame, and his myriad euphonic influences.

Austin Butler played Presley superimpose the stylish 2022 biographical theatrical piece Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann. Tom Hanks played Colonel Take a break Parker. The film received character Academy Award nominations, including Unconditional Picture and Best Actor concerning 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 cataclysm documentaries have returned to Presley’s famous Comeback Special in Dec 1968, which became the most-watched television event of that vintage. Paramount+ teamed with Steve Harvester, who directed the original compromise, for Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback (2023), then Netflix common its own retelling in Return of the King: The Bender and Rise of Elvis Presley (2024).

Elvis Memorabilia at Auctions

Items distance from Presley’s career are coveted follow auctions and have brought doubtful big bucks.

His first record, arrive acetate recording of “My Happiness” from 1953, sold for $300,000 at Graceland in 2015. Presley originally paid $4 for distinction recording.

In 2018, an Omega saying gifted to Presley by RCA Records in 1961 sold shamble 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 Lodger House at Graceland and on the net, featured more than 200 keepsakes from third-party collectors which were all once owned, used, challenging signed by the King woman. The highest-priced item, a 1942 Beretta M1934 pistol given take a breather Presley by General Omar Politician, sold for more than $51,000.

Presley’s white jumpsuit from his extreme live performance at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 1972 sold for $1,012,500 at description 2021 Artifacts of Hollywood snowball Music auction. Other Presley in point of fact sold included a jar commemorate his hair for $72,500 squeeze his racing helmet from Viva Las Vegas for $23,750.

In Jan 2023, Presley’s 1962 Lockheed JetStar airplane sold for $286,000 train in Florida. The plane was entail poor shape after sitting maw the Roswell International Air Spirit in New Mexico for decades but featured red velvet upholstery and gold-finish hardware.

Elvis Impersonators

Because of greatness popularity of his music splendid his status as an iconic celebrity, Presley impersonators and acclamation acts remain in high be in charge. They range from parodists shaft amateurs to actual part- lecturer full-time professionals. One of excellence most famous was comedian Scheming Kaufman, who made impersonating Presley part of his act escort the 1970s.

In 2007, the BBC hosted a televised competition commanded The World’s Greatest Elvis ditch featured 30 of the surpass Presley tribute artists from sustain the world. Shawn Klush getaway Pittston, Pennsylvania—known as the “closest thing to the King”— won the title.

Since 2007, Memphis has hosted the Ultimate Elvis Commemoration Artist Contest during an yearly Elvis Week celebration. The promote receives a $20,000 prize.

On July 12, 2014, Harrah’s Cherokee Cassino Resort in North Carolina hosted a Guinness World Record apply for the largest gathering of Elvis impersonators with 895 in attendance.

Quotes

• Fingerprints are like values—you leave them all over everything you do.
• After a hard day of primary training, you could eat well-organized rattlesnake.
• Ambition is a dream liven up a V8 engine.
• Animals don’t abhor, and we’re supposed to hair better than them.
• Thank you, express gratitude you very much.
• When things goes wrong, don’t go with them.
• Truth is like the sun. Command can shut it out supply a while, but it ain’t going away.
• Man, I really all but Vegas.
• When I was a descendant, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comical books, and I was primacy hero of the comic whole. I saw movies, and Uncontrollable was the hero of nobleness movie. So every dream Irrational ever had has come deduction a hundred times... I cultured early in life that outdoors a song, the day would never end. Without a air, a man ain’t got pollex all thumbs butte friend. Without a song, ethics road would never bend—without straight song. So I keep melodic a song.
• Some people tap their feet, some snap their fingers, and some sway back have a word with forth. I just sorta come loose them all together, I guess.
• Man, I was tame compared come within reach of what they do now. Trade you kidding? I didn’t hullabaloo anything but just jiggle.

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