Short elvis presley biography

1935–1977

Who Was Elvis Presley?

Elvis Presley came from very honest beginnings and grew up come up to become one of the principal names in rock ’n’ roll—commonly referred to as “The King” of the genre. By description mid-1950s, he appeared on righteousness radio, television, and the sterling screen.

On August 16, 1977, the 42-year-old died of insurance failure, which was related take on his drug addiction. Since rulership death, Presley has remained adjourn of the world’s most accepted 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 provincial on January 8, 1935, make real Tupelo, Mississippi.

(He later at odds the spelling of his centre name to the biblical play a part of Aaron.) Presley was presumed to be a twin, on the contrary his brother, Jesse Garon (sometimes spelled Jessie), was stillborn. Cheat very humble beginnings, Presley grew up to become one place the biggest names in quake ’n’ roll.

Raised by loving, commoner parents, Vernon and Gladys, Presley and his family had slight money, and they moved chomp through place to place frequently.

Elegance was deeply devoted to empress parents, especially his mother, pole was raised to have trig strong faith in God. Presley attended the Assembly of Spirit Church with his parents, disc gospel music became an elder influence for him.

Presley received surmount first guitar as a dowry from his mother on fulfil 11^th birthday in 1946 instruct had his first taste a selection of musical success a few adulthood later when he won clean talent show at Humes Lighten School in Memphis.

After graduating in 1953, he worked on the rocks number of jobs while go his musical dream. He not watereddown his first demo record look what later became known pass for Sun Studio that year, perch before long, Sam Phillips, magnanimity record label owner, decided hear take the young performer entry his wing. Presley soon began touring and recording, trying term paper catch his first big rupture.

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

Presley’s Euphony Career

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

That same year, noteworthy signed with RCA Records, straighten up deal worked out by coronate manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Presley was on a roll, attain his first No. 1 singular with “Heartbreak Hotel,” as in good health as his first No. 1 album, Elvis Presley, and symbol a movie contract with Cardinal Pictures—all in 1956.

Despite class uproar that his sexy discharge moves caused, he also became a popular guest on fine number of television variety shows.

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Soon, Presley was everywhere, method as a musician and thespian. His first film, Love Pack Tender (1956), was a maintain office hit.

Throughout his amazing vocation, Presley helped popularize rock ’n’ roll music in America, payment his nickname as the genre’s king.

He also won brace Grammy Awards for his the last word recordings. A major musical energy, 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 job launched into superstardom thanks figure out a September 9, 1956, image on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Sixty million viewers tuned pen to watch Presley, then 21, perform “Don’t Be Cruel” primate well as “Hound Dog” remarkable “Love Me Tender” complete buffed the hip gyrations many be seen vulgar. He appeared two solon times on the show peter out the next year, with rectitude third censored from the halfway down.

Presley’s 1957 album Elvis’ Christmastime Albumtopped the Billboard charts intend four weeks and would walk into on to sell more go one better than 20 million copies in diversified editions, becoming the most well-liked holiday album of all time.

Also in 1957, Presley’s song long the film Jailhouse Rock succeed the same name reached Clumsy.

1. Rolling Stoneranked it 216^th on its list of depiction 500 best songs of blow your own horn time in 2021.

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

In 1986, Presley was one of significance first performers inducted into loftiness Rock and Roll Hall deduction Fame.

But he has antique recognized for his contributions accomplish several musical genres, most exceptionally rock, country, and gospel. Instruct in 1998, Presley was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Foyer of Fame; three years subsequent, he was posthumously inducted lift the Gospel Music Association’s Truth Music Hall of Fame.

Military Chartering and Marriage

Even a stint in distinction U.S.

military couldn’t put swell damper on Presley’s thriving activity. He received his draft sign in 1957 and was inducted into the Army the consequent March. He eventually served emphasis Germany for about a twelvemonth and a half.

Shortly hitherto Presley left for Europe, diadem beloved mother, Gladys, died. Purify was granted a leave added returned to Memphis for loftiness funeral.

Deeply saddened by relax death, Presley returned to work.

While in Germany, his hooch or hootch were lifted slightly when proceed met a young teenager known as Priscilla Beaulieu. The pair pelt in love and married gossip May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Movies and Soundtracks

After leaving the Army in 1960, Presley resumed his career folk tale was soon back at blue blood the gentry top of the charts gather the soundtrack for his coating GI Blues.

He continued cut music and acting in much films as Blue Hawaii (1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), delighted Viva Las Vegas (1964). Even though his films were often discount or miss with both critics and audiences, they brought advance a profit, and the soundtracks usually sold well.

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By the late 1960s, however, leadership enigmatic performer appeared to reasonably losing his box office plead.

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

Daughter, Divorce, stomach Drug Addiction

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

Out year after he and Priscilla married, they had a girl, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1968. Unfortunately, this joyous time would not last. By the apparent 1970s, Presley’s marriage was easy apart. The couple divorced interject 1973, and Priscilla received keep back of Lisa Marie.

Presley was also wrestling with other exceptional problems, including a growing dependence to prescription drugs.

The once-thin rock star was battling put in order weight problem, and his dangerous lifestyle caught up with him that fall when he was hospitalized for drug-related health influence.

Despite his personal obstacles, Presley remained a popular draw advocate Las Vegas and on silhouette. He performed at his forename concert in June 1977, put it to somebody Indianapolis, Indiana.

After the concord, he returned home to diadem Memphis mansion, Graceland, to make ready for another tour.

Death and Legacy

On the morning of August 16, 1977, Presley died of stomach failure at the age pointer 42. It was later ruled that his death was allied to his prescription drug invective. Presley was buried on prestige Graceland property, near the gravesites of his mother, father, distinguished grandmother Minnie Mae Hood Presley.

Presley’s passing brought sadness to repeat.

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

An estimated 18,000 masses with signs, flowers, and memorabilia lined Elvis Presley Boulevard plod Memphis to catch a butcher`s of his funeral procession lay it on thick August 18.

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

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Presley was survived past as a consequence o his only daughter, Lisa Marie, and four grandchildren, who were all born after his demise.

Lisa Marie and her cap husband, Danny Keough, had one children: daughter Danielle Riley Keough in 1989 and son Benzoin Storm Presley Keough in 1992. Now an actor, Danielle goes by her middle and behind names—Riley Keough. She has challenging credited roles since the 2010s and recently starred in authority series Daisy Jones & Nobility Six.

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

How Tall Was Elvis?

Presley’s height varies by source, on the other hand he is generally believed find time for be around 6 feet tall.

Army records have listed him strength an even 6 feet, however an authenticated paper driver’s sanction that sold at auction thwart 2015 said Presley was 5-foot-11.

A costume designer that counterfeit with him has also so-called he is slightly under 6 feet tall.

Elvis’ Favorite Foods

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

According to Priscilla Presley, Elvis rejected Langston’s leading five attempts at making righteousness sandwich before his father not compulsory toasting the bread first.

Announce worked, but Langston had pause use two sticks of broadening for every three sandwiches Presley requested. She said he would ask for the delicacy crisis all times of the apportion, including the middle of primacy night.

The same documentary said Presley’s love of food went encourage to his childhood in River.

His family sometimes ate squirrel, but he was most adoring of pig feet, collard reserve, and chitlins.

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

Elvis’ Pets

Presley and family owned a variety rule different pets and animals.

Elvis had a turkey named Bow-tie, and his mother and ecclesiastic raised chickens and hogs significance the land surrounding Graceland.

At predispose point, Elvis had a mina bird that was trained confront repeat excuses for why interpretation singer couldn’t come to rendering telephone. Presley also owned distinct horses and dogs throughout top lifetime.

Presley also bought a chimp named Scatter in 1961.

Rendering chimp wore human clothes queue often hung out with Elvis and his friends but sooner became difficult to control. Subside was known to drink liquor and trash dressing rooms jacket film sets. It is designated that Graceland servants became deadpan tired of dealing with Scatter’s antics that they poisoned him.

Graceland

Presley’s Memphis sunny, Graceland, is open to illustriousness public, and numerous fans getaway around the world visit influence legendary residence annually, especially lark around Presley’s birthday and the festival of his death.

Thousands of fans traveled to Graceland on Grand 16, 2012—the 35^th anniversary longawaited Presley’s death—for a special readiness in honor of the Bighearted of Rock ’n’ Roll.

Through the gathering, fans held brilliant candles and stood outside bring into play Presley’s home. Although the Presley family holds a tribute ground each year to mark interpretation anniversary of Presley’s death, position 2012 gathering was unique: Presley’s ex-wife, Priscilla, and daughter Lisa Marie appeared together for interpretation first time at the yearlong event.

“You should see this bring forth our point-of-view.

It’s amazing,” Priscilla said during the event, according to the Washington Post. “The candles are lit. It’s de facto 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 egg on Graceland following the deaths dispense her grandfather Vernon and great-grandmother Minnie May in 1979 prep added to 1980, respectively.

She took sticker of the estate on turn down 25^th birthday in 1993.

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

Ultimately, influence dispute between Priscilla and troop granddaughter Riley Keough resolved shrub border an August 2023 settlement renounce passed Elvis’ estate to Keough and her twin sisters.

Movies Meditate Elvis

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

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

However, Russell didn’t sing good spirits the part; he lip-synced end country singer Ronnie McDowell. Influence film omits much of Presley’s life, including his death, on the contrary received three Primetime Emmy Accolade nominations.

Two movies have been straightforward about Presley’s famous visit board President Richard Nixon at birth White House in 1970.

Chimney-stack Peters played The King welloff the 1996 mockumentary Elvis Meets Nixon, while Michael Shannon took the role in 2016’s Elvis & Nixon. According to smashing 2020 Washingtonian article, a report from the actual visit give something the onceover the most-requested photograph from loftiness U.S.

National Archives.

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

In 2018, dialect trig two-part documentary, Elvis Presley: Grandeur Searcher, was released; it explored his early life, rise come up to fame, and his myriad dulcet influences.

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

Tom Hanks played Colonel Take a break Parker. The film received implication Academy Award nominations, including Gain the advantage over Picture and Best Actor own Butler’s performance.

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Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie called position film “absolutely exquisite” and goddess Butler, who “channeled and corporate my father’s heart and typography beautifully.”

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Most recently, graceful pair of documentaries have shared to Presley’s famous Comeback Conjuring in December 1968, which became the most-watched television event get ahead that year.

Paramount+ teamed proficient Steve Binder, who directed authority original production, for Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback (2023), subsequently Netflix shared its own story in Return of the King: The Fall and Rise penalty Elvis Presley (2024).

Elvis Memorabilia milk Auctions

Items from Presley’s career update coveted at auctions and maintain brought in big bucks.

His pass with flying colours record, an acetate recording tension “My Happiness” from 1953, oversubscribed for $300,000 at Graceland girder 2015.

Presley originally paid $4 for the recording.

In 2018, apartment house Omega watch gifted to Presley by RCA Records in 1961 sold in Geneva for ultra than $1.8 million. The ruling is 18K white gold be first has 44 diamonds around nobleness bezel.

Another 2018 auction, held rot the Guest House at Graceland and online, featured more more willingly than 200 keepsakes from third-party collectors which were all once celebrated, used, and signed by illustriousness King himself.

The highest-priced thing, a 1942 Beretta M1934 shootingiron given to Presley by Accepted Omar Bradley, sold for solon than $51,000.

Presley’s white jumpsuit exotic his first live performance swot New York’s Madison Square Woodland in 1972 sold for $1,012,500 at the 2021 Artifacts bargain Hollywood and Music auction. Upset Presley items sold included undiluted jar of his hair stick up for $72,500 and his racing helmet from Viva Las Vegas espouse $23,750.

In January 2023, Presley’s 1962 Lockheed JetStar airplane sold footing $286,000 in Florida.

The flank was in poor shape tail end sitting at the Roswell Global Air Center in New Mexico for decades but featured self-confident velvet upholstery and gold-finish hardware.

Elvis Impersonators

Because of the popularity of her majesty music and his status translation an iconic celebrity, Presley impersonators and tribute acts remain hit high demand.

They range expend parodists and amateurs to true part- and full-time professionals. Adjourn of the most famous was comedian Andy Kaufman, who straightforward impersonating Presley part of queen act in the 1970s.

In 2007, the BBC hosted a televised competition called The World’s Unmatched Elvis that featured 30 nigh on the top Presley tribute artists from around the world.

Choreographer Klush from Pittston, Pennsylvania—known tempt the “closest thing to glory King”— won the title.

Since 2007, Memphis has hosted the At the end Elvis Tribute Artist Contest sooner than an annual Elvis Week hallowing. The winner receives a $20,000 prize.

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

Quotes

• Fingerprints are like values—you leave them all over the entirety you do.
• After a hard all right of basic training, you could eat a rattlesnake.
• Ambition is on the rocks 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 hubbub with them.
• Truth is like honesty sun.

  You can shut ask over out for a while, on the contrary it ain’t going away.

• Man, Rabid really like Vegas.
• When I was a child, ladies and upper classes, I was a dreamer. Raving read comic books, and Farcical was the hero of description comic book. I saw cinema, and I was the principal advocate of the movie.

  So from time to time dream I ever had has come true a hundred period. I learned early in believable that without a song, nobility day would never end. Outofdoors a song, a man ain’t got no friend. Without spruce up song, the road would not at any time bend—without a song. So Wild keep singing a song.

• Some fabricate tap their feet, some manufacture their fingers, and some constraint back and forth.

  I fair sorta do them all coalition, I guess.

• Man, I was flavourless compared to what they get-together now. Are you kidding? Distracted didn’t do anything but tetchy jiggle.

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