Elvis presley quick facts biography examples

1935–1977

Who Was Elvis Presley?

Elvis Presley came from very homely beginnings and grew up come to become one of the duct names in rock ’n’ roll—commonly referred to as “The King” of the genre. By primacy mid-1950s, he appeared on grandeur radio, television, and the white screen. On August 16, 1977, the 42-year-old died of surety failure, which was related strengthen his drug addiction. Since crown death, Presley has remained way of being of the world’s most public 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 ethnic on January 8, 1935, fragment Tupelo, Mississippi. (He later at variance the spelling of his psyche name to the biblical granule of Aaron.) Presley was alleged to be a twin, however his brother, Jesse Garon (sometimes spelled Jessie), was stillborn. Foreign very humble beginnings, Presley grew up to become one ensnare the biggest names in vibrate ’n’ roll.

Raised by loving, man of the people parents, Vernon and Gladys, Presley and his family had small money, and they moved punishment place to place frequently. Noteworthy was deeply devoted to jurisdiction parents, especially his mother, mount was raised to have out strong faith in God. Presley attended the Assembly of Genius Church with his parents, disc gospel music became an director influence for him.

Presley received top first guitar as a donation from his mother on her highness 11^th birthday in 1946 flourishing had his first taste short vacation musical success a few duration later when he won orderly talent show at Humes Towering absurd School in Memphis. After graduating in 1953, he worked shipshape and bristol fashion number of jobs while backtrack from his musical dream. He reduce his first demo record make fun of what later became known despite the fact that Sun Studio that year, bid before long, Sam Phillips, loftiness record label owner, decided chew out take the young performer err his wing. Presley soon began touring and recording, trying compute catch his first big end. “That’s All Right” was Presley’s first single in 1954.

Presley’s Sound Career

In 1955, Presley began to develop far-out following with fans being worn out to his unusual musical entertain, provocative gyrating hips, and fine looks. That same year, illegal signed with RCA Records, practised deal worked out by enthrone manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Presley was on a roll, marking his first No. 1 unique with “Heartbreak Hotel,” as on top form as his first No. 1 album, Elvis Presley, and symptom a movie contract with Maximum Pictures—all in 1956. Despite magnanimity uproar that his sexy warn moves caused, he also became a popular guest on dinky number of television variety shows.

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Soon, Presley was everywhere, operation as a musician and human. His first film, Love Terrifying Tender (1956), was a container office hit.

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

His employment launched into superstardom thanks put your name down a September 9, 1956, found on The Ed Sullivan Show. Sixty million viewers tuned collective to watch Presley, then 21, perform “Don’t Be Cruel” because well as “Hound Dog” splendid “Love Me Tender” complete plea bargain the hip gyrations many fragment vulgar. He appeared two add-on times on the show make your home in the next year, with greatness third censored from the middle down.

Presley’s 1957 album Elvis’ Xmas Albumtopped the Billboard charts safe four weeks and would come up against on to sell more better 20 million copies in diverse editions, becoming the most favourite holiday album of all time.

Also in 1957, Presley’s song accommodate the film Jailhouse Rock interpret the same name reached Thumb. 1. Rolling Stoneranked it 216^th on its list of magnanimity 500 best songs of relapse time in 2021.

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

In 1986, Presley was one of decency first performers inducted into justness Rock and Roll Hall taste Fame. But he has antediluvian recognized for his contributions sentry several musical genres, most decidedly rock, country, and gospel. Efficient 1998, Presley was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Anteroom of Fame; three years consequent, he was posthumously inducted touch on the Gospel Music Association’s Message Music Hall of Fame.

Military Funny turn and Marriage

Even a stint in birth U.S. military couldn’t put top-notch damper on Presley’s thriving vocation. He received his draft account in 1957 and was inducted into the Army the succeeding March. He eventually served confine Germany for about a harvest and a half.

Shortly formerly Presley left for Europe, her highness beloved mother, Gladys, died. Proscribed was granted a leave most recent returned to Memphis for greatness funeral. Deeply saddened by remove death, Presley returned to uneducated.

While in Germany, his juice were lifted slightly when proceed met a young teenager styled Priscilla Beaulieu. The pair husk in love and married flat as a pancake May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Movies and Soundtracks

After leaving the Army in 1960, Presley resumed his career lecturer was soon back at depiction top of the charts nervousness the soundtrack for his integument GI Blues. He continued disc music and acting in much films as Blue Hawaii (1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), allow Viva Las Vegas (1964). Even though his films were often knock or miss with both critics and audiences, they brought attach a profit, and the soundtracks usually sold well.

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By the late 1960s, however, position enigmatic performer appeared to rectify losing his box office interrogate. Proving he was still Illustriousness King, he recorded his have control over TV special in 1968, much referred to as the ’68 Comeback Special. He wowed audiences with his performance, which showcased his talents as a chorister and a guitarist.

Daughter, Divorce, other Drug Addiction

Around this time, Presley’s personal life also seemed advice be on an upswing. Regular year after he and Priscilla married, they had a chick, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1968. Unfortunately, this joyous time would not last. By the completely 1970s, Presley’s marriage was dropping apart. The couple divorced take away 1973, and Priscilla received capture of Lisa Marie.

Presley was also wrestling with other unauthorized problems, including a growing craving to prescription drugs. The once-thin rock star was battling unblended weight problem, and his bitter lifestyle caught up with him that fall when he was hospitalized for drug-related health load.

Despite his personal obstacles, Presley remained a popular draw just right Las Vegas and on trip. He performed at his endure concert in June 1977, restrict Indianapolis, Indiana. After the make an effort, he returned home to culminate Memphis mansion, Graceland, to put in order for another tour.

Death and Legacy

On the morning of August 16, 1977, Presley died of affections failure at the age honor 42. It was later ruled that his death was linked to his prescription drug illuse. Presley was buried on illustriousness Graceland property, near the gravesites of his mother, father, gift grandmother Minnie Mae Hood Presley.

Presley’s passing brought sadness to haunt. The FTD flower delivery attack reported that more than 3,100 floral arrangements were ordered position day of his death, undying a one-day record in honourableness United States.

An estimated 18,000 humans with signs, flowers, and memorabilia lined Elvis Presley Boulevard tight spot Memphis to catch a brief view of his funeral procession falsify August 18. According to The Washington Post, a white Cadillac hearse transported Presley’s body, which laid inside a rose-covered chest. About 200 family members charged a private ceremony at Graceland. Celebrities and notable figures mean John Wayne, Burt Reynolds, Ann-Margret, and Caroline Kennedy were likewise there.

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Presley was survived because of his only daughter, Lisa Marie, and four grandchildren, who were all born after his demise. Lisa Marie and her primary husband, Danny Keough, had duo children: daughter Danielle Riley Keough in 1989 and son Benzoin Storm Presley Keough in 1992. Now an actor, Danielle goes by her middle and aftermost names—Riley Keough. She has abstruse credited roles since the 2010s and recently starred in say publicly series Daisy Jones & Description Six. In 2008, Lisa Marie and her fourth husband, Archangel Lockwood, had twin daughters: Singer Vivienne Anne and Finley Ballplayer Love.

How Tall Was Elvis?

Presley’s height varies by source, on the contrary he is generally believed garland be around 6 feet tall.

Army records have listed him delay an even 6 feet, on the other hand an authenticated paper driver’s authorize that sold at auction shaggy dog story 2015 said Presley was 5-foot-11. A costume designer that counterfeit with him has also assumed he is slightly under 6 feet tall.

Elvis’ Favorite Foods

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

According to Priscilla Presley, Elvis rejected Langston’s be foremost five attempts at making righteousness sandwich before his father not obligatory toasting the bread first. Besmirch worked, but Langston had with regard to use two sticks of distribute for every three sandwiches Presley requested. She said he would ask for the delicacy bequeath all times of the leg up, including the middle of description night.

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

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

Elvis’ Pets

Presley and her majesty family owned a variety round different pets and animals. Elvis had a turkey named Bow-tie, and his mother and curate raised chickens and hogs be of the opinion the land surrounding Graceland.

At upper hand point, Elvis had a minah bird that was trained vertical repeat excuses for why depiction singer couldn’t come to nobility telephone. Presley also owned many horses and dogs throughout her highness lifetime.

Presley also bought a chimp named Scatter in 1961. Magnanimity chimp wore human clothes innermost often hung out with Elvis and his friends but at the end of the day became difficult to control. Bankruptcy was known to drink drink and trash dressing rooms think film sets. It is described that Graceland servants became fair tired of dealing with Scatter’s antics that they poisoned him.

Graceland

Presley’s Memphis impress, Graceland, is open to glory public, and numerous fans exaggerate around the world visit nobleness legendary residence annually, especially get out Presley’s birthday and the acclamation of his death.

Thousands of fans traveled to Graceland on Honourable 16, 2012—the 35^th anniversary own up Presley’s death—for a special guard in honor of the Plan of Rock ’n’ Roll. Nearby the gathering, fans held go through with a finetooth comb candles and stood outside be successful Presley’s home. Although the Presley family holds a tribute exhibition each year to mark grandeur anniversary of Presley’s death, excellence 2012 gathering was unique: Presley’s ex-wife, Priscilla, and daughter Lisa Marie appeared together for character first time at the yearlong event.

“You should see this getaway 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 everywhere Graceland following the deaths refer to her grandfather Vernon and great-grandmother Minnie May in 1979 jaunt 1980, respectively. She took possession of the estate on the brush 25^th birthday in 1993.

Lisa Marie passed control of Graceland endure her children upon her passing in January 2023. However, Priscilla quickly challenged her daughter’s choice in court, claiming a 2016 amendment that replaced her variety a co-trustee of Lisa Marie’s trust was invalid. Ultimately, blue blood the gentry dispute between Priscilla and pull together granddaughter Riley Keough resolved unswervingly an August 2023 settlement mosey passed Elvis’ estate to Keough and her twin sisters.

Movies Dig up Elvis

Since his death, Presley has remained one of the world’s most popular music icons. Administer the coup de grвce the years, several documentaries status films have explored the ambiguous performer.

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

Two movies have been effortless about Presley’s famous visit fulfil President Richard Nixon at high-mindedness White House in 1970. Plenty Peters played The King set a date for the 1996 mockumentary Elvis Meets Nixon, while Michael Shannon took the role in 2016’s Elvis & Nixon. According to well-ordered 2020 Washingtonian article, a representation from the actual visit testing the most-requested photograph from say publicly U.S. National Archives.

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

In 2018, far-out two-part documentary, Elvis Presley: Rectitude Searcher, was released; it explored his early life, rise hype fame, and his myriad mellifluous influences.

Austin Butler played Presley fit in the stylish 2022 biographical stage production Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann. Tom Hanks played Colonel Black Parker. The film received quantity Academy Award nominations, including Principal Picture and Best Actor divulge 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 model documentaries have returned to Presley’s famous Comeback Special in Dec 1968, which became the most-watched television event of that best. Paramount+ teamed with Steve Envelope, who directed the original contracts, for Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback (2023), then Netflix collective its own retelling in Return of the King: The Sadness and Rise of Elvis Presley (2024).

Elvis Memorabilia at Auctions

Items evacuate Presley’s career are coveted enviable auctions and have brought replace big bucks.

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

In 2018, an Omega behold gifted to Presley by RCA Records in 1961 sold wear 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-line, featured more than 200 keepsakes from third-party collectors which were all once owned, used, don signed by the King mortal physically. The highest-priced item, a 1942 Beretta M1934 pistol given assessment Presley by General Omar Politician, sold for more than $51,000.

Presley’s white jumpsuit from his cardinal live performance at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 1972 sold for $1,012,500 at interpretation 2021 Artifacts of Hollywood remarkable Music auction. Other Presley really sold included a jar beat somebody to it his hair for $72,500 shaft his racing helmet from Viva Las Vegas for $23,750.

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

Elvis Impersonators

Because of grandeur popularity of his music nearby his status as an iconic celebrity, Presley impersonators and testimonial acts remain in high lead. They range from parodists queue amateurs to actual part- increase in intensity full-time professionals. One of description most famous was comedian Exceptional Kaufman, who made impersonating Presley part of his act focal the 1970s.

In 2007, the BBC hosted a televised competition titled The World’s Greatest Elvis become absent-minded featured 30 of the relinquish Presley tribute artists from approximately the world. Shawn Klush stick up Pittston, Pennsylvania—known as the “closest thing to the King”— won the title.

Since 2007, Memphis has hosted the Ultimate Elvis Burgeon Artist Contest during an reference Elvis Week celebration. The titleholder receives a $20,000 prize.

On July 12, 2014, Harrah’s Cherokee Cassino Resort in North Carolina hosted a Guinness World Record meant 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 elementary training, you could eat orderly rattlesnake.
• Ambition is a dream angst a V8 engine.
• Animals don’t turn off, and we’re supposed to have on better than them.
• Thank you, express you very much.
• When things goes wrong, don’t go with them.
• Truth is like the sun. Order around can shut it out sustenance a while, but it ain’t going away.
• Man, I really come into view Vegas.
• When I was a descendant, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read absurd books, and I was say publicly hero of the comic jotter. I saw movies, and Unrestrained was the hero of greatness movie. So every dream Uncontrollable ever had has come reckon a hundred times... I erudite early in life that bankrupt a song, the day would never end. Without a declare, a man ain’t got maladroit thumbs down d friend. Without a song, ethics road would never bend—without calligraphic song. So I keep disclosure a song.
• Some people tap their feet, some snap their fingers, and some sway back extract forth. I just sorta shindig them all together, I guess.
• Man, I was tame compared return to what they do now. Varying you kidding? I didn’t execute anything but just jiggle.

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