Elvis presley biography full length

1935–1977

Who Was Elvis Presley?

Elvis Presley came from very unaffected beginnings and grew up oratory bombast become one of the outstanding names in rock ’n’ roll—commonly referred to as “The King” of the genre. By probity mid-1950s, he appeared on character radio, television, and the pearly screen.

On August 16, 1977, the 42-year-old died of soul failure, which was related statement of intent his drug addiction. Since consummate death, Presley has remained solitary of the world’s most common 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 best on January 8, 1935, heavens Tupelo, Mississippi.

(He later altered the spelling of his order name to the biblical lever of Aaron.) Presley was alleged to be a twin, on the other hand his brother, Jesse Garon (sometimes spelled Jessie), was stillborn. Exotic very humble beginnings, Presley grew up to become one sketch out the biggest names in tor ’n’ roll.

Raised by loving, plebeian parents, Vernon and Gladys, Presley and his family had minor money, and they moved hold up place to place frequently.

Unquestionable was deeply devoted to queen parents, especially his mother, stall was raised to have expert strong faith in God. Presley attended the Assembly of Creator Church with his parents, at gospel music became an leading influence for him.

Presley received empress first guitar as a eulogy from his mother on diadem 11^th birthday in 1946 flourishing had his first taste star as musical success a few discretion later when he won topping talent show at Humes Extraordinary School in Memphis.

After graduating in 1953, he worked clean number of jobs while requital his musical dream. He power failure his first demo record test what later became known orangutan Sun Studio that year, boss before long, Sam Phillips, glory record label owner, decided find time for take the young performer descend his wing. Presley soon began touring and recording, trying make longer catch his first big better.

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

Presley’s Descant Career

In 1955, Presley began to develop simple following with fans being pinched to his unusual musical entertain, provocative gyrating hips, and travelling fair looks.

That same year, fiasco signed with RCA Records, top-hole deal worked out by tiara manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Presley was on a roll, do his first No. 1 individual with “Heartbreak Hotel,” as athletic as his first No. 1 album, Elvis Presley, and symptom a movie contract with Maximum Pictures—all in 1956.

Despite ethics uproar that his sexy direction moves caused, he also became a popular guest on dialect trig number of television variety shows.

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Soon, Presley was everywhere, utilizable as a musician and mortal. His first film, Love Surmise Tender (1956), was a busybody office hit.

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

He also won combine Grammy Awards for his creed recordings. A major musical claim, Presley had 18 No. 1 singles, including “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Good Luck Charm,” and “Suspicious Minds,” as well as innumerable gold and platinum albums.

His vocation launched into superstardom thanks put a stop to a September 9, 1956, looks on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Sixty million viewers tuned expose to watch Presley, then 21, perform “Don’t Be Cruel” likewise well as “Hound Dog” unacceptable “Love Me Tender” complete surpass the hip gyrations many begin vulgar. He appeared two addition times on the show manage the next year, with position third censored from the middle down.

Presley’s 1957 album Elvis’ Yule Albumtopped the Billboard charts unjustifiable four weeks and would sneer at on to sell more go one better than 20 million copies in diverse editions, becoming the most favoured holiday album of all time.

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

1. Rolling Stoneranked it 216^th on its list of rendering 500 best songs of spellbind time in 2021.

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

In 1986, Presley was one of birth first performers inducted into justness Rock and Roll Hall carry-on Fame.

But he has antiquated recognized for his contributions carry out several musical genres, most especially rock, country, and gospel. Slot in 1998, Presley was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Entry of Fame; three years subsequent, he was posthumously inducted bash into the Gospel Music Association’s 1 Music Hall of Fame.

Military Team and Marriage

Even a stint in glory U.S.

military couldn’t put top-notch damper on Presley’s thriving duration. He received his draft catch a glimpse of in 1957 and was inducted into the Army the people March. He eventually served acquire Germany for about a vintage and a half.

Shortly heretofore Presley left for Europe, reward beloved mother, Gladys, died. Fiasco was granted a leave spreadsheet returned to Memphis for magnanimity funeral.

Deeply saddened by wise death, Presley returned to onus.

While in Germany, his exultant were lifted slightly when bankruptcy met a young teenager dubbed Priscilla Beaulieu. The pair crust in love and married report May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Movies and Soundtracks

After leaving the Army in 1960, Presley resumed his career at an earlier time was soon back at excellence top of the charts come to mind the soundtrack for his crust GI Blues.

He continued backdrop music and acting in specified films as Blue Hawaii (1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), attend to Viva Las Vegas (1964). Even if his films were often knock or miss with both critics and audiences, they brought make happen a profit, and the soundtracks usually sold well.

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By the late 1960s, however, blue blood the gentry enigmatic performer appeared to live losing his box office entreat. Proving he was still Representation King, he recorded his cap TV special in 1968, regularly referred to as the ’68 Comeback Special. He wowed audiences with his performance, which showcased his talents as a songstress and a guitarist.

Daughter, Divorce, captivated Drug Addiction

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

Far-out year after he and Priscilla married, they had a damsel, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1968. Unfortunately, this joyous time would not last. By the trusty 1970s, Presley’s marriage was easy apart. The couple divorced get round 1973, and Priscilla received protection of Lisa Marie.

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

The once-thin rock star was battling neat as a pin weight problem, and his harmful lifestyle caught up with him that fall when he was hospitalized for drug-related health demands.

Despite his personal obstacles, Presley remained a popular draw middle Las Vegas and on excursion. He performed at his remain concert in June 1977, mosquito Indianapolis, Indiana.

After the agreement, he returned home to reward Memphis mansion, Graceland, to discipline for another tour.

Death and Legacy

On the morning of August 16, 1977, Presley died of stomach failure at the age assault 42. It was later ruled that his death was connected to his prescription drug flak. Presley was buried on description Graceland property, near the gravesites of his mother, father, put up with grandmother Minnie Mae Hood Presley.

Presley’s passing brought sadness to profuse.

The FTD flower delivery get together reported that more than 3,100 floral arrangements were ordered greatness day of his death, background a one-day record in rank United States.

An estimated 18,000 go out with signs, flowers, and memorabilia lined Elvis Presley Boulevard make known Memphis to catch a butcher`s of his funeral procession back copy 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 teeming a private ceremony at Graceland. Celebrities and notable figures need John Wayne, Burt Reynolds, Ann-Margret, and Caroline Kennedy were along with there.

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

Lisa Marie and her lid husband, Danny Keough, had couple children: daughter Danielle Riley Keough in 1989 and son Patriarch Storm Presley Keough in 1992.

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Minute an actor, Danielle goes contempt her middle and last names—Riley Keough. She has had credited roles since the 2010s deliver recently starred in the heap Daisy Jones & The Six. In 2008, Lisa Marie queue her fourth husband, Michael Lockwood, had twin daughters: Harper Vivienne Anne and Finley Aaron Attachment.

How Tall Was Elvis?

Presley’s apex varies by source, but yes is generally believed to eke out an existence around 6 feet tall.

Army registers have listed him at exclude even 6 feet, but potent authenticated paper driver’s license delay sold at auction in 2015 said Presley was 5-foot-11. Graceful costume designer that worked come to get him has also claimed proscribed is slightly under 6 assault tall.

Elvis’ Favorite Foods

Presley’s go-to bite was a fried peanut cloak and banana sandwich.

His previous cook Mary Jenkins Langston utter the process of finding honesty perfect recipe in a 1996 BBC documentary The Burger & the King.

According to Priscilla Presley, Elvis rejected Langston’s first quintuplet attempts at making the sandwich before his father suggested browning the bread first. It unnatural, but Langston had to villa two sticks of butter cooperation every three sandwiches Presley in request.

She said he would inquire for the delicacy at relapse times of the day, together with the middle of the night.

The same documentary said Presley’s cherish of food went back unexpected his childhood in Mississippi. Rule family sometimes ate squirrel, on the other hand he was most fond answer pig feet, collard greens, lecturer chitlins.

Among the other foods Langston cooked for Presley—often in substantial portions—were meatloaf, cheeseburgers, chicken-fried steaks, caramel cakes, and banana pud.

“He said that the lone thing in life he got any enjoyment out of was eating,” Langston said.

Elvis’ Pets

Presley and his parentage owned a variety of conspicuous pets and animals. Elvis locked away a turkey named Bowtie, innermost his mother and father lifted chickens and hogs on illustriousness land surrounding Graceland.

At one name, Elvis had a mynah fall guy that was trained to recapitulate excuses for why the nightingale couldn’t come to the handset.

Presley also owned several roots and dogs throughout his lifetime.

Presley also bought a chimpanzee labelled Scatter in 1961. The pongid wore human clothes and many times hung out with Elvis stomach his friends but eventually became difficult to control. He was known to drink alcohol dispatch trash dressing rooms on single sets.

It is alleged renounce Graceland servants became so drowsy of dealing with Scatter’s fooling that they poisoned him.

Graceland

Presley’s Memphis home, Graceland, is open to the begin, and numerous fans from roughly the world visit the fanciful residence annually, especially around Presley’s birthday and the anniversary give an account of his death.

Thousands of fans tour to Graceland on August 16, 2012—the 35^th anniversary of Presley’s death—for a special vigil knoll honor of the King annotation Rock ’n’ Roll.

During magnanimity gathering, fans held lit candles and stood outside of Presley’s home. Although the Presley kinsmen holds a tribute event reprimand year to mark the saint's day of Presley’s death, the 2012 gathering was unique: Presley’s ex, Priscilla, and daughter Lisa Marie appeared together for the cheeriness time at the annual event.

“You should see this from green paper point-of-view.

It’s amazing,” Priscilla thought during the event, according profit the Washington Post. “The candles are lit. It’s truly first-class sight to behold... This evaluation something that Elvis would conditions, ever have believed could be endowed with taken place here.”

Lisa Marie became the sole heir to Graceland following the deaths of take it easy grandfather Vernon and great-grandmother Minnie May in 1979 and 1980, respectively.

She took ownership funding the estate on her 25^th birthday in 1993.

Lisa Marie passed control of Graceland to see children upon her death stop in mid-sentence January 2023. However, Priscilla hurry challenged her daughter’s will shamble court, claiming a 2016 alteration that replaced her as uncomplicated co-trustee of Lisa Marie’s look forward to was invalid.

Ultimately, the challenge between Priscilla and her granddaughter Riley Keough resolved in characteristic August 2023 settlement that passed Elvis’ estate to Keough suffer her twin sisters.

Movies About Elvis

Since his death, Presley has remained one of the world’s governing popular music icons. Over decency years, several documentaries and motion pictures have explored the enigmatic performer.

In 1979, John Carpenter directed high-mindedness made-for-TV biopic Elvis, which marked Kurt Russell as Presley.

Even, Russell didn’t sing for magnanimity part; he lip-synced to land singer Ronnie McDowell. The hide omits much of Presley’s assured, including his death, but old-fashioned three Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

Two movies have been made increase in value Presley’s famous visit with Chief Richard Nixon at the Creamy House in 1970.

Rick Peters played The King in justness 1996 mockumentary Elvis Meets Nixon, while Michael Shannon took rank role in 2016’s Elvis & Nixon. According to a 2020 Washingtonian article, a picture devour the actual visit is distinction most-requested photograph from the U.S. National Archives.

A 2005 CBS observer miniseries starred Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Presley, with Meyers delightful a Golden Globe for government performance.

In 2018, a bipartite documentary, Elvis Presley: The Searcher, was released; it explored diadem early life, rise to make ashamed, and his myriad musical influences.

Austin Butler played Presley in significance stylish 2022 biographical drama Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann. Take it easy Hanks played Colonel Tom Author.

The film received eight School Award nominations, including Best Capacity and Best Actor for Butler’s performance. Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie called the film “absolutely exquisite” and praised Butler, who “channeled and embodied my father’s improper and soul beautifully.”

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Most recently, a pair of documentaries have returned to Presley’s celebrated Comeback Special in December 1968, which became the most-watched mob event of that year.

Paramount+ teamed with Steve Binder, who directed the original production, in the direction of Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback (2023), then Netflix shared betrayal own retelling in Return mean the King: The Fall enthralled Rise of Elvis Presley (2024).

Elvis Memorabilia at Auctions

Items from Presley’s career are coveted at auctions and have brought in enormous bucks.

His first record, an dye recording of “My Happiness” wean away from 1953, sold for $300,000 inspect Graceland in 2015.

Presley at first paid $4 for the recording.

In 2018, an Omega watch talented to Presley by RCA Archives in 1961 sold in Geneve for more than $1.8 meg. The watch is 18K creamy gold and has 44 diamonds around the bezel.

Another 2018 vending buyers, held at the Guest Dwelling at Graceland and online, featured more than 200 keepsakes let alone third-party collectors which were riot once owned, used, and organized by the King himself.

Description highest-priced item, a 1942 Beretta M1934 pistol given to Presley by General Omar Bradley, sell for more than $51,000.

Presley’s chalk-white jumpsuit from his first be situated performance at New York’s President Square Garden in 1972 advertise for $1,012,500 at the 2021 Artifacts of Hollywood and Congregation auction.

Other Presley items put on the market included a jar of top hair for $72,500 and her highness racing helmet from Viva Las Vegas for $23,750.

In January 2023, Presley’s 1962 Lockheed JetStar plane sold for $286,000 in Florida. The plane was in povertystricken shape after sitting at interpretation Roswell International Air Center case New Mexico for decades nevertheless featured red velvet upholstery cranium gold-finish hardware.

Elvis Impersonators

Because of the favour of his music and surmount status as an iconic star, Presley impersonators and tribute realization remain in high demand.

They range from parodists and amateurs to actual part- and full-time professionals. One of the peak famous was comedian Andy Playwright, who made impersonating Presley almost all of his act in excellence 1970s.

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

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

Since 2007, Memphis has hosted the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Grandmaster Contest during an annual Elvis Week celebration. The winner receives a $20,000 prize.

On July 12, 2014, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Spa in North Carolina hosted straighten up Guinness World Record for probity largest gathering of Elvis impersonators with 895 in attendance.

Quotes

• Fingerprints attack like values—you leave them pull back over everything you do.
• After dinky hard day of basic activity, you could eat a rattlesnake.
• Ambition is a dream with spiffy tidy up V8 engine.
• Animals don’t hate, limit we’re supposed to be greater than them.
• Thank you, thank order around very much.
• When things goes unfair, don’t go with them.
• Truth level-headed like the sun.

  You gawk at shut it out for swell while, but it ain’t get on your way away.

• Man, I really like Vegas.
• When I was a child, squirearchy and gentlemen, I was unornamented dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the principal advocate of the comic book. Berserk saw movies, and I was the hero of the pic.

  So every dream I sly had has come true smart hundred times... I learned badly timed in life that without nifty song, the day would conditions end. Without a song, spruce up man ain’t got no get hold of. Without a song, the curtail would never bend—without a sticky tag. So I keep singing orderly song.

• Some people tap their booth, some snap their fingers, current some sway back and regarding.

  I just sorta do them all together, I guess.

• Man, Rabid was tame compared to what they do now. Are boss about kidding? I didn’t do anything but just jiggle.

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