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Elvis Presley Biography

Elvis Presley became one of the most influential cultural icons of a generation. He is commonly referred to as the “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” and epitomises the post-war pop generation.

Elvis was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. When he was 13, his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis was relatively shy and as a youngster was not keen on performing in public. However, he received a guitar as a present and learnt to play and sing; he gained no formal musical training, but had an innate natural talent and could easily pick up music. As a teenager, he was uninterested in school – but become absorbed in music, listening to a huge range of contemporary American music. He also started to sport a distinctive look with sideburns and styled hair. This image would later become an ‘Elvis’ trademark.

In 1953, he went to Sun recording studio – to record a song for his mother, but also with the hope he may get noticed and offered a recording deal. However, it didn’t come to anything; he was also turned down for auditions to other groups. In April 1954, he took a job as a truck driver.

However, later on in the year, the Sun boss Sam Phillips invited Elvis to come in for a recording session. Initially, the recording session was unpromising, but towards the end of the allotted time, Elvis started to play a song he had composed himself. Phillips was immediately impressed by the verve, enthusiasm and dynamism of Elvis’s music. Phillips believed that Elvis had a unique voice and talent which could capture the interest of Americans.

For his first studio recording, Elvis performed the 1946 blues number, Arthur Crudup’s “That’s All Right”; it was well received on local radio stations.

This initial success launched Presley into a lucrative pop music career.

His performances were a fusion of country, gospel, pop and rhythm and blues. His unique gravelly voice gave the impression Presley combined both ‘black’ and ‘white’ sounds, something which was an issue during an era of tense civil rights campaigns. Elvis’s on stage routines were also criticised for their flamboyance and provocativeness; he was criticised for the idea that rock ‘n ‘roll music was having a negative effect on American teenagers, making them more rebellious. As the leading figure of pop music, Presley was often the target of these criticisms. However, he defended his music saying:

“No, I haven’t, I don’t feel like I’m doing anything wrong. … I don’t see how any type of music would have any bad influence on people when it’s only music. … I mean, how would rock ‘n’ roll music make anyone rebel against their parents?”

“Nothing really affected me until Elvis. Before Elvis there was nothing. When I first heard “Heartbreak Hotel,” I could hardly make out what was being said. It was just the experience of hearing it and having my hair stand on end. We’d never heard American voices singing like that.”

Ironically, Elvis was never keen to meet the Beatles and when they did meet on one occasion – 27 August 1965 – it was a mutual disappointment. But, Lennon always maintained without Elvis, there would have been no Beatles.

At live concerts, his crowds increasingly became overly exuberant. When Presley began playing hits like “You ain’t nothin’ but a Hound Dog” the crowd would go wild. This led Presley to take a break from live performances.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a kid. But I used to pray to God that I’d amount to something some day. I never dreamed that something like this would happen.”

– Elvis Presley

In 1958-60, Presley was called up for national service in the American army. He was stationed in Germany and served in the regular army, and was keen to be seen as an ordinary soldier doing his duty. He could have signed up for Special Services, which would have enabled him to perform live music, but he preferred to stay in the regular army. During his stay in Freiburg, Germany he met Priscilla Beaulieu, who he would marry after a seven-year courtship. They married in 1967 and, in 1968, Priscilla gave birth to Elvis’s only child – Lisa Marie.

However, from 1973, Presley began to increasingly suffer health problems – related to his obesity and drug dependency. He continued to try and maintain a hectic touring schedule, but his performances were negatively affected by his obvious health problems. In 1976, aged only 42, he died from multiple causes; fourteen different drugs were found in his bloodstream.

His early death only cemented his legendary status, and Elvis Presley has become deeply ingrained in popular culture.

Presley’s home Graceland was opened to the public in the 1980s and attracts over half a million visitors annually. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006.

Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan . “Biography of Elvis Presley”, Oxford, UK.  www.biographyonline.net , 1st Jan. 2013. Updated 10th January 2018.

Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley

Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley at Amazon

Elvis Presley – The 50 Greatest Hits

Elvis Presley – The 50 Greatest Hits at Amazon

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Elvis Presley (Jan. 8, 1935–Aug 16, 1977) was a singer, actor, and cultural icon of the 20th century. Presley sold more than 1 billion records and made 33 movies, but his cultural impact far exceeds even those numbers.

Fast Facts: Elvis Presley

• Known For : A rock 'n' roll icon
• Also Known As : The King of Rock 'n' Roll
• Born : Jan. 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi
• Parents : Gladys and Vernon Presley
• Died : Aug 16, 1977 in Memphis, Tennessee
• Songs : "Love Me Tender," "Hound Dog," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Jailhouse Rock," "Can’t Help Falling in Love"
• Movies : "Kid Galahad," "Blue Hawaii," "Jailhouse Rock," "King Creole"
• Spouse : Priscilla Beaulieu Presley
• Children : Lisa Marie Presley
• Notable Quote : "Rock 'n' roll music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can't help but move to it. That's what happens to me. I can't help it."

Elvis Presley was born to Gladys and Vernon Presley in the couple's two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, following a difficult delivery. Presley's twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, and Gladys was so ill from the birth that she was taken to the hospital. She wasn't able to have more children.

Gladys Presley doted on her sandy-haired, blue-eyed son and worked hard to keep her family together. She struggled when her husband was sentenced to three years in the Mississippi state penitentiary, also known as Parchman Farm, for forgery after changing the amount on a check. With him in prison, Gladys couldn't earn enough to keep the house, so she and her 3-year-old moved in with relatives, the first of many moves for the family.

Learning Music

Since they moved often, only two things were consistent in Presley's childhood: his parents and music. With his parents usually at work, Presley found music wherever he could. He listened to music in church and taught himself to play the church piano. When Presley was 8, he often hung out at the local radio station. For his 11th birthday, his parents gave him a guitar.

By high school, his family had moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Although Presley joined R.O.T.C., played football, and worked as an usher at a movie theater, his activities didn't stop other students from picking on him. Presley was different. He dyed his hair black and wore it in a style that made him look more like a comic book character than other kids in his school.

So he surrounded himself with music, listening to the radio and buying records. After the family moved to Lauderdale Courts, an apartment complex, he often played with other aspiring musicians who lived there. Although segregation was still a fact in the south, Presley crossed the color line and listened to African-American artists such as B.B. King. He often visited Beale Street in the African-American section of town to watch Black musicians play.

By the time Presley graduated from high school, he could sing in various styles, from hillbilly to gospel. He also had a style of singing and moving that was all his own. He had combined what he saw and heard into a unique new sound. The first to realize this was Sam Phillips at Sun Records.

After spending the year after high school working a day job and playing at small clubs at night, Presley received a call from Sun Records on June 6, 1954. Phillips wanted Presley to sing a new song. When that didn't work out, he set Presley up with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black. After a month of practicing, they recorded "That's All Right (Mama)." Phillips convinced a friend to play it on the radio, and it was an instant hit.

Moore, Black, and drummer D.J. Fontana continued to back Presley on dozens of legendary rock 'n' roll songs over the next decade.

Presley quickly built an audience. On Aug. 15, 1954, he signed with Sun Records for four albums. He then began making appearances on popular radio shows such as "Grand Ole Opry" and "Louisiana Hayride." Presley was so successful on "Hayride" that he was hired to perform every Saturday for a year. He quit his job and toured the south during the week, playing anywhere there was a paying audience, then returned to Shreveport, Louisiana, every Saturday for "Hayride."

High school and college students went wild for Presley, screaming and cheering and mobbing him backstage. He put his soul into every performance and moved his body—a lot. Presley gyrated his hips, jiggled his legs, and fell to his knees on the floor. Adults thought he was lewd and suggestive; teenagers loved him.

As Presley's popularity soared, he hired "Colonel" Tom Parker as his manager. In some ways, Parker took advantage of Presley, including taking a generous cut of his proceeds, but he steered Presley to mega-stardom.

Presley's popularity soon became more than Sun Records could handle, so Phillips sold Presley's contract to RCA Victor for $35,000, more than any record company had ever paid for a singer.

To further boost Presley's popularity, Parker put him on television. On Jan. 28, 1956, Presley made his first television appearance on "Stage Show," followed by appearances on "The Milton Berle Show," "The Steve Allen Show," and "The Ed Sullivan Show."

In March 1956, Parker arranged an audition with Presley at Paramount studios. Studio executives liked Presley so much that they signed him to do his first movie, "Love Me Tender" (1956), with an option for six more. Two weeks after his audition, Presley received his first gold record for "Heartbreak Hotel," which had sold 1 million copies.

Presley's popularity was skyrocketing and money was flowing. He bought his mother the house he had promised her and in March 1957, he purchased Graceland—a mansion with 13 acres of land—for $102,500. He then had the entire mansion remodeled to his tastes.

Just as it seemed like everything Presley touched turned to gold, on Dec. 20, 1957, he received a draft notice. Presley could have been excused from military service, but he chose to enter the Army as a regular soldier. He was stationed in Germany.

With a nearly two-year hiatus from his career, many people, including Presley, wondered if the world would forget him. But Parker worked hard to keep Presley's name and image before the public, succeeding so well that some said Presley was as popular after his military experience as before it.

While Presley was in the Army, two major personal events occurred. The first was the death of his mother, which devastated him. The second was meeting and dating 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, whose father was also stationed in Germany. They married eight years later, on May 1, 1967, and had one child, a daughter named Lisa Marie Presley, on Feb. 1, 1968.

Following Presley's discharge in 1960, he launched into recording songs and making movies. It had become obvious to Parker and others that anything bearing Presley's name would make money, so Presley was pushed to make movies in quantity rather than quality. His most successful movie, "Blue Hawaii" (1961), became a template for many that followed. He grew increasingly upset about the poor quality of his movies and songs.

From 1960 until 1968, Presley made few public appearances, focusing on making movies. In all, he made 33 movies.

While Presley was busy making movies, other musicians took the stage, some of whom, including the  Beatles , sold lots of records and threatened to make Presley share his title of "King of Rock 'n' Roll,"—if not steal it. Presley had to do something to keep his crown.

In December 1968, he dressed in black leather and made an hour-long television special titled "Elvis." Calm, sexy, and humorous, he wowed the crowd. The "comeback special" energized Presley. He returned to recording songs and doing live performances. In July 1969, Parker booked Presley at the largest venue in Las Vegas, the new International Hotel. His shows were huge successes and the hotel booked Presley for four weeks a year through 1974. The rest of the year he toured.

Since he became popular, Presley had worked at breakneck speed, recording songs, making movies, and giving concerts with little to no rest. To maintain that pace, he started taking prescription drugs.

By the early 1970s, continued drug use had begun to cause problems. Presley started having severe mood swings with aggressive and erratic behavior, and he gained a lot of weight. Presley and Priscilla had grown apart, and in January 1973, they divorced. His drug addiction became worse; he was hospitalized several times for overdoses and other health problems. His performances began to suffer; on many occasions, he mumbled through songs.

On Aug. 16, 1977, Presley's girlfriend Ginger Alden found him on the bathroom floor at Graceland. He wasn't breathing. He was taken to the hospital, but doctors were unable to resuscitate him and he was pronounced dead at 42. His death initially was attributed to "cardiac arrhythmia," but the cause later was changed to a lethal mix of prescription drugs. 

Elvis Presley was one of the few artists to become known worldwide by just his first name and whose talent and accomplishments made him pop culture royalty. His fame has endured.

Twenty-five years after his death, RCA released an album of his No.1 records, titled "ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits." The album debuted at No. 1 on the charts, selling half a million copies in its first week. Having an album debut atop the U.S. charts was something Presley hadn't accomplished while he was alive.

It opened at No. 1 in 16 other countries, including Canada, France, the United Kingdom, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates .

• " Forever Elvis ." Legacy.com.
• " The Legacy of Elvis Presley ." HowStuffWorks.
• Kreps, Daniel. “ Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley Guitarist, Dead at 84 .” Rolling Stone, 25 June 2018.
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Elvis Presley Biography

Born: August 8, 1935 Tupelo, Mississippi Died: August 16, 1977 Memphis, Tennessee American singer

Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock 'n' Roll," was the leading American singer for two decades and the most popular singer of the entire early rock 'n' roll era.

Young Elvis and Sun Records

Elvis Aron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935, to Gladys and Vernon Presley. His twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley, died shortly after birth. His father worked as a carpenter, farmer, and factory worker to support the family but was not successful in any of his jobs. Raised in a poor and religious environment, Elvis grew especially close to his mother. Elvis's singing ability was discovered when he was an elementary school student in Tupelo, and he first started singing with the choir of his local church. He received his first guitar as a birthday present when he was about twelve and taught himself how to play, although he could not read music. He went on to participate in numerous talent contests in Tupelo and in Memphis, Tennessee, where the family moved when Elvis was thirteen.

The birth of rock 'n' roll

Elvis reached the top of the country charts with "Mystery Train" in 1955. His first number one song on the so-called "Hot 100" was "Heartbreak Hotel" (1956), which held that position for seven of the twenty-seven weeks it was on the chart. This song also reached the top of the country charts, and it became a symbol of his ability to combine country singing with rhythm-and-blues, as well as with the new rage that had grown out of rhythm-and-blues: rock 'n' roll. The rest of the 1950s brought Elvis "living legend" status with records that included "Hound Dog" (1956), "Don't Be Cruel" (1956), "Blue Suede Shoes" (1956), "Love Me Tender" (1956), "All Shook Up" (1957), and "Jailhouse Rock" (1957). He started the 1960s in similar fashion with "It's Now or Never" (1960) and "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" (1960).

Elvis was universally dubbed the "King of Rock 'n' Roll" and led the new music from its beginnings in the 1950s to its peak in the 1960s and on to its permanent place in the music of the 1970s and the 1980s. His impact on American popular culture was tremendous, as he seemed to affect manner of dress, hairstyles, and even behavior. John Lennon (1940–1980) would later note Elvis as one of the most important influences on the Beatles. Even his spinning hip movements became legendary as he continued his rock 'n' roll conquest to the extent of 136 gold records (500,000 sold) and 10 platinum records (1 million sold). Ultimately he had the most records to make the rating charts and was the top recording artist for two straight decades, the 1950s and the 1960s.

Elvis in the movies

Elvis was an instant success in television and movies as well. Millions watched his television appearances on The Steve Allen Show, The Milton Berle Show, The Toast of the Town, and a controversial (open to dispute) appearance on the The Ed Sullivan Show, in which cameras were instructed to stay above the hips of "Elvis the Pelvis." He was an even bigger box office smash, beginning with Love Me Tender in 1956. Thirty-two movies later, Elvis had become the top box-office draw for two decades, with ticket sales over $150 million.

Although few of Elvis's motion pictures were well-received by the critics, they showcased his music and extended his image and fame. His movies included Jailhouse Rock (1957), King Creole (1958), G. I. Blues (1960), Blue Hawaii (1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), Viva Las Vegas (1964), and Spinout (1966). Wild in the Country (1961), based on the J. R. Salamanca novel The Lost Country, marked his debut in a straight dramatic role.

Controversy

Elvis began a well-publicized stint in the army in 1958. That year, while he was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, his mother died. The remainder of his military service was spent stationed in Germany, until his discharge (release) in 1960. It was in Germany that he met Priscilla Beaulieu (1945–), his future wife.

Elvis's success in the entertainment industry was accompanied by numerous failures in his personal life. He arranged to have Priscilla, still a teenager, live at his new Memphis home, Graceland Mansion, while she finished high school there. He married her in 1967, and she bore him his only child, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1968. In 1973 he and Priscilla were divorced. During this time, and for his entire career, his personal manager, Tom Parker, controlled his finances. As Elvis's millions grew, so too did the mismanagement of Parker, a known gambler. Parker was later prosecuted for his financial dealings, but he was acquitted (proven innocent). Elvis made an estimated $4.3 billion in earnings during his lifetime, but he never acquired a concept of financial responsibility. This caused frequent legal battles during and after his lifetime among his management people and several record companies. Elvis had similar luck with his friendships, and frequently surrounded himself with a gang of thugs to shield him from an adoring public.

Beginning of the end

A weight problem became evident in the late 1960s, and in private Elvis became increasingly dependent on drugs, particularly amphetamines and sedatives. His personal doctor, George Nichopoulos, would later be prosecuted, but acquitted, for prescribing and dispensing thousands of pills and narcotics (illegal drugs) to him.

Though Elvis's weight and drug dependency were increasing, Elvis continued a steady flow of concert performances in sold-out arenas well into the 1970s. On August 16, 1977, the day before another concert tour was about to begin, Elvis was found dead in Graceland Mansion by his fiancée, Ginger Alden. The official cause of death was heart disease, although information revealed after his death about his drug dependency created a media event. His death caused worldwide scenes of mourning.

Elvis continues to be celebrated as superstar and legend as much in death as he was in life. Graceland Mansion, which he had purchased in 1957 for $102,500, is the top tourist attraction in Memphis and has attracted millions of visitors from both America and around the world.

Presley became the first-ever inductee into three music halls of fame when it was announced that he would be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame on November 27, 2001, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was already a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Country Hall of Fame.

For More Information

Gordon, Robert. The Elvis Treasures. New York: Villard, 2001.

Jenkins, Mary. Memories Beyond Graceland Gates. Buena Park, CA: West Coast Publishers, 1989.

Lichter, Paul. The Boy Who Dared to Rock: The Definitive Elvis. Garden City, NY: Dolphin Books, 1978.

Parish, James Robert. The Elvis Presley Scrapbook. New York: Ballantine Books, 1977.

Sauer, Wendy. Elvis Presley: A Complete Reference. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1984.

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Elvis Presley (1935-1977)

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IMDbPro Starmeter Top 5,000 915

• 15 wins & 21 nominations

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• composer: additional music

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• In-development projects at IMDbPro

Personal details

• Apple Music
• 5′ 11¾″ (1.82 m)
• January 8 , 1935
• Tupelo, Mississippi, USA
• August 16 , 1977
• Memphis, Tennessee, USA (cardiac arrhythmia)
• Priscilla Presley May 1, 1967 - October 9, 1973 (divorced, 1 child)
• Lisa Marie Presley
• Parents Gladys Presley
• Relatives Harper Lockwood (Grandchild)
• Other works (11/6/54) Radio commercial: The only commercial he ever made for anyone besides RCA Victor, the label for whom he recorded, was for Southern Made Doughnuts. He sang the jingle "You can get 'em piping hot after four PM, you can get 'em piping hot. Southern Made Doughnuts hit the spot, you can get 'em piping hot after four PM."
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• Trivia When The Beatles came to America in 1965 there was only one person they wanted to meet: Elvis. On 8/27/65 they got their wish and, according to John Lennon , spent an enjoyable evening at the Presley home in Bel Air, CA, talking, singing and laughing with each other.
• Quotes [asked who he sounded like] I don't sound like nobody.
• Trademarks The famous left-sided grin
• Elvis the Pelvis
• The King of Rock 'n' Roll
• Salaries Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii ( 1973 ) $450,000
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From his birth in a shotgun shack in East Tupelo, Mississippi, to his death in a mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, and through all the struggles and triumphs in between, the life of Elvis Presley is a fascinating story. Even now, thirty years after his death, there's still so much to learn about this man who touched so many lives.

Perhaps because of his humble beginnings, Elvis was always accepted by his fans as "one of them," an honor that no amount of fame, riches, or celebrity could change. Elvis gave unprecedented access and sincere thanks to his fans throughout his life, even when those same fans made it impossible for him to live a normal life.

In the pages of this article, you can explore the life of Elvis Presley, starting with his birth and early life, and the heady first days of fame as a musician. Follow along as he serves his country in the army, then returns to the United States to embark on a new phase of his career, this time as a film idol. Experience again the flamboyant spectacle of the 1970s concert years, and explore the lasting fan phenomenon that continues to surround Elvis to this day.

Start at the beginning, with the birth of Elvis Presley. Learn more about the boy who would grow up to be King in the next section.

For more fascinating information about Elvis Presley, see:

• Elvis Presley Quotes
• Elvis Presley Collectibles
• Elvis Presley Songs
• Elvis Presley Movies

Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article:

Elvis Presley

• Occupation: Singer, actor
• Born: January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi
• Died: August 16, 1977 in Memphis, Tennessee
• Best known for: A founder of rock-and-roll music
• Nickname: The King of Rock-and-Roll

• Rolling Stone magazine called "That's All Right" the first ever rock-and-roll recording.
• Elvis bought a mansion outside of Memphis called Graceland. Today Graceland serves as a museum.
• His daughter Lisa Marie was married to Michael Jackson.
• He was nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, winning 3 times.
• When Elvis first met his future wife Priscilla, she was only fourteen years old.
• Elvis recorded 40 top 10 songs including 18 number one hits.
• His music and movies are still very popular. He made an estimated $55 million in 2012.
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Wonder of the Day #2563

Who Was Elvis Presley?

ARTS & CULTURE — Music

Have You Ever Wondered...

• Who was Elvis Presley?
• What kind of entertainer was Elvis Presley? 
• Who did Elvis Presley inspire?
• Arts And Culture ,
• Entertainment ,
• Elvis Presley ,
• Rock And Roll ,
• Sun Records ,
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• All Shook Up ,
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• Priscilla Presley ,
• Lisa Marie Presley ,
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• The Beatles

Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Jeana from Adrian, MI. Jeana Wonders , “ Who was Elvis Presley? ” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Jeana!

Most people know him as The King. Others call him the Memphis Flash. You’d probably recognize him by his sideburns and lip curl. Yes, today’s Wonder of the Day is one of the most famous people in history. Who are we talking about? Elvis Presley, of course!

Elvis was one of the most successful musicians of all time. But before his rise to fame , Elvis Presley lived a normal life. He was born in 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. When Elvis was a teenager, the Presley family moved to Memphis, Tennessee. That’s where Elvis would later start his music career .

Shortly after graduating from high school in 1953, Elvis began recording music. He worked with the record label Sun Records. He released his first single in 1954. The next year, he signed with a different label, RCA Records. He released his first number-one single, “Heartbreak Hotel,” in 1956.

What kind of music did Elvis make? He combined many genres , including blues, gospel, country, and rock and roll. Elvis sometimes referred to his own music as “rockabilly.” Some of his most popular songs were “Love Me Tender,” “All Shook Up,” and “Hound Dog.”

How big did Elvis become? Huge! In the mid-1950s, Americans saw Elvis Presley everywhere they looked. His music played through the radio. His movies hit the big screen. He even ended up on TV, as a guest on shows like the Ed Sullivan Show. 

In 1957, Elvis was drafted into military service. He joined the U.S. Army and served in Germany between 1958 and 1960. There, he met Priscilla Beaulieu, whom he would marry in 1967. 

When Elvis returned from military service, he picked up right where he left off. He starred in a total of 33 movies, the most popular of which was “Blue Hawaii.” He recorded more albums as well. Elvis went on to receive 14 Grammy nominations , three of which he won.

As his success continued to grow, Elvis developed some troubling lifestyle habits. He began abusing drugs and eating a greasy , unhealthy diet. His personal relationships also suffered. He and his wife, Priscilla, divorced in 1973.

On August 16, 1977, Elvis passed away in his home, called Graceland. Doctors determined he’d had a heart attack , likely brought on by his diet and drug use. He was only 42.

Today, Elvis lives on through his legacy. He’s been called the greatest cultural force of the 20th Century. His music influenced countless entertainers, including Michael Jackson, Prince, and the Beatles. His daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, has also followed in her father’s footsteps to become an entertainer.

Have you ever listened to Elvis Presley’s music? Do you think he influenced any of your favorite musicians ? Elvis made quite an impact during his short life. Maybe he even helped shape your own musical taste!

Common Core , Next Generation Science Standards , and National Council for the Social Studies ."> Standards : CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.SL.1

Wonder What's Next?

Why did the little boy throw butter out the window? Find out tomorrow in Wonderopolis!

Find an adult who can help 

WONDERing whether your favorite musicians are inspired by Elvis? The Elvis Influence can help you find out. Just search for a musician or band you listen to. How are they connected to Elvis? Share what you found with a friend or family member. 

You may have seen pictures of Elvis before. Most often, people remember him as an entertainer. Check out these family pictures of Elvis . How does Elvis look different in these pictures? What do you know about Elvis after viewing these photographs?

Elvis is no longer around, but Elvis impersonators keep the King’s spirit alive. They dress, sing, and act like the singer--and some of them are pretty convincing! Ask a friend or family member to help you find pictures of Elvis. Then, take a look at your closet. Can you put together an outfit to dress like Elvis? Give it a try! How convincing can you be?

Wonder Sources

• https://www.biography.com/musician/elvis-presley (accessed 20 Dec. 2019)
• https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elvis-Presley (accessed 20 Dec. 2019)
• https://time.com/4894995/elvis-in-the-heart-of-america/ (accessed 20 Dec. 2019)
• https://www.graceland.com/biography (accessed 20 Dec. 2019)

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Question 1 of 3

What was the main idea of this Wonder?

• a Elvis Presley served in the Vietnam War. Not Quite!
• b Elvis Presley was the greatest musician of all time. Not Quite!
• c Elvis Presley was a famous entertainer who influenced many other musicians. Correct!
• d Elvis was nominated for 14 Grammy awards and won three of them. Not Quite!

Question 2 of 3

Elvis Presley passed away in his home, called ________________.

• a Graceland Correct!
• b Buckingham Palace Not Quite!
• c Dollywood Not Quite!
• d Monticello Not Quite!

Question 3 of 3

What word did Elvis use to describe his style of music?

• a blues rock Not Quite!
• b hillrap Not Quite!
• c country gospel Not Quite!
• d rockabilly Correct!

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The Death of the Elvis Presley

The news headlines presented a surreal impression of what was almost an alternative universe:

“ELVIS IS DEAD”

“ELVIS, KING OF ROCK, DIES AT 42”

“ELVIS PRESLEY DIES OF HEART ATTACK”

It almost seemed unbelievable. Early news reports were short, incomplete and confused. But what was unmistakably clear on the afternoon of August 16, 1977, was that Presley, the “greatest rock and roll performer in the world” had died. How could this be? We just saw him on TV performing from Vegas. What did they say it was? A heart attack? Really? That’s unbelievable! He was only 42.

Many a celebrity is subject to a reversal of fortune with an untimely death. All that was once good about the person now becomes bad. Virtues give way to vices. Character takes a back seat to calamity. Though Presley’s cause of death was originally claimed to be a heart attack, later toxicology reports identified high levels of several pharmaceutical drugs in his system. Many doubted it. After all, President Richard Nixon had met with Elvis and given him a badge from the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. (There’s a photo to prove it.) Others just accepted the story as another drug-related death of a rock and roll star. How the cause of death changed from heart attack to prescription-drug poisoning typifies the pattern of a celebrity’s fall from grace.

It was mid-August, 1977. Elvis Presley was at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, resting between concert appearances. Sometime near 2:30 p.m., his girlfriend, Ginger Alden, found him lying face down on the floor of his spacious bathroom. At 2:33 p.m., a call came into Memphis Fire Station No. 29 indicating that someone at 3754 Elvis Presley Boulevard was having difficulty breathing. Ambulance Unit No. 6 sped out of the station and headed south. While not a routine trip, local ambulances had made numerous visits to Graceland over the years to take care of fainting fans or pedestrians hit by cars along the crowded sidewalks in front of the mansion. From time to time, the mansion’s owner has also sped away in an ambulance to receive emergency medical treatment.

Within a few minutes, the ambulance neared Graceland. The vehicle made a hard left through the opened iron gates and up the curved driveway to the white-columned portico. One of Presley’s bodyguards allowed the two medics to enter the mansion. With equipment in hand, they rushed up the stairs to the bathroom where they encountered nearly a dozen people huddled over a man in his pajamas, lying prostrate on his back. The medics quickly moved in. Initially, they didn’t recognize the victim, but then noticed the thick, graying sideburns and the large medallion around the neck and realized it was Elvis Presley. His skin was dark blue and cold to the touch. Checking for vital signs, the medics detected no pulse and no response to light from his pupils. They quickly prepped him for transport.

It took several men to lift Presley onto the stretcher. He was obese, almost bloated. The unbalanced distribution of weight made navigation difficult around corners and down the stairs. As the medics loaded Presley into the ambulance, a stocky man with white hair, leaped into the back just as the doors closed. Dr. George Nichopoulos, Presley’s doctor, affectionately known as Dr. ”Nick”, ordered the driver to take Elvis to Baptist Memorial Hospital, 21 minutes from Graceland. It was not made clear at the time why he didn’t say Methodist South Hospital, which was only 5 minutes away. But Dr. “Nick” knew the staff at Baptist Hospital was discrete.

At the hospital, emergency personnel made valiant efforts to revive Presley, but without success. He was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m. Hospital officials understood that their actions over the next few hours would be crucially important in preparing an official announcement. A highly skilled team of nine doctors, headed by the hospital’s chief of pathology, Dr. E. Eric Muirhead, would conduct the autopsy. During the procedure, doctors found no signs of stroke, heart failure, or lung disease. They saw evidence that Presley was chronically ill with diabetes and constipation. Physical evidence indicated possible, long-term use of drugs, but toxicology tests would have to confirm that. After the autopsy, Elvis’s body was released to the funeral home.

At 8:00 p.m. that same day, a press conference was held. Medical examiner Dr. Jerry Francisco took control as spokesperson for the autopsy team, even though he had only witnessed the procedure. He announced that early tests indicated Presley’s cause of death was a cardiac arrhythmia due to undetermined heartbeat, i.e. heart failure. Dr. Muirhead and the other members of the autopsy team were stunned. Not only had Dr. Francisco presumed to speak for the hospital, but his conclusion did not match their findings, which was that they hadn’t made a conclusion as to the cause of death but believed drug addiction was a probable cause. Dr. Francisco went on to say that determining the official cause of death would take days or even weeks, but that drugs were absolutely not a factor and that there was no evidence of drug abuse, which most people at the time believed meant illegal street drugs.

For a time, most people accepted this finding. But the toxicology report that came out weeks later revealed high levels of pharmaceutical painkillers such as Dilaudid, Quaalude, Percodan, Demerol, and codeine in Elvis’s body. The Tennessee Board of Health began an investigation into Presley’s death and initiated proceedings against Dr. “Nick.”

During the hearings, evidence was presented that Dr. Nichopoulos had written prescriptions for more than 8,000 doses of medication since 1975 and that the pattern had been escalating since then. During the hearings, Dr. Nichophoulos admitted to writing the prescriptions. In his defense, he claimed that Elvis was so addicted to pain killers that he prescribed the medications to keep Elvis away from dangerous and illegal street drugs, trying to control his addiction. The jury agreed with the doctor’s rationale and absolved him of negligence in causing Presley’s death. In 1980, Dr. Nichophoulos was indicted again for overprescribing drugs to Presley and singer Jerry Lee Lewis , but was acquitted. However, his questionable medical practice caught up with him and in 1995, the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners permanently suspended his medical license for overprescribing drugs to his patients.

On August 17, 1977, the doors of Graceland were opened for public viewing of “The King’s” body and Presley instantly passed from music legend to cultural icon. Crowds had gathered early that day and quickly grew to an estimated 100,000. The mourners ranged from pre-teens to middle-aged and older men and women. Many expressed genuine, open sorrow over his death. Others were more upbeat, almost festive, and eager to be part of the cultural history. Due to the extreme temperatures that day, the showing was cut short for fear the heat and humidity would disfigure Elvis’ body.

Elvis's grave at the family plot on the Graceland property.

On August 18, 1977 a funeral procession of 17 white Cadillacs and a hearse carrying the body of of the “King of Rock and Roll” slowly made its way from Graceland to Forrest Hill Cemetery. Under heavy guard, a simple ceremony was conducted. Present were Elvis’ former wife Priscilla , and his daughter Lisa Marie , his father Vernon, and Minnie Mae Presley, Elvis' paternal grandmother. Several celebrities, including Chet Atkins, Ann-Margret , Caroline Kennedy , James Brown , Sammy Davis, Jr. and of course Colonel Tom Parker, who had guided and gilded Presley’s career from the start. Elvis was laid to rest in a mausoleum alongside his mother, Gladys. The King of Rock and Roll was dead and there was no other king to take his place. In his 20-plus years as celebrity entertainer, Elvis Presley had become a defining force of the times.

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Elvis Presley

June 6, 2024

Life Story of Famous People

Short Bio » Singer » Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley was a famous American singer and actor. He was so popular in the middle of 1950’s that fans often called him as the king of Rock and Roll. He introduced the fusion of country song and rock music which enjoyed a huge amount of popularity. In a word, he was one of the popular icons of culture in the 20th century.

Elvis Presley born on 8 January in 1935 in Mississippi, USA. His father Gladys Presley was a carpenter and worker and mother Vernon Presley was a housewife. The family was very poor and they had to go through huge hardship. Elvis’ had a twin brother who died in childhood. Although poverty, his family was very pious. His talent of singing first came out when he sang in a church. He participated in many talent contests and kept the judges wondered by his outstanding performances. However, he completed his graduation from L C Humes High School in Memphis.

In 1955 his first album ‘That’s All Right Mama’ came out and earned much popularity. His ‘Mystery Train’ came become top of the chart in this year. In the 50’s Elvis brought out his famous works named ‘Hound Dog’ (1956), ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ (1956), ‘Love Me Tender’ (1956), All Shock Up (1957) and ‘Jailhouse Rock’ (1957). He became a star as well as a living legend overnight. His popularity influenced the fashion, hairstyle, dress and even behavior of the youth of the 60’s. In fact, he dominated the pop culture of the 60’s and 70’s. Even the pioneers of Beatles said that Elvis was their inspire. He was also successful in TV shows and films.

Birthday: January 8, 1935

Birthplace: Mississippi, USA

Star Sign: Capricorn

Profession: Singer, Actor

Died: 1977, August 16

Albums: If I Can Dream, The Wonder of You, Jailhouse Rock, More

Discography

• Hound Dog(1956)
• Don’t Be Cruel(1956)
• Love Me Tender(1956)
• All Shock Up(1957)
• Jailhouse Rock(1957)
• Can’t Help Falling in Love

External Links

More info of elvis presley:.

Wiki | IMDb | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Official | YouTube

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Good Housekeeping

The True Story Behind Elvis and Priscilla Presley's 8-Minute Wedding

Posted: June 5, 2024 | Last updated: June 5, 2024

On May 1, 1967, superstar Elvis Presley married his bride, Priscilla Ann Beaulieu, in an intimate Las Vegas ceremony.

The wedding party had been staying at Elvis's Palm Springs home. Shortly after midnight, the group boarded two private planes bound for McCarran Airport, according to the memoir Elvis: My Best Man , written by The King's longtime friend, George Klein. At 3:30 a.m., friends accompanied the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Presley to the county courthouse to get their marriage license.

The couple exchanged vows at the Aladdin hotel in Las Vegas, attended by only a handful of guests. Afterward, friends, family, and business associates from MGM, RCA, and the William Morris Agency gathered for an over-the-top breakfast reception. It was an unconventional wedding for an unconventional couple.

Though the couple divorced on October 9, 1973 , their wedding remains one of the most talked-about affairs of the 20th century. Read on for more details about their relationship and, of course, their now-iconic wedding.

They first met when she was 14.

Elvis and Priscilla met in 1959 in Germany, where Elvis was serving in the army and Priscilla's family lived on the base (her father was an Air Force Captain). They kept in touch by phone after Elvis returned to his Graceland estate in Memphis, and Priscilla's parents allowed her to move there at age 17 on the condition that they'd eventually marry, according to The Elvis Encyclopedia .

There were rumors Elvis didn't want to get married.

According to the biography Down at the End of Lonely Street: The Life and Death of Elvis Presley , Elvis's cook said she found him crying about the upcoming wedding. She asked why he couldn't cancel it, to which he replied, "I don't have a choice." (It's rumored that Priscilla's father threatened to have Elvis arrested for taking "a minor across state lines for sexual purposes "if they didn't marry.)

They married during Priscilla's birthday month.

On their wedding day, Priscilla was just 21, while Elvis was 32. Just a few weeks later, she turned 22, shortening their age gap to ten years.

The wedding took place early in the morning.

Monday morning at 9 a.m. might seem like the unlikeliest time for a spring wedding—and perhaps that's exactly why they chose it! The unusual decision helped keep crowds away.

The wedding ceremony was very short.

Both vows and rings were exchanged in just eight minutes.

Priscilla's sister was the maid of honor.

Her little sister, Michelle Beaulieu, was only 13 years old when she stood by Priscilla's side as she exchanged vows with Elvis. The otherwise traditional nuptials did not include the word "obey," per Elvis's request .

Elvis's entourage played groomsmen.

Two members of the so-called Memphis Mafia, Marty Lacker and Joe Esposito, served as Elvis's co-best men.

The wedding cake cost $22,000.

In today's money, anyway. Back then, the Presleys shelled out a whopping $3,200 for the six-tiered, yellow sponge cake filled with apricot marmalade and liqueur-flavored cream.

Their cake took 20 pounds of Crisco shortening to make.

It also involved 48 2-inch sugar hearts and 478 silver sugared almonds.

Priscilla's engagement ring had 20 diamonds.

The ring Elvis proposed with featured a three-and-a-half-carat diamond encircled by 20 smaller, removable diamonds, according to Vogue .

Elvis had a matching ring.

He hired Memphis jeweler Harry Levitch to find himself and his new wife the perfect matching rings.

They got married at the Aladdin Hotel.

Nevada Supreme Court Judge David Zenoff performed the ceremony in a suite at the resort filled with candles and flowers.

Their venue became a famous travel destination.

In 2007, the Aladdin Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip was rebranded as the now-famous Planet Hollywood.

Fans loved Priscilla's signature look.

A groomsman reportedly said of Priscilla's wedding day style: "She looked like she had about eight people living in her hair." Many brides during the era not only tried to emulate her teased bouffant, but also her iconic cut-crease eyeliner.

Priscilla had one fitting for her dress.

She wore a long, white silk chiffon gown beaded with seed pearls and a 3-foot tulle veil topped with a rhinestone crown. "I didn't have time to stay there forever and look at dresses; I had one fitting for this dress and that was it, I was out of there," she later shared .

She found her dress while in disguise.

To keep the press from snooping, Priscilla went shopping using a fake name, Mrs. Hodge. "I went to places like Neiman Marcus in disguise. I went with a [blonde] wig and everything just to keep it private!" she later said .

The gown came from a department store.

Priscilla found her dream dress at the department store Westwood. "It wasn't extravagant, it wasn't extreme — it was simple and to me, beautiful," she admitted .

Elvis's wedding suit was inspired by his acting career.

Elvis's tux, designed with paisley silk brocade, was made by MGM Studios's Lambert Marks . The famous tailor had dressed the singer for his roles in Girl Happy and Spinout.

Elvis's hair had a wire in it.

To keep his perfectly coiffed hair in place, Elvis's pompadour was supported with a small wire .

The reception was a $10,000 breakfast buffet.

The newly married couple were joined by 100 guests for a champagne breakfast featuring lobster, oysters Rockefeller, roasted pig, and Southern fried chicken.

Their first dance was to one of Elvis's biggest hits.

The happy couple chose " Love Me Tender "for their big moment.

They held a press conference afterwards.

Elvis's manager, Colonel Parker, saw the wedding as a publicity opportunity and scheduled a short press conference in-between the ceremony and reception.

A ton of photos were taken.

Since the moment was such a huge part of pop culture history, photographers caught every second on camera. Here are framed snapshots that hung inside the Elvis Presley Honeymoon Suite at the Aladdin Hotel & Casino.

Their marriage license was displayed in the hotel.

The Aladdin Hotel & Resort also hung a framed copy of their marriage license in the Elvis Presley Honeymoon Suite. Because, of course!

The wedding made national headlines.

"He was so that much a part of my life that, you know, Elvis, you know, once — once you bonded with him, I mean, there was no — there was no going back. He was just a great guy," Priscilla later shared .

They were loaned Frank Sinatra's jet.

The blue-eyed crooner let Elvis borrow his private jet for the occasion, Elvis's school friend George Klein wrote in his memoir, according to Vogue .

They honeymooned in Palm Springs.

Their iconic Palm Springs home was nicknamed the " Honeymoon Hideaway ."

The 'Honeymoon Hideaway' was sold in 2020.

In 2020, the 5,000-square-foot mid-century modern space was sold . It offers gorgeous views of the San Jacinto mountains, and remains the perfect romantic spot to spend time.

Lisa Marie Presley was born nine months later.

They welcomed their daughter nine months to the day after the wedding, on Feb. 1, 1968.

Priscilla had a hard time dealing with fame after their wedding.

Following their nuptials, Priscilla struggled with being a public figure. "It was hard to get accepted. But he always told me, 'Don't pay attention… don't even listen and don't look at the tabloids,'" she revealed at a 2016 exhibition about Elvis.

They had a second reception at Graceland.

Later that month, Elvis and Priscilla held a larger reception for friends and relatives who weren't able to attend the first one, as detailed in the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley . They also renewed their vows a few years later in Hawaii, but the attempt at reaffirming their love didn't stick. They divorced in 1973 .

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