The Life of Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley, a actor and musician was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. From a very undistinguished beginning, Elvis Presley grew up to become one of the biggest names in music history. Even though some did not like the influence of Elvis Presley, Elvis impacted the music world in ways that is still reflected today.

Raised by working-class, loving parents, Presley’s family had very small spending money. Elvis Presleys family moved from location to location frequently. Elvis had a high respect towards his parents, especially his mother, Gladys, who raised Presley to have a strong faith, and trust in God. Presley attended the church, Assembly of God Church with his parents. Where gospel music became an important influence towards him which helped his career.

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In 1946, Elvis Presley received his first guitar as a present from his mother on his 11th birthday. A few years later at Humes High School in Memphis, Elvis had his first taste of musical fame when he won the school talent show. After graduating high school in 1953, Presley worked a numerous amount of jobs while living out his musical dream. He created his first demo record at Sun Studio the same year, and soon after that success, Sam Phillips, the record label owner, decided to take the young growing musician under his wing.

Presley soon began recording and touring, trying to catch his first big break through. Presley’s first single in 1954 was “That’s All Right”. In 1955, Presley began to earn a following with fans being very drawn to his provocative dancing style, good looks, and unusual musical style. Thae same year, Elvis became signed with “RCA Records”, a deal worked out by his new manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Elvis Presley was beginning to do big things like, scoring his first number. 1 single called “Heartbreak Hotel,” as well as his first number 1 album. In 1956 Elvis then signed a movie contract with “Paramount Pictures”. Besides the shock of Presley’s sexy dance moves caused, he also became a very popular guest on a number of television, and a variety shows.

Soon, Presley was everywhere, on the radio, television and the silver screen, working as a musician and actor. His first film, Love Me Tender (1956), was a box office hit. Even a draft in the U.S. military couldn’t hardly have an influence on Presley’s strong career. Elvis received his draft notice in 1957, and was drafted into the Army the coming up March. Elvis Presley then served in Germany for about a year and a half. While in Germany, his attitude was lifted slightly when he met a young teenager named Priscilla Beaulieu. After thankfully leaving the Army in 1960, Presley quickly resumed his musical and acting career ,and was quickly back at the top of the game with a soundtrack for his film GI Blues. Presley continued acting and recording music s such films as Blue Hawaii (1961),Viva Las Vegas (1964), and Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962). Though his many films they were often a miss or a big hit with both the audiences and the critics, they brought in a vast amount of money and the soundtracks mostly sold well.

By the late 1960s, however, the famous musician and actor appeared to be losing his huge box office appeal. In 1968 Elvis proving he was still the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” cut his first TV feature. This was mostly referred to as the “68 Comeback.”. Elvis amazed audiences with his performances, which brought to view his talents as a guitarist ,and also a singer.

Around the same time, Elvis Presley’s own personal life also seemed to be prospering. Elvis and Priscilla had their wedding in 1967 and had a sweet daughter named, Lisa Marie, the following year. Unfortunately, this unsprung time would not last. In the early 1970s, Elvis Presley’s marriage was falling apart. Then in 1973 the broken couple divorced, and Priscilla received all custody of Lisa Marie. Presley was also overtaking other personal problems, including an amplifying addiction to prescription drugs; unfortunately the once very skinny rock star was battling a weight problem, and his cancerous lifestyle quickly caught up with him that fall, when he was sadly put in the hospital for drug abuse related health issues.

Despite his personal issues, Elvis Presley remained a popular attraction on tour and in Las Vegas. On June 1977, in Indianapolis, Indiana Presley performed at his last performance. After the concert, Presley returned home to Graceland, his memphis mansion, to prepare for another tour.

Elvis Presley died of heart failure, at the age of 42 sometime in the morning of August 16, 1977. They later learned that Presley’s death was related to his abuse of prescription drug use. Presley was buried on the Graceland property, near the gravesites of his father Vernon, grandmother Minnie Mae Hood Presley and mother Gladys.

Throughout his very successful career, Presley helped rock ‘n’ roll music in America grow to be popular. Presley also won three Grammy Awards for his wonderful gospel recordings. A huge musical atmosphere, Presley had 18 number 1 singles, including “Suspicious Minds,” “Good Luck Charm” and “Don’t Be Cruel,” he also received many gold and platinum albums. Elvis was alone one of the first musicians to inaugurate into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1986). Elvis has been appreciated for his addition in several musical genres, gospel, country and, most notably rock. Presley was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998 then, three years later, he was post-mortem selected into the “Gospel Music Association’s Gospel Music Hall of Fame”.

Presley has continued to be one of the world’s most popular music icons since his death. Presley’s home, Graceland, in Memphis is open to the public, especially around Presley’s the anniversary of his death, and his birthday, and numerous fans from around the world also visit the legendary residence annually.

“You should see this from our point-of-view. It’s amazing,” Priscilla Presley said during the event, according to the Washington Post. “The candles are lit. It’s truly a sight to behold … This is something that Elvis would never, ever have believed could have taken place here.”

Even after his death, the Elvis legacy and influence continues to grow. His place in American culture has been cemented and younger generations have recognized him for the icon he is. From Elvis postage stamps to the opening of Graceland and founding of Elvis Week, the star has continued to capture the hearts and minds around the world.