Story of Elvis Presley

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Just Pure Passion of Music!

Story of Elvis Presley is a portrayal of pure passion about music and having a clarity of vision from the start about what he wanted to become - The King of Rock & Roll.

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Elvis Presley Early Education, Career & Life

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Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, to Vernon and Gladys Presley.

His was born with an identical twin brother, Jesse Garon, who was stillborn.

Growing up in a poor family, Elvis moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948. He attended L.C. Humes High School, graduating in 1953.

During his school years, he was often described as a shy student who kept to himself but had a deep passion for music.

Musical Beginnings and Early Passions

Elvis's love for music began in church, where gospel songs deeply influenced his future style.

He received his first guitar at age 11 and taught himself to play without any formal tutor help.

His musical influences included country, blues, and rhythm and blues artists.

As a teenager, he frequented Memphis's famous Beale Street, absorbing the rich musical culture of the area.

In 1953, Elvis recorded his first demo at Sun Studio, paying $4 to make a personal record.

Sun Records owner Sam Phillips was impressed by Elvis's unique sound and signed him.

His first commercial recording, "That's All Right," was released in 1954, marking the beginning of his professional career.

Rise to Fame

Between 1954 and 1955, Elvis performed extensively throughout the South, gaining popularity with his distinctive voice and provocative performance style.

In 1956, he signed with RCA Victor and released "Heartbreak Hotel," his first national hit.

His appearances on television shows, particularly on Ed Sullivan's show, helped establish him as a national sensation.

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Elvis Presley Musical Achievement

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Elvis's portfolio includes numerous hit albums and singles:

- "Elvis Presley" (1956) - First RCA album

- "Blue Hawaii" (1961)

- "How Great Thou Art" (1967)

- "From Elvis in Memphis" (1969)


Notable singles include:

- "Hound Dog"

- "Jailhouse Rock"

- "Love Me Tender"

- "Suspicious Minds"

- "Can't Help Falling in Love"

Awards and Achievements

- Three Grammy Awards (all for gospel recordings)

- Presidential Medal of Freedom (posthumously)

- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (1986)

- Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee

- Country Music Hall of Fame inductee

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Movie Career

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Elvis starred in 31 feature films, including:

- "Love Me Tender" (1956)

- "Jailhouse Rock" (1957)

- "Blue Hawaii" (1961)

- "Viva Las Vegas" (1964)

While many of his movies were commercially successful, they were often criticized for their formulaic plots and lack of artistic merit.

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Elvis Presley Marriage and Personal Life

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On May 1, 1967, Elvis married Priscilla Beaulieu, whom he had met in Germany during his military service.

Their only child, Lisa Marie Presley, was born on February 1, 1968.

The couple divorced in 1973, largely due to the pressures of Elvis's career and lifestyle.

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Military Service

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Elvis served in the United States Army from March 24, 1958, to March 5, 1960, achieving the rank of Sergeant.

His military service temporarily interrupted his career but ultimately helped mature his image.

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Challenges and Struggles

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Elvis faced several challenges throughout his life:

- Criticism for his provocative performance style

- Drug dependency in his later years

- Weight gain and health issues

- Career decline in the 1960s

- Financial management issues

Las Vegas Years and Later Career

From 1969 to 1976, Elvis performed regular engagements at the International Hotel (later the Las Vegas Hilton) in Las Vegas.

This period marked a career renaissance, with successful tours and sold-out shows, though his health began to decline.

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Elvis Presley Legacy and Impact

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Elvis Presley revolutionized popular music and culture:

- Pioneered rockabilly and rock and roll

- Influenced countless musicians

- Broke racial barriers in music

- Became a global cultural icon

- Sold over one billion records worldwide

Final Years and Death

In his final years, Elvis struggled with various health issues, prescription drug abuse, and weight problems.

He performed his last concert in Indianapolis on June 26, 1977.

Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977, at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 42.

Posthumous Success

After his death, Graceland became one of the most visited private homes in America.

His music continues to sell, and his influence on popular culture remains strong.

Elvis Presley's estate continues to generate significant revenue through licensing, merchandise, and tourism.

Elvis Presley's life story is one of extraordinary success, cultural impact, and tragic decline.

From humble beginnings in Tupelo to becoming the "King of Rock and Roll," his journey embodied both the American Dream and its potential pitfalls.

His legacy continues to influence music and popular culture decades after his death.

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Summing Up

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Elvis Presley's life was short but his actual life story is quite large. 

Huge amount has already been written on Elvis Presley including several books and movies (biopics).

Though many things were visible but many aspects of his life remained hidden and private in his life.

His life was short but he lived largely. He had his highs and he had his lows. Though he achieved great success in a short period of time, but one strange pathos and sadness always stayed with him in his life.

His past childhood having seen his struggling parents was quite a baggage on his mind.

He always loved his mother very much and felt traumatic at her death. 

As far his marriage was concerned he fell in love with Priscilla and loved her with his heart but it appeared that he was much more married first with his music passion. 

He could not devote adequate time to her that made Priscilla somewhat alienated. And she could not cope well with this lifestyle.

Elvis Presley never wanted to leave Priscilla but it eventually ended in a divorce.

The personal struggles created more vacuum in his heart and soul. The two most loved women in his life - his mother and wife both had left him at the pinnacle of his success.

Overall, with all the personal challenges, Elvis Presley was a phenomenal success in his times and remains until now. 

Even now (in 2024) the new generations are listening to his songs with great interest.

That is the lingering legacy of Elvis Presley, that still is alive and his songs and music could never die.

For more you may also read Elvis Presley Article