�Sure, they tear off my clothes, they scratch their initials on my car, they phone my hotel all hours of the night� When they stop, I�ll start to worry.� The king of rockin� roll, Elvis Presley, said this.
Elvis Aron Presley was one of the first American stars of rock music and is thought to be the greatest. He was born into a poor family on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. He was supposed to have been a twin, but his brother, Jessie Garon Presley, died at birth. His mom was Gladys and father Vernon. Many things influenced young Elvis to start singing. From the start Elvis knew something big was going to happen to him. The music and preaching at his church, the black bluesmen in his neighborhood, and country music radio programs all contributed to the foundation of his music career. In 1946, Elvis received his first guitar.
The next year his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee in search of better life economically. From 1948 to 1953 his family lived in public housing or low rent homes, and his parents moved from job to job. The King attended The Christine School, and L. C. Humes High School. He started working to help his family. His slicked long hair, sideburns, and acceptance of black people made him a misfit.
Right after his graduation from Humes High School, Elvis got a job at Parker Machine Shop. As a belated birthday present for his mother, he stopped by Memphis recording service (Sun Records) and made a demo tape of �My Happiness� and �That�s When Your Heartaches Begin.� His career had officially started. Elvis changed jobs and went to the Crown Electric Company. He attended night school in hoping to become an electrician.
When Elvis went to make a second tape, the owner Sam Phillips was impressed by Elvis�s voice and looks. He called Elvis and eventually they teamed up with made a team of local musicians, Scotty Moore (guitar) and Bill Black (bass), to see if they can come up with some good music. Nothing really clicked until July 5, 1954 when they start singing Author Crudup�s �That�s All Right.� This song became the first Elvis single. Scotty, Bill, and Elvis started performing together at small clubs with Scotty as their manager. For the first time they soon appeared on the Louisiana Hayride, a live Saturday night radio station that broadcasted over KWKH Radio in thirteen states. After regular appearances on the Hayride, Elvis signed a one-year contract for fifty-two Saturday night appearances. Their popularity started to grow, but Elvis�s commitment to the Hayride prevented him from traveling a lot. At one of the performances, Elvis met �Colonel� Tom Parker who was a promoter and manager of rock stars.
In January of 1955, Elvis signed a contract with Bob Neal, who became his manager. Elvis�s band stuck together, and they got a drummer, D.J. Fontana. Elvis started to become more popular, especially to teenage girls. His unusual style and good looks started to cause more and more excitement wherever he played. Presley began to receive national attention; riots would sometimes break out at his concerts. Bob Neal continued to be an advisor, but in August, Colonel Tom Parker officially became his exclusive manager. Parker and Presley negotiated the sale of Elvis�s Sun contract to RCA, and for five singles and unreleased material, Elvis got paid $45,000. He also signed a contract with Hill and Range Publishing Company, and Elvis Presley Music, Inc. was made. Elvis was the hottest new star in the music business.
Shortly after he turned twenty-one, Elvis taped �Heartbreak Hotel.� It sold over three hundred thousand copies in the first three weeks and went to number one on Billboard�s pop singles chart for eight weeks. The song also rose to number one on the country chart and number five on the R&B chart. Eventually, it was the first Elvis single to sell over one million copies, earning Elvis his very first gold single record. Next, Elvis appeared with Scotty, Bill, and D. J. at Stage Show on CBS. It was Elvis�s first network TV appearance. RCA soon released Elvis Presley, Elvis�s first album. It sold over one million copies, so Elvis got his first gold album. After that, Elvis signed a seven-year contract with Hal Williams and Paramount Pictures. Presley�s popularity grew and grew, especially to wild teenagers. Adults started to think that Elvis�s swiveling hip and music contributed to juvenile delinquency. Programs began to limit pictures of him to above the waistline only, especially when he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.
His first movie, Love me Tender was a huge hit. His hometown, Tupelo, named a day after him. By that time, souvenirs with Elvis Presley�s name and image, earned Elvis $22 million in sales. His music was a mix of white country, gospel, black R&B and gospel, and white pop music. This made him very controversial.
In 1957, Elvis bought Graceland Mansion for himself, and parents and grandparents. He also appeared in Canada. Three more movies, Loving You, Jailhouse Rock, and King Creole are produced.
Things ended suddenly for Elvis, on March 24, 1958, when was inducted into the army. While there, his mom, Gladys, died of hepatitis. Luckily, though, during the two years he was in the service, his music was not forgotten. He made a new album, Elvis is Back!. He produced many movies during this time, but they didn�t do very well.
While in the army, Elvis met Pricilla Beaulieu. They would get married in 1967.
Elvis became bored and frustrated with his film and recording career. Pricilla and Elvis had a child, Lisa Marie Presley on February 1, 1968. Then, Elvis�s career took a boost. His audience expanded to adults and it was the first time in seven years that Elvis appeared in front of a live audience. His little band was back in action.
In 1973 Pricilla and Elvis divorced. Pricilla had custody of Lisa Marie, but Elvis spent time with her regularly. Later that year, Elvis was hospitalized due to recurring pneumonia, pleurisy, an enlarged colon, and hepatitis. He was having health problems for some time, including his dependency on prescription drugs. His weight was also a problem. From 1976 - 1977 Elvis toured in concert. On August 16, 1977, Elvis returned to Graceland. He was to fly to Portland, Maine that night, but never got a chance. That morning Elvis Presley died of heart failure. In a matter of hours, this shocking new registered around the world.
During his life, Elvis produced 33 films, made history with TV appearances and specials, and sold over one billion records globally (more than any other artist.) His American sales earned him gold, platinum, or multi-platinum awards for 131 different albums and singles. He had fourteen Grammy nominations with three wins, was named One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation, and he won many other awards. Presley�s music helped influence kids to play guitars. His talent, good looks, eccentric style and good humor attracted him to millions. He was also known for his human kindness. Elvis is considered one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture. This might be why his name is known worldwide. Elvis Presley is considered The King of Rock and Roll.