Elvis Presley Early Life
Elvis Aaron Presley was an American singer and actor. He was born on 8th January 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. He grew up at the basic sustenance level in Tupelo. However, Elvis moved to Memphis when he was 13 with his family. Presley was interested in music from a young age. As a teenager, he used to frequently attend Beale Street blues clubs. He knew some of the music from the radio. Some of the music he learned from his parents’ Pentecostal church and some from the group sings he attended at the Rev. H.W. Brewster’s Black Memphis church.
His Career in Entertainment Industry
He sent an audition clip to the producer at Sun Records, Sam Philips. He responded to his audition tape with a phone call. From thereon, Elvis’s career in music began. In 1954, the band consisted of Presley, lead guitarist Scotty Moore, and bassist Bill Black. Their collection consisted of blues and country songs, Tin Pan Alley ballads, and gospel hymns. Presley became famous for these genres.
Presley’s first RCA (Radio Corporation of America) Victor single was “Heartbreak Hotel“. The song was released in January 1956. It instantly became a number-one hit in the United States. Within a year, RCA sold ten million Presley singles. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, Elvis came to be known as the King of Rock and Roll. He was the one who made rock ‘n’ roll extensively popular in the world. As a result, he was considered one of the most significant cultural artists of the 20th century.
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In November of 1956, he debuted in the film industry with the movie ‘ Love Me Tender’. Like most American men from the age of 21, Elvis Presley was also drafted to serve in the United States Army. He served in the army from March 1958 to March 1960 and earned the respect of many of his fellow soldiers. Post the completion of his service, he came back to the entertainment industry. He came up with some of his most successful albums and films during that time.
Recognition
Elvis won many awards and recognition during his lifetime. At age 36, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He holds several records: the most RIAA certified gold and platinum albums, the most albums charted on the Billboard 200, and the most number-one albums by a solo artist on the UK Albums Chart and the most number-one singles by any act on the UK Singles Chart. Elvis was recognized as the best-selling solo music artist of all time by Guinness World Records.
His Death
Elvis died at the age of 42 on August 16, 1977. The cause of his death is said to be a heart attack. However, speculations suggest otherwise. It is rumored that it was his drug overdose that resulted in a heart attack. He was at his Memphis mansion in Graceland when he died. His last words were “I’m going to the bathroom to read“.
Elvis saw many ups and downs in his life. From being poverty-stricken in his childhood to becoming the world-recognized top artist. He had seen it all. His life inspires so many of us to date.
