Elvis Presley Rock 'n' Roll Legend Date of Birth: 08.01.1935 Country: USA

Biography of Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley, the rock and roll legend, was one of the most popular musicians of the 20th century. He was so famous that people simply called him by his first name - Elvis. Many fans still can't believe the death of their idol and eagerly await his "second coming". Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, to Gladys and Vernon Presley, in a poor family. When his father was imprisoned for check forgery, their family's situation worsened. In his childhood, Presley showed singing abilities, so his parents sent him to a church choir. Religion and music became an integral part of his early years. At the age of 11, Elvis won his first award for performing the song "Old Shep" in a competition. His parents promised to buy him a bicycle, but they couldn't afford it and gifted him a guitar instead. He taught himself chords and soon started playing popular hits. In 1948, the family moved to Memphis in search of work. Elvis began to take a keen interest in popular music. He listened to traditional country and became fascinated with African-American music, especially the blues. Presley often went to listen to the performances of black blues musicians. In 1953, after graduating high school, Elvis started working as a truck driver. At the same time, he didn't give up on his music. One day, while passing by Sam Phillips' recording studio, Elvis decided to drop in. For $8, he recorded two songs, which were printed in just one copy. For a long time, he claimed that he made the recording as a birthday present for his mother, but later confessed that he simply wanted to hear how his voice would sound in a recorded version. Elvis decided to become a musician, but couldn't determine which genre to sing. He even considered performing church hymns but eventually dismissed the idea. A year later, Phillips needed a vocalist and remembered Elvis. Together with bassist Bill Black and guitarist Scotty Moore, they formed the trio "Blue Moon Boys". At first, they didn't have much success. Their country-style songs sounded unremarkable, so the musicians changed the rhythm. When Sam Phillips heard Arthur Crudup's blues song "That's All Right" in a new sound, he was thrilled. He asked them to repeat the experiment, but this time with Bill Monroe's composition, "Blue Moon Of Kentucky". The effect was stunning and, one might say, it overwhelmed the musicians. That's how rock and roll was born. Listeners and critics didn't immediately accept the new music. It was too revolutionary. In the summer of 1954, Elvis, with the "Blue Moon Boys", began performing concerts in Memphis, and soon started getting airplay on radio stations. However, it was his stage performances that ensured his fame. His distinctive choreography, which involved wild hip swings accompanied by emotional hand movements, gradually gained popularity. In 1955, Elvis signed a contract with RCA Records, and after the release of the sensual song "Heartbreak Hotel", he became famous overnight. The single reached number one on the American charts and sold over 1 million copies. This was followed by the album "Elvis" (1956), which also reached the million mark, making him the first artist in history to achieve this feat. Elvis then made his first television appearances, causing excitement among millions of teenagers and shock among the older generation. His music, movements, manners, and attire were unlike anything seen from country performers at the time. With his music and behavior, Elvis Presley revolutionized the entertainment industry. Elvis's success in music paved the way for him in Hollywood. His producer, Tom Parker, immediately capitalized on the musician's popularity and signed contracts with Paramount and 20th Century Fox studios. In 1956, the first film featuring Presley, "Love Me Tender," was released, followed by "Jailhouse Rock" and "Loving You" the following year. In 1958, Elvis Presley was drafted into the army. He was sent to Germany and provided with good living conditions. In his free time, he visited Italy and France, bought cars, and even recorded in studios. In Germany, Presley met Priscilla Beaulieu, whose friendship soon turned into a romantic relationship. After his discharge, Elvis returned to the United States, where he recorded the album "Elvis Is Back!" (1960), considered one of his best works. However, his musical career gradually took a back seat to his film career. In the 1960s, Elvis rarely performed concerts or recorded songs, mostly focusing on his movie career. The film "Blue Hawaii" (1961) was a box office success, making the musician incredibly popular. In 1967, Presley married Priscilla, and a year later, they had a daughter named Lisa Marie. The incredible "Beatlemania" that swept America diminished Elvis's popularity. This prompted the musician to return to the roots of his creativity. And, as it turned out, he was right. The album "From Elvis In Memphis" (1969), performed in the style of blues and soul, brought back public interest in Presley. In 1969, Elvis performed his first concert in 8 years and soon announced a world tour. His performances in dazzling white suits adorned with jewelry and rhinestones created the image of the musician that remains recognizable and imitated to this day. In the 1970s, Presley toured extensively, dedicating a significant portion of the proceeds to charity. From 1969 to 1977, he performed over 1100 concerts in the United States. Elvis's personal life didn't fare as well as his career. In 1972, Priscilla left Elvis, stating that he didn't give her enough attention. Presley then entered into a relationship with Linda Thompson and, from 1976, began dating Ginger Alden. Problems in his personal life, along with a demanding work schedule, undermined Elvis's health. He began taking a large amount of medication, and soon developed an addiction. On the night of August 16, 1977, Elvis returned to his mansion and took a small dose of a sedative to help him sleep. This wasn't enough, so he took another dose, which proved to be fatal. By the time Ginger Alden discovered him, it was too late... Elvis Presley was buried on August 18, 1977, in Memphis. The psychological shock of his death was so great that many fans didn't immediately comprehend the fact that the King of Rock and Roll was no more. Some still don't believe it, thinking that Elvis simply grew tired of the show business world and retired to some quiet place. Of course, he lives on and will continue to live in the hearts of everyone who is not indifferent to music.