Elvis Presley: The King of Rock and Roll

Elvis Presley's Biography

• Born in 1935 in Mississippi to a poor working-class family.
• Elvis had a twin who died at birth.
• At age 13 in 1948, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and lived in a Black American neighborhood.
• Sun Records in Memphis signed then 19 year old Elvis Presley in 1954.
• His first single, "That's All Right", was a bit.
• At age 21 in 1956, already an international sensation, he starred in his first movie, "Love Me Tender".
• In 1958, Elvis was 23 when he was drafted into the army for two years of national service.
• From 1960 to 1968, Elvis starred in a series of 33 movies.
• At 32 in 1967, he married Priscilla Beaulieu who was his long-term girlfriend at the time.
• In 1968, Elvis and Priscilla had his only child, daughter Lisa-Marie.
• Elvis was an international superstar that did a four-week, 57-show engagement in Las Vegas in 1969.
• From 1969 to 1973, at his peak, Elvis was energetic on stage, wearing capes and karate suits with a grueling show schedule,.
• From 1973 to 1977, the shows continued, and Elvis relied more and more on prescription drugs.
• He suddenly died of a heart attack at age 42, in 1977.
• His death shocked the world.

Musician's Influences

• Arthur Crudup (1905-1974) was a Delta blues singer and guitarist.
• Crudup wrote songs used by Elvis.
• Rufus Thomas (1917-2001).

Key Songs

• Heartbreak Hotel.
• Hound Dog.