

A year after he and Priscilla married, they had a daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1968. He wowed audiences with his performance, which showcased his talents as a singer and a guitarist.Īround this time, Presley’s personal life also seemed to be on an upswing.
ELVIS PRESLEY DANCE MOVES NAMES TV
Proving he was still The King, he recorded his first TV special in 1968, often referred to as the ’68 Comeback Special.
ELVIS PRESLEY DANCE MOVES NAMES MOVIE
How Elvis Became a Movie Star-By Playing Himselfīy the late 1960s, however, the enigmatic performer appeared to be losing his box office appeal.In 1998, Presley was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame three years later, he was posthumously inducted into the Gospel Music Association’s Gospel Music Hall of Fame. But he has been recognized for his contributions to several musical genres, most notably rock, country, and gospel. In 1986, Presley was one of the first performers inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Other notable Presley hits include “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “All Shook Up,” “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear,” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” Rolling Stone ranked it 216 th on its list of the 500 best songs of all time in 2021.

Presley’s 1957 album Elvis’ Christmas Albumtopped the Billboard charts for four weeks and would go on to sell more than 20 million copies in various editions, becoming the most popular holiday album of all time.Īlso in 1957, Presley’s song for the film Jailhouse Rock of the same name reached No. He appeared two more times on the show over the next year, with the third censored from the waist down. Sixty million viewers tuned in to watch Presley, then 21, perform “Don’t Be Cruel” as well as “Hound Dog” and “Love Me Tender” complete with the hip gyrations many found vulgar. His career launched into superstardom thanks to a September 9, 1956, appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. 1 singles, including “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Good Luck Charm,” and “Suspicious Minds,” as well as countless gold and platinum albums. A major musical force, Presley had 18 No. He also won three Grammy Awards for his gospel recordings. Throughout his amazing career, Presley helped popularize rock ’n’ roll music in America, earning his nickname as the genre’s king. His first film, Love Me Tender (1956), was a box office hit. Soon, Presley was everywhere, working as a musician and actor. “That’s All Right” was Presley’s first single in 1954. Presley soon began touring and recording, trying to catch his first big break. He cut his first demo record at what later became known as Sun Studio that year, and before long, Sam Phillips, the record label owner, decided to take the young performer under his wing. After graduating in 1953, he worked a number of jobs while pursuing his musical dream. Presley received his first guitar as a gift from his mother on his 11 th birthday in 1946 and had his first taste of musical success a few years later when he won a talent show at Humes High School in Memphis. Presley attended the Assembly of God Church with his parents, where gospel music became an important influence for him. He was deeply devoted to his parents, especially his mother, and was raised to have a strong faith in God. Raised by loving, working-class parents, Vernon and Gladys, Presley and his family had little money, and they moved from place to place frequently. From very humble beginnings, Presley grew up to become one of the biggest names in rock ’n’ roll. (He later changed the spelling of his middle name to the biblical form of Aaron.) Presley was supposed to be a twin, but his brother, Jesse Garon (sometimes spelled Jessie), was stillborn. Quick FactsĮlvis Aron Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Since his death, Presley has remained one of the world’s most popular music icons. On August 16, 1977, the 42-year-old died of heart failure, which was related to his drug addiction. By the mid-1950s, he appeared on the radio, television, and the silver screen. Elvis’ 1968 Comeback Special Saved His CareerĮlvis Presley came from very humble beginnings and grew up to become one of the biggest names in rock ’n’ roll-commonly referred to as “The King” of the genre.
