Born Elvis Aron Presley on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. (He later changed the spelling of his middle name to the biblical form of Aaron.) Elvis Presley grew up to become one of the biggest names in rock and roll. He was originally supposed to be a twin, but his brother Jesse Garon was stillborn.
Presley's family had little money, and they moved around a lot. He was deeply devoted to his parents, especially his mother Gladys, and was raised to have a strong faith in God. Presley attended the Assembly of God Church with his parents where the gospel music became an important influence on him.
got his first guitar at the age of ten, and had his first taste of musical success by winning a talent show at Humes High School in Memphis. 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. "That's All Right" was Presley's first single in 1954. Presley began touring and recording, trying to get his first big break.
In 1955, he signed with RCA Records, a deal worked out by his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Presley was on a roll, scoring his first number one single with "Heartbreak Hotel" and first number one album, Elvis Presley, and signing a movie contract with Paramount Pictures—all in 1956.
Elvis appeared to be everywhere—on the radio, television, and on screen. His first film, Love Me Tender (1956), was a box office hit. Even a stint in the U.S. military couldn't put a damper on Presley's thriving career. He received his draft notice in 1957 and was inducted into the army the following March. He eventually served in Germany about a year and a half. Shortly before Presley left for Europe, his mother died. He was granted a leave and returned to Memphis for the funeral. Deeply saddened by her death, he returned to duty.
After leaving the army in 1960, Presley resumed his career and soon rose right back to the top of the charts with the soundtrack for his film GI Blues. He continued recording music and acting in such films, as Blue Hawaii (1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), and Viva Las Vegas (1964). In 1960, Presley appeared to be losing his box office appeal. Proving he was still the king of rock and rock, he did his first television special in 1968, which is often referred to as the '68 Comeback.
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TIME LINE
1953-Records "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin", at the Sun Record
Company in Memphis, Tennessee, for a fee of $3.98. Elvis gives his first recording to his mother as a birthday gift.
1954- Sam Phillips, owner of Sun Records, teams Elvis up with two local musicians. They record five songs and make regular live appearances throughout the South.
1955- Signs "Colonel" Tom Parker as his manager. The partnership lasts until Elvis' death.
1956- Heartbreak Hotel is released in January, becoming his first gold record.
Elvis Presley is released in March, becoming his first gold album.
Elvis Presley is released in March, becoming his first gold album.
1957- Presley is drafted into the U.S. Army, but defers entry until March 24, 1958, to finish production on the film King Creole.
1959- Meets 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu in Germany while serving in the U.S. Army.
1967- Presley weds Priscilla in a small ceremony at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas on May 1,
1968- Lisa Marie is born on February 1.
1969- Performs a 4-week, 57-show engagement at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, breaking attendance records. He becomes a regular on the Vegas scene until his death.
1972- Priscilla files for divorce, which is granted on October 9, 1973.
1977- Presley dies from heart failure at Graceland, on August 16 at the age of 42.
