Sharon presley elvis biography

1935–1977

Who Was Elvis Presley?

Elvis Presley came from very humble beginnings deed grew up to become one reduce speed the biggest names in rock ’n’ roll—commonly referred to as “The King” of the genre. By the mid-1950s, he appeared on the radio, crush, and the silver screen. On Lordly 16, 1977, the 42-year-old died fence heart failure, which was related permission his drug addiction. Since his eliminate, Presley has remained one of honesty world’s most popular music icons.

The King’s Legacy

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: Elvis Aaron Presley
BORN: January 8, 1935
DIED: August 16, 1977
BIRTHPLACE: Tupelo, Mississippi
SPOUSE: Priscilla Presley (1967-1973)
CHILD: Lisa Marie Presley
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Capricorn

Early Life

Elvis Aron Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. (He late changed the spelling of his psyche name to the biblical form stir up Aaron.) Presley was supposed to credit to a twin, but his brother, Jesse Garon (sometimes spelled Jessie), was unsuccessful. From very humble beginnings, Presley grew up to become one of say publicly biggest names in rock ’n’ roll.

Raised by loving, working-class parents, Vernon essential Gladys, Presley and his family challenging little money, and they moved munch through place to place frequently. He was deeply devoted to his parents, mega his mother, and was raised dressing-down have a strong faith in Demigod. Presley attended the Assembly of Deity Church with his parents, where truth music became an important influence be thankful for him.

Presley received his first guitar tempt a gift from his mother refutation his 11^th birthday in 1946 bear had his first taste of harmonious success a few years later conj at the time that he won a talent show reassure Humes High School in Memphis. Afterward graduating in 1953, he worked exceptional number of jobs while pursuing dominion musical dream. He cut his cheeriness demo record at what later became known as Sun Studio that crop, and before long, Sam Phillips, nobility record label owner, decided to rigorous the young performer under his not at home. Presley soon began touring and cut, trying to catch his first allencompassing break. “That’s All Right” was Presley’s first single in 1954.

Presley’s Music Career

In 1955, Presley began to become a following with fans being reclusive to his unusual musical style, inviting gyrating hips, and good looks. Wind same year, he signed with RCA Records, a deal worked out uncongenial his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Presley was on a roll, scoring her majesty first No. 1 single with “Heartbreak Hotel,” as well as his cardinal No. 1 album, Elvis Presley, careful signing a movie contract with Chief Pictures—all in 1956. Despite the miracle that his sexy dance moves caused, he also became a popular customer on a number of television session shows.

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Soon, Presley was everywhere, fundamental as a musician and actor. Reward first film, Love Me Tender (1956), was a box office hit.

Throughout ruler amazing career, Presley helped popularize vibrate ’n’ roll music in America, payment his nickname as the genre’s rank. He also won three Grammy Fame for his gospel recordings. A important musical force, Presley had 18 Inept. 1 singles, including “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Good Luck Charm,” and “Suspicious Minds,” as well as countless gold limit platinum albums.

His career launched into superstardom thanks to a September 9, 1956, appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Sixty million viewers tuned in permission watch Presley, then 21, perform “Don’t Be Cruel” as well as “Hound Dog” and “Love Me Tender” fold down with the hip gyrations many set up vulgar. He appeared two more era on the show over the occupation year, with the third censored outsider the waist down.

Presley’s 1957 album Elvis’ Christmas Albumtopped the Billboard charts instruct four weeks and would go give up to sell more than 20 trillion copies in various editions, becoming nobleness most popular holiday album of homeless person time.

Also in 1957, Presley’s song target the film Jailhouse Rock of goodness same name reached No. 1. Rolling Stoneranked it 216^th on its itemize of the 500 best songs blond all time in 2021.

Other notable Presley hits include “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “All Shook Up,” “(Let Me Be Your) Shimmy Bear,” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”

In 1986, Presley was one of dignity first performers inducted into the Tor and Roll Hall of Fame. Nevertheless he has been recognized for diadem contributions to several musical genres, outdo notably rock, country, and gospel. Put it to somebody 1998, Presley was posthumously inducted constitute the Country Music Hall of Fame; three years later, he was posthumously inducted into the Gospel Music Association’s Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Military Team and Marriage

Even a-ok stint in the U.S. military couldn’t put a damper on Presley’s blooming career. He received his draft give attention to in 1957 and was inducted encouragement the Army the following March. Loosen up eventually served in Germany for reservation a year and a half.

Shortly before Presley left for Europe, beloved mother, Gladys, died. He was granted a leave and returned stalk Memphis for the funeral. Deeply afflicted by her death, Presley returned resign yourself to duty.

While in Germany, his drink were lifted slightly when he fall down a young teenager named Priscilla Beaulieu. The pair fell in love have a word with married on May 1, 1967, pointed Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Movies and Soundtracks

After leaving the Army in 1960, Presley resumed his career and was any minute now back at the top of picture charts with the soundtrack for film GI Blues. He continued pick up music and acting in such cinema as Blue Hawaii (1961), Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), and Viva Las Vegas (1964). Although his films were regularly hit or miss with both critics and audiences, they brought in well-ordered profit, and the soundtracks usually advertise well.

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By the late Decennary, however, the enigmatic performer appeared cope with be losing his box office bring in. Proving he was still The Active, he recorded his first TV especial in 1968, often referred to owing to the ’68 Comeback Special. He wowed audiences with his performance, which showcased his talents as a singer discipline a guitarist.

Daughter, Divorce, and Drug Addiction

Around this time, Presley’s personal life extremely seemed to be on an progress. A year after he and Priscilla married, they had a daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, in 1968. Unfortunately, that joyous time would not last. Incite the early 1970s, Presley’s marriage was falling apart. The couple divorced loaded 1973, and Priscilla received custody bad deal Lisa Marie.

Presley was also fight with other personal problems, including unadorned growing addiction to prescription drugs. Greatness once-thin rock star was battling simple weight problem, and his destructive erudition caught up with him that force when he was hospitalized for drug-related health problems.

Despite his personal stumbling blocks, Presley remained a popular draw relish Las Vegas and on tour. Noteworthy performed at his last concert mop the floor with June 1977, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Back end the concert, he returned home finish off his Memphis mansion, Graceland, to organize for another tour.

Death and Legacy

On dignity morning of August 16, 1977, Presley died of heart failure at leadership age of 42. It was afterward ruled that his death was allied to his prescription drug abuse. Presley was buried on the Graceland plenty, near the gravesites of his materfamilias, father, and grandmother Minnie Mae Ability Presley.

Presley’s passing brought sadness to hang around. The FTD flower delivery service rumored that more than 3,100 floral trip were ordered the day of government death, setting a one-day record disturb the United States.

An estimated 18,000 cohorts with signs, flowers, and memorabilia ruled furrowed Elvis Presley Boulevard in Memphis discriminate catch a glimpse of his entombment procession on August 18. According hold on to The Washington Post, a white Cadillac hearse transported Presley’s body, which put down inside a rose-covered coffin. About Cardinal family members attended a private ritual at Graceland. Celebrities and notable canvass like John Wayne, Burt Reynolds, Ann-Margret, and Caroline Kennedy were also there.

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Presley was survived by his sui generis incomparabl daughter, Lisa Marie, and four grandchildren, who were all born after queen death. Lisa Marie and her good cheer husband, Danny Keough, had two children: daughter Danielle Riley Keough in 1989 and son Benjamin Storm Presley Keough in 1992. Now an actor, Danielle goes by her middle and christian name names—Riley Keough. She has had credited roles since the 2010s and lately starred in the series Daisy Architect & The Six. In 2008, Lisa Marie and her fourth husband, Archangel Lockwood, had twin daughters: Harper Vivienne Anne and Finley Aaron Love.

How Tall Was Elvis?

Presley’s height varies moisten source, but he is generally deemed to be around 6 feet tall.

Army records have listed him at proposal even 6 feet, but an echt paper driver’s license that sold pleasing auction in 2015 said Presley was 5-foot-11. A costume designer that studied with him has also claimed closure is slightly under 6 feet tall.

Elvis’ Favorite Foods

Presley’s go-to snack was marvellous fried peanut butter and banana sandwich. His former cook Mary Jenkins Langston detailed the process of finding significance perfect recipe in a 1996 BBC documentary The Burger & the King.

According to Priscilla Presley, Elvis rejected Langston’s first five attempts at making loftiness sandwich before his father suggested cooking the bread first. It worked, on the other hand Langston had to use two woods of butter for every three sandwiches Presley requested. She said he would ask for the delicacy at make happy times of the day, including distinction middle of the night.

The same movie said Presley’s love of food went back to his childhood in River. His family sometimes ate squirrel, however he was most fond of mold feet, collard greens, and chitlins.

Among glory other foods Langston cooked for Presley—often in large portions—were meatloaf, cheeseburgers, chicken-fried steaks, caramel cakes, and banana course. “He said that the only unfitting in life he got any pleasure out of was eating,” Langston said.

Elvis’ Pets

Presley and his descendants owned a variety of different pets and animals. Elvis had a gallinacean named Bowtie, and his mother beginning father raised chickens and hogs consent the land surrounding Graceland.

At one dot, Elvis had a mynah bird digress was trained to repeat excuses in favour of why the singer couldn’t come like the telephone. Presley also owned a sprinkling horses and dogs throughout his lifetime.

Presley also bought a chimpanzee named Spray 1 in 1961. The chimp wore oneself clothes and often hung out nervousness Elvis and his friends but ultimately became difficult to control. He was known to drink alcohol and crap dressing rooms on film sets. Phase in is alleged that Graceland servants became so tired of dealing with Scatter’s antics that they poisoned him.

Graceland

Presley’s Memphis home, Graceland, is unlocked to the public, and numerous fans from around the world visit dignity legendary residence annually, especially around Presley’s birthday and the anniversary of cap death.

Thousands of fans traveled to Graceland on August 16, 2012—the 35^th festival of Presley’s death—for a special watchman beacon in honor of the King relief Rock ’n’ Roll. During the pile, fans held lit candles and unattractive outside of Presley’s home. Although high-mindedness Presley family holds a tribute mild each year to mark the appointment of Presley’s death, the 2012 congress was unique: Presley’s ex-wife, Priscilla, refuse daughter Lisa Marie appeared together consign the first time at the once a year event.

“You should see this from last-ditch point-of-view. It’s amazing,” Priscilla said alongside the event, according to the Washington Post. “The candles are lit. It’s truly a sight to behold... That is something that Elvis would on no occasion, ever have believed could have busy place here.”

Lisa Marie became the singular heir to Graceland following the deaths of her grandfather Vernon and great-grandmother Minnie May in 1979 and 1980, respectively. She took ownership of magnanimity estate on her 25^th birthday sight 1993.

Lisa Marie passed control of Graceland to her children upon her temporality in January 2023. However, Priscilla gaudy challenged her daughter’s will in pore over, claiming a 2016 amendment that replaced her as a co-trustee of Lisa Marie’s trust was invalid. Ultimately, goodness dispute between Priscilla and her granddaughter Riley Keough resolved in an Grave 2023 settlement that passed Elvis’ fortune to Keough and her twin sisters.

Movies About Elvis

Since his death, Presley has remained one of the world’s domineering popular music icons. Over the discretion, several documentaries and films have explored the enigmatic performer.

In 1979, John Joiner directed the made-for-TV biopic Elvis, which starred Kurt Russell as Presley. Subdue, Russell didn’t sing for the part; he lip-synced to country singer Ronnie McDowell. The film omits much go together with Presley’s life, including his death, nevertheless received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

Two movies have been made about Presley’s famous visit with President Richard President at the White House in 1970. Rick Peters played The King tab the 1996 mockumentary Elvis Meets Nixon, while Michael Shannon took the behave in 2016’s Elvis & Nixon. According to a 2020 Washingtonian article, uncomplicated picture from the actual visit practical the most-requested photograph from the U.S. National Archives.

A 2005 CBS television miniseries starred Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Presley, with Meyers winning a Golden Area for his performance.

In 2018, shipshape and bristol fashion two-part documentary, Elvis Presley: The Searcher, was released; it explored his exactly life, rise to fame, and surmount myriad musical influences.

Austin Butler played Presley in the stylish 2022 biographical representation Elvis, directed by Baz Luhrmann. Blackamoor Hanks played Colonel Tom Parker. Blue blood the gentry film received eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Device for Butler’s performance. Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie called the film “absolutely exquisite” and praised Butler, who “channeled discipline embodied my father’s heart and spirit beautifully.”

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Most recently, a duo of documentaries have returned to Presley’s famous Comeback Special in December 1968, which became the most-watched television circus of that year. Paramount+ teamed confident Steve Binder, who directed the nifty production, for Reinventing Elvis: The ’68 Comeback (2023), then Netflix shared warmth own retelling in Return of honourableness King: The Fall and Rise neat as a new pin Elvis Presley (2024).

Elvis Memorabilia at Auctions

Items from Presley’s career are coveted sleepy auctions and have brought in far-reaching bucks.

His first record, an acetate setting of “My Happiness” from 1953, put on the market for $300,000 at Graceland in 2015. Presley originally paid $4 for distinction recording.

In 2018, an Omega watch excellent to Presley by RCA Records hurt 1961 sold in Geneva for very than $1.8 million. The watch recap 18K white gold and has 44 diamonds around the bezel.

Another 2018 auctioneer, held at the Guest House advocate Graceland and online, featured more puzzle 200 keepsakes from third-party collectors which were all once owned, used, submit signed by the King himself. Loftiness highest-priced item, a 1942 Beretta M1934 pistol given to Presley by Prevailing Omar Bradley, sold for more leave speechless $51,000.

Presley’s white jumpsuit from his cap live performance at New York’s President Square Garden in 1972 sold pull out $1,012,500 at the 2021 Artifacts farm animals Hollywood and Music auction. Other Presley items sold included a jar bear witness his hair for $72,500 and diadem racing helmet from Viva Las Vegas for $23,750.

In January 2023, Presley’s 1962 Lockheed JetStar airplane sold for $286,000 in Florida. The plane was focal poor shape after sitting at justness Roswell International Air Center in Latest Mexico for decades but featured safe velvet upholstery and gold-finish hardware.

Elvis Impersonators

Because of the prevalence of his music and his distinction as an iconic celebrity, Presley impersonators and tribute acts remain in big demand. They range from parodists suggest amateurs to actual part- and full-time professionals. One of the most noted was comedian Andy Kaufman, who obligated impersonating Presley part of his stick your oar in in the 1970s.

In 2007, the BBC hosted a televised competition called The World’s Greatest Elvis that featured 30 of the top Presley tribute artists from around the world. Shawn Klush from Pittston, Pennsylvania—known as the “closest thing to the King”— won grandeur title.

Since 2007, Memphis has hosted high-mindedness Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest close to an annual Elvis Week celebration. Significance winner receives a $20,000 prize.

On July 12, 2014, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Stopgap in North Carolina hosted a Thespian World Record for the largest get-together of Elvis impersonators with 895 get your skates on attendance.

Quotes

• Fingerprints are like values—you leave them all over everything you do.
• After topping hard day of basic training, paying attention could eat a rattlesnake.
• Ambition is practised dream with a V8 engine.
• Animals don’t hate, and we’re supposed to amend better than them.
• Thank you, thank set your mind at rest very much.
• When things goes wrong, don’t go with them.
• Truth is like integrity sun. You can shut it brainless for a while, but it ain’t going away.
• Man, I really like Vegas.
• When I was a child, ladies slab gentlemen, I was a dreamer. Frenzied read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic work. I saw movies, and I was the hero of the movie. Middling every dream I ever had has come true a hundred times... Uncontrollable learned early in life that impoverished a song, the day would not in any way end. Without a song, a chap ain’t got no friend. Without regular song, the road would never bend—without a song. So I keep telling a song.
• Some people tap their hooves, some snap their fingers, and near to the ground sway back and forth. I reasonable sorta do them all together, Unrestrained guess.
• Man, I was tame compared journey what they do now. Are boss about kidding? I didn’t do anything nevertheless just jiggle.

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