A Tribute to Elvis Presley

On 16 August 2002 it was the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presleys death, here is our tribute to the undisputed King of Rock 'n' Roll.

Elvis Presley is the undisputed King of Rock and Roll. He rose from humble circumstances to launch the rock and roll revolution with his commanding voice and charismatic stage presence. Although he may not have actually invented rock 'n' roll in the purest sense of the term, there is no question that rock 'n' roll would have been a totally different concept without Elvis Presley. However, what he did invent was the style, the themes and the naturally rebellious spirit that became central to the form. With a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences he blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of the time, he ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture.  His talent, good looks, sensuality, charisma, and good humor endeared him to millions, as did the humility and human kindness which he demonstrated throughout his life.

In the words of the historical marker that stands outside the house where he was born: "Presley's career as a singer and entertainer redefined popular music." Known the world over by his first name, he is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture certainly after his death pop music and American culture were never the same.

Humble Beginnings

On January 8, 1935 Elvis Aaron Presley was born to Gladys and Vernon Presley in a two-room cabin on North Saltillo Road in East Tupelo, Mississippi. Born into the dirt-poor family in the heart of depression his twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. While still an adolescent, he and his parents relocated to the Memphis Tennessee in 1948, and Elvis graduated from Humes High School after which he became a truck driver

Elvis’ musical influences came from the pop and country music of the time; the gospel music he heard in church and at the all-night gospel sings he frequently attended. Dean Martin had been his childhood hero and he grew up surrounded by the gospel music of the Pentecostal church and he absorbed the vibrant melting pot of Southern popular music and the black R&B and jazz to which he was exposed to on historic Beale Street.

On July 18, 1953 Presley stopped at Memphis Recording Service to record two songs, "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin," as a birthday present for his mother, and when he first entered Sun Studios in Memphis and was asked what kind of music he sang, his reply was: "I sing all types." However, Sam Phillips wasn't impressed then or when the young Presley tried again in January of 1954, when Elvis recorded, "Careless Love" and "I'll Never Stand In Your Way." In July of 1954 Elvis was back in the studio singing "That's Alright Mama" only now  Phillips teamed him with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black. By this time Phillips had finally recognized the plaintive emotion in Presley's vocals and realized the potential knowing that he had found the breakthrough star he had been looking for. Specifically, Phillips had found a white guy who had the sound and feel of the black R&B artists he had been recording.

After five groundbreaking singles in late November 1955 Elvis Presley's contract with Sun Records, including all previously released and recorded material was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956, he was an international sensation and his career quickly took off. "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" - his last single for Sun and first for RCA - went to #1 on the country charts. "Heartbreak Hotel," became his first across-the-board hit, holding down the top spot for eight weeks. Presley's hip-shaking performances on a series of TV variety shows, including Ed Sullivan's, generated hysteria and controversy. From blistering rockers to aching balladry, Presley captivated and liberated the teenage audience. His historic string of hits in 1956 and ‘57 included "Don't Be Cruel," "Hound Dog," "Love Me Tender," "All Shook Up" and "Jailhouse Rock."  

On December 19, 1957 Presley's career momentum was interrupted. He was at his home at Graceland for the Christmas holidays and was served with his draft notice consequently being sworn in as a private in the U.S. Army on March 24, 1958, and later sent to basic training in Fort Hood, Texas. Shipped to Germany, he continued to serve in Company D, 32nd Tank Battalion, 3rd Armor Corps, from October 1, 1958, to March 1, 1960 where he met his future wife, Priscilla . 

For much of the Sixties, he occupied himself with movie-making and soundtrack-recording. May 1, 1967 saw Elvis marry Priscilla Beaulieu, at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. Their daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, was born exactly nine months later, on February 1, 1968. They divorced on October 9, 1973 in Santa Monica, California.

Presley's standing as a rock and roller was rekindled with an electrifying TV special, simply titled Elvis and broadcast on December 3, 1968. He followed this mid-career renaissance with some of the most mature and satisfying work of his career. Recording in Memphis, he cut such classic tracks as "In the Ghetto, "Suspicious Minds" and "Kentucky Rain" with the soulful, down-home musicians at American Studio.

If the Fifties were devoted to rock and roll and the Sixties to movies, the Seventies represent the performing chapter in Presley's career. On July 31, 1969 Elvis  performed his first live concert since March 25, 1961. The remaining eight years of Presley's life was largely be devoted to live performances, either on the road or at the International Hotel. He toured constantly, performing to capacity crowds around the country

The King is Dead

On August 16, 1977 an unconscious Elvis Presley was found at Graceland, his Memphis mansion  and subsequently he was rushed to Baptist Memorial Hospital at around 3 p.m. Despite efforts to revive him, Elvis Presley was  pronounced dead. At a press conference that evening, medical examiner Dr. Jerry Francisco indicates that the cause of death appeared to be "cardiac arrhythmia," noting that, "There was severe cardiovascular disease present."  He was 42 years old.   

Factoids

He starred in 33 successful films, made history with his television appearances and specials, and knew great acclaim through his many, often record-breaking, live concert performances on tour and in Las Vegas. Globally, he has sold over one billion records, more than any other artist. His American sales have earned him gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards for 131 different albums and singles, far more than any other artist. Among his many awards and accolades were 14 Grammy nominations (3 wins) from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, which he received at age 36, and his being named One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation for 1970 by the United States Jaycees. Without any of the special privileges his celebrity status might have afforded him, he honorably served his country in the U.S. Army

Elvis Presley's Five Sun Single

That's All Right/Blue Moon of Kentucky
Baby Let's Play House/I'm Left, Your Right, She's Gone
Good Rockin' Tonight/I Don't care If The Sun Don't Shine
Milkcow Blues Boogie / You're A Heartbreaker
Mystery Train/ I Forgot To Remember To Forget

Elvis top 10 songs

1)Suspicious Minds
 2)Always On My Mind
 3)If I Can Dream
 4)In The Ghetto
 5)Burning Love
 6)An American Trilogy
 7)Polk Salad Annie
 8)Bridge Over Troubled Water
 9)Kentucky Rain
10)My Way

Statistically he:

* holds records for the most Top Forty hits (107), the most Top Ten hits (38), the most consecutive #1 hits (10)and the most weeks at #1 (80).

* charted more songs on Billboard's Hot 100 than any other artist. (149)

* spent more weeks at the top of the charts than any other artist. (80)

* had the greatest number of consecutive #1 hits. (10)

* is second only to the Beatles in total of #1 hits. (18)

* has the second most Multi-Platinum records (19) (The Beatles have 24; Led Zepplin has13)

*  has more Gold records than any other artist (81)  (Barbara Streisand has 42; The Beatles have 41)

* Elvis has more Platinum records than any other artist (43) (The Beatles have 36; Barbara Streisand has 26)

No wonder they call him The King.  

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