ELVIS PRESLEY THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL

ELVIS PRESLEY THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL

ELVIS AARON PRESLEY 1/8/1935 -8/16/1977 § Born in a two-room “shotgun” house built by his father. § Twin brother, Jesse Garon, was stillborn. § Was an only child and was “unusually close to his mother. ” § Family lived just above the poverty line. § Family attended the Assembly of God church.

§ Father-Vernon Elvis Presley had many low-paying jobs, including a sharecropper and truck driver. § Mother-Gladys Love Smith Presley worked as a sewing machinist. § In 1938, Vernon was jailed for an $8 check forgery. This eight month incarceration caused the family to lose their house and they moved in with family.

Gladys, Elvis, and Vernon Presley in 1937

§ In September 1942, Presley entered first grade at Lawhorn School in Tupelo. He was considered a "well-mannered and quiet child", but sometimes classmates threw "things at him —rotten fruit and stuff—because he was different. . . he stuttered and he was a mama's boy. “ § On October 3, 1945, at age ten, he made his first public performance in a singing contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show at the suggestion of his teacher Mrs. J. C. Grimes. Dressed as a cowboy, the young Presley had to stand on a chair to reach the microphone and sang "Old Shep. " He came in fifth, winning $5 and a free ticket to all the Fair rides.

§ In 1946, for his eleventh birthday, Presley received his first guitar. He wanted a bicycle or rifle for his birthday, but his parents could only afford a guitar. § After graduation, Presley was still rather shy, a "kid who had spent scarcely a night away from home". He got a job driving a truck for the Crown Electric Company.

§ Went to a studio to record a song for his mother’s birthday. A record producer heard the recording and wanted to know who the singer was. He was offered a recording session. § “That’s All Right (Mama)” was played on the radio and when people called in to see who the artist was, the DJ told them “Elvis Preston” because he couldn’t pronounce Presley. People just assumed that Elvis was black, because of his style of singing.

This is the cover of Elvis’ very first album. The photo was taken January 31, 1955. The album was released in March and went to the top of the pop chart for 10 weeks.

§ His parents moved home to Memphis, Elvis stayed briefly. With increased concerns over privacy and security, Graceland was bought and renovated in 1957, a mansion with several acres of land. This was Presley's primary residence until his death.

§ In 1957, Elvis received his draft notice. He was allowed to finish filming a movie “King Creole” that he was working on. § One March 24, 1958, Elvis was inducted as US Army private #53310761. § He went to basic training at Fort Hood, TX and was then stationed in Friedberg, Germany from October 1958 to March 1960. § While in Germany, he met his future wife, Pricilla at a party.

Elvis when he arrived in Germany

§ In August 1958, Elvis’ mother was diagnosed with hepatitis. He was granted emergency leave to see her. Two days after he got home she passed away. He was very distraught, having been so close to her. § He returned to the US in March of 1960 and was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant.

§ Elvis married Priscilla on May 1, 1967 at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. § Their only child, Lisa Marie, was born 9 months to the day after the wedding, on February 1, 1968.

§ Elvis and Priscilla ended up divorcing in October 1973. They shared custody of their daughter. § After his divorce, Presley became increasingly unwell, with prescription drugs affecting his health, mood and his stage act. His diet had always been unhealthy, and he now had significant weight problems. § Despite his obvious problems, shows in Omaha, Nebraska and Rapid City, South Dakota were recorded for an album and a CBS -TV special: Elvis In Concert.

§ Another tour was scheduled to begin August 17, 1977, but at Graceland the day before, Presley was found on his bathroom floor by fiancée, Ginger Alden. § In two lab reports filed two months later, each indicated "a strong belief that the primary cause of death was polypharmacy, " with one report "indicating the detection of fourteen drugs in Elvis' system, ten in significant quantity. "

President Jimmy Carter issued a statement after Elvis’ death: § Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique and irreplaceable. More than 20 years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense, and he was a symbol to people the world over of the vitality, rebelliousness, and good humor of his country.

Elvis in 1958 before being drafted.

Elvis and President Richard Nixon in 1970

Ms. Todd’s favorite picture of Elvis

Elvis in Rapid City, SD the year he died