Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley, born January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, died August 16, 1977 in Memphis, Tennessee, was an American rock singer, musician and actor. He is one of the most prominent entertainers of the 20th century and is often called The King. Elvis Presley has sold over 1 billion records worldwide. This makes him the most sold artist of all time.

Elvis Presley was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during the first inaugural year, 1986. When the music magazine Rolling Stone would rank the 100 best artists of all time, he came in third place after The Beatles and Bob Dylan. Q Magazine has ranked Presley as the best singer of all time.

Among Presley's most famous songs are "All Shook Up", "That's All Right", "Hound Dog", "Heartbreak Hotel", "Jailhouse Rock", "Love Me Tender", "In the Ghetto", "Don't Be Cruel"," Can't Help Falling In Love"," It's Now Or Never"," Blue Suede Shoes", "(You're The) Devil In Disguise"     "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear","Always On My Mind"," Suspicious Minds "and" Burning Love".

In November 1956, Elvis Presley made his film debut in Duel, Texas. He came to play in some thirty feature films.

Elvis Presley was the son of Vernon Presley (1916–1979) and Gladys Smith (1912–1958). Elvis was still the child; his twin brother Jesse died at birth. Gladys knew there were going to be twins and she had decided the names well before it was time to give birth, Elvis Aaron and Jesse Garon. When Elvis turned 11, he wanted either a bicycle or a rifle. He got a guitar and in the following year he got guitar lessons from his uncle Vester. Elvis and his parents lived in Tupelo until 1948, when they moved to Memphis. The Presley family was very religious. Elvis often sang in gospel choir and the pastor often praised him and said he had talent and would someday be able to sing solo in church.

When Elvis was around 18, he worked as a truck driver and studied at the same time as an electrician. He often walked past Memphis Recording Service, which was also a place for Sun Records and one day saw a sign that read "Recording $ 4". After gathering courage for a time, he took the step and stepped in with his $ 4. Marion Keisker who was secretary and received him asked him who he sounded like and Presley learns to have answered "I don't sound like nobody" which means "I don't sound like anyone else". This was 1953 and the record contained two songs, My Happiness and That's When Your Heartaches Begin. The songs are said to have been a birthday present for his mother. It was probably a deliberate attempt to make his voice heard.

In 1954 he returned to Sun Studios to record another record. After that, Marion Keisker advised owner Sam Phillips to listen to Presley. He also liked what he heard and put Presley together with Scotty Moore (guitar) and Bill Black (bass). On July 19, 1954, the single That's All Right/Blue Moon of Kentucky was released. The three became increasingly popular in the southern states, and in October 1954 joined the radio program Louisiana Hayride. In connection with the broadcast, Presley met "Colonel" Tom Parker, who later became his manager. In 1955 DJ Fontana was recruited. On November 21, 1955, Elvis left Sun Records for RCA Victor. RCA paid $ 35,000 for the changeover, the highest sum ever for a pop artist. In January 1956, the first recordings were made for RCA, including the Heartbreak Hotel, which also ranked number one on Billboard. On January 28, the first TV appearance was made, on the CBS Stage Show, where Presley performed "Shake, Rattle & Roll" and "I Got A Woman".

In 1958, Presley was called in for military service, which he spent largely in the West German city of Bad Nauheim. In 1958, Gladys Presley was admitted to hospital as well of acute hepatitis. Elvis was then granted temporary leave from the service. She died a few days later of a heart attack. Between 1958 and 1960 he made no new records. However, RCA Records meanwhile released two albums of "new" material from his time on Sun Records called For LP Fans Only and A Date With Elvis. Returning from the Army, he eventually began acting as an actor in films such as G I Blues, Blue Hawaii, Viva Las Vegas, Kissin 'Cousins, and Paradise, Hawaiian Style. Presley continued to make films until 1969, when he was "finally" released from film contracts. The last feature film was Change of Habit.

Elvis Presley wanted to stand in front of an audience again. In December 1968, what was later called "68 Comeback Special" was broadcast. The TV show was proof that Elvis Presley, "The King" was back and paved the way for his return to the scene in 1969. This TV show is, from a Swedish perspective, extra interesting as he performed it with a Swedish-made Hagström Viking II around the neck. A long series of tours and concerts succeeded.

Between 1969 and 1977 Presley gave more than 1,100 concerts. He was still regarded as one of the leading musicians in the world and was now also known for his spectacular stage clothes, often impeccably white overalls embellished with glittering patterns. The most notable concert of this period was "Aloha From Hawaii" from January 14, 1973. It was a concert that Elvis did without compensation in favor of Kui Lee's Cancer Fund. The goal was to raise 25,000 US dollars, the result was threefold. (Kui Lee was a Hawaiian songwriter, who died in 1966. He wrote, among other things, Elvis's favorite song "I'll Remember You"). "Aloha from Hawaii" was watched by approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide, making the show the most watched TV show ever.

Elvis Presley was married to Priscilla Presley (May 1, 1967 - October 3, 1973) and together they had their daughter Lisa Marie Presley (born February 1, 1968), on the day nine months after the wedding. One of his best and oldest friends since 1964 and also personal hairdresser was Laurence "Larry" Geller.

In 2011, Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. was sued for SEK 880 million (about $ 130 million) by Lisa Johansen, who claims to be the real biological daughter of Elvis Presley. Johansen demanded damages for defamation and a lack of recognition from the Presley family. According to an article in the Aftonbladet, DNA tests have been done at a laboratory in London. On April 9, 2014, the test results leaked to the public after Trusted Labs was subjected to a data breach.

Until his death, Presley appeared in countless locations around the United States. He had a tour start booked on August 17, 1977, but was found lifeless on the bathroom floor in Graceland the day before the tour started by his then girlfriend Ginger Alden. Resuscitation attempts at Presley failed and he was pronounced dead on August 16, 1977 at 3.30pm at Baptist Memorial Hospital. After the autopsy of Presley's body, heart failure was announced as the cause of death. However, it is clear that it was a prolonged and intense abuse of mainly prescription tablets that broke him down. The autopsy report will be published only on request by Vernon Presley in 2027, 50 years after Elvis's death. The reason for this is believed to be to protect Presley's reputation. Presley's only child, daughter Lisa Marie Presley lived at Graceland the night Presley died. He and ex-wife Priscilla shared custody of Lisa. One of Presley's two private jets (both available for viewing at Graceland) is named after daughter Lisa Marie. Presley's coffin was first laid in a mausoleum but was later buried in Graceland where he is still buried today.

After Presley's death, rumors have emerged that the death would be staged and people have stated that they have seen him around the world.

Many artists have done covers on Elvis songs, such as Jailhouse Rock with ZZ Top, Suspicious Minds with Fine Young Cannibals, Viva Las Vegas with ZZ Top and Always on My Mind with Pet Shop Boys. Carola Häggkvist has done a cover on In The Ghetto.

Alannah Myles's song Black Velvet is a well-known tribute to Presley. Other tributes worth mentioning are Robbie Williams Advertising Space, Calling Elvis with Dire Straits, King's Call with Phil Lynott and Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn (also famous cover interpretation by Cher).

Several films have been made about Elvis Presley's life. John Carpenter directed the film Elvis in 1979, with Kurt Russell playing Elvis. In 2005, the film was made Elvis, the early years, which is about the beginning of his career (from his time as a truck driver to The 68 Comeback Special). There he is played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers. There have also been many films about other artists where Elvis shows up most in passing, such as Walk the Line about Johnny Cash and Great Balls of Fire, about Jerry Lee Lewis.

Many books have also been written about his life.

"Good Rockin 'Tonight" from 1954.

"Blue Moon of Kentucky" with Elvis Presley, Scotty and Bill, 1954 Sun Records.

Elvis Presley has sold over a billion records worldwide. This is he and The Beatles alone in the history of music. He has had the most one on Britain's singles list, 21 pieces. On the US singles list he has had 17 singles, the second most of all solo artists (Mariah Carey has 18 singles). According to the Discogs website, there are over 2000 different albums; singles, LP albums and compilation albums, with Elvis. Most of these are published after the artist's death.

Album

1956 - Elvis Presley

1956 - Elvis

1957 - Loving You

1957 - Elvis' Christmas Album

1958 - King Creole

1959 - For LP Fans Only

1959 - A Date With Elvis

1960 - Elvis Is Back

1960 - G I Blues

1960 - His Hand in Mine

1961 - Something for Everybody

1961 - Blue Hawaii

1962 - Pot Luck with Elvis

1962 - Girls Girls Girls

1963 - It Happened at the World's Fair

1963 - Fun in Acapulco

1964 - Kissin 'Cousins

1964 - Roustabout

1965 - Girl Happy

1965 - Elvis for Everyone

1965 - Harum Scarum

1966 - Frankie and Johnny

1966 - Paradise, Hawaiian Style

1966 - Spinout

1967 - How Great Thou Art

1967 - Double Trouble

1967 - Clambake

1968 - NBC TV Special

1968 - Speedway

1969 - From Elvis in Memphis

1969 - From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis

1970 - Elvis in Person at the International Hotel

1970 - On Stage - February 1970

1970 - Almost in Love

1970 - Back in Memphis

1970 - That's the Way It Is

1971 - Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old)

1971 - You'll Never Walk Alone

1971 - Love Letters from Elvis

1971 - Elvis Sings "The Wonderful World of Christmas"

1972 - Elvis Now

1972 - He Touched Me

1972 - Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden

1973 - Aloha from Hawaii, Via Satellite

1973 - Elvis

1973 - Raised on Rock/For Ol 'Times Sake

1974 - A Legendary Performer, Volume1

1974 - Good Times RCA Victor

1974 - Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis

1975 - Promised Land

1975 - Today

1976 - A Legendary Performer, Volume 2

1976 - The Sun Sessions

1976 - From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee

1977 - Welcome to My World

1977 - Moody Blue

1977 - Elvis in Concert

1977 - Interviews and Memories of: The Sun Years

1978 - A Canadian Tribute

1978 - Elvis Sings for Children and Grownups Too

1978 - A Legendary Performer, Volume 3

1978 - Mahalo from Elvis

1980 - Elvis Aron Presley (Silverbox)

1981 - Guitar Man

1981 - This is Elvis

1982 - The Elvis Medley

1983 - A Legendary Performer, Volume 4

1984 - The Legend

1984 - A Golden celebration (Gold Boxes)

1987 - Essential Elvis, Volume 1

1987 - The Memphis Record

1988 - The Alternate Aloha

1989 - Stereo '57, Essential Elvis Volume 2

1990 - The Great Performances

1990 - Hits Like Never Before, Essential Elvis Volume 3

1990 - For The Asking (The Lost Album)

1990 - Danish Single Hits

1991 - Collectors Gold

1992 - The King of Rock 'n' Roll, The Complete 50's Masters (5xCD Box)

1993 - From Nashville to Memphis, The Essential '60s Masters (5xCD Box)

1994 - Swedish Hits

1995 - Walk A Mile In My Shoes, The Essential 70's Masters (5xCD Box)

1995 - Command Performance, The Essential 60's Masters II

1996 - Great Country Songs

1996 - A Hundred Years From Now, Essential Elvis Volume 4

1996 - Elvis 56

1997 - An Afternoon in the Garden

1997 - Platinum, A Life In Music (4xCD Box)

1998 - The Concert - 1999 World Tour

1998 - Rhythm & Country, Essential Elvis Volume 5

1998 - Tiger Man

1998 - Memories '68 Comeback Special

1999 - Artist Of The Century

1999 - Burning Love

1999 - Suspicious Minds (The Memphis 1969 Anthology)

1999 - Tomorrow Is A Long Time

1999 - The Home Recordings

2000 - Such A Night - Essential Elvis Vol. 6

2000 - That's The Way It Is - Special Edition

2000 - Peace In The Valley, The Complete Gospel Recordings

2000 - Swedish Hit Collection

2001 - Live in Las Vegas (4xCD Box)

2002 - Today, Tomorrow & Forever (4xCD Box)

2002 - Elvis: 30 # 1 Hits

2003 - Close Up (4xCD Box)

2003 - 2nd to None

2005 - Elvis By The Presleys

2007 - Viva Las Vegas (2007)

2008 - The Complete '68 Comeback Special

2009 - I Believe, The Gospel Masters

2009 - Elvis 75, Good Rockin 'Tonight

2010 - The Complete Elvis Presley Masters

2012 - I Am An Elvis Fan

2012 - Prince From Another Planet

2013 - Elvis At Stax: Deluxe Edition

2014 - Elvis Recorded Live In Memphis, Legacy Edition

Filmography

1956 - Duel in Texas (Love Me Tender)

1957 - Young Man With Guitar (Loving You)

1957 - Jailhouse Rock

1958 - King Creole

1960 - Wild Man in Texas (Flaming Star)

1960 - G I Blues

1961 - Blue Hawaii

1961 - Wild young man (Wild in the Country)

1962 - Girls Girls Girls

1962 - Follow That Dream

1962 - Kid Galahad

1963 - Fun in Acapulco

1963 - It Happened at the World's Fair

1963 - Kissin 'Cousins

1964 - Roustabout

1964 - Viva Las Vegas

1965 - Girl Happy

1965 - Harum Scarum

1965 - Paradise, Hawaiian Style

1965 - Tickle Me

1966 - Frankie and Johnny

1966 - Spinout

1967 - Clambake

1967 - Double Trouble

1967 - Easy Coome, Easy Go

1968 - Live and Little, Love and Little

1968 - Speedway

1968 - Stay Away, Joe

1969 - Charro

1969 - The Trouble With Girls

1970 - Change of Habit

1970 - Elvis - That's the Way It Is

1972 - Elvis on Tour

1977 - Elvis CBS Special

1981 - This Is Elvis