Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935 and dead on August 16, 1977. Although he did not invent rock 'n roll, he did more than anyone to popularize it, and he was rock's most powerful performer. From the mid attitude – a combination of sex and sneer made the "King" an international hero of the young.

Presley's began with his recording of the blues song "That's All Right, Mama," written by the black singer Arthur Crudup. Pressley's rendition combined his potent, shouted vocal style with a fast , hard, country and western music instrumental backing. It won considerable attention and eventually a recording contract with RCA Victor. With national promotion, Presley's subsequent recording became instant hits: "Don't be Cruel," "Love Me Tender," and "All Shock Up." His concert and television appearances drew huge audiences, and his 33 movies, which were minor films at best, increased his fame.

He is the biggest star and the person most responsible for its emergence in the 1950s as both a musical and a wider cultural phenomenon. Presley sold more top-ten hits (39), and had more gold record (28 – each significant sales in excess of 1 million) than any individual or group in history.

Even after his dead, Presley's cult continuous, and buried, has become a place of pilgrimage. Elvis’ musical influences were 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, and the black R&B he absorbed on historic Beale Street as a Memphis teenager. In 1954, he began his singing career with the legendary Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his recording contract was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956, he was an international sensation. With a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences and blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of the time, he ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture.

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 150 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.

His talent, good looks, sensuality, charisma, and good humor endeared him to millions, as did the humility and human kindness he demonstrated throughout his life. Known the world over by his first name, he is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture. Elvis died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977.