Elvis Presley is one of those names that pretty much everyone in the western world has heard of. Born on January 8, 1935, Elvis became one of the most significant cultural icons of the twentieth century. He was both a singer and actor and due to his immense influence over the rock ‘n roll music genre, was given the popular nickname “the King”.
Elvis’ music career began in 1954 when in Memphis, Tennesee, he recorded his first song. Then in 1956 he released his first RCA record “Heartbreak Hotel” which became a number one hit in the USA. He became noted for his gyroscopic hip movements and energetic, sexually provocative performance styles.
Elvis Presley also made his film debut in 1956, starring in a movie called “Love Me Tender” from which the song by that name became famous. His film making days were cut short when he was drafted into the army, in 1958 but once discharged in 1960, made a comeback with three more films: “Loving You”, “Jailhouse Rock”, and “King Creole”. He would later state that King Creole was his favorite of all his films.
After some disappointing returns from two non-musical films in which Elvis starred, film producers were reluctant to hire him, leaving him to return to the more profitable music industry. Elvis is said to have been disappointed at this, having had high hopes for a film career.
In the first half of the decade, three of Presley’s soundtrack albums hit number one on the pop charts, and a few of his most popular songs came from his films, such as “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1961) and “Return to Sender” (1962), as well as “Viva Las Vegas” (1964).
Shortly before Christmas 1966, more than seven years since they first met, Presley proposed to Priscilla Beaulieu. They were married on May 1, 1967, in a brief ceremony in their suite at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas.
By 1972, Elvis and his wife had become increasingly distant, barely cohabiting. In 1971, an affair he had with Joyce Bova resulted—unbeknownst to him—in her pregnancy and an abortion. He often raised the possibility of her moving into Graceland, saying that he was likely to leave Priscilla. The Presleys separated on February 23, 1972, after Priscilla disclosed her relationship with Mike Stone, a karate instructor Presley had recommended to her. Elvis and his wife filed for divorce on August 18. According to Joe Moscheo of the Imperials, the failure of Presley’s marriage “was a blow from which he never recovered.”
After their divorce took effect on October 9, 1973, Elvis was now becoming increasingly unwell. Twice during the year he overdosed on barbiturates, spending three days in a coma in his hotel suite after the first incident. Toward the end of 1973, he was hospitalized, semicomatose from the effects of pethidine addiction.
By early 1977, Elvis had become a grotesque caricature of his sleek, energetic former self. Hugely overweight, his mind dulled by the pharmacopia he daily ingested, he was barely able to pull himself through his abbreviated concerts. Fans were becoming increasingly voluble about their disappointment, but it all seemed to go right past Elvis, whose world was now confined almost entirely to his room and his spiritualism books.
By this point, he suffered from multiple ailments: glaucoma, high blood pressure, liver damage, and an enlarged colon, each aggravated—and possibly caused—by drug abuse. He was scheduled to fly out of Memphis on the evening of August 16, 1977, to begin another tour. That afternoon, Ginger Alden discovered him unresponsive on his bathroom floor. Attempts to revive him failed, and death was officially pronounced at 3:30 p.m. at Baptist Memorial Hospital.
Elvis – Shortly Before His Death
Elvis’ physical attractiveness and sexual appeal were widely acknowledged. “He was once beautiful, astonishingly beautiful”, in the words of critic Mark Feeney. His performance style, as much as his physical beauty, was responsible for Presley’s eroticized image. Writing in 1970, critic George Melly described him as “the master of the sexual simile, treating his guitar as both phallus and girl.” In his Presley obituary, Lester Bangs credited him as “the man who brought overt blatant vulgar sexual frenzy to the popular arts in America.”
Elvis Presley’s Legacy
Presley’s rise to national attention in 1956 transformed the field of popular music and had a huge effect on the broader scope of popular culture. As the catalyst for the cultural revolution that was rock and roll, he was central not only to defining it as a musical genre but in making it a touchstone of youth culture and rebellious attitude.
Little Richard said of Presley, “He was an integrator. Elvis was a blessing. They wouldn’t let black music through. He opened the door for black music.” President Jimmy Carter remarked on his legacy in 1977: “His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture.” Such was the extent of Elvis’ popularity that he has inspired a legion of impersonators.
Enjoy These Song Lyrics by Elvis Presley
- Always on My Mind“Always on My Mind” is a song originally recorded by Brenda Lee and released on June 12, 1972. Elvis Presley recorded his version of “Always on My Mind” on March ...
- Are You Lonesome Tonight Lyrics – Elvis PresleyAre You Lonesome Tonight Lyrics & Video by Elvis Presley Lyrics are Below the Video – So Sing Along, or Just Enjoy Are You Lonesome Tonight Lyrics Are you lonesome tonight Do you miss ...
- Bridge Over Troubled WatersWhen you’re weary, feeling small, When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all; I’m on your side. when times get rough And friends just can’t be found, Like a bridge over ...
- Don’t Cry DaddyDon’t Cry Daddy Lyrics and Video Lyrics are Below the Video – So Sing Along or Just Enjoy Don’t Cry Daddy Lyrics Today I stumbled from my bed With thunder crashing in my head My ...
- In the Ghetto LyricsEnjoy this video of In The Ghetto Lyrics and Song by Elvis Presley The lyrics are below the video – you can sing along if you like, or just listen and ...
- Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley – LyricsEnjoy This Video of Love Me Tender Lyrics by Elvis Lyrics are Below the Video Love Me Tender Lyrics Love me tender, Love me sweet, Never let me go. You have made my life complete, And I ...
- Only Fools Rush In (I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You)Only Fools Rush In Lyrics & Video – Elvis Presley Lyrics are Below the Video – so Sing Along if you Like, or Just Enjoy Only Fools Rush In Lyrics Wise men say ...
