Elvis Presley

American singer and actor (1935-1977)

Elvis Presley, known as the “King of Rock and Roll”, was an American singer and actor who is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. He was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and his music career began in 1954 at Sun Records, where he helped pioneer the rockabilly genre. Presley became a leading figure in the rock and roll movement, despite initial controversy over his provocative performance style and promotion of African-American music.

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Jessie Garon Presley

About the Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), known mononymously as Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Known as the “King of Rock and Roll”, he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Presley’s energized interpretations of songs and performances, and sexually provocative dance moves, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, brought both great success and initial controversy.

Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi; his family relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, when he was 13. His music career began there in 1954, at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African-American music to a wider audience. Presley, on guitar and accompanied by lead guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the lineup of Presley’s classic quartet and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who managed him for the rest of his career. Presley’s first RCA Victor single, “Heartbreak Hotel”, was released in January 1956 and became a number-one hit in the US. Within a year, RCA Victor would sell ten million Presley singles. With a series of successful television appearances and chart-topping records, Presley became the leading figure of the newly popular rock and roll; though his performative style and promotion of the then-marginalized sound of African Americans led to him being widely considered a threat to the moral well-being of white American youth.

In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, he relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. Presley held few concerts, however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood films and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. Some of Presley’s most famous films included Jailhouse Rock (1957), Blue Hawaii (1961), and Viva Las Vegas (1964). In 1968, he returned to the stage in the acclaimed NBC television comeback special Elvis, which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, Aloha from Hawaii. However, years of prescription drug abuse and unhealthy eating severely compromised his health, and Presley died unexpectedly in August 1977 at his Graceland estate at the age of 42.

Presley is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales estimated around 500 million records worldwide. He was commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, rockabilly, rhythm and blues, adult contemporary, and gospel. He won three Grammy Awards, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame. He holds several records, including the most RIAA-certified gold and platinum albums, the most albums charted on the Billboard 200, the most number-one albums by a solo artist on the UK Albums Chart, and the most number-one singles by any act on the UK Singles Chart. In 2018, Presley was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Elvis Presley was an American singer and actor, known as the ,King of Rock and Roll,, who is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century.

Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Elvis Presley’s music career began in 1954 at Sun Records, where he helped pioneer the rockabilly genre by fusing country music and rhythm and blues.

Elvis Presley’s sexually provocative performance style and promotion of the then-marginalized sound of African Americans led to him being widely considered a threat to the moral well-being of white American youth.

Some of Elvis Presley’s most famous films included Jailhouse Rock (1957), Blue Hawaii (1961), and Viva Las Vegas (1964).

Elvis Presley is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with sales estimated around 500 million records worldwide.

Elvis Presley won three Grammy Awards, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame. He was also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018.

65 Quotes by Elvis Presley

  1. 1.

    The colored folks been singing it and playing it just like I’m doin’ now, man, for more years than I know. I got it from them.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  2. 2.

    The army teaches boys to think like men.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  3. 3.

    A live concert to me is exciting because of all the electricity that is generated in the crowd and on stage. It’s my favorite part of the business, live concerts.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  4. 4.

    Too much TV hurts movies.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  5. 5.

    I’m trying to keep a level head. You have to be careful out in the world. It’s so easy to get turned.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  6. 6.

    Man, that record came out and was real big in Memphis. They started playing it, and it got real big. Don’t know why-the lyrics had no meaning.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  7. 7.

    I happened to come along in the music business when there was no trend.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  8. 8.

    Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  9. 9.

    I’m no hillbilly singer.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  10. 10.

    I’ve never written a song in my life. It’s all a big hoax.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  11. 11.

    Until we meet again, may God bless you as he has blessed me.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  12. 12.

    The image is one thing and the human being is another. It’s very hard to live up to an image, put it that way.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  13. 13.

    I was an only child, and Mother was always right with me all my life. I used to get very angry at her when I was growing up-it’s a natural thing.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  14. 14.

    I have no use for bodyguards, but I have very specific use for two highly trained certified public accountants.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  15. 15.

    I think I have something tonight that’s not quite correct for evening wear. Blue suede shoes.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  16. 16.

    Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t goin’ away.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  17. 17.

    They put me on television. And the whole thing broke loose. It was wild, I tell ya for sure.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  18. 18.

    I hope I didn’t bore you too much with my life story.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  19. 19.

    Rock and roll music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can’t help but move to it. That’s what happens to me. I can’t help it.’

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  20. 20.

    Whatever I will become will be what God has chosen for me.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  21. 21.

    Those people in New York are not gonna change me none.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  22. 22.

    The next thing I knew, I was out of the service and making movies again. My first picture was called, GI Blues. I thought I was still in the army.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  23. 23.

    After a hard day of basic training, you could eat a rattlesnake.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  24. 24.

    People ask me where I got my singing style. I didn’t copy my style from anybody.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  25. 25.

    I’ll never feel comfortable taking a strong drink, and I’ll never feel easy smoking a cigarette. I just don’t think those things are right for me.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  26. 26.

    Man, I really like Vegas.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  27. 27.

    I’m so nervous. I’ve always been nervous, ever since I was a kid.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  28. 28.

    Since the beginning, it was just the same. The only difference, the crowds are bigger now.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  29. 29.

    Every time I think that I’m getting old, and gradually going to the grave, something else happens.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  30. 30.

    I’ve tried to lead a straight, clean life, not set any kind of a bad example.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  31. 31.

    Adversity is sometimes hard upon a man; but for one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  32. 32.

    I don’t think I’m bad for people. If I did think I was bad for people, I would go back to driving a truck, and I really mean this.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  33. 33.

    I’m not trying to be sexy. It’s just my way of expressing myself when I move around.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  34. 34.

    When I got outta High School I was driving a truck. I was just a poor boy from Memphis, Memphis.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  35. 35.

    There are too many people that depend on me. I’m too obligated. I’m in too far to get out.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  36. 36.

    Rhythm is something you either have or don’t have, but when you have it, you have it all over.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  37. 37.

    More than anything else, I want the folks back at home to think right of me.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  38. 38.

    Later on they send me to Hollywood. To make movies. It was all new to me. I was only 21 years old.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  39. 39.

    I was an overnight sensation.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  40. 40.

    I’ll stay in Memphis.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  41. 41.

    I don’t do any vulgar movements.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  42. 42.

    That’s why I hate to get started in these jam sessions. I’m always the last one to leave.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  43. 43.

    My movements, ma’am, are all leg movements. I don’t do nothing with my body.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  44. 44.

    It’s human nature to gripe, but I’m going ahead and doing the best I can.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  45. 45.

    I sure lost my musical direction in Hollywood. My songs were the same conveyer belt mass production, just like most of my movies were.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  46. 46.

    Those movies sure got me into a rut.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  47. 47.

    I learned how important it is to entertain people and give them a reason to come and watch you play.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  48. 48.

    I’d just like to be treated like a regular customer.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  49. 49.

    I don’t know anything about music. In my line you don’t have to.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  50. 50.

    When I was a boy, I always saw myself as a hero in comic books and in movies. I grew up believing this dream.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  51. 51.

    From the time I was a kid, I always knew something was going to happen to me. Didn’t know exactly what.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  52. 52.

    I never expected to be anybody important.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  53. 53.

    I knew by heart all the dialogue of James Dean’s films; I could watch Rebel Without a Cause a hundred times over.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  54. 54.

    The closest I ever came to getting married was just before I started singing. In fact, my first record saved my neck.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  55. 55.

    I’m strictly for Stevenson. I don’t dig the intellectual bit, but I’m telling you, man, he knows the most.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  56. 56.

    The Lord can give, and the Lord can take away. I might be herding sheep next year.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  57. 57.

    I’ve been getting some bad publicity – but you got to expect that.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  58. 58.

    I like to sing ballads the way Eddie Fisher does and the way Perry Como does. But the way I’m singing now is what makes the money.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  59. 59.

    Just because I managed to do a little something, I don’t want anyone back home to think I got the big head.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  60. 60.

    I did the Ed Sullivan show four times. I did the Steve Allen show. I did the Jackie Gleason show.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  61. 61.

    I was training to be an electrician. I suppose I got wired the wrong way round somewhere along the line.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  62. 62.

    I like entertaining people. I really miss it.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  63. 63.

    When I get married, it’ll be no secret.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  64. 64.

    I’ll never make it, it will never happen, because they’re never going to hear me ’cause they’re screaming all the time.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)

  65. 65.

    I miss my singing career very much.

    Elvis Presley

    American singer and actor (1935-1977)