Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was an American singer, musician, and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as "the King of Rock and Roll", or simply, "the King". More
Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Presley and his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, when he started to work with Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was an early popularizer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who was to manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", released in January 1956, was a number-one hit in the US. He became the leading figure of rock and roll after a series of network television appearances and chart-topping records. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines that coincided with the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement, made him enormously popular—and controversial.
Elvis Presley timeline
-
Elvis Presley is born
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977; middle name sometimes spelled Aron)a was an American singer and actor. A cultural icon, he... Read more
-
Elvis Presley entered the first grade
In September 1942, Presley entered first grade at Lawhon School in Tupelo. He was considered a "well-mannered and quiet child", but sometimes... Read more
-
Elvis Presley's first public performance
On October 3, 1945, he made his first public performance in a singing contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show at the suggestion of... Read more
-
Elvis receives first guitar on 11th birthday
For his eleventh birthday, Presley received his first guitar. He had wanted a rifle but his parents could only afford a guitar. Over the following... Read more
-
The Presley Family moves to Memphis
In September 1948, the Presley family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, allegedly because Vernon—in addition to needing work—had to escape the law for... Read more
-
Elvis Presley worked as an usher at Loew's State Theater
In September 1950, Presley occasionally worked evenings as an usher at Loew's State Theater—his first job—to boost the family income, but his... Read more
-
Elvis Presley records first songs
On July 18, 1953, Presley went to Sun Records' Memphis Recording Service to record "My Happiness" with "That's When Your Heartaches Begin,"... Read more
-
Elvis records "I'll Never Stand In Your Way" and "It Wouldn't Be The Same Without You"
On January 4, 1954, he cut a second acetate demo recording of "I'll Never Stand In Your Way" and "It Wouldn't Be The Same Without You". At the... Read more
-
Elvis Presley auditions for producer Sam Phillips
She called him on June 26, 1954. However, Presley was not able to do justice to the song. Phillips would later recall that "Elvis was probably as... Read more
-
Buddy Holly Sees Elvis Perform
In January of 1955 Holly saw Elvis Presley perform in Lubbock, inspiring him to play rock 'n' roll. By the time he graduated high school that same... Read more
-
Elvis Presley signs management deal with "Colonel" Tom Parker
On August 15, 1955, "Colonel" Tom Parker became Presley's manager, signing him to a one year contract, plus renewals. Several record labels had... Read more
-
Elvis Presley releases self-titled debut album
Elvis Presley was the name of Elvis Presley's debut LP. It was released on RCA Victor, in mono, catalogue number LPM 1254, in March 1956. The... Read more
-
Elvis Presley appears on the Steve Allen Show
Country vocalists The Jordanaires accompanied Presley on The Steve Allen Show and their first recording session together produced "Any Way You Want... Read more
-
Elvis Presley First Appears on The Ed Sullivan Show
Elvis, wearing a loud plaid jacket, greeted the audience from a set decorated with stylized guitar shapes. He announced that the show was “probably... Read more
-
Elvis Presley releases Elvis
Elvis is the second album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor Records in mono, LPM 1382, in October 1956. Recording sessions took place on... Read more
-
Elvis releases Elvis' Christmas Album
Elvis' Christmas Album is the fourth album by Elvis Presley on RCA Victor Records, LPM 1951, released in October 1957, and recorded at Radio... Read more
-
"Jailhouse Rock" Is Released
Jailhouse Rock is an American motion picture directed by Richard Thorpe, released by MGM on October 17, 1957. The film stars Elvis Presley (his... Read more
-
Elvis Presley releases Elvis Is Back!
Elvis Is Back! is the tenth album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor Records in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 2231, in April 1960. Recording... Read more
-
Elvis Presley releases His Hand in Mine
His Hand in Mine was Elvis Presley's first RCA Victor 12" long-play gospel album, recorded and originally released in 1960; a followup to his 1957... Read more
-
Elvis Presley releases Something for Everybody
Something For Everybody is the thirteenth album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 2370, in June 1961. Recording... Read more
-
Elvis Presley releases Pot Luck
Pot Luck with Elvis is the fifteenth album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 2523, in June of 1962. Recording... Read more
-
Elvis Presley releases How Great Thou Art
How Great Thou Art is a musical album by American entertainer Elvis Presley; it was his first non-soundtrack album recording of new material since... Read more
-
Elvis Presley releases From Elvis in Memphis
From Elvis in Memphis is the thirty-fourth album, not counting budget compilations on the RCA Camden subsidiary, by Elvis Presley, released on RCA... Read more
-
Elvis Presley releases From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis
From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis is the thirty-fifth studio album by Elvis Presley released on RCA Records (LSP 6020) in November 1969.... Read more
-
Elvis Presley releases Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old)
"Elvis Country" (I'm 10,000 Years Old) is the thirty-seventh studio album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Records (LSP 44600 in January 1971.... Read more