Date of Birth 8 January 1935, Tupelo, Mississippi, USA Date of Death 16 August 1977 , Memphis, Tennessee, USA (cardiac arrhythmia)
Birth Name Elvis Aron Presley
Nickname The Pelvis
The King
The King Of Rock 'n' Roll
Height 6' (1.83 m) Elvis Aron Presley (January 8, 1935 - August 16, 1977), known as the king of rock and roll, was an American singer, who had a profound effect on world culture.
Sun Records founder Sam Phillips and assistant Marion Keisker heard the discs and, recognizing Presley's nascent talent, called him in June 1954 to fill in for a missing ballad singer. Although the session did not prove fruitful, Sam then put Elvis together with local musicians Scotty Moore and Bill Black to see what might develop. During a rehearsal break on July 5, 1954 Elvis started fooling around with a song called "That's All Right" and Sam hit the record button, thinking Elvis may have found his niche. The resulting single, backed with Elvis' hopped-up version of the country song "Blue Moon Of Kentucky", was a huge local hit in Memphis after WHBQ aired it two days later and regular touring started to expand his fame beyond Tennessee.
Elvis Presley recorded five singles while at Sun, garnering increasing attention both for his music and for the rioting girls that were becoming a staple of his live performances. The last of the Sun singles, "I Forgot To Remember To Forget" b/w "Mystery Train", went to #1 on the Country Singles chart. During this period Elvis toured incessantly throughout the south and southwest, also appearing 50 times on the regional show "Louisiana Hayride". Hayride founder and producer Horace Logan had shrewdly signed Elvis to weekly appearances after noting the audience reaction to the then-unknown singer. It was during Elvis' last appearance on the Hayride that Logan announced, "Elvis has left the building", desperate to quell the screaming teenagers trying to reach Elvis as he exited the stage.
A string of hit records followed as the public's desire for his product seemed insatiable. On January 28, 1956 he made his national television debut by appearing on The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show. Now recording for RCA, and under the management of (honorary) Col. Tom Parker, Elvis entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time on February 22 with "Heartbreak Hotel". After a string of other TV appearances he made his first appearance on the top-rated Ed Sullivan Show on September 9, earning the show a record 52-60 million viewers (82.6% of viewership that night). Presley had dyed his sandy blond hair jet black by the time of his second Sullivan performance on October 28 of the same year. On his third and final Sullivan appearance (January 6, 1957) Sullivan bowed to pressure from moralists and ordered Presley to be filmed only from the waist up due to his customary suggestive hip movements.On January 20, 1958 Presley received a draft notice for a 2-year tour with the US Army. Presley served in Germany where he drove a jeep for Sgt. Ira Jones and was honorably discharged on March 5, 1960. Many have since wondered why an only child, by then the sole support of his parents and grandmother, was drafted during peacetime, his services clearly not critical for the defense of his country. It has long been suspected that Elvis' draft notice was either politically instigated to shunt his 'dangerous', 'race-mixing' influence, or quietly encouraged by his manager in order to keep the increasingly world-wise southern lad under his thumb.
Presley was deeply religious, and he recorded several gospel albums. His 3 Grammy awards are all for gospel music .
Beginning with Love Me Tender (opened on November 15, 1956), Presley starred in 31 motion pictures, signed to multiple long-term contracts on the advice of his manager. These were usually musicals based around Presley performances and marked the beginning of his transition from rebellious rock and roller to all-round family entertainer. The 1960s saw the quality of his recorded output drop, although he was still capable of creating records equal to his best and did so on the infrequent occasions where he was presented with decent material at his movie recording sessions. With this drop-off, and in the face of the social upheaval of the 1960s and the British Invasion spearheaded by The Beatles, Presley's star faded slightly before a triumphant TV comeback special in 1968 that saw him return to his rock and roll roots. His 1969 return to live performances, first in Las Vegas and then across the country, was noted for the constant stream of sold-out shows, many setting attendance records in the venues where he performed.
From the beginning of his career, Elvis was a sex symbol sending legions of women swooning. On May 1, 1967 he married Priscilla Anne Beaulieu at the Alladin Hotel in Las Vegas. A daughter, Lisa Marie, was born exactly nine months after their wedding, on February 1, 1968. After their divorce in 1973 she lived with Priscilla. However, Elvis: The Hollywood Years, a new biography by David Bret, claims the star had a secret gay affair. The author says that his manager Colonel Tom Parker "held secret information about a homosexual affair between Elvis and actor Nick Adams over his head like a sword. He made it clear that... if Elvis didn't toe the line, he'd let it get out. At that time, it could well have ruined his career. That is why Parker had so much control over him." Many journalists' attempts to 'out' the star in the past were thwarted by his manager. After seven years off the top of the charts, Elvis Presley's song "Suspicious Minds," hit No. 1 on the Billboard Music charts on November 1, 1969. This was the last time any song by Presley hit no. 1 while he was still alive. The mid-1970s saw Elvis becoming increasing isolated, battling an addiction to prescription drugs and the resulting toll on his appearance and performances. He died at his palatial home Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee in 1977 and is now buried on its grounds. Originally buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, his tomb was eventually moved to Graceland after an attempted theft of his body. Numerous examinations of his death by medical personnel have not resulted in a final public cause of death, causes most often cited are polypharmacy (drug mixing) or heart disease exacerbated by his drug use. Since his death there have been numerous conspiracy theories and Elvis sightings.
Elvis Presley spawned Rock and Roll interest in Europe, his name even known by people behind the then Iron Curtain. In France, Johnny Hallyday copied Presley in the French language becoming a huge star in that country. Presley paved the way for other American rockers whose records sold in Europe and who began to tour there. Teenagers around the world began copying his "Duck tail" hair style and the demand for transistor radios exploded so much so that Sony went from a small Japanese telecommunications company making radios, to a giant global conglomerate. Too, through his new look with black slacks and loose open-necked shirts he created a huge demand for new lines of clothing. Presley's influence created a generation of teenagers who, for the first time became an economic powerhouse through their spending capacity.
Now, more than twenty years after his death, Elvis Presley remains a foremost icon of the 20th century. His image, especially his trademark quiff (or forelock), is instantly recognizable. He is still the gold standard against which modern notions of fame are measured. At least one modern recording artist, Elvis Costello, borrowed Presley's first name to help his fledgling career.But all too often, Elvis Presley's kitsch appeal, the industry which has grown up around chronicling his dietary and chemical predilections and the trappings of his celebrity, have tended to obscure the vibrant and vital music he made as a young man, the vocally-influential recordings of his later career, and the lasting influence both he and his music had on American popular culture. Nonetheless, in October 2002, nearly 50 years after he made his first hit record and 25 years after his death, an Elvis Presley album titled "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits," reached number 1 on the charts.
Amongst his many accomplishments, Elvis Presley is only one of two singers to ever simultaneously have two Top 5 albums on the charts. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Music Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
In the 1960s, Presley made the majority of his thirty-three movies - mainly poorly reviewed musicals. 1970 saw a critically-acclaimed return to live music, followed by performances in Las Vegas and across the U.S. Throughout his career, he set records for concert attendance, television ratings and recordings sales. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in the history of popular music. His death, at the age of 42, shocked his fans worldwide.
IMDb Mini Biography By: Chris Holland
SpousePriscilla Presley 1 May 1967 - 9 October 1973 divorced 1 child
The famous left-sided grin.
The movement of the pelvis that gave him the nickname "Elvis - the pelvis" which he hated so much.
Sideburns.
White sequined jumpsuits with rhinestones.
Onstage karate moves.
Trivia
Twin brother Jesse Garon Presley died at birth (Elvis was delivered 35 minutes later).
Earned a black belt in karate. [1960]
Won three Grammy Awards, all for his Gospel music.
His hair colour was blonde until his early teens. As he got older his hair became darker. By the time he had his hair cut for the army at age 22 its natural color was dark chestnut (according to , Charlie Hodge who served with him in the army).
Was originally considered for the Kris Kristofferson role in A Star Is Born (1976), but Elvis turned it down because manager Tom Parker refused him permission to act in a movie where he wouldn't have top billing. Also, he didn't like the fact that the producer, Jon peters, was completely unknown.
Owned a pet chimpanzee called "Scatter".
Has more multiplatinum album sales than any other performer, with twelve albums selling over 2 million copies.
Father of Lisa Marie Presley (b. 1st February 1968).
Interred at Graceland Estate, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
His autopsy detected ten different drugs in his bloodstream.
Is a direct descendant of Abraham Lincoln's great-great grandfather, Isaiah Harrison.
Had 18 Billboard #1 Songs, the first "Heartbreak Hotel" in March, 1956; the last, "Suspicious Minds" in Sept. 1969.
Has sold over 1,300,000,000 albums worldwide; more than any other musical artist/group in the world, including The Beatles .
When The Beatles came to America in 1965 there was only one person they wanted to meet - Elvis, and on August 27, 1965 they got their wish and according to John Lennon spent an entirely enjoyable evening at the Presley home in Bel Aire, California, talking, singing and laughing with each other.
Bought Graceland mansion on 19 March 1957 from Mrs. Ruth Brown Moore for $102,500. The mansion, built of tan Tennessee limestone, consists of 23 rooms and 13.7 surrounding acres. The Music Gates were installed in April of 1957.
His television debut was on the regionally telecast Louisiana Hayride (1955) (TV), 5 March 1955 in Shreveport, Louisiana.
In September 1955, "Country Song Roundup" magazine was the first to feature an article on Elvis, calling him a "folk music fireball".
In April of 1955 Elvis auditioned for a spot on Arthur Godfrey's "Talent Scouts" (1948) and was turned down.
Elvis' body was placed in a family crypt in Memphis on 18 August 1977. On 29 August 1977, however, an attempt was made to steal the body but the plan failed and three men were charged with trespassing and released on bond. Because of this incident, Vernon Presley, received approval from the Memphis Adjustment Board to allow reinterment of the bodies of Elvis and his mother Gladys Presley to the Meditation Garden behind Graceland, which took place on 2 October 1977.
The book he was reading at the time of his death was "The Scientific Search for the Face of Jesus" by Frank O. Adams, (Psychical Aid Foundation, USA, 1972).
From the time they met up until his death, Elvis always sent a roomful of flowers to Ann-Margret whenever she opened up a show in Las Vegas.
Was one of the performers featured on a set of stamps of rock and blues legends issued by the U.S. Postal Service in June 1993.
Mother Gladys bought him his first guitar at age 12 (1947)
1953 graduate of Humes High School, Memphis, TN.
Was one of the first people in the U.S. to own a "Betamax" system VCR
Honorary Member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.
After seeing him in concert, Liberace suggested adding flashy costumes into his act. Elvis took his advice, and became famous for his gold lame jackets and jeweled white jumpsuits. He later reserved a seat for Liberace at many of his concerts.
One of only a handful of artists inducted into both The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and The Country Music Hall of Fame. Others include Johnny Cash andHank Williams.
Died with about $5 million in his bank account.
Elvis did not like confrontation. He wanted to fire his manager,Tom aprker , many times. He would tell his friends "Tell Parker he's fired." His friends would go tell him, then Parker would say "Tell Elvis to tell me personally". Elvis never would.
"Heartbreak Hotel", which spent 17 weeks at #1 on Billboard's country chart (and 10 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100) was the #1 country song of 1956.
Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998.
His 1977 country hit, "Way Down," was the #1 song on Billboard magazine's country singles chart the week of Elvis' death. Nine other songs would go to #1 on Billboard's country charts between 1956 and 1981: "I Forgot to Remember to Forget," "Heartbreak Hotel," "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You," and the two-sided #1 hit "Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel" (all 1956); "All Shook Up," "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" and "Jailhouse Rock" (all 1957); "Moody Blue" (1977); and "Guitar Man" (1981, a remixed version released more than three years after his death). Most of his 1950s #1 country hits were also #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well.
In Sam Lovullo's book "Life in the Kornfield" (which recalled his years as producer of the country music TV series "Hee Haw" (1969)), he remarked that Elvis was a big fan of the show and had always wanted to perform on it. However, according to Lovullo, Elvis remarked they'd have to tape his spots in the middle of the night, knowing that if manager Tom Parker found out, he'd never clear his appearance. Several months after Elvis' death, his father,Vernon Presley, appeared on "Hee Haw" and spoke about how the world would always love him and remember his music.
Hysteria over "Elvis sightings" after his death were lampooned in the Mojo Nixon song "Elvis Is Everywhere" and "Elvis Is Dead" by Living Colour.
His personal entourage were known as the "Memphis Mafia", and were given matching rings by Elvis. The diamond and gold rings sported a thunderbolt and the letters "TCB" (reportedly standing for "Take Care of Business"). Elvis was buried wearing one of the rings.
Pictured on a 29¢ US commemorative postage stamp issued 8 January 1993, the 58th anniversary of his birth. This was the inaugural issue in the Legends of American Music series.
In 2002, a re-mixed version of one his more obscure recordings, "A Little Less Conversation", became a dance club hit, and topped the charts in the United Kingdom.
The lightest Elvis ever weighed, as an adult, was 170 lbs in 1960 following his discharge from the U.S. Army. The heaviest was at the time of his death, which was 260 lbs.
Was always known to be generous to a fault with family, friends and even total strangers. Anyone who admired any posession of his, from one of his many Cadillacs to any bit of bric-a-brac in his home, often found themselves the new owners of that posession.
He fell in love with Elizabeth Montgomery on the set of Kid Galahad (1962), she visited his house on two occasions. Nothing came of it as she was married to Gig Young at the time, but they remained good friends until he died.
Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (sponsored by the Gospel Music Association) in 2001.
Made the first ever musical video of all time: Jailhouse Rock (1957).
When Ed Sullivan finally allowed him to appear on "Toast Of the Town" (1948), he was filmed from the waist upwards.
His 1960 single "It's Now Or Never" is one of the best selling singles of all times (if not THE best selling single), with sales estimated to be between 25 and 30 million copies.
He is responsible for the best selling single of the 1950s ("Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel", 1956) and that of the 1960s ("It's Now Or Never", 1960).
His 29¢ commemorative postage stamp issued in 1993, sold more copies than any other postage stamp in U.S. Postal Service history.
A remix of his song "A Little Less Conversation" which was featured on the soundtrack to the film Ocean's Eleven (2001) became a Billboard #1 hit single over twenty years after Presley's death.
The Beatleswere admirers of his work and, although John Lennon said they enjoyed his company very much, Elvis himself, ironically, thought that they were a bad influence on America's youth.
Was extremely proud of his Cherokee roots. Wanted to be more open about it but was advised against it, according to some sources by Tom Parker , since this was around the time that there were still racial tensions in the US. Sometimes the audiences were "deceived with the truth" like in G.I. Blues (1960) when his character tells about his Cherokee background. In real life his Cherokee roots started with his maternal great-great-great grandmother Morning Dove White and it was even rumored in Memphis that he had Cherokee blood from his father's side of the family as well, though never confirmed.
He was allegedly offered roles in The Rainmaker (1956),The Defiant Ones (1958), Cat On a Hot Tin Roof (1958), West Side Story (1961), Sweet Bird Of Youth (1962), The Fastest Guitar Alive (1967), Midnight Cowboy (1969),True Grit (1969), Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), A Star Is Born(1976) and Grease (1978).
He said his favorite of his films was King Creole (1958).
Angered ed Sullivan by singing the gospel song "Peace In The Valley" on his show after Sullivan asked him not to.
He was a distant cousin of President Jimmy Carter.
Was a Deputy Sheriff in Shelby County, Tennessee.
Hal B.Wallis, producer of 8 Elvis films, dreamed of making a western starring John Wayne and Elvis.
In 1973 he met with Led Zeppelin members Robert Plant and John Paul Jones in Los Angeles. An idol to the members of Led Zeppelin, Elvis wanted to meet "who was outselling him" at concerts (Zeppelin was in the midst of a record-breaking tour that year). A meeting was arranged with two of the four band members (Plant and Jones). Plant was so awestruck at meeting his idol in person that he could barely speak to him. Jones, nearly as awestruck as Plant, made small talk with the "King," and mentioned what a beautiful watch Elvis wore. Elvis, always the generous one, instantly traded his $5,000 gold and diamond watch for Jones' $10 Mickey Mouse watch. This broke the ice with all of them, and they became fast friends. Throughout the early '70s, members of Led Zeppelin even attended a few of Elvis' concerts, and were granted the privilege of sitting in the front row by the King himself.
He named his favorite films as: Rebel Without a Cause (1955),A Streetcar Named (1951) and Dirty Harry(1971).
Was an Army veteran. He was drafted in 1958, stationed in West Germany and discharged in 1960. Presley, who achieved the rank of Private First Class, was a public relations headache for the Army, according to U.S. military documents released by the Pentagon on June 9, 2005. "Elvis Presley will not be released in a manner different from any other inductee serving overseas," the Army's adjutant general wrote to citizens who complained following reports that the rock 'n' roll icon would get an early "good behavior" discharge. When he entered the Army at Memphis, Tennessee, on March 24, 1958, there was a public outcry from his fans, and protests flowed to Washington, including a hand-written plea released by the National Archives and Records Administration. "Dear Mamie," one correspondent wrote to then-first lady Mamie Eisenhower . "Will you please, please be so sweet and kind as to ask Ike [President Dwight D.Eisenhower to please bring Elvis Presley back to us from the Army" We need him in our entertainment world to make us all laugh." A 1959 Army memo set out the Presley problem: "When Private First Class Presley was first inducted, there was considerable adverse public reaction ... alleging that he would receive preferential treatment in the Army. This impression has been largely replaced by a public impression of a good soldier serving his military obligation. ... Many teenagers who look up to and emulate Private First Class Presley will ... follow his example in the performance of their military service."
On December 21, 1970, he paid a visit to President Richard Nixon at the White House in Washington, D.C. The meeting was initiated by Presley, who wrote Nixon a six-page letter requesting a visit with the President and suggesting that he be made a "Federal Agent-at-Large" in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.
More people watched Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii (1973) (TV) (live Via Satellite TV special) than watched Neil Armstrong walk on the moon.
He only performed two concerts outside of the United States, both in Canada.
Son of Vernon Presley and Gladys Presley.
Recorded 33 takes of "Hound Dog".
His favorite sports were raquetball and football.
Passed out from exhaustion after recording "If I Can Dream".
After production of his 1968 NBC television special he told producer Steve binder he would never make another movie or song he didn't believe in.
Once sent $1,000,000 to Buford pusser , the crimefighting Tennessee sheriff who was the subject of the 1973 film Walking Tall (1973).
Once gave a robe to Muhammad Ali which said 'The Peoples Champion'.
His favorite actors were Marlon Brando and James Dean, the latter Elvis considered an acting genius (in a 1956 interview).
His two favorite books were "The Holy Bible" and "The Impersonal Life".
His favorite class in high school was wood shop.
His mansion, Graceland, is the 2nd most-visited house in America. The first is the White House.
Elia Kazan wanted him for several movies but Tom Parker refused to allow Elvis to act in those movies.
The last film he saw at the cinema was The Spy Who Loved Med (1977).
Tried to get a print of Star Wars (1977) to show his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, the day before he died.
He is mentioned in the song "Three Minute Boy" by Marillion (from their 1998 album "Radiation").
Was on the school boxing team at Humes High School.
Loved football and often had three televisons set up at Graceland to watch all of the games.
He used to play touch football at Whitehaven High School during the '60s and early '70s with kids around the neighborhood.
Helped to support an All-Negro Day at the Memphis Zoo in 1956.
In 1975 he purchased a poor black East Memphis woman an electric wheel chair and picked her up and personally sat her in it. The woman's teenage daughter told Elvis she liked his car. He gave it to her and even gave her boyfriend a job.
He was a huge fan of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and had requested to meet him in 1966, but the meeting never happened.
Was a huge fan of the television shows"The Jeffersons" (1975),"Good Times" (1974)," Happy Days" (1974) and The Flip Wilson Show(1970).
Once an opera singer attended one of his 1950s concerts and met him backstage. The singer told Elvis that he sang like a hillbilly and needed singing lessons. Elvis replied by saying, "Thanks for the advice, but how many of the thousands of people out there tonight came to hear you sing?".
His surname was Anglicized from the German Pressler during the Civil War. His ancestor Johann Valentin Pressler emigrated to North America in 1710. Pressler first settled in New York, but later moved to the South. Jaime Presley is also a descendant from him. A connection between the Pressleys of Oprah Winfrey's great-grandfather and the ancestors of Elvis Presley has been posited but not confirmed. He also had Scottish, Dutch and Cherokee ancestry, among others.
Shown on a 5.50 kr postage stamp issued by Sweden in 2004.
He was the #1 touring act in America for 1977; the year he died. This, despite the fact that he was well below par and only toured until July, is quite an achievement.
Held the world indoor attendance record for a concert, which was at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit, on Dec' 31st '76. There was 62,500 in attendance, with another record for takings in a single show $850,000.
Held a single day's attendance record for his march 74 shows at the Houston Astrodome in march '74 -- 89,000 fans for two shows.
He was voted the 3rd Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artist of all time by Rolling Stone.
According to a show on the A&E Biography channel, he once attended a concert for singer Connie Francis and had to leave for emotional reasons once he heard her sing the old Italian song "Mama", as his mother had recently died.
Shares a birthday with fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members David Bowie, The Doors guitarist Robby Krieger and legendary promoter Bill Graham.
Lived with Linda Thompson for four and a half years years, from 1972 to 1976. She was a former "Miss Tennessee," actress and songwriter. Other than Priscilla Presley, Thompson was the most significant romantic relationship that Elvis ever had.
As an infant he survived a tornado in Tupelo, MS, that killed 233 people.
Is portrayed by Kurt Russell In Elvis (1979/I) (TV), Bruce Campbell In Bubba Ho-tep (2002), Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Elvis (2005) (TV),Tyler Hilton In Walk The Line (2005), Val Kilmer in True Romance (1993) and 'Michael St. Gerard (I)' in Elvis (1990).
Suffered from chronic insomnia.
Is mentioned in Shania Twain's song "That Don't Impress Me Much"
His tombstone gives his name as "Elvis Aaron Presley", whereas he was in fact named "Elvis Aron Presley". Although this fueled conspiracy theories that he had faked his death, it is generally believed he changed his middle name so it would be the same as the Biblical Aaron.
Spoofed in Eminem's music video "Without me"
Had glaucoma in the 1970s.
At the time of his death in 1977, he was the second biggest selling recording artist of all time, after Bing Crosby.
He was a born again Christian who loved to sing gospel music.
Not one of Elvis' 31 feature films or either of his two music documentaries were nominated for a single Academy Award in any category.
He had two full face-lifts and rhinoplasty during the mid-1970s. On one of these visits to hospital he was accompanied by Linda Thompson.
He worked with legendary guitar player Hank Garland from 1957 to 1961.
Was director Robert Wise's original choice to play Tony in west Side Story (1961).
Portrayed by actor Jason Alan Smith in the film Crazy(2007/I).
Nephew of Vester Presley.
Although the films he starred in were not critically acclaimed, only Wild in the Country (1961) failed to get its money back.
In the month following his final concert at Indianapolis on 26 June 1977, he was reported to have gained a further 50 lbs in weight.
Is portrayed by Val Kilmer in True Romance (1993). Like Presley, Kilmer also has Cherokee heritage.
Of his many impersonators, his personal favorite was Andy Kaufman.
Prior to being signed by RCA in November 1955, Elvis was known as "The Hillbilly Cat" in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.
Although his height was measured as 6' when he joined the army in 1958, photographs show Elvis was wearing his army boots at the time which may have slightly increased his height.
Is portrayed by Michael St. Gerard in Great Balls of Fire!(1989)
His song "Heartbreak Hotel" is based on a suicide note left in a Florida hotel suite.
Elvis topped the Forbes list of deceased highest earners for the fourth consecutive year, with earnings of $45 million in the year 2004.
In 1977 alone, his personal physician Dr George Constantine Nichopoulos (usually referred to as "Dr Nick") had prescribed 10,000 hits of amphetamines, barbiturates, narcotics, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, laxatives, and hormones for Presley.
Barbra Streisand originally wanted Elvis to play the role of John Norman Howard in A Star Is Born(1976), but the studio couldn't meet Tom Parker's demands ($1 million plus equal billing with Streisand).
Among the actors who coveted the role, Elvis dreamed of playing Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather (1972), but could not get an audition.
One of his biggest hit songs, "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", was actually written in 1926 and first recorded by Al Jolson.
He was an avid collector of guns and badges.
Is the subject of the song "Elvis Ate America" on the album Passengers Original Sountrack 1.
Once claimed Robert Mitchum was the inspiration for his famous hairstyle. Presley met Mitchum to discuss the possibility of starring together in Thunder Road(1958), but unfortunately Tom Parker's demands for Presley's salary could not be met.
Is portrayed by Peter Dobson in Forrest Gump(1994).
Along with Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins Elvis was a member of the celebrated "Million Dollar Quartet", so named because they were money-makers for Sam Phillip's Sun Records label.
Newspaper reports indicated that Sammy Davis Jr,Farrah Fawcett, Burt Reynolds and John Wayne were supposed to attend Presley's funeral, but they did not turn up. Ann-Margret, James Brown and George Hamilton were the only celebrities in attendance.
He was seriously considered for the role of the Texas Ranger in _True Grit (1969)_ starring John Wayne. Unfortunately Tom Parker's demand that Presley should receive top billing could not be met, so the part went to Glen Campbell instead.
He was offered a role in the animated film Gay Purr-ee(1962).
His autopsy detected fourteen different drugs in his bloodstream, ten in significant quantity.
His home Graceland in Memphis is the second most popular private tourist attraction in the United States after the White House, and is estimated to bring in $150 million to the city itself each year.
Named the highest earning deceased celebrity for the sixth consecutive year in 2006 by Forbes.com.
He was considered for Ricky Nelson's Role in Rio Bravo (1959) starring John Wayne and Dean Martin. However, by the time filming began in May 1958 Presley was stationed with the US army in Germany.
He is credited as a co-writer of "(I'll) You'll Be Gone" (1965). This was the B side of the hit from his film Girl Happy(1965), "Do The Clam". It is found in his five-CD box set of '60s recordings. Elvis composed the lyrics and brought the song to a recording session.
In 1973 he was biggest tax payer in USA.
It was estimated that he earned earned $4.5 billion in his lifetime.
With a lot of entertainers making a living mimicking Elvis, Jimmy Buffett wrote a song called "Elvis Imitators" making mention of a few of Elvis' films, song titles, and mannerisms.
Has sold 1.8 billion records worldwide, more than any other artist or music group.
Was discovered by Sam Phillips.
Inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to British music and integral part of British music culture. [11 November 2004]
Both his parents were unemployed welfare recipients.
In 1970 he wrote to J.Edgar Hoover requesting to join the FBI at the height of its campaign against political protests in the United States.
At his meeting with President Richard Nixon in December 1970, Presley denounced The Beatles
as "very anti-American" for openly using drugs and protesting the Vietnam War, and suggested that they should be banned from entering the United States.
Met President Lyndon Johnson at the White House in 1965.
Was voted best singer of all time by Q Magazine.
Has been portrayed by Val Kilmer, Harvey Keitel, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Kurt russell, Don Johnson, Bruce Campbell, David Keith, Rob Youngblood and Peter Dobson.
The last song he performed in public was "Can't Help Falling In Love".
He did an early '60s concert in Hawaii, and donated the proceeds to help build the USS Arizona memorial.
Has sold 1.1 billion records worldwide, more than any other artist or group apart from The Beatles.
Turned down leading role in The Fastest Guitar Alive(1967), which went to his friend Roy Orbison.
In 2007 the National Rifle Association (NRA) released an Elvis Presley Tribute Revolver, officially authorized by his estate.
Following a concert in Hawaii in 1961, Presley concentrated on making movies and he did not perform live before an audience again for eight years until his return to Las Vegas in 1969.
Ranked #2 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists.
Ranked #8 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Rock & Roll.
As a young man, Elvis idolized a gospel group called The Statesmen. According to Elvis' backup singer and lifelong friend Joe Moscheo, Elvis' leg-twitching dance moves were inspired by The Statesmen's bass singer, 'Big Chief' Wetherington, who was famous for his leg twitching.
Between 1957 and 1969, he performed only two concerts and made just two television appearances.
In 1962 he ceased almost completely to record non-soundtrack songs until his 1969 album "From Elvis in Memphis".
In July of 2005, Presley was named one of the top 100 "Greatest Americans," following a vote organized by Discovery Channel. In the vote, Presley ranked ahead of all entertainers and in 8th place behind Presidents Ronal Reagan, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, Plus Martin Luther King and Benjamin Franklin.
His records have spent a total of 79 weeks at the #1 position in the US.
His records have spent 2,574 weeks in both the UK singles and album charts, way ahead of his closest competitors Cliff Richard (1,982), Queen(1,755),The Beatles(1,749) and Madonna
(1,660).
He was planning his first ever European tour in 1978.
In Alexandria, Louisiana, early in 1977 a local journalist complained that the singer was on stage for less than an hour and "was impossible to understand." In Baton Rouge, Presley didn't go on stage at all. He was unable to get out of his hotel bed and the rest of the tour was canceled.
Investor CKX paid $100 million for an 85% interest in Presley's income in February 2005.
Robbie Williams dedicated his song "Advertising Space" to him.
He never wrote a song.
Of his movies, the one he disliked the most was Clambake (1967).
His favorite actors were James Dean, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen and Marlon Brando - who ironically strongly disliked Presley.
Some of his favorite movies were Rebel Without a Cause (1955), The Magnificent Seven (1960), Bullitt (1968) and Dirty Harry (1971).
Mentioned in Walter Kirn's novel "Thumbsucker".
He was a great fan of Peter Sellers.
Was a fan of Tony Curtis.
On seeing Elvis Presley in rehearsal for "Stage Show"(1954) for which he was the producer, Jackie Gleason described Elvis as "Marlon Brando" with a guitar".
Was the first entertainer to introduce karate in an American motion picture (Flaming Star 1960).
Was a master guitar player.
While he never joined any political party, his political views were somewhat mixed. During the early 1960s, he was an outspoken admirer of John F.Kennedy.He later confessed to "weeping openly" at the news of Kennedy's death. Later in life, he made a more conservative move on the political spectrum. He began singing the praises of President 'Richard Nixon', and his right-wing streak culminated in a visit to the Nixon White House in December 1970. During the visit, Presley presented the President with a handgun, which was (for security reasons) presented but not given. Presley spoke highly for his admiration for Nixon, revealed his disgust at the hippie counterculture, spoke ill of The Beatles (he said that having earned their money in America, they had then left for England to promote anti-American feelings), rampantly expressed his patriotism, offered to infiltrate and go undercover in such left-wing hippie groups, asked to be appointed a Federal Narcotics Agent, and even hugged the president twice. Nixon, for his own part, was not sure if Presley was serious or not, but granted his request, and made him a Federal Agent. Nixon said he was equally parts bewildered and amused by the encounter, thanked Presley for his support, and the picture of the duo has become one of the most famous photos taken in the White House. On Presley's death in 1977, the former president asked Americans to lower their flags all over the country as a mark of respect.
Personal Quotes
[when asked who he sounded like] I don't sound like nobody.[when asked what kind of music he sings] I sing all kinds.
I don't like being called Elvis The Pelvis. That's gotta be one of the most childish expressions I've ever heard coming from an adult.
Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do 'em all together, I guess.
[his acceptance speech from the 1970 Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation Awards] When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic book. I saw movies, and I was the hero in the movie. So every dream I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times . . . I learned very early in life that "Without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain't got a friend; without a song, the road would never bend - without a song". So I keep singing a song. Goodnight. Thank you.
There's been a big change in the music field in the last 10 or 12 years. I think everything has improved - the sounds have improved, the musicians have improved, the engineers have definitely improved. I like a lot of the new groups, y'know, The Beatles and The Byrds and the . . . whoever, but I really like a lot of the new music, but a lot of it is basically, our music is basically, rock 'n roll music is basically gospel or rhythm and blues. People have been adding to it, adding instruments to it, experimenting with it.
I just fell into it, really. My daddy and I were laughing about it the other day. He looked at me and said, "What happened, El? The last thing I remember is I was working in a can factory and you were driving a truck". We all feel the same way about it. Still, it just caught us up.
[on performing] It's like a surge of electricity going through you. It's almost like making love, but it's even stronger than that . . . sometimes I think my heart is going to explode.
My daddy had seen a lot of people who played guitars and stuff and didn't work, so he said, "You should make up your mind either about being an electrician or playing a guitar, and I never saw a guitar player that was worth a damn".
The image is one thing and the human being is another, it's very hard to live up to an image.
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.
I've never gotten over what they call stage fright. I go through it every show. I'm pretty concerned, I'm pretty much thinking about the show. I never get completely comfortable with it, and I don't let the people around me get comfortable with it, in that I remind them that it's a new crowd out there, it's a new audience, and they haven't seen us before. So it's got to be like the first time we go on.
[at a 1972 press conference in Madison Square Garden] Man, I was tame compared to what they do now, are you kidding? All that I ever did was just jiggle.
I want to entertain people. That's my whole life. To my last breath.
The police filmed a show one time in Florida because of the PGA, YMCA, or somebody. They thought that I was . . . something. They said, "Man, he's got to be crazy". So they, the police, came out and filmed the show. I couldn't move. I had to stand still. The only thing I could move was my little finger like that. "You ain't nothing but a hound dog crying all the time", y'know, for the whole show.
Take care of the fans and they will sure as hell take care of you.
I don't know anything about music. In my line you don't have to.
I wiggle my shoulders, I shake my legs, I walk up and down the stage, I hop around on one foot. But I never bump and grind. Why, that's vulgar. I'd never do anything vulgar before an audience. My mother would never allow it.
Roy Orbison is the greatest singer in the world.
[1956] The colored folks been singing it and playing it just like I'm doin' now, man, for more years than I know. They played it like that in their shanties and in their juke joints and nobody paid it no mind 'til I goosed it up. I got it from them. Down in Tupelo, Mississippi, I used to hear old Arthur Crudup bang his box the way I do now and I said if I ever got to a place I could feel all old Arthur felt, I'd be a music man like nobody ever saw.
I get tired of playing a guy who gets into a fight, then starts singing to the guy he's just beat up.
I am not the King. Jesus Christ is the King. I'm just an entertainer.
Since I was two years old, all I knew was gospel music. That music became such a part of my life it was as natural as dancing. A way to escape from my problems, an my way of release.
[on Blue Hawaii (1961)] In the movie we did a song called the "Hawaiian Wedding Song". And it was so real that it took me ten years before I realized I wasn't married to the chick.
Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't goin' away.
I sure lost my musical direction in Hollywood. My songs were the same conveyor belt mass production, just like most of my movies were.
Just because you look good, don't mean you feel good.
I knew by heart all the dialogue of James Dean's films; I could watch Rebel Without a Cause
(1955) a hundred times over.
Only thing worse than watching a bad movie is being in one.
Rhythm is something you either have or don't have, but when you have it, you have it all over.
Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine.
Salary
| Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii (1973) (TV) | $450,000 |
| Elvis: That's the Way it Is (1970) | $500,000 + 60% of profits |
| Charro! (1969) | $850,000 + 50% of profits |
| Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966) | $225,000 + 50% of profits |
| Tickle Me (1965) | $750,000 |
| Girl Happy (1965) | $500,000 + 50% of profits |
| Viva Las Vegas(1964) | $500,000 + 50% of profits |
| Fun In Acapulco(1963) | $500,000 + 50% of profits |
| It Happened at the Word's Fair(1963) | $500,000 + 50% of profits |
| Follow That Dream(1962) | $500,000 + 50% of profits |
| Blue Hawaii(1961) | $175,000 |
| G.I. Blues(1960) | $175,000 + % of gross |
| Frank Sinatra's Welcome Home Party for Elvis Presley(1960) (TV) | $125,000 |
| King Creole(1958) | $250,000+50% of profits |
| Jailhouse Rock(1957) | $250,000 |
| Loving You(1957) | $150,000 |
| Love Me Tender(1956) | $100,000 |
Elvis Presley
Gladys, Elvis and Vernon Presley 1937
Born January 8, 1935, in East Tupelo, Mississippi, Presley was the son of Gladys and Vernon Presley, a sewing machine operator and a truck driver. Presley's twin brother Jesse Garon was stillborn, and he grew up as an only child. At age three, Vernon was sent to prison for forgery. It seems that Vernon, Travis Smith, and Luther Gable changed the amount of a check from Orville Bean,Vernon's boss, from $3 to $8 and cashed it at a local bank.Vernon pled guilty and was sentenced to three years at Parchment Farms Penitentiary. Vernon's boss, Mr. Bass called in a note that Vernon signed to borrow money to build the house and Gladys is forced to move in with Vernon's parents. Vernon would only serve eight months. Afterward Vernon's employment was spotty and the family lived just above the poverty line. The Presleys attended the First Assembly of God Church whose Pentecostal services always included singing.
Entering the fifth grade, Presley is asked by his teacher, Oleta Grimes to enter a talent contest on children's day at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show. At the age of ten, dressed in a cowboy suit, and standing on a chair to reach the microphone. Presley's rendition of Red Foley's "Old Shep" won second place, a $5 prize and a free ticket to all the rides. On his birthday the following January he received a guitar purchased from Tupelo Hardware Store. Over the next year, Vernon's brother Johnny Smith and Assembly of Good pastor Frank Smith. gave him basic guitar lessons
In 1948 after losing another job Vernon moved the family to Memphis. Glady's brothers get him a job at the Precision Tool Company and the Presleys moved into a small apartment at 370 Washington Street for $11 a week. On September 13 Elvis enrolls at L.C. Humes High School.
A young Elvis Presley
A young Elvis Presley and Betty McGann
Presley's Senior Class picture
L.C. Hume High School
Presley with 1942 
The day after graduation he took a job at Parker Machinists Shop. By June he was working at the Precision Tool Company and then drove truck for the Crown Electric Co. After a short time in the stock room he is promoted to truck driving and begins to wear his long hair pompadoured, the current truck driver style. That summer he recorded "My Happiness" and "That's When the Your Heartaches Begin" at Memphis Recording Studios, a sideline Sam Phillips had started at his Sun Records studios where anyone could record a ten inch acetate for four dollars.
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