has become so widely known, so invested with cultural meaning, that it’s difficult to imagine American culture—nay, world culture—without him.
Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis was exposed to African-American gospel music and blues there. His parents worked hard to get to Memphis and into the government housing projects that could help them socially and economically. At Lauderdale Courts, Elvis fell in with other upcoming musicians; he could walk to hear the white gospel of the Blackwood Brothers at nearby Ellis Auditorium and the black blues of nearby Beale Street. At home in Memphis, he could also tune in to Dewey Phillips, a genre-bashing disc jockey who revealed the spiritual core in songs and could play Hank Williams after Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Big Joe Turner and Harry James and make it all sound of a piece.
Elvis’s first commercial releases were for Sam Phillips on Sun Records, a label then known for its gritty and soulful African-American blues. Sam strove to push the envelope; he’d recorded “Rocket 88,” often cited as the first rock and roll song.
Elvis’s first Sun release was a blues song, “That’s All Right,” that he transformed to a sound soon to be named rock and roll.
The single’s other side was a bluegrass song converted to a jumping blues. Elvis was, in essence, compressing onto two sides of a disc everything he’d learned about the fluidity of music and the robust beauty produced by cross-pollinating the cultures. He was taking songs to places they’d not been designed to go, creating a sound, a look, an attitude.
His coming of artistic age coincided with the crest of a technological change: television. He performed in a style he’d seen both in his own Assembly of God church and in African-American clubs—a loose-limbed, energetic and very rhythmic, full bodied
movement. It was nothing he was ashamed of doing in front of his mother, but on national TV it was seen as vulgar, outlandish, and sexually provocative, making him publicly reviled, except by the millions of baby boomers born in the shadows of World War II.
After five singles, Sun Records sold Elvis’s contract in 1955 to RCA,a company suited to handle the major distribution that Elvis’s records demanded. He’d recently come under the management of Col. Tom Parker, who’d made a star of Eddy Arnold and Hank Snow. Elvis’s first RCA song, 1956’s “Heartbreak Hotel,” largely affirmed his musical direction, bringing the sounds of black America to the white world. As his music reached into the living rooms where television now transfixed those young hearts, American attitudes toward race, politics, art, and just about everything else began to change. Music—Memphis music—had broken barriers that had long seemed impenetrable.
Elvis’s impact extended way beyond music.
In contradistinction to the racist, hierarchal society that dominated Memphis and the south, Elvis’s music unlocked minds, and it introduced notions of social equality with more effectiveness than the philosophers and the social scientists had been able to achieve.
Even as he became the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, he wanted to be a crooner like Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, and Perry Como, whom he’d admired as a child. Later in 1956, with the release of the title song to his first Hollywood movie, “Love Me Tender,” he joined their ranks. His career was interrupted by military service, 1958-1960, and upon his release, guided by Col. Parker, he put an emphasis on movies, soon churning out three a year with most recording sessions dedicated to those soundtracks. It was financially rewarding but artistically frustrating.
He broke free of Hollywood with a Christmas special in 1968, commonly referred to as the ‘68 Comeback Special. His music expressed a renewed integrity and an intensity long missing. He resumed touring, punctuated by long stints in Las Vegas and other resorts. The documentary Elvis: That’s The Way It Is captures him preparing for and presenting a Vegas show; it’s a thrilling look at how Elvis developed his songs and shows, and at some of what being Elvis entailed. In 1973, Elvis made television history with his television special Elvis - Aloha from Hawaii, via Satellite. The special was seen in 40 countries by over 1 billion people and was seen on television in more American homes than man’s first walk on the moon.
Throughout his career, Elvis always returned to Memphis in between shooting movies and touring. His home, Graceland, was a place he could relax and spend time with his family and friends. Memphis was home to Elvis and he loved the city. When asked after returning from the Army what he missed most about Memphis, he replied, “Everything.” Graceland continues to this day to be the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll pilgrimage for music fans from around the world. Elvis died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42.
Elvis Presley is an international icon—in music, in movies, philanthropy, race relations, public life, and the list goes on. Nearly everyone who knows about him knows where he’s from. Elvis put Memphis on the map.
The author of It Came From Memphis, The King on the Road, The Elvis Treasures and Can’t Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters. He is also a 2011 Grammy Award winner for his liner notes for the Keep an Eye on the Sky box set chronicling the career of Big Star. He co-produced and co-directed a PBS documentary titled Muddy Waters Can’t Be Satisfied, based on his book.
What Others are Saying
Of course, if it weren’t for Sam Phillips, Elvis’ voice would still be silent to the world and he might have become a retired truck driver. Thank goodness Mr. Phillips took the time to listen to this (then) 19 year old aspiring ballad singer, that he pulled the rock n’ roll out of Elvis!!! As a longtime Elvis fan and an Elvis fan club president (Alabama Fans TCB for Elvis Fan Club), WAY TO GO E!!! He always makes me proud to be one of his fans!
long live the king his music will live on forever
ELVIS LIVES!!!!
ELVIS LIVES IN THE HEARTS OF MILLONS & MILLONS OF HIS FANS.
He had a heart of gold.
Elvis did it first, Elvis is the Blue print of Rock and Roll , the first real Rock God .. Elvis did everything before anyone else did anything .. Still loved , still missed .. Bow down to the king of Music .. Elvis Presley
I was born in the Republic of Panama, but lived a few years in Salt Lake City, Utah. Had a lot of friends from Tonga, Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand, Iran, Puerto Rico, Mexico, etc.., and we all loved the music and style of the man who revolutionazed music forever. That is Elvis the King of Rock & Roll. Even the indians here in Panama know who Elvis was. Do you know any other entertainer so widely known, even after 35 years of his death?
This is incredible to inducted into a fifth music hall of fame. Rock& Roll, Rockabilly, Country, Gospel and now this. He covered every genre of music and was the worlds greatest singer. Well deserved.
On days when I’m down, I listen to Elvis’ music. It never fails to brighten my day…
Elvis was the Greatest Singer/Entertainer who ever lived. He was the whole package – he had the talent, the looks, the charisma, the attitude, the humour and of course the voice. He was also extremely humble with it. However, Elvis was not just an entertainer but quite an historical figure. It was he alone who broke down social and cultural barriers in 1950’s U.S.A. making it easier for all performers who followed in his footsteps whatever their colour, race, religion, creed or political persuasion. He remains the biggest record seller worldwide of any performer or group and his iconic status is unsurpassed. His name, image and voice are everywhere in today’s culture. He gave away millions of dollars to charity and was extremely patriotic, he serving two years in the U.S. Army in Germany at the height of his fame. This week The House has been debating to have an Elvis Presely Day. I hope this will come about. Elvis surely deserves this honour.
Elvis was truly ‘sui generis’.
I listen to his music since 1959 and now, 35 years
after his passing, I still listen and look at him every day, until I die !
its about time;;;;;;;
I was already a fan at 13 when elvis died. His music has been there at some of the most important times of my life. When i was feeling down it lifted me up. when i was happy it enhanced my euphoria. But its not just about the music, Elvis was a person i long to be, not as an entertainer but as someone who cares for his fellow man. He really did have a heart of gold, most times he would do things for people in secret. Not like today, a lot of entertainers do things for charity etc. because they are promoting something and need the publicity. Elvis was different. He cared thats why we care about him. Long live the King. TCE!
a voice from Italy: he’ll be forever the king of rock and roll.
Elvis forever
I love Elvis the king Presley I have been a Elvis fan since I was 6 years old and I will always love Elvis forever and ever TCB ⚡️⚡️⚡️
Elvis hs been in my life since 1954. I was 13 when I received his first Sun Records. I am now 82, and will be a fan until I die. One of the reason for Elvis’ was how he he related to his fans. He always had time for us and told his entourage to never mistreat any of us. I was at Graceland in 1960, and his Uncle Vester was in the Guard Shack-my family and I were the only ones there. Uncle Vester drove us us to the mansion so we could take pictures. And he told us Elvis was in Hollywood working on a movie, and if Elvis were here, we could meet him. He would sign autographs and let us take pictures with him. Could my timing to visit have been any worse?