Elvis Presley

Elvis, born as Elvis Aaron Presley on January 8, 1935. He began his singing career in 1954 in when he worked with Sam Phillips of Sun Records. His music, which was heavily influenced by and a combination of the pop and country music of his time, gospel music and all-night gospel sings from his church, even the black R&B from Beale street he lived in as a Memphis teenager, became an international sensation another couple of years later. He was the one who popularized the uptempo rockabilly, along with guitarist, Scotty Moore and Bassist Bill Black. Popularized highly also by his blatantly sexual gyrations got him the nickname “Elvis the Pelvis”. RCA Victor then bought his contract in 1955 from Sun Records in a deal by his more than 20-years manager, Colonel Tom Parker. In 1956, he released his first single “Heartbreak Hotel” which then became a number-one hit in the US.

He has the talent, the humor and good looks, and the right charismatic sensuality to jump from being a nobody to a loved household name all-over the world. He became one of the big faces of rock and roll and started appearing in television programs after performing more chart-topping records. Also since his music was a controversial mix of influences across social and color lines.

Globally, he has sold an estimated 600 million album units, been in 33 successful films, starting with “Love me Tender” in 1956 and has done many record-breaking tours and live concert performances. He has gotten 14 Grammy nominations, winning 3 of them, the Grammy lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation for 1970 by the United States Jaycees. Just in the United States alone, he was given gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards for his sales making him the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music.

Even though he had the patriotism to enlist in the military service for two years in 1958, he quickly picked up the pace and resumed recording for his most successful work, both with movies and music, even appearing in the first globally broadcasted concert via satellite, Aloha from Hawaii. Up till now, he is regarded as one of the most celebrated musicians and figures in the 20th century pop culture and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.

Elvis died in his Memphis home in Graceland on August 16, 1977 at age 42 due to deterioration of health.