Elvis Aaron Presley was an American actor and musical icon regarded by many as the king of rock and roll. He was born on January 8, 1939 to Vermon and Gladys Presley in Tupelo, Mississippi. He was born a twin but his twin brother was stillborn, so, this left Elvis as the only child of the family. In 1948, Elvis and his parents moved to Tennessee when he was 13 years old and while there he graduated from Humes high school in 1953,
Elvis was influenced by pop and country music, gospel music he heard while attending church and the all-night gospel songs concert he frequently attends and the R&B he listened to while growing up in the street of Memphis.
Elvin began his music career in 1954 when he was signed to Sun Records label in Memphis and in the late 1955, his recording contract was sold to RCA Victor. Elvis’ first single on the RCA label “heartbreak Hotel” was released in January 1956 and instantly became a number one hit in the United States. With that he grew to become a household name in America and an international sensation with a unique sound and style that amalgamated his various musical influences and challenged the social and racial barriers of that time. His popularity brought about a whole new era of American music and pop culture.
Elvis during his career, starred in 33 movies, made numerous special appearances on television and gained worldwide accolade through his many record breaking live performances whenever on tour across many cities in the United States and in Las Vegas. He sold over one billion records worldwide, making him the highest record selling artist of all time. His sales in America, has earned him multi awards including his 3 wins from 14 nominations from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award which he received when he was just 36, in 1970, he was named One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation by the United States Jaycees and has been inducted in multiple music halls of fame. Elvis, not minding is celebrity status, served in the US army in 1953.
Elvis talent and charisma endeared him to millions of people as he was regarded as one of the most important and influential figures of the 20th century. Elvis suddenly died in1977 at his Memphis home, Graceland at the age of 42 from years of prescription drug abuse.