Elvis Presley

Elvis Aron Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, to parents Vernon Elvis Presley and Gladys Love Presley. His twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley, was stillborn. Elvis grew up in a small, two-room house built by his father and attended Assembly of God church, where he was first exposed to gospel music, which influenced his musical style.

'Heartbreak Hotel' was released as a single by Elvis Presley on January 27, 1956. This was Elvis's first national hit and established him as a major figure in the music industry. The song reached number one on the Billboard pop chart and was a commercial success. Its success marked the start of Elvis's rise to fame and is considered one of his signature songs.

On September 9, 1956, Elvis Presley made his first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, broadcast from CBS Studio 50 in New York City. Despite Ed Sullivan himself not hosting the show that night due to an auto accident, Elvis was introduced by guest host Charles Laughton. More than 60 million people, a record-breaking number, tuned in to witness Elvis performing "Don't Be Cruel" and "Hound Dog". This appearance solidified Elvis's status as a national and cultural phenomenon, marking a turning point in his career and in popular culture at large.

On March 24, 1958, Elvis Presley was inducted into the United States Army. Despite being at the height of his career and a major celebrity, Presley decided to serve like any other soldier, refusing any special treatment. His induction took place at the Memphis Draft Board. Elvis completed basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, before being shipped out to Friedberg, Germany, where he served in the 3rd Armored Division. His service had a significant impact on his career and personal life.

On May 1, 1967, Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The couple had met during Elvis's army service in Friedberg, Germany, when Priscilla was only 14 years old. Their wedding was a private ceremony attended by a small number of guests, with a press conference held afterwards to satisfy media interest. The marriage produced one daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, born a year later. However, they divorced in 1973.

On December 3, 1968, NBC aired "Elvis", a television special starring Elvis Presley, commonly referred to as the '68 Comeback Special. The show marked Elvis's return to live performance after a seven-year hiatus during which he focused primarily on his film career. The special featured a mix of his classic hits and new material, showcasing his versatility as an entertainer. Its success re-energized Elvis's career and marked a turning point, proving that he was still a force in the music industry.

On January 14, 1973, Elvis Presley performed a concert in Honolulu, Hawaii, entitled "Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite". This concert was broadcast live to numerous countries across Asia and Europe, making it one of the first concerts to be aired worldwide via satellite. The broadcast reached over a billion viewers, setting a record. The event was a major achievement in both music and television history, reaffirming Elvis's global appeal.

Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977, at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee. He was found unconscious in his bathroom by his then-fiancée, Ginger Alden. Subsequent official reports attributed his death to a heart attack, compounded by drug abuse. His sudden passing shocked the world, leading to widespread mourning among fans and the music community. Elvis's legacy as a pioneering figure in rock 'n' roll and American culture endures to this day.

On June 7, 1982, Presley's former home, Graceland, was opened to the public as a museum, five years after his death. Graceland became a shrine to Elvis's life and musical career and quickly grew into a major tourist attraction visited by fans from around the world. It is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and continues to preserve the memory and contributions of Elvis Presley to the music industry and popular culture.

On September 6, 2002, a remix of Elvis Presley's 1968 song "A Little Less Conversation" by DJ Junkie XL was re-released as a single. The song was used in a Nike World Cup commercial, bringing it to the attention of a new generation. It became a worldwide hit, reaching number one in more than 20 countries, including the UK. This success demonstrated the lasting appeal of Elvis's music decades after his death.