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Elvis Aaron Presley,
in the humblest of circumstances, was born to Vernon and
Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi on
January 8, 1935. Elvis's twin brother, Jessie Garon, was
stillborn, leaving Presley to grow up as an only child. He
and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1948, and
Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953.
Elvis’ musical
influences were the pop and country music of the time, the
gospel music he heard in church and at the all-night gospel
sings Presley frequently attended, and the black R&B
Presley absorbed on historic Beale Street as a Memphis
teenager. In 1954, Elvis began his singing career with the
legendary Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his
recording contract was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956, Elvis
Presley was an international sensation.
With a sound and style
that uniquely combined Elvis's diverse musical influences
and blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of
the time, Elvis ushered in a whole new era of American music
and popular culture.
Elvis Presley starred in
33 successful films, made history with Elvis television
appearances and specials, and knew great acclaim through
Presley's many, often record-breaking, live concert
performances on tour and in Las Vegas. Globally, Presley
sold over one billion records, more than any other artist.
Elvis Presley's American sales have earned Elvis gold,
platinum or multi-platinum awards for 140 different albums
and singles, far more than any other artist.
Among Elvis's many
awards and accolades were 14 Grammy nominations (3 wins)
from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, the
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, which he received at age
36, and Elvis Presley's being named One of the Ten
Outstanding Young Men of the Nation for 1970 by the United
States Jaycees. Without any of the special privileges Elvis
celebrity status might have afforded Mr Presley, Elvis
honourably served his country in the U.S. Army.
Elvis' talent, good
looks, sensuality, charisma, and good humour endeared Elvis
to millions, as did the humility and human kindness Elvis
Presley demonstrated throughout his life. Known the world
over by his first name, Elvis is regarded as one of the most
important figures of twentieth century popular culture.
Elvis died of heart failure at his Memphis home, Graceland,
on August 16, 1977.
As a tribute to “The King” and his work,
his talent and demeanour is being kept alive today through
the industry of Elvis Impersonators and Elvis Tribute
Artists, who perform every day around the world.
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