Elvis
Presley Music - his music, movies and life in video and audio
Elvis Presley Music contains music videos, video and audio interviews and a 'day by day'biography of Elvis Presley's lifefrom 1935 to 1977, including all concerts, movies and important events.
Elvis was born on January 8, 1935, in what has been described as a 'two-room shotgun house' in East Tupelo, Mississippi.
In 1953, Elvis made his first demo recording for Sam Phillips' Memphis-based Sun Records and between 1953 and 1955, Elvis recorded a number of regional hits for Sun. In November 1955, Colonel Tom Parker arranged the purchase of Presley's contract by the much larger RCA Records.
For Elvis Presley, 1956 was a year like no other. In January, he was a regional sensation, but by year’s end he had become a national and international phenomenon. He made his first two albums for RCA (both million sellers), recorded classics like 'Heartbreak Hotel', 'Don't Be Cruel', 'Hound Dog', and 'Love Me Tender'. He appeared on national television 11 times, signed a seven- year contract with Paramount Pictures, and stared in his first movie, Love Me Tender.
Elvis' appearances on national television were pivotal events for America because his unconventional appearance and performing style caused nationwide controversy. Presley outraged adults, mesmerized the teenagers of the new youth generation, and soon became the leader of the cultural revolution sweeping across the country.
In 1957, Elvis made two movies, Loving You and Jailhouse Rock, and also recorded soundtracks for both. 'Jailhouse Rock' included a production number of the title song that was the prototype for the music video, a recording industry format that became a standard feature with the advent of MTV (Music Television) in the early 1980s.
In March 1958, Elvis was inducted into the United States Army for a two-year stint. The Memphis Draft Board granted Elvis a deferment so filming of his fourth movie, King Creole could be finished. Thousands of fans wrote pleading letters, begging that their hero not be drafted. Thousands more (female) fans reportedly wept when their hero's locks were sheared in a regulation military crew cut. But Elvis returned to civilian life two years later, and more hit records and movies followed.
Elvis Presley's fame grew. He continued to star in films like Blue Hawaii and Viva Las Vegas throughout the 1960s. While Elvis was not a trained actor, his charisma filled the big screen.
Elvis continued to enjoy commercial success during the 1960s, although changing tastes brought artists associated with Motown and the 'British Invasion' more to the fore with younger listeners. Elvis' audience aged with him, and for many, Presley symbolized the America of their youth.
The December 3, 1968, broadcast of his television special, Elvis, turned his career around by introducing him to hipper recording material and new directions.
Starting January 13, 1969, in Memphis, Tennessee, Elvis recorded at Chips Moman'sAmerican Sound Studios ... In twelve days, he cut thirty-six sides. Four of them were singles - 'In the Ghetto,' 'Suspicious Minds,' 'Don't Cry Daddy,' and 'Kentucky Rain,' and all but the last were gold, even though Kentucky Rain was a substantial hit. And the two albums that came out of it [From Elvis in Memphis and From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis] went platinum.
When Elvis returned to the live stage after the success of his 1968 television special and the wrap-up of his Hollywood movie contract obligations, he opened at the International Hotel in Las Vegas in the summer of 1969 for a 4-week, 57-show engagement that broke all existing Las Vegas attendance records. He returned to the International a few months later in early 1970, during the slow winter season in Vegas, and broke his own attendance record. Right after that came a record-breaking six-show engagement at the Astrodome in Houston, where Elvis played to a total of 207,494 people.
During his 'concert years' from 1969 to 1977, Elvis gave nearly 1,100 concert performances.
Elvis Presley's three network television specials - Elvis (1968), Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii, via Satellite (1973), and Elvis in Concert (1977) - stand among the most highly rated specials of their time. Elvis - Aloha from Hawaii, via Satellite, was seen in 40 countries by 1 billion to 1.5 billion people and made television history. It was seen on television in more American homes than man's first walk on the moon.
His talent, good looks, sensuality, charisma, and good humor endeared him to millions, as did the humility and human kindness he demonstrated throughout his life. Known the world over by his first name, he is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture.
His music, personality and verve touched millions, from the American teens of the 1950s to Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and U.S. Presedent George Bush who paid their respects in June 2007 as just two of the 750,000 annual visitors to Graceland. (See related article)
Among his 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 his being named One of theTen Outstanding Young Men of the Nation for 1970 by the United States Jaycees.
Elvis' greatest legacy, though, is the music, and the rockers and other musicians who built on it. Bruce Springsteen said: 'It was like he whispered his dream in all our ears and then we dreamed it'. Beatles vocalist and rhythm guitarist John Lennon said, 'Before Elvis there was nothing'. It has been estimated that The King has sold more than 1 billion recordings.
Stop, look and listen baby that's our philosophy .... First thing in the morning, last thing at night ... look, stare everywhere and see everything inside .... Stop, look and listen!
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