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Elvis Presley — a brief biography

Graceland in Memphis
Graceland in Memphis

Elvis Aaron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8th, 1935. His parents were Vernon and Gladys Presley.

In 1948 family Presley moved to Memphis, Tennessee, were young Elvis graduated from High School in 1953. He felt early his interest for music and was influenced by a diverse variety of styles that coined the decade: Gospel, Pop/Rock and black R&B.

In 1954 he got his first record contract with Sun Records, Memphis. In 1955 this contract was sold to RCA Victor and from there his steep career started. His distinctive style made him quickly well known nationally and internationally. Teenagers loved the good looking singer and the fresh style he brought onto stage: freaky hip movements, leg shaking, and his warm and full voice, that was just a perfect fit for the love songs he sang. Parents all over the world got worried about all that and how it would influence their teenage kids. Elvis began starring in movies, altogether he played in 33 music movies which were all a success. Fans flocked to his live gigs in never known masses. U.S. fans loved him during his U.S. military time as a patriot and on the other hand he was a kind of singing ambassador of his country during war times.

More than a billion records were sold and he received awards for about 149 albums.

“Don’t criticize what you don’t understand, son. You never walked in that man’s shoes.”
– Elvis –

He died in his house ‘Graceland’ in Memphis on August 16, 1977.

Elvis Grave in Graceland, Memphis
Elvis Grave in Graceland, Memphis

Elvis became definitely a legend and an idol of millions – his popularity is unbroken until today: approximatley 600,000 people are visiting ‘Graceland’ every year and the average age of half of the visitors is 35 years or younger.

More about Elvis’ birthplace Tupelo: Tupelo, Mississippi

More about Memphis and Graceland: Memphis, Tennessee — Sightseeing Places

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