Elvis Presley

Whoa there! This article is Unfinished Business!*This article is currently a work-in-progress. Check back later to see if this article has been completed.*For other uses, see Elvis Presley (disambiguation).

## Elvis Presley

* 1930s
* 1940s
* Early 1950s
* Late 1950s
* Early 1960s
* Late 1960s
* Early 1970s
* Late 1970s

## Basic Information

### Occupation

* Singer
* Actor

## Relationships

### Family

* Gladys Presley (mother)
* Vernon Presley (father)
* Jesse Garon Presley (brother, stillborn)
* Lisa Marie Presley (daughter)
* Minnie Mae Presley (grandmother)
* Riley Keough (granddaughter)
* Benjamin Keough (grandson)

### Relatives

* Billy Stanley (stepbrother)
* Ricky Stanley (stepbrother)
* David Stanley (stepbrother)
* Brandon Presley (second cousin)

### Ancestors

* Cherokee and Creek tribes

Elvis Aron Presley (January 8, 1935 - August 16, 1977) was an American actor and singer who revolutionized the music industry forever. Known as the "King of Rock n' Roll", he is still a major name in rock music and also brought along some controversy.

## Biography

### Early Years

Elvis Presley was born to Gladys and Vernon Presley in 1935, "in a two-room house" in Tupelo, Mississippi. Originally a twin, his brother, Jesse Garon Presley, died as a stillborn. "Presley attended the Assembly of God Church with his parents, where gospel music became an important influence for him."

In 1946, Elvis got a guitar for his birthday, and "had his first taste of musical success" after winning a talent show at Humes High School. Later, Elvis worked several odd jobs, including at the Parker Machinists Shop and the Crown Electric Company.

#### Sun Records

    In 1953, Elvis Presley records "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin" as a birthday present for his mother at the Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Afterwards, Marion Keisker, the assistant of Sun Records owner Sam Phillips, wrote "Good ballad singer. Hold."

Later, Elvis Presley would meet his bassist, Bill Black, and his guitarist, Scotty Moore, "but nothing really clicks until July 5, when after a tedious session, Elvis and the guys break into a sped-up version of Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup's "That's All Right." This song, backed with “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” becomes the first of five singles of early Elvis songs recorded and released on the Sun label." Elvis, Bill, and Scotty would quit their jobs and continue recording songs and touring.

### Rise to Fame

    On October 16, 1954, Elvis Presley appeared on the *Louisiana Hayride* for the first time. During the *Hayride*, he met Colonel Tom Parker, who replaced his current manager, Bob Neal. Elvis also signed a contract with RCA Records and Hill and Range Publishing Company, which allowed him to "share ... publishing ownership of songs bought by Hill and Range for him to record." Elvis' first self-titled album was released on March 25, 1956. Elvis also appeared on several TV shows, including, in chronological order, *Stage Show*, *The Milton Berle Show*, *The Steve Allen Show*, and *The Ed Sullivan Show*. Additionally, Elvis began working with The Jordanaires, and D.J. Fontana was added to his backup band as a drummer. The Graceland Mansion is bought by Elvis for his family to live in, and Elvis tours for the only time outside of the United States, in Canada.

#### The Million Dollar Quartet

    On December 4, 1956, "an impromptu jam session between Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash" took place at the Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Several songs, including an instrumental version of "Love Me Tender", "Don't Be Cruel", "White Christmas", "Peace In The Valley", and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin" were played. Later, Elvis, and his girlfriend, Marilyn Evans, would leave the Sun Studio.

#### *Love Me Tender* & Other Films

Elvis Presley signed a movie contract with Hal Wallis Paramount Pictures in 1956 for a movie titled *The Reno Brothers*, later retitled *Love Me Tender*, after his song from the film's soundtrack. The film would become a smash hit, and Presley stars in three more movies before being drafted to the military, specifically *Loving You*, *Jailhouse Rock*, and *King Creole*. Elvis also begins dying his hair black.

#### Controversies

Due to Presley's hip-shaking dance style "and black-influenced sound," Elvis was censored on live television by being filmed from the waist up and being "accused of rising teenage violation rate and unbecoming conduct.," He was also criticised by religious groups and journalists who nicknamed him "Elvis the Pelvis", and being attempted to be toned down. Additionally, Presley had become so popular that alleged black markets in the Soviet Union began selling Elvis recordings from outside of the Iron Curtain.

### Military Service

    Main article: Military Career of Elvis Presley
Because of the controversy surrounding Elvis, he received his draft notice in 1957, "but joined up and began training in 1958." The Navy and the Air Force offered Elvis jobs to perform for soldiers and avoiding training. "The Navy was ready to start a specially trained "Elvis Presley company," and the Air Force had starry visions of using him at their recruiting centers." Ultimately, Elvis chose serving in the U.S. Army as an ordinary G.I. "after getting a deferment so he could finish filming *King Creole*." Elvis had his basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, and was later stationed in Friedberg, Germany. There, Elvis would meet a young Priscilla Beaulieu, and would leave the military with the rank of sergeant (E-5). Sadly, his mother passed away during his basic training from acute hepatitis, and Elvis is devastated.

### Post-Military

    After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, Elvis appeared in a special episode of *The Frank Sinatra Timex Show* titled "Welcome Home, Elvis". Elvis also began filming his fifth movie, *G.I. Blues*, and "One hundred members of his division ... participated as extras in the film." His father married Davada "Dee" Stanley, mother of three children, including Billy Stanley, and Elvis got his first black belt in karate.

## References

1. ↑ Clarion Ledger. Perlis, Wicker. January 12, 2023. "What you need to know about Mississippi governor candidate Brandon Presley as he announces." https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2023/01/12/who-is-mississippi-governor-candidate-brandon-presley/69802188007/
2. ↑ Twitter. Riley Keough. July 19, 2017. "I had one great grandma who was creek and one who was full blood Cherokee." Made viewable via the Wayback Machine. https://web.archive.org/web/20171120224835/https://twitter.com/rileykeough/status/887916834070044673
3. ↑ Encyclopedia Britannica. Marsh, Dave. "Elvis Presley." https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elvis-Presley
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Biography.com. Piccotti, Tyler, et al Biography.com editors. "Elvis Presley." https://www.biography.com/musicians/elvis-presley
5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 Graceland. "Elvis Presley Biography." https://www.graceland.com/biography
6. ↑ TheThings. Furnell, Hannah. "What Happened To Elvis Presley's Twin Brother, Jesse Garon Presley?" https://www.thethings.com/jesse-garon-presley-elvis-presley-twin-brother-tragedy/
7. ↑ Graceland. The Official Blog of Graceland. January 29, 2016. "From Coast to Coast: Elvis Presley’s First National TV Appearance." https://www.graceland.com/blog/posts/from-coast-to-coast-elvis-presleys-first-national-tv-appearance
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Sun Records. December 5, 2008. "Million Dollar Quartet – Dec. 4 1956." https://sunrecords.com/million-dollar-quartet-dec-4-1956/
10. ↑ American Songwriter. Patton, Alli. "Remember When: Elvis Was Censored From the Waist Down on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’." https://americansongwriter.com/remember-when-elvis-was-censored-from-the-waist-down-on-the-ed-sullivan-show/
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 ElvisNews.com. Markaian, Narek. July 28, 2006. "Elvis: Behind The Iron Curtain." https://www.elvisnews.com/2006/30/elvis-behind-the-iron-curtain
12. ↑ The Guardian. June 10, 2011. Smith, Caspar Llewellyn. "Elvis Presley turns into 'Elvis the Pelvis' on national TV." https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/11/elvis-presley-pelvis
13. ↑ Rare Historical Photos. "When Elvis Presley joined the Army, 1958." https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/elvis-presley-army-pictures-1958/
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Express. Desborough, Jenny. April 20, 2021. "Elvis Presley army career: Why did Elvis join the army?" https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1423772/Elvis-Presley-army-career-why-did-elvis-join-the-army-drafted-evg
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Military.com. May 22, 2012. "Famous Veteran: Elvis Presley." https://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/military-transition/famous-veterans-elvis-presley.html

## Footnotes

1. ↑ According to Biography.com, he was born Elvis Aron Presley, but changed the spelling of his middle name to the biblical form of Aaron. https://www.biography.com/musicians/elvis-presley
2. ↑ Bob Neal would remain as Elvis' advisor.