Biography of Elvis Presley, the Most Famous Rock and Roll Singer

Thursday, October 16, 2025

SAEDNEWS: Elvis Presley, full name Elvis Aaron Presley, was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, USA. He was the son of Vernon Elvis Presley and Gladys Love Smith. His twin brother, Jesse Garon, tragically died at birth.

Biography of Elvis Presley, the Most Famous Rock and Roll Singer

One of the first things you should know about Elvis Presley’s biography is his birth date. Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Due to his family’s financial difficulties, Elvis moved with his family to Memphis, Tennessee.

Elvis had immense musical talent; he absorbed everything he heard and memorized so many songs that he could sing in any style. As a child, he was introverted.

Elvis’ twin brother, Jesse, died at birth, which may have contributed to his shyness. Still a teenager, Elvis began developing his unique style in clothing. He especially liked black and bright pink and always wore his hair long and combed upward.

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He was 182 cm tall. His wealth is estimated at around $100 million. His family moved from Tupelo to Memphis in 1949. Young Presley attended Humes High School and graduated in 1951. That summer, while recording a personal song titled My Happiness along with That’s When Your Heartaches Begin as a gift for his mother at Sun Records, he caught the attention of the company’s owner. A year later, Presley made his first professional recording with Sun Records, and Colonel Tom Parker, who managed his career, organized his stage appearances.

First Recorded Songs

Continuing with Elvis Presley’s biography, his first recordings are notable. At 18, he intended to record two songs as a birthday gift for his mother.

He went to Sun Records in Memphis, where he met Sam Phillips. Elvis sang My Happiness and That’s When Your Heartaches Begin. Phillips immediately realized Elvis’ unique voice, but finding his signature style was challenging.

Eventually, Elvis sang That’s All Right in a blues style, which convinced Phillips. The songs were sent to local radio stations, and That’s All Right received an enthusiastic reception, quickly becoming a popular local hit for Sun Records.

Elvis then signed a one-year contract with the famous program Louisiana Hayride and performed across southern U.S. cities under the pseudonym Hillbilly Cat.

Early Concerts

Elvis’ first major concert was in August 1954 at the Overton Park Shell in Memphis. However, he needed a manager to help him gain wider fame, and that person was Tom Parker.

Parker quickly transformed Elvis from a local sensation into a national superstar. His extraordinary talent reached companies in New York, and RCA eventually purchased his contract for $40,000—a staggering sum at the time. Elvis amazed audiences with his signature clothes and slicked-back hair, creating an unprecedented stage presence.

By 1956, at 21, after performing the famous Heartbreak Hotel, he became the most successful artist of the time, both in record sales and television appearances. Shortly afterward, his first film premiered, cementing his status as a major star. Despite his fame, the U.S. government did not exempt him from military service; on March 24, 1958, he entered the U.S. Army for two years.

Military Service

Elvis served in Friedberg, Germany, until 1960. He didn’t abandon music, playing guitar and singing for fellow soldiers at night. During this period, he faced significant personal events, including the death of his mother and meeting Priscilla Beaulieu, who later became his wife.

Gladys Presley, Elvis’ mother, died of a heart attack on August 14, 1958, which was profoundly painful for him. Initially buried in a public cemetery, her remains were later moved to Graceland after Elvis’ death, creating a private Presley family tomb.

While in the army, Elvis met Priscilla on September 13, 1959, when she was just 14. They married in 1967, and a year later, their only child, Lisa Marie, was born. Priscilla divorced him in 1973, and Elvis never remarried.

Awards and Achievements

Elvis was nominated for the Grammy Award 14 times and won three times. His Hawaii concert holds the record for the largest concert performance in the world. Presley was the first rock-and-roll superstar and a symbol of masculinity. He had immense appeal to women, inspired imitation among men, and thrilled audiences, earning the title “The King of Rock and Roll.”

Film and Television

From 1956 onward, Elvis sold over a million copies of each of his songs, starred in films, appeared on television, and performed concerts, achieving unprecedented commercial success. He released 104 singles, 17 of which reached top charts, and held the title of best-selling artist for 79 weeks. Between 1956 and 1972, he had 36 top-chart hits. In 1969, he released two successful albums, From Elvis in Memphis and From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis, both reaching high chart positions in the U.S. and U.K. He also had successful TV appearances on Stage Show and The Steve Allen Show. His first film was Love Me Tender, and throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he starred in about 30 films.

Notable films include:

  • 1956 – Love Me Tender

  • 1957 – Loving You

  • 1957 – Jailhouse Rock

  • 1958 – King Creole

  • 1960 – Flaming Star

  • 1961 – Blue Hawaii

  • 1962 – Follow That Dream

  • 1962 – Kid Galahad

Death

After his divorce, Elvis became increasingly reclusive. Struggling with weight issues and using various prescribed medications, he was found dead in his Memphis home on August 16, 1977. His death was caused by a heart attack. Fans worldwide continue to commemorate his birthday and death anniversary decades later.

Facts About Elvis Presley

  • Height: 182 cm

  • One of the most famous and influential musicians of the 20th century

  • 14 Grammy nominations, 3 wins

  • Black belt in karate (1960)

  • Favorite sport: football

  • Suffered from chronic insomnia

  • Had a collection of guns and medals

  • Estimated earnings over his career: $4.5 billion

  • Survived a tornado at 15 months old in Tupelo, Mississippi

  • 15 of his songs contain “blue” in the title

  • First song recorded for his mother; paid $4 for two tracks (My Happiness and That’s When Your Heartaches Begin)

  • Favorite sandwich: peanut butter, bacon, honey, and banana

  • Bought a mansion in Memphis at age 22 for $102,500

  • Served in the U.S. Army (1957) and was stationed in Germany

  • Most concerts were in North America; manager refused overseas tours due to visa issues

  • Gifted a sailboat to President Franklin D. Roosevelt

  • Never liked the taste of fish

  • Smoked German slim cigarettes and was nicknamed “The Rock and Roll Matador”

  • Eager to meet Brigitte Bardot during military service

  • Colored his eyelashes and eyebrows, affecting his eyesight and causing glaucoma

  • Underwent cosmetic procedures to enhance his appearance

  • Inspired many later stars, including Bruce Springsteen, Roy Orbison, and Cher

  • Fired from a theater job in Memphis for taking free candy