American Icon Resource Site-Elvis Presley

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	Today Elvis is known and loved everywhere, making him an idol worldwide. His smooth singing, provocative dancing, romantic acting, and kind personality have created a world-renowned icon. Yet, like many other American Icons, "the King" did not begin life well. Elvis Aaron Presley was born in a poor section of Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935 to Vernon, an uneducated alcoholic, and Gladys, a devout Christian mother, only half an hour after his twin brother was delivered stillborn. When Elvis was three years old, his father was arrested and he and his mother were thrown onto the streets. Yet, they persevered and survived. Poverty may have actually aided Elvis on his way to stardom. For his tenth birthday Elvis received a cheap guitar rather than the expensive bicycle he dreamed of having. Later, poverty forced Elvis and his mother to move to a poor area of Memphis Tennessee where Elvis learned the black influenced jazz and blues. This style of music, combined with his classic American rags-to-riches tale, helped define Elvis later on I life. In 1954, Elvis was working for an electric company and playing gigs on the side when he got his big break. Sam Philips of Sun Records recognized Elvis’ potential and put him, Scotty Moore, and Bill Black into a band. Soon, Colonel Park and RCA Records stole Elvis away and Elvis soared from there. Hits like "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Hound Dog" dominated the charts and Elvis became a national sensation. Though Elvis was drafted into the Army in 1958, when he returned in 1960 he was more popular than ever. For the better part of the sixties, though, Elvis concentrated on making movies. During this time his music presence seemed to wane. His songs dropped down the charts and Bob Dylan took over. This period is summarized in Don Mclean’s American Pie: "And while the King was looking down, the Jester stole his thorny crown." Surprising almost everyone, Elvis returned to music in 1968 with a spectacular comeback concert. By 1970, Elvis was ready for Las Vegas. Over the next three years, Elvis would perform 493 concerts. Unfortunately, the constant stress of concerts and Elvis’ vice abuses caught up with him in 1973. During the last two years of his life, Elvis was in bad health and noticeably overweight. On August 16, 1977, Elvis died in Graceland of heart problems allegedly stemming from overdosing on prescription drugs Elvis Biographycomprehensive yet biased. Elvis Quotes Quotes about Elvis Biography-less biased source Biography focusing on Elvis' music Church to Elvis Recommended Reading: Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick Elvis Aaron Presley-A video focusing on Elvis' relationship with his mother.	Born:January 8, 1935 Died:August 16, 1977 (unless he's still with us) Interesting Facts: Between 1970 and 1973, Elvis played 493 concerts. Elvis has sold the fourth most albums in the United States at 77 million, behind The Beatles (106 million), Garth Brooks (92 million), and Led Zeppelin (83 million) Elvis produced 131 albums, singles or extended play tracks which earned gold or platinum certification Selected Famous Works: Heartbreak Hotel (1956) Hound Dog (1956) Jailhouse Rock (1957) Good Luck Charm (1962)