His charisma and charm were enough that simply walking onto stage and grabbing the microphone were often enough to send a crowd wild, whether it was filled with men or women. So why were people so enticed by Presley? Perhaps most obviously, Elvis was an immensely talented singer. Despite being told once that he ought to stick to trucking because he had no future as a singer, Elvis captivated audiences with his deep, smooth voice.
This is made clear by his standing among the best all-time musicians on the charts. Though the exact numbers are often debated due to semantics, Elvis is often recognized as having had 18 number one hits and top 10 hits. Graceland estimates that Elvis has sold over 1 billion records worldwide thanks to the voice that sent a generation into a fervent hysteria. Elvis was, to put it matter of factly, one of the first big, charismatic rock stars. Elvis was, in essence, a tall, incredibly handsome bad boy whose on-stage presence was something many audiences had never seen at that point.
In fact, during one televised performance, Elvis was deliberated only filmed from his waist up because his hip gyrations and overly-sexualized moves were deemed too risque for television at the time. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. The King was drafted at what basically amounts to the height of his popularity, forced to serve in the Army. For years, people went from fainting and swooning over live performances to not seeing the King perform at all.
When he returned in , however, his popularity exploded all over again. In , Presley began to develop a following with fans being drawn to his unusual musical style, provocative gyrating hips and good looks. Presley was on a roll, scoring his first No.
Despite the uproar that his sexy dance moves caused, he also became a popular guest on a number of television variety shows. Soon, Presley was everywhere, working as a musician and actor.
His first film, Love Me Tender , was a box office hit. Even a stint in the U. He received his draft notice in and was inducted into the Army the following March. He eventually served in Germany for about a year and a half.
Shortly before Presley left for Europe, his beloved mother, Gladys, died. He was granted a leave and returned to Memphis for the funeral. Deeply saddened by her death, Presley returned to duty. While in Germany, his spirits were lifted slightly when he met a young teenager named Priscilla Beaulieu.
The pair fell in love and married on May 1, , in Las Vegas, Nevada. After leaving the Army in , Presley resumed his career and was soon back at the top of the charts with the soundtrack for his film GI Blues. He continued recording music and acting in such films as Blue Hawaii , Girls! Though his films were often hit or miss with both critics and audiences, they brought in a profit and the soundtracks usually sold well. By the late s, however, the enigmatic performer appeared to be losing his box office appeal.
Proving he was still the "King of Rock 'n' Roll," he recorded his first TV special in , often referred to as the "'68 Comeback. Around this time, Presley's personal life also seemed to be on an upswing.
He and Priscilla wed in and had a daughter, Lisa Marie , the following year. Unfortunately, this joyous time would not last. By the early s, Presley's marriage was falling apart. The couple divorced in , and Priscilla received custody of Lisa Marie. Presley was also wrestling with other personal problems, including a growing addiction to prescription drugs; the once-thin rock star was battling a weight problem, and his destructive lifestyle caught up with him that fall when he was hospitalized for drug-related health problems.
Despite his personal obstacles, Presley remained a popular draw in Las Vegas and on tour. He performed at his last concert in June , in Indianapolis, Indiana. After the concert, he returned home to his Memphis mansion, Graceland, to prepare for another tour.
On the morning of August 16, , Presley died of heart failure, at the age of It was later ruled that his death was related to his prescription drug use. Presley was buried on the Graceland property, near the gravesites of his mother, Gladys, father Vernon and grandmother Minnie Mae Hood Presley.
Throughout his amazing career, Presley helped popularize rock 'n' roll music in America. He also won three Grammy Awards for his gospel recordings. A major musical force, Presley had 18 No. He was one of the first performers inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame But Presley has been recognized for his contributions to several musical genres, most notably rock, country and gospel.
Presley's Memphis home, Graceland, is open to the public, and numerous fans from around the world visit the legendary residence annually, especially around Presley's birthday and the anniversary of his death. Thousands of fans traveled to Graceland on August 16, — the 35th anniversary of Presley's death — for a special vigil in honor of the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
During the gathering, fans held lit candles and stood outside of Presley's home. Though the Presley family holds a tribute event each year to mark the anniversary of Presley's death, the gathering was unique: Presley's estranged wife, Priscilla, and daughter Lisa Marie appeared together for the first time at the annual event.
It's amazing," Priscilla said during the event, according to the Washington Post.
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