Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley, der mit vollem Namen Elvis Aaron Presley heißt, wird am 8.Januar 1935 als erster von Zwillingen In East-Tupelo im US-Bundesstaat Mississippi als Sohn eines Landarbeiters und seiner Frau Gladys (geb. Smith) geboren. Sein Zwillingsbruder Jesse Garon stirbt bei der Geburt und wird kurz darauf in einem namenlosen Grab beerdigt.
Im Alter von 5 Jahren kommt Elvis in die East-Tupelo Consolidat School. Im gleichen Jahr hat er zum ersten Mal einen öffentlichen Auftritt. Bei der Mississippi- Alabama Fair And Dairy Show in Tupelo singt Elvis das Lied „Old Shep“.
Im Herbst 1948 zieht die Familie aus wirtschaftlichen Gründen nach Memphis, Tennessee. Sein Vater hofft dort wieder gute Arbeit zu finden. (Anmerkung: seine Eltern waren so arm, dass sie bei der Geburt der beiden Söhne nicht das Honorar für den assistierenden Arzt bezahlen konnten(15 US- Dollars)).Elvis wird in die L.C. Humes High School eingeschult. Hier lernte er viele seiner Freunde kennen, die ihn später begleitet hatten, z.b. Red West, der viele Jahre für Elvis als Leibwächter gearbeitet hatte.
Elvis wird im Sommer 1953 mit einem Abschlusszeugnis der L.C. Humes High School entlassen. Kurze Zeit später, im Juli 1953, bekommt Elvis einen Job als Lkw- Fahrer bei der Crown Electric Company in Memphis. Im gleichen Monat betritt Elvis zum ersten Mal das Studio von SUN Records, gegründet 1951 von Sam C. Phillips, um eine Platte aufzunehmen. Er nimmt die beiden Lieder „My Happiness“ und „That’s When Your Heartaches Begin“ auf Platte auf. Der Legende nach nahm Elvis die Platte auf, um sie seiner Mutter zum Geburtstag zu schenken, doch dieser war bereits einige Monate vorher. Wahrscheinlicher ist, dass er die Platte aufnahm um sich selber singen zu hören und um vielleicht auf sich aufmerksam zu machen.
Im Januar 1954 tauchte Elvis wieder im Tonstudio von Sam Phillips auf um eine weitere Platte aufzunehmen. Er singt die Lieder “I’ll Never Stand In Your Way“ und „It’s Wouldn’t Be The Same Without You”. Diesmal ist auch Sam Phillips im Studio und lernt so Elvis kennen.
Seinen großen Durchbruch schaffte er allerdings mit dem Lied „That’s All Right, Mama“, als ein paar Tage später der Discojockey Dewey Phillips, im Radioprogramm des Senders WHBQ in Memphis, eine Vorpressung von diesem Lied spielte. Elvis tritt nun häufiger auf; Zuerst bei Lokalen Countrysängern oder auf Festen, danach folgen mehrere Auftritte beim Louisiana Hayride Radioprogramm in Shreveport, Louisiana bis er im Herbst 1955 seine erste eigene Tournee mit Wanda Jackson und seiner Band “The Jordanaires“ macht. So entwickelte er in kürzester Zeit mit seiner Band aus einer Mischung aus Country, Rhythm-and-Blues, Gospel und Rock’n’Roll seinen unverwechselbaren individuellen Stil. Mit „Heartbreak Hotel“ hatte er seinen ersten großen Hit. Seine weiche Stimme und seine erotischen-lasziven Bühnenauftritt machten ihn zu einem der ersten Idolen der Teenagergeneration. Das markanteste Kennzeichen des “King of Rock’n’Roll“ war dabei sein erotisches Hüftkreisen, das ihm den Beinamen „Elvis, The Pelvis“ (Elvis das Becken) einbrachte.
Im November verkaufte Sam Phillips alle Rechte an Elvis für 35,000 US-Dollars. Im Laufe der Jahre wurden immer mehr Singles veröffentlich, die Elvis alle in Sam Phillips’ Studio aufnahm.
Im März 1958 wird der Alptraum für jeden Elvis Fan wahr, Elvis muss zu US-Armee. Im September 1958 wird Elvis per Schiff zu seinem Stützpunkt nach Deutschland, zuerst nach Bremerhaven und von dort aus nach Freiberg in Hessen gebracht. Elvis wohnte während seiner Armeezeit aber nicht in der Kaserne, sondern in Bad Nauheim in einer Villa in der Goethestrasse. Bis zum März 1960 bliebt Elvis in Deutschland, dieses war das erste und einzigste Mal, dass Elvis außerhalb von Nordamerika war. Während seiner Armeezeit lernt er die Tochter eines Offiziers kennen, Pricilla Beaulieu, die er später nach Memphis einlädt.
Als er dann ihm März aus der Armee entlassen wurde, wurde er in der TV Show „ Welcome Home, Elvis“ von Frank Sinatra gefeiert. Dieser Auftritt war aber auch sein letzter Fernsehauftritt bis 1968.
In den 60er Jahren wurde Elvis zum absoluten Superstar der amerikanischen Musikszene.
Im Herbst 1960 kamen bereits die neuen Elvis Filme „G.I. Blues“ und „Flaming Star“ in die Kinos. Des weiteren hatte er einige Liveauftritte in verschiedenen Städten der USA, bis er im März 1961 bei einem Konzert zugunsten des Arizona Memorial zu letzten Mal vor Publikum auftritt. Dies ist sein letzter Liveauftritt bis 1969.
Mit der Zeit verloren aber seine Filme, genauso wie seine Musik, an Qualität. Gute Drehbücher wurden ihm nicht angeboten bzw. werden von seinem Manager abgelehnt, obwohl Elvis gerne in „richtigen“ Hollywoodfilmen mitgespielt hätte. Seine Filmmusikaufnahmen wurden von Seiten der Plattenfirma, zugunsten den schlechteren Filmabenden, meistens nur auf Single B-Seite oder als Füllmaterial auf Filmalben verbraten. Zu diesen Liedern gehören z.B. “Tomorrow Is A Long Time“, „Big Boss Man“, „Guitar Man“ oder „Down In The Alley“.
Lieder, die deutlich besser waren als die meisten Filmlieder. Dazu kam, dass sich Mitte der 60er Jahre die Musikwelt verändert hat, der Rock’n’Roll der 50er Jahren exsistiert nicht mehr,es waren neue Interpreten und Gruppen dazu gekommen, wie „The Beatles“, “The Rolling Stones“, “Bob Dylan“ oder „The Beach Boys“, die mit frischer Musik die Jugend begeisterten.
Im Mai 1967 heiratete Elvis in Las Vegas, seine Armeebekantschaft Priscilla Beaulieu. Nachdem im Frühjahr 1968 Elvis Tochter Lisa Marie geboren wurde, der 5-Jahres-Vertrag mit MGM Pictures abgelaufen und seine Plattenverkäufe so schlecht wie noch nie waren, fasste Elvis den Entschluss endlich wieder aufzutreten, endlich wieder vor Publikum so zu singen wie er es mochte, mit den Liedern, die er wollte. Trotz einiger Einwende von Seiten seines Managers wurde im Sommer 1968 in Burbank, Kalifornien in den NBC Studios die Fernsehshow „ELVIS“ aufgenommen. Am 3.Dezember wurde diese Show in den USA ausgestrahlt und erhielt hervorragende Kritiken. Elvis war endlich wieder da, wo er am besten war, mit dem Rock’n’Roll und Gospel Musik, Live, auf der Bühne.
Im Juli 1969 tritt Elvis zum ersten Mal seit 1956 wieder in Las Vegas auf. Im International Hotel, heute Hilton Hotel, wo er im Gegensatz zu 1956, diesmal einen riesigen Erfolg für sich verbuchen konnte. Im Herbst 1969 drehte Elvis mit dem NBC-Universal Film „Change of Habit“ seinen letzten Spielfilm. Es folgten nur noch zwei Konzertfilm in den 70er Jahren mit „That’s The Way It Is“ und “Elvis On Tour“.
1973 veränderten sich viele Sachen in Elvis’ Leben. Das Jahr fängt eigentlich sehr gut an, mit dem absoluten Höhepunkt in Elvis Karriere. Am 14.Januar 1973 wird aus Honolulu, Hawaii, das Elvis Presley Konzert „Aloha from Hawaii“ über Satellit weltweit ausgestrahlt. Dies war das erste Konzert überhaupt, das über Satellit übertragen wurde. Genaue Zahlen gibt es nicht,aber man schätzt, dass ca.1, 4 Milliarden Menschen das Ereignis live miterlebt haben. In diesen Jahren bevorzugte, der stark übergewichtige, durch jahrelangen Medikamentenmissbrauch entstellte Sänger bombastische Bühnenshows in Glitzerkostümen, bei denen er ein mit ihm gealtertes, teilweise schnulzenseliges Publikum bedient.
Ende des Jahres 1973 kam dann ein Schicksalsschlag, von dem sich Elvis nur schwer erholen sollte, seine Frau Priscilla, welche schon seit Mitte 1972 in Los Angeles lebte, reichte die Scheidung ein.
In den Jahren 1974 bis 1977 reihte sich eine Tournee an die andere, unterbrochen von einigen Auftrittsreihen in Las Vegas. Gesundheitlich ging es während dieser Zeit mit Elvis bergab.
Am 16.August 1977 fanden ihn seine Freunde leblos im Bad seiner Wohnung Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Er wurde dort sofort in ein Krankenhaus gebracht, doch für elvis kam jede Hilfe zu spät. Um 14:45 Ortszeit gaben die Ärzte Elvis’ Tod bekannt.
In den folgenden Stunden ging die Nachricht um die Welt. Die Nachrichtensender in den USA und Europa brachten Sondersendungen. Am nächsten Tag versammelten sich ca. 100,000 Menschen auf dem Elvis Presley Boulevard von Elvis’ Villa Graceland um ihre Anteilnahme zu bekunden.
Am Freitag, dem 19.August 1977 wurde Elvis in Memphis beerdigt. Doch in vielen Herzen lebt Elvis weiter, für immer.
FAQs
Why were television cameras only allowed to show Elvis from the waist up on the Ed Sullivan Show? ›
Elvis' now-famous dance moves simply weren't seen. Rumor has it that CBS and Ed Sullivan received angry calls from those who were offended by Elvis' first two performances, so the decision was made to only show Elvis from the waist up for that third appearance.
What did Elvis mom call him? › What song did Elvis close with? ›Reportedly the last song Elvis sang in private was a rendition of 'Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain,' performed on his piano in Graceland hours before his death.
Did Elvis write any of his songs? ›And while Elvis wasn't a songwriter per se, he did co-write a few songs in his career including 'That's Someone You Never Forget' and the haunting 'You'll Be Gone'. From the '50s through the '70s, Elvis demonstrated his innate gift as a seasoned song man.
Why is Elvis shaking all the time? ›His Famous Dance Moves Were Thanks To His Nerves
Elvis was so nervous during his first performances in the 1950s that his legs would often shake. After seeing the wild reaction the audience (especially the women) had to these weird moves, he decided to keep them and put them in future shows.
As legend has it, he saw lights on and decided he wanted to meet Elvis Presley. He jumped the wall and ran up the hill to the mansion, where he was stopped by security guards at the front door. Elvis wasn't home, and Springsteen was politely escorted off the property.
What nicknames did Elvis call Priscilla? ›“Elvis, with his history of baby talk, already had four hard-to-take nicknames for Priscilla,” Fortas added. “'Nungen,' which was an affectionate twist on 'young one,' 'Cilla,' 'Little One,' and the one he began using with increased frequency, now that its former owner didn't need it anymore: 'Satnin.
Did Elvis wear makeup? ›Elvis loved makeup and he loved how dramatic it made the eyes.…”
Did Elvis have any pets? ›Elvis had a number of dogs over the years. He had a Basset Hound named Sherlock, Great Danes named Brutus and Snoopy, and Edmund, a Pomeranian he gave to his aunt Delta, because the two bonded so quickly. Get Lo, a Chow, was another of Elvis' dogs.
What was the last concert Elvis played before he died? ›June 26, 1977
Elvis performs his last concert at Indianapolis' Market Square Arena.
Was any real footage used in Elvis movie? ›
He did sing [“Unchained Melody”] in its entirety because there was a question mark towards the end as to whether we were going to get the real footage of Elvis and if we would be allowed to use it. ... Thankfully that famous footage came through and we were able to use it, and that's the real Elvis.
Who sold more records Michael Jackson or Elvis? ›...
Top-selling artists worldwide as of August 2022, based on certified sales (in million units)
| Characteristic | Units sales in millions |
|---|---|
| Elvis Presley | 139 |
| Eagles | 120 |
| Led Zeppelin | 122.5 |
| Michael Jackson | 89 |
Topping the list is Can't Help Falling In Love, which has notched up 13 million plays. Released in 1961 as a double A-side with Rock-A-Hula-Baby, the song reached Number 1 on the Official Singles Chart and became his signature ballad, closing many of his live performances in the '60s and '70s.
How many No 1 did Elvis have? ›Record Chart Statistics
Elvis has had no less than 149 songs to appear on Billboard's Hot 100 Pop Chart in America. Of these, 114 were in the top forty, 40 were in the top 10, and 18 went to number one. His number one singles spent a total of 80 weeks at number one.
The peanut butter and banana sandwich has been referred to as a favorite of Elvis Presley, who was renowned for his food cravings such as the Fool's Gold Loaf, a loaf of French white bread filled with a pound each of bacon, peanut butter, and grape jelly.
What was Elvis favorite candy? ›What was Elvis's favorite soda pop? His favorite soft drinks are said to have been Pepsi Cola, Nesbitt's Orange, and Shasta Black Cherry. He liked to chew Wrigley's Spearmint, Doublemint, and Juice Fruit gum."
Why was Elvis only filmed from waist up? ›Though those hips needed to be tamed. There's a legend that Elvis was only filmed from the waist up during a subsequent performance on The Ed Sullivan Show to help reduce the deterioration of young American morals. Though if you actually watch the clip, you can easily see all his bodily parts.
Was Elvis embalmed? ›Elvis was embalmed at the Memphis Funeral Home and returned to Graceland on August 17, 1977, where a public viewing of the casket, ordered by Elvis' father Vernon was set up in the foyer. Over 30,000 fans were let in.
What musician tried to break into Graceland? ›Bruce Springsteen once tried to break into Graceland so he could meet Elvis Presley. After a show in Memphis on April 30th 1976, Bruce Springsteen felt compelled to not waste his time in bars and drunkenly made the call to do his utmost to meet Elvis.
What rock star once broke into Graceland? ›This Week in Rock History: Bruce Springsteen Breaks Into Graceland.
How old was Priscilla when she first slept with Elvis? ›
Priscilla Presley
Elvis Presley met his first and only wife in 1959 while he was serving in the military in Germany. He was 24 years old and she was 14. Although they were seen as Hollywood's “it” couple at the time, after Elvis' death, widespread criticism of their relationship began to emerge.
“Don't criticize what you don't understand, son. You never walked in that man's shoes.” - Elvis often used this adaptation of a well-known quotation.
When did Priscilla first sleep with Elvis? ›The two got engaged just before Christmas in 1966, when she was 21 and he was almost 32. On May 1, 1967, they wed in a private ceremony in Las Vegas and jetted off to Palm Springs for their honeymoon. According to Priscilla's autobiography, Elvis and Me, they had sex for the first time that night.
What color was Elvis real hair? ›Amazingly Elvis was actually a natural blonde until his late teens and even after when his hair began to go darker it wasn't naturally the shade we all know so well. It was usually dyed a shade of brown known as 'Mink Brown', but once when the King himself tried to do it, he opted to use black shoe polish.
What was the true color of Elvis Presley's eyes? ›What Colour is Elvis Presley's eyes? While his gorgeous locks of jet-black hair that perfectly complement Elvis Presley's eye color of striking ice blue helped him seduce any woman possible, it's surprising to know that The King of Rock' n' Roll was actually born a natural blonde.
Did Oprah Winfrey have a pet? ›Oprah has had over 20 dogs, many of whom she's sadly lost. Longtime fans will likely remember cocker spaniels Sophie, Solomon, and golden retriever Luke. But today, she has three cuddlers: springer spaniels Sunny and Lauren, and cocker spaniel Sadie.
What is Elvis favorite animal? ›Elvis Presley, who would have celebrated his 75th birthday today, famously sang about a hound dog. But his true animal passion was for horses, suggests Priscilla Presley and multiple other sources.
What pets did Marilyn Monroe have? ›"I like animals," Monroe once revealed to reporters. "If you talk to a dog or a cat, it doesn't tell you to shut up." The actress cared for many pets throughout her life, including a Spaniel named Ruffles, a Basset Hound named Hugo, and Mitsou, a white Persian cat.
Who will inherit Graceland? ›A representative of Graceland told People that the property will now be passed on to Lisa Marie's three daughters, Riley, Harper and Finley.
What was the biggest crowd Elvis played for? ›Elvis Presley was rock & roll personified. Over the course of his career he performed 1,684 concerts but never played for a bigger audience than the time more than 60,000 fans packed the Pontiac Silverdome to ring in 1976. This was Elvis Presley's highest grossing concert, with his highest attendance.
How old was Lisa when Elvis died? ›
Did Tom Hanks have prosthetics for Elvis? ›To play Colonel Tom Parker, the infamously exploitative manager of Elvis Presley, Hanks dons mounds of prosthetic enhancements: a fake nose here, baggy glue-on jowls there, padding that lends him roughly the same bulbous shape as Jim Broadbent in Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge.
What was inaccurate in Elvis movie? ›The movie depicts an onstage rant that ends with Elvis screaming and firing the Colonel as the curtain is brought down, but the 1973 firing of Colonel Parker didn't happen so publicly.
Was that the real Elvis singing at the end of the Elvis movie? ›He did sing (“Unchained Melody”) in its entirety because there was a question mark towards the end as to whether we were going to get the real footage of Elvis and if we would be allowed to use it. ... Thankfully that famous footage came through and we were able to use it, and that's the real Elvis.
Who owns Elvis music? ›RCA Records owned all of Elvis' music recordings. The RCA Records Label was bought by BMG in the 1980s and in 2004 BMG merged with Sony Music Entertainment to become Sony BMG. Sony BMG owns Elvis' recordings and they continue to use the RCA Records label for issuing Elvis releases.
Did Elvis have an identical twin? ›1. Elvis had a twin. On January 8, 1935, Elvis Aron (later spelled Aaron) Presley was born at his parents' two-room house in East Tupelo, Mississippi, about 35 minutes after his identical twin brother, Jesse Garon, who was stillborn. The next day, Jesse was buried in an unmarked grave in nearby Priceville Cemetery.
How much is Graceland worth? ›The mansion and property were acquired by Elvis Presley for $100,000 in 1957. The estate was estimated to be worth between $400 to $500 million in 2020 according to Rolling Stone. The King's daughter vowed never to sell the estate despite rumors to the contrary: “Graceland was given to me and will always be mine.
Who has sold a billion records? ›Elvis Presley (USA) is the best-selling solo artist, with 1 billion sales worldwide (129.5 million in the USA).
What is the biggest selling record of all time? ›Michael Jackson's Thriller, estimated to have sold 70 million copies worldwide, is the best-selling album ever. Jackson also currently has the highest number of albums on the list with five, Celine Dion has four, while the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Madonna and Whitney Houston each have three.
Who is bigger Elvis or Michael Jackson? ›Elvis Presley – 146.5 million units. Eagles – 101 million units. Billy Joel – 82.5 million units. Michael Jackson – 81 million units.
What is Elvis Presley's best selling single of all time? ›
Hound Dog (1956)
Controversial in its day, “Hound Dog” is now considered one of the biggest influences on the rock 'n' roll genre, and was Presley's biggest selling single, spending a recording-setting 11 weeks at number one in 1956 – a record which stood for 36 years.
Rewinding the Charts: In 1969, Elvis Presley Hit No. 1 for the Last Time With 'Suspicious Minds' Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969, marking the King of Rock & Roll's final chart-topper on the list.
What was Elvis 1st hit? ›The future rock 'n' roll superstar was a young unknown when his debut single, 'That's All Right,' came out July 19, 1954. He would soon change the world. Sixty years ago today, on July 19, 1954, Elvis Presley's first record, "That's All Right," was released.
Is Elvis bigger than Beatles? ›In terms of numbers, The Beatles have sold 36.5 million more albums in the U.S. than Elvis, yet Elvis sold 25.5 million more singles than The Beatles. Since albums usually contain 10-12 more songs than singles, The Beatles would clearly be the winner in terms of U.S. record sales.
Who has more #1 hits than The Beatles? ›No artist has sold more albums than The Beatles, and no group or solo performer has posted more No. 1 hits than the Fab Four, either. Going just by the music the band made from 1963-70, The Beatles can claim 20 Billboard No.
Why was Elvis not shown from waist down? ›Television stations had to make a choice. They could either give the disproportionately-sized teen demographic their star and risk the backlash, or appease parents and lose the ratings. A compromise was reached. Elvis could appear on television, but it was demanded he be shot from the waist up only.
Why was Elvis censored from the waist down? ›Though seemingly harmless to watch by today's standards, Elvis made some exaggerated bump and grind movements during those last two verses which caused a national controversy. The media went into an uproar after seeing Elvis' gyrating on stage in an “obscene performance,” and the nickname “Elvis The Pelvis” took hold.
Did Elvis Presley ever appear on The Ed Sullivan Show? ›Elvis' Three Appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show: Watch History in the Making and from the Waist Up (1956) Oh, to be in the studio audience of CBS' Television City in Hollywood on September 9th, 1956, to see Elvis Presley's gyrating pelvis rocket him to superstardom on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Who was banned from The Ed Sullivan Show? ›The controversial band The Doors were banned from the popular The Ed Sullivan Show on September 17th, 1967 after Jim Morrison broke his agreement with the show's producers. At the time The Doors were one of the best selling Rock bands in the U.S, their hit “Light My Fire” had climbed to No.
Why did they call Elvis the Pelvis? ›Elvis, who rotates his pelvis … gave an exhibition that was suggestive and vulgar, tinged with the kind of animalism that should be confined to dives and bordellos”. It was these comments that led to the moniker “Elvis the Pelvis” a term he disliked yet lived with for the rest of his career.
What was the most controversial Elvis moments? ›
On June 5, 1956, Elvis set his guitar to the side and performed what came to be known as one of the most controversial performances in television history. The provocative hip-swinging dance moves caused a national scandal and set the stage for the King of Rock 'n' Roll's place in history.
Why was Elvis filmed waist up? ›Though those hips needed to be tamed. There's a legend that Elvis was only filmed from the waist up during a subsequent performance on The Ed Sullivan Show to help reduce the deterioration of young American morals. Though if you actually watch the clip, you can easily see all his bodily parts.
How much did Ed Sullivan pay Elvis to be on his show? ›Ed Sullivan.” By Monday morning Ed Sullivan caved and decided to book Elvis on his Sunday night showcase. Sullivan and Colonel Parker agreed to have Elvis appear three times for the then mind boggling sum of $50,000, the highest amount ever paid to a performer to appear on TV.
Why was Hound Dog controversial? ›"Hound Dog" has been at the center of controversies and several lawsuits, including disputes over authorship, royalties, and copyright infringement by the many answer songs released by such artists as Rufus Thomas and Roy Brown.
Why was Elvis censored Ed Sullivan? ›In essence, the reason that Presley and other Rock acts were censored, was because of the fact that the network feared that they would be evoking certain ideas and emotions out of the family audiences that watched Sullivan's show.
Why were the doors kicked off Ed Sullivan show? ›It was 50 years ago today, September 17th, 1967, that the Doors had their one and only performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. The infamous banning occurred after a producer from the show asked the band to change a lyric in “Light My Fire” 'Girl we couldn't get much higher' to something else.
Did everyone lip sync on The Ed Sullivan Show? ›Sullivan insisted on live performances -- no lip-syncing a` la "American Bandstand" -- but most songs closely follow the recorded versions.
Why did CBS cancel The Ed Sullivan Show? ›The program was a victim of the "Rural Purge" ordered by head of CBS programming Robert Wood, in which highly-rated shows with an audience deemed too old or too rural were removed from the CBS schedule. Also gone were Hee Haw, The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, The Jim Nabors Hour, and many others.