Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Known as the “King of Rock and Roll,” he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, led him to both great success and initial controversy.
The Birth of Rock and Roll
Presley began his music career in 1954 at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Presley’s first RCA single, “Heartbreak Hotel,” released in 1956, became a number-one hit in the United States. With a series of network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll.
Hollywood and the ’68 Comeback
In the late 1950s and 1960s, Presley devoted much of his time to making Hollywood films and their accompanying soundtrack albums. After a seven-year break from live performances, he returned to the stage in the acclaimed 1968 television comeback special *Elvis*, which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours.
Legacy and Honors
Presley is the best-selling solo music artist of all time, with estimated sales of over 500 million records worldwide. He won three Grammy Awards, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame. His home, Graceland, is a National Historic Landmark and remains one of the most visited private estates in the USA.