Elvis Presley: The King of Rock 'N' Roll

We might not realize it today, but Elvis Aaron Presley changed music throughout the world. He was one of the most famous artists of the 1950's through 1970's. Our music would not be the same today if it was not for Elvis Presley. Elvis was born on January ninth, 1935 to Vernon and Gladys Presley. He was born in Tupelo Mississippi and was an only child. Vernon and Gladys decided to move their family to Memphis Tennessee in 1948, where Elvis graduated high school in 1953. Elvis became interested in music by listening to the gospel songs at his church and by attending Beale Street where he listened to R&B music. A year after he graduated high school, Elvis signed with Sun Records label, where he began his singing career. A year later, his contract was sold, and by 1956 everybody knew who Elvis Presley was. Everybody immediately fell in love with Elvis. The way he moved and the way he looked got the girls attention. However, he not only impressed the girls. Elvis could sing all kinds of different music including gospel and rock. Elvis definitely had a quality that everyone easily could fall in love with.

Elvis Presley had sold an estimate of over one billion records, more than anyone in record history. He had 150 different albums and singles that have been called gold, platinum or multi-platinum. Elvis did not just impress the United States, over 40% of Elvis' record sales have been sold outside of the United States. Elvis had at least 149 songs on Billboards Hot 100 Pop Chart in America, 114 were in the top forty. He also appeared on many television guest shows. He went on "Stage Show", "The Milton Berle Show", "The Steve Allen Show" and "The Ed Sullivan Show". Ed Sullivan once said he would never put Elvis Presley on his show but when Elvis appeared on "The Steve Allen Show" the ratings sky rocketed. Soon after, Ed Sullivan had Elvis Presley on his show. Elvis got paid 50,000 to make three guest appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and at the end of it Ed really enjoyed Elvis' company.

Elvis not only sang, he starred in 31 feature films. For a few years he was Hollywood's top box office draws. He also had 3 network television specials. Elvis' 1973 special (Elvis aloha from Hawaii) was seen by 1 billion to 1.5 billion people. It made television history and topped the number of people who watched the man on the moon. Elvis received 14 Grammy nominations from the National Academy and Performing Arts and Sciences. His three Grammy wins were from gospel recordings. In 1970 Elvis was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation. This was one of Elvis' proudest moments. This achievement is given to men who have done something outstanding, whether it is in sports, music, science etc.

As you can see Elvis was an amazing and talented person. America's music would be very different today if Elvis was never alive. Elvis once said: “Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do ‘em all together, I guess.”

"Discover Elvis." Elvis Presley. Ed. Elvis Presley enterprises. 2010. Web. 11 Jan. 2010. .