Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo Mississippi on January 8 1935. He was born into a working class family who had a small amount of money. They moved around a lot. He got his first guitar at the age of ten, “and had his first taste of musical success after winning a talent show at his high school.” (Biography.com) He was drafted into the military in 1957. Shortly after enlisting his mother died. Elvis later met a young woman named Priscilla, and they got married in 1967.  They had a daughter named Lisa Marie in 1978. However, by the early 1970’s his marriage was not going well, and they divorced in 1973. Priscilla obtained custody of their daughter. Despite enduring the obstacles of the military and his family troubles, he not only went on to star in movies, but also became known world wide as the “King of Rock and Roll”.

In 1953 Elvis made his first demo record at a place that was soon to become Sun Studios. And soon enough the record label owner Sam Philips decided to help Elvis accomplish his musical dream of becoming a recording artist. The song “That’s Alright” was Elvis’s first single which he wrote in 1954. He then started touring and recording trying to find his big “break.” (Biography.com) His fans enjoyed his new and strange style of music and his amazing dance moves. After serving in the military, he went right back the “top” with appearances in films such as “Viva Las Vegas” and “Girls! Girls! Girls!”  However, many of his films either were at the top of the charts or at the bottom. Around 1960 it seemed that Elvis was loosing his appeal in the movies (Biography.com); however, he made his first TV special which proved the he was still the King. This was known as the ’68 comeback (Biography.com). Through the years he popularized rock and roll and continued to be a superstar. He gave his last concert on 1977 in Indianapolis. He died later that year of a suspected drug overdose.

I chose to write this sketch on Elvis for many of reasons. I didn’t know much about him other than that he was the King of Rock and Roll. Because he was born only an hour away from my grandparents in my favorite state, Mississippi, I wanted to learn more about him. The most interesting thing I learned was that even though you’re poor you can move on to great things.

Sources

Elvis Presley biography: life of Elvis Presley: Elvis Aaron Presley.” Elvis Presley – Official web site for Elvis Presley. 15 Feb. 2009 .

“Elvis Presley Biography -.” Biography.com. 15 Feb. 2009 .41