Elvis Aaron Presley1935 1977

Brought up in Memphis Tennessee

Earliest recordings at Sun Records 1953 1955.

Interpretations of songs, many from African American sources.Thats All Right - a 1946 blues number. Three days later, popular Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips played "That's All Right" on his Red, Hot, and Blue show. Listeners began phoning in, eager to find out who the singer was. The interest was such that Phillips played the record repeatedly during the last two hours of his show!

Break through 1955 1958.

1955. Signed to RCA. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", recorded in Nashville, released in January 1956, - a number-one hit. He became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll with a series of network television appearances (including the Ed Sullivan Show) and chart-topping records. His energized interpretations of songs, many from African American sources, and his uninhibited performance style made him enormously popularand controversial.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-5OAKHb8LUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU4i5gyFK1s

Recording with his regular backing band that included Chet Atkins on guitar and The Jordanaires on backing vocals, other songs from this period include: Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins) Teddy Bear (Cal Mann & Berne Lowe) Hound Dog (Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller)(The single pairing "Don't Be Cruel" with "Hound Dog" ruled the top of the charts for 11 weeksa mark that would not be surpassed for 36 years) Jailhouse Rock (Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller) Love Me Tender (adapted from Aura Lee an old Civil War ballad)

Military Service 1958 1960

Movie Period 1960 1967

Elvis the come back period 1968 1973Elvis: the '68 Comeback Special: the show featured lavishly staged studio productions as well as songs performed with a band in front of a small audiencePresley's first live performances since 1961. The live segments saw Presley clad in tight black leather, singing and playing guitar in an uninhibited style reminiscent of his early rock-and-roll days.Hits from this era include: Suspicious Minds In the Ghetto The Wonder of You

1973 1977Gradual deterioration of health, relentless tours, addiction & early death