Elvis Aaron Presley is one of the most famous and iconic persons of modern times. Born to humble beginnings in Mississippi, he catapulted to fame in the 1950s, bringing a fusion of African American music, gospel and country to the fore in a new sound: rock and roll. His first RCA single, “Heartbreak Hotelâ€, was a number one hit and his first film, Love Me Tender, was a success, and it was roses and lollipops from then on. At first feared by the nation’s church elders and parents for his suggestive hip gyrating while on stage, his 1956 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show put an end to any holding him back, and he skyrocketed to even higher heights. After a stint in the military, Elvis returned to a hugely popular career of recording, performing, making movies, and just being an all around idol. He married Priscilla Beaulieu in 1967 and their daughter, Lisa Marie, was born in 1968. He continued with concerts, recordings and films, but during the 1970s, things began to go downhill. He and Priscilla divorced in 1973, his problems with drugs took an increasing toll on him, and his weight fluctuated alarmingly. Still, his concerts were well attended events, and he was preparing for his latest one when he died of a heart attack on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42. Elvis is the best-selling solo artist of popular music ever. To his fans, he is as real to them today as he was during his short lifetime, and millions make the journey to his home in Memphis, Graceland, to pay loving tribute to him.
