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Elvis

Page history last edited by Meyer, Ellen 15 years ago

 

                      Elvis Presley

 

Elvis Aaron Presley the “king” of rock and roll. He will forever be remembered for his amazing talent, shows, and dedication to his dream.

Early Life…

 On April 25, 1912 Gladys Love Smith is born, Elvis’ mother and on April 10, 1916 Elvis’s father Vernon Elvis Presley is born. In June 1933 Gladys Smith and Vernon Presley are married. On January 8 1935 in a two-room house built by her husband and her brother-in-law, Gladys Presley gives birth to twin sons. First-born Jessie Garon, is born dead. The second, Elvis Aaron, is born healthy; Elvis who would be their only child.

Elvis grew up with an extremely close family. Most relatives lived very close to their house and always spent time together. On October 3 Ten-year-old Elvis stood on a chair at a microphone and sings "Old Shep" in a kid’s talent show at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show, held in Tupelo. Elvis won 5th place, five dollars and free admission to all the rides all day.  In 1946 Elvis’ parents cannot afford the bike that he really wants. Instead Elvis’ gets his very first guitar it was $12.95 and is purchased at the Tupelo Hardware Company. Elvis plays his guitar and sings "Leaf on a Tree" for his Milam Junior High class in Tupelo as a farewell. Elvis and his parents live in public housing or low rent homes in the poor neighborhoods of north Memphis. Life continues to be hard for their family. Vernon and Gladys go from job to job and Elvis attends L.C. Humes High School. Elvis works at various jobs to help support his family and do his share of hard work. He wears his hair long and slick, and lets his sideburns grow. He’s really different from the other kids, soon to be in a good way. While at Humes High, Elvis nervously sings with his guitar at a student talent show. Much to his own amazement, he gets more applause than anyone else and wins first place he also performs an encore. The acceptance feels good. On June 3 1953 Elvis graduates from Humes High School. 

              Beginning of his career

           Elvis works at Parker Machinists Shop right after graduation. That summer he drops by The Memphis Recording Service, home of the Sun label and makes a demo acetate of "My Happiness" and "That’s When Your Heartaches Begin" for a cost of about $4.00. In January of 1954 Elvis makes another demo at Sun. Sam Phillips, the owner, is in this time and, like Marion Keisker, is intrigued by this unusual looking and sounding young man. By this time Elvis has changed jobs quite a few times. On October 2, 1954 Elvis’ one appearance on the Grand Ole Opry doesn’t go over particularly well, with one of the Opry officials reportedly suggesting that Elvis go back to driving a truck. The Opry is very important at this time. This is a painful disappointment in Elvis' early career.  On January 1, 1955

Elvis signs a contract with Bob Neal, who becomes his manager. At this time Elvis has been turned down many times, he however will not give up on a dream. On August 15, 1955 Elvis signs a management contract with Hank Snow Attractions, which is owned equally by Snow and Colonel Tom Parker. Bob Neal remains involved as an advisor. November 20, 1955 a very important day in his life. Elvis signs his first contract with RCA Records. Colonel Parker negotiates the sale of Elvis’ Sun contract to RCA, which includes his five Sun singles and his unreleased Sun material. The price is an $35,000, with a $5,000 bonus for Elvis. RCA soon re-releases the five Sun singles on the RCA label. At the same time Elvis signs a contract with Hill and Range Publishing Company, which is to set up a separate firm called Elvis Presley Music, Inc. Elvis will share with Hill and Range the publishing ownership of songs bought by Hill and Range for him to record. Elvis is the hottest new star in the music business.

                    Becoming Famous

            What would be the perfect birthday present? Well January 10, 1956

Two days after his twenty-first birthday, Elvis has his first recording session for RCA, held at their studio in Nashville. Among the songs to tape during this session is "Heartbreak Hotel." Now that’s a great birthday a real blessing. By now people are really starting to LOVE Elvis, his music his vibe and his attitude towards life and rock and roll. March 23, 1956 RCA ships Elvis Presley, Elvis’ first album. The album soon goes to number one on Billboard’s pop album chart for ten weeks. It is the first Elvis album to reach over $1 million in sales, thus earning Elvis his first gold album award. Elvis was in a wide Varity of movies. Most of them did ok and about 1 or 2 were really good. However all of America knew his destiny was singing. September 26, 1956 Elvis Presley Day is proclaimed in Tupelo, Mississippi. Elvis’ parents join him as he returns to the town of his birth as a big star. He performs two shows at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show, the same fair at which he had performed at age 10. Elvis also sold merchandise, everything from shirts, and costumes to card games and posters. Now all celebrities spend their money in a different way. Elvis wanted a place where his parents, potential wife’s, and he could all live together. So on March 1957

Elvis buys Graceland Mansion for $102,500. Now Elvis just couldn’t stop with singing and acting nope he had to do more. March 24, 1958 Elvis Presley is inducted into the U.S. Army at the Memphis Draft Board and is assigned serial number 53310761. Elvis had many girlfriends over the years and one special one was Priscilla Ann.

Later Life

On January 8, 1965 Elvis celebrates his 30th birthday. A very special day for all your wedding day, on May 1,1967  Elvis and Priscilla are married in a private ceremony amongst a small group of family and friends at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, just after 11:40 AM. A press conference and breakfast reception follow. The couple honeymoon for a few days in Palm Springs. February 1, 1968 Priscilla gives birth to Lisa Marie Presley nine months to the day after her marriage to Elvis. It is a time of great happiness. Slowly but surely Elvis’s health begins to decrease. He is taking many prescription drugs and is being hospitalized more often. Elvis and Pricilla separate sadly Elvis is crushed. October 9, 1973 Elvis and Priscilla make a court appearance together and their divorce is granted. They will continue to be close friends, though Elvis and Priscilla have joint custody of Lisa Marie. By now Elvis has been on many tours and played tons of shows in Las Vegas. August 16, 1977 was one of those days that everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news, Elvis Aaron Presley was dead of heart failure it is announced by mid-afternoon. In a matter of hours the shock registers around the world. On August 18, 1977 Funeral, on October 2, 1977 his Bodies moved to Graceland.

                                                How we remember

 Elvis Presley is believed to be the most commonly known house hold name. Even though we don’t turn on the TV and hear “Elvis Presley concert tickets sold out again”. We know that he is the greatest rock and roll singing artist, and had intense dedication, love, and talent. Most joke about his death but if you lived that time and heard the news live you would understand that the death of -what I think to be the greatest performer ever- was the biggest shock. Elvis changed the world and the way people enjoy music forever. He will always be remembered in a great way. Ladies and Gentleman Elvis has left the building.

By, Ellen Meyer 3rd hour

Comments (1)

Barton-Wallace, Ashley said

at 7:49 pm on May 14, 2009

KOOL BUT U SHOULD ADD PICS....ELVIS WUZ HOTT!

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