Elvis Presley

Born: 1935 | Died: 1977

Singer

Elvis Aaron Presley was born in 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. His surname Presley was anglicized from the German name Pressler. Elvis's ancestor Johann Valentin Pressler emigrated to the United States from Germany in 1710.

Today, Elvis is known as “The King of Rock N' Roll,“ or simply “The King.“ The best known pop icon of all time, Elvis is credited with paving the path toward rock n' roll with his unique blend of country music set off by blues vocals and a strong back beat. He is known for hits like: “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender,” “Jailhouse Rock”, or” Suspicious Minds”.

In the 1950s, Elvis served his tour of duty with the U.S. Army in West Germany, landing with other troops in Bremerhaven, which now sponsors an annual Elvis-Fest. Elvis also recorded several songs in German.

He starred in 33 films, including, “Follow that Dream,” “Live A Little, Love a Little,” “Tickle Me,” “Change of Habit,” “Clambake,” “Blue Hawaii,” and “Viva Las Vegas.” Globally, he sold over one billion records. His American sales earned him gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards for 150 different albums and singles. Among his many awards and accolades were 14 Grammy nominations from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science and three Grammy awards, one of which: the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, he received at age 36.

His high energetic performances and seductive hip action have cemented him into the mind of generations past and present. Elvis Presley has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1986), Country Music Hall of Fame (1998), and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2001).

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