It welcomes more than 500,000 visitors every year and is the most famous residence in America after the White House. This is Graceland – the former home of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. The entertainment complex in Memphis, Tennessee where Presley is buried is a major enterprise. It regularly holds certified auctions, fan club events – and of course, birthday celebrations for deceased stars.
This year is no exception. Presley, who died in 1977, would have turned 90 on January 8 and it will be marked by four days of events and concerts at Graceland. A new exhibit “90 for 90” is also being opened to the public, which will run for a year and include 90 unique objects that tell special stories of his life, such as a flight certificate for his dog.
In addition to his reputation as a widely imitated singer around the world, Presley was inducted into the Rockabilly, Gospel, Country Music, and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, and the popularity of his music has shown no signs of diminishing over the years. She has come. He has sold over 1 billion albums worldwide. So how did all this fame come about?
From small town boy to household name
Born in 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis Presley began his career in Memphis, Tennessee. He recorded at the famous Sun Studios in Memphis, which also helped launch singers Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. Rising rapidly to fame, Presley’s first hit, “Heartbreak Hotel”, catapulted him to stardom in 1956. He later became known as the “King of Rock and Roll”.
AGI in Germany
Presley put his career on hold while serving in the US Army in Germany from 1958 to 1960. Stationed in the small town of Friedberg, Presley, the star he was, stayed in a hotel in nearby Bad Nauheim rather than living in barracks. There, he lived with an entourage: his grandmother, father, and two bodyguards. Today, hotel guests can sleep in the Elvis Room, which was preserved to commemorate The King’s stay.
made in Germany
Although he was banned from performing during military service, he still found time to make music. Germany was the birthplace of two chart-toppers: “One Night” and “A Fool Like I Am.” He also brought global fame to the popular German folk song, “Mus i den zum Stadtale Raus,” or in English, “Wooden Heart.”
happily ever after?
While Elvis was stationed in Germany, he also met Priscilla Beaulieu, the daughter of an American military officer. At that time she was only 14 years old. The couple married years later in 1967 at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, although Elvis reportedly continued to enjoy the company of other women. Their only child, Lisa Marie Presley, died in 2023.
the legend lives on
Elvis died at his residence, Graceland, on August 16, 1977. Nevertheless, his legacy is honored around the world, including at the “European Elvis Festival” in Bad Nauheim, Germany. He has more than 613 active fan clubs around the world, and has even appeared on stamps: Germany issued an Elvis stamp in 1988.
license to suit
Legend has it that Elvis adopted his famous look, the jumpsuit, after his pants ripped while performing on stage. Whatever the reason, the garment was an instant hit. B&K, a company in Charlestown, Indiana, makes Elvis jumpsuits based on the original, such as that of impersonator Dave Stovall (pictured). The company also created suits for the 2022 film “Elvis.”
inspirational elvis
Elvis has inspired an entire industry of imitators, with films such as “Bye Bye, Birdie” (1967) based on his career. But what inspired the king? Elvis was known to enjoy the music of gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe and once described Hollywood actor James Dean as a “genius”.
elvis on screen
The biopic of Elvis Presley (pictured below) starring Austin Butler hits theaters in June 2022. The film, titled “Elvis”, focuses on the artist’s complicated relationship with his controlling manager, Colonel Tom Parker (played by Tom Hanks). Director Baz Luhrmann produced electrifying music and stage visuals. As a result, music journalist, Alanna Nash’s 2010 biography of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley became the number one hit single. It became a #1 bestseller on Amazon following the premiere of Luhrmann’s The King biopic.
This article was updated from a previously published photo gallery.