Who is the King of Rock and Roll?
Elvis Presley is known as the King of Rock and Roll. In the 1950s, his mix of country, blues and gospel helped make rock and roll a worldwide craze.
Elvis recorded his first songs at Sun Records in Memphis in 1954. His hit Heartbreak Hotel reached number one in 1956, followed by songs such as Hound Dog, Don't Be Cruel and Jailhouse Rock. His energetic performances and hip movements shocked some adults and thrilled teenagers.
He starred in 31 films and served in the US Army from 1958 to 1960. In 1968, a TV special revived his career, and his 1973 concert Aloha from Hawaii was broadcast by satellite to dozens of countries.
Graceland
Elvis died at his Memphis home, Graceland, in 1977, at age 42. Graceland is now a museum visited by hundreds of thousands of fans each year. He remains one of the best-selling solo artists in history.
Did You Know?
Elvis never performed outside North America. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker, turned down offers for overseas tours.