Elvis Presley - The Picture Encyclopedia of Cultural Images

Elvis Presley - The Picture Encyclopedia of Cultural Images

Elvis Presley was a pop singer and actor, and, according to many, the King of Rock’n’Roll. Presley was born in 1935 in Tennessee, and spent the first 18 years of his life unnoticed. His career started with a record that he made at the local Sun Records studio for his mother’s birthday in 1953.

From the moment when he was discovered by Sam Philips of Sun Records, the career of Elvis was shooting up steadily. He reached wider and wider audiences through records, radio shows and concerts. In 1955, Elvis’ management was overtaken by Colonel Tom Parker, who created his image and directed his career from the on. Eventually, Parker made Elvis sign a seven year contract for making movies, which brought a lot of money to the young star. In the 1960’s, many similar contracts followed, totaling in 31 Elvis movies until the late 1970’s.

In 1958, Elvis was drafted to the Army. To the surprise of many, he did not try to avoid the service or ask for reduction. He served the full two years, part of which he spent in Germany, and reached the rank of Sergeant. He was discharged in 1960. The military service struck a serious blow to the career of Elvis, and his songs weren’t as successful until 1969. He made many movies during these years, which also distracted him from his career as a singer.

The 70’s brought success to Elvis again, although during these years he got increasingly addicted to drugs. One number one song followed the other, even after his death in 1977. Because of his drug problems, Elvis was forced to give fewer concerts, but still recorded many songs published in the following decades with similar success. Elvis, the king of Rock’n’Roll died in his Graceland mansion in August 1977, supposedly of heart attack or overdose of drugs.

Elvis Presley still has a huge fan base, some even going as far as becoming Elvis imitators, which could even be a successful career in the United States. But considering his life’s work, it is undeniable that Elvis Presley was an actor and singer very successful and talented not only in rock’n’roll, but many other types of music as well, such as gospel, country, and ballads.

Picture 1: Elvis Presley