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[[File:Elvis presley.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A still of Presley in the film ''[[Jailhouse Rock]]'', filmed in 1957]]

[[File:Elvis presley.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A still of Presley in the film ''[[Jailhouse Rock]]'', filmed in 1957]]

<center>''For more information, see [[Elvis Presley directory]]''.</center>

<center>''For more information, see [[Elvis Presley directory]]''.</center>

'''Elvis Aaron <ref>Presley's middle name is also spelled "Aron", as is the case on his birth certificate. It was common during the [[Great Depression]] to use alternate spellings of names due to a lesser focus on the written word. It is likely they intended "Aaron" as his middle name. "Aaron" is the spelling that appears on gravestone as well. Presley had it legally changed to Aaron.</ref> Presley''', popularly known by his first name '''Elvis''',  (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was a musician, actor and performer. Presley became an essential figure of [[rock and roll]] and sang [[rock music]], rockabilly, [[Country music|country]], [[blues]], and [[Gospel music|gospel]]. He has become an American cultural icon and a major figure in American popular culture. Presley is often known as "'''The King of Rock n' Roll'''" or simply "'''The King"'''.  Presley since his death has been referenced in many songs, books, movies, television shows and other forms of media and he has generated so much revenue since his death from sales of his works to tours of Graceland which only shows the longevity of his works and image and his continuing cultural relevance.

'''Elvis Aaron <ref>Presley's middle name is also spelled "Aron", as is the case on his birth certificate. It was common during the [[Great Depression]] to use alternate spellings of names due to a lesser focus on the written word. It is likely they intended "Aaron" as his middle name. "Aaron" is the spelling that appears on gravestone as well. Presley had it legally changed to Aaron.</ref> Presley''', popularly known by his first name '''Elvis''',  (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was a musician, actor and performer. Presley became an essential figure of [[rock and roll]] and sang [[rock music]], rockabilly, [[Country music|country]], [[blues]], and [[Gospel music|gospel]]. He has become an American cultural icon and a major figure in American popular culture. Presley is often known as "'''The King of Rock n' Roll'''" or simply "'''The King"'''.  

Presley died on August 16, 1977 of complications due to prescription drug abuse and poor eating and health habits; he died in his home, [[Graceland]], from cardiac arrest, a day before he was scheduled to go back on tour.  

Presley died on August 16, 1977 of complications due to prescription drug abuse and poor eating and health habits; he died in his home, [[Graceland]], from cardiac arrest, a day before he was scheduled to go back on tour.  

==Career==

==Career==

===Early Career===

===Early Career===

After graduating from high school,  Presley paid to record two songs meant to be a birthday gift to his mother. The songs “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin” would be his first steps toward becoming what many say was the greatest entertainer of the century and “the King of Rock n’ Roll.”

After graduating from high school,  Presley paid to record two songs meant to be a birthday gift to his mother. The songs “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin” would be his first steps toward becoming what many say was the greatest entertainer of the century and “the King of Rock n’ Roll.”

*See also: [[Elvis Presley movies]], filmography at the end of the article

*See also: [[Elvis Presley movies]], filmography at the end of the article

Presley  starred in thirty-three enormously profitable films, most of which were lighthearted comedic musicals. His first film, ''Love Me Tender'', a western, was released in 1957. His film ''Loving You'' was released soon after. He then starred in ''Jailhouse Rock'', playing an anti-hero character. For a while, Presley was one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors. He starred in ''King Creole'', for which he deferred his Army service to star in. After his service, he starred in ''G.I. Blues'' He was cast in light, clean-cut roles during the 1960s, and Presley was not happy about it, since he aspired to be a serious actor. These feature films were generally poorly received by critics, often for "them all being the same", but still sold extremely well, and were popular with fans. ''Charro'' was an exception, as it did not feature music other than a title song. After his final feature film in 1969, the only Presley films released were concert documentaries, such as ''Elvis:That's the Way it Is''.

Presley  starred in thirty-three enormously profitable films, most of which were lighthearted comedic musicals. His first film, ''Love Me Tender'', a western, was released in 1957. His film ''Loving You'' was released soon after. He then starred in ''Jailhouse Rock'', playing an anti-hero character. For a while, Presley was one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors. He starred in ''King Creole'', for which he deferred his Army service to star in. After his service, he starred in ''G.I. Blues'' He was cast in light, clean-cut roles during the 1960s, and Presley was not happy about it, since he aspired to be a serious actor. These feature films were generally poorly received by critics, often for "them all being the same", but still sold extremely well, and were popular with fans. ''Charro'' was an exception, as it did not feature music other than a title song. After his final feature film in 1969, the only Presley films released were concert documentaries, such as ''Elvis:That's the Way it Is''.

Presley started work on two karate films, ''The New Gladiator'' (1974) and ''Billy Easter'' (1977). The former starred Presley and other fighters training and then competing in tournaments around the world. The latter involves an ex-CIA agent who then owns a karate school getting revenge on drug dealers for the murder of his best friend. Neither of these karate films were finished in their entirety or released.

Presley started work on two karate films, ''The New Gladiator'' (1974) and ''Billy Easter'' (1977). The former starred Presley and other fighters training and then competing in tournaments around the world. The latter involves an ex-CIA agent who then owns a karate school getting revenge on drug dealers for the murder of his best friend. Neither of these karate films were finished in their entirety or released.

===Concert Performances===

===Concert Performances===

[[File:Elvis Presley 1970.jpg|thumb|right|125px|Presley in 1970]]

[[File:Elvis Presley 1970.jpg|thumb|right|125px|Presley in 1970]]

During his career, Presley performed many concerts. Many of these concerts were sold out and fans waited for days in line just to buy tickets. His first concerts were performed in the late 1950s, and these were the most provocative of Presley's concerts. His other major concert era came after his career in film which  was from the late 1960s to Presley's death in 1977. He performed in [[Las Vegas]] and did a road tour for  those who could not make it out to Vegas unlike many performers at the time who would have been content  in their shows and dressing room in Las Vegas.

During his career, Presley performed many concerts. Many of these concerts were sold out and fans waited for days in line just to buy tickets. His first concerts were performed in the late 1950s, and these were the most provocative of Presley's concerts. His other major concert era came after his career in film. He performed in [[Las Vegas]] and did a road tour.

====Early Concerts====

====Early Concerts====

Presley started touring in the 1950s and he caused controversy over his hip gyrations and music. The older generation thought his style was vulgar. As a result, Presley's performances on television were often shot from the waist up so it would not offend anyone. Many of Presley's fans were young women, and they would often scream incessantly at his concerts, a practice which has since become commonplace during concerts of male heartthrobs. His style of dancing came from nervousness of dancing in front of women.<ref>[http://www.moviesmusicgamesandmore.com/elvis-presley-biography.html The Life of Elvis Presley]</ref> Presley was panned by critics at his first performance in Las Vegas in the 1950s for his "vulgar" performance, but was well received later on and is now culturally associated with Las Vegas.

Presley started touring in the 1950s and he caused controversy over his hip gyrations and music. The older generation thought his style was vulgar. As a result, Presley's performances on television were often shot from the waist up so it would not offend anyone. Many of Presley's fans were young women, and they would often scream incessantly at his concerts, a practice which has since become commonplace during concerts of male heartthrobs. His style of dancing came from nervousness of dancing in front of women.<ref>[http://www.moviesmusicgamesandmore.com/elvis-presley-biography.html The Life of Elvis Presley]</ref>

In 1956, Presley made his network television debut with the first of his six appearances on ''Stage Show'', a weekly variety program hosted by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. On ''The Milton Berle Show'', he performed "Hound Dog" and the performance was considered very provocative for the time.

In 1956, Presley made his network television debut with the first of his six appearances on ''Stage Show'', a weekly variety program hosted by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. On ''The Milton Berle Show'', he performed "Hound Dog" and the performance was considered very provocative for the time.

====1970s Live Concerts====

====1970s Live Concerts====

After two more feature films, ''The Trouble With Girls'' and ''Change of Habit'', the only other films Presley starred in were concert documentaries. In 1969, he performed a series of concerts at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. Between 1969 and 1976, Presley performed in Vegas at locations such as the Hilton Hotel, as well as a road tour. Despite deteriorating health, Presley performed over a thousand sold-out concerts during the 1970's. He performed some of his early hits, as well as new hits and cover versions of songs by artists such as [[The Beatles]], the Righteous Brothers, and [[Chuck Berry]]. He was accompanied by gospel quartets, an orchestra, and other band members. He was notorious for wearing various extravagant jumpsuits during these concerts and for passing out scarves that typically contained his perspiration from dancing on stage to (usually) female fans. He occasionally gave extravagant rings to audience members.

After two more feature films, ''The Trouble With Girls'' and ''Change of Habit'', the only other films Presley starred in were concert documentaries. In 1969, he performed a series of concerts at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. Between 1969 and 1976, Presley performed in Vegas at locations such as the Hilton Hotel, as well as a road tour. Despite deteriorating health, Presley performed over a thousand sold-out concerts during the 1970's. He performed some of his early hits, as well as new hits and cover versions of songs by artists such as [[The Beatles]], the Righteous Brothers, and [[Chuck Berry]]. He was accompanied by gospel quartets, an orchestra, and other band members. He was notorious for wearing various extravagant jumpsuits during these concerts and for passing out scarves to female fans. He occasionally gave extravagant rings to audience members.

====Aloha from Hawaii====

====Aloha from Hawaii====

[[File:ElvisPresleyAlohafromHawaii.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Presley at the Aloha from Hawaii concert]]

[[File:ElvisPresleyAlohafromHawaii.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Presley at the Aloha from Hawaii concert]]

*''See also: [[Elvis Presley phenomenon]]''

*''See also: [[Elvis Presley phenomenon]]''

[[File:YoungElvisPresley.jpg|thumb|right|110px|A young Presley]]

[[File:YoungElvisPresley.jpg|thumb|right|110px|A young Presley]]

Presley has had a great effect on music; this includes a satellite radio station dedicated to playing his songs, his home is a historic landmark which attracts many visitors from across the world, and many entertainers make a living impersonating him. Presley also makes the most money of any deceased performer aside from Michael Jackson. The Ronnie McDowell song "The King is Gone" released after Presley's death showcased McDowell's great ability as an Elvis impersonator while recollecting his childhood memories of listening to Presley's songs as a kid and mourning over Presley's death.

Presley has had a great effect on music; this includes a satellite radio station dedicated to playing his songs, his home is a historic landmark which attracts many visitors from across the world, and many entertainers make a living impersonating him. Presley also makes the most money of any deceased performer.

===Elvis Presley Enterprises===

===Elvis Presley Enterprises===

[[Category:Tennessee]]

[[Category:Tennessee]]

[[Category:Male Singers]]

[[Category:Male Singers]]

[[Category:Guitarists]]

[[Category:Guitarists]]

[[Category:Actors]]

[[Category:Rock & Roll]]

[[Category:Musicians]]

[[Category:Musicians]]

[[Category:Featured articles]]

[[Category:Featured articles]]