| | '''Elvis Aaron <ref>Presley's middle name is also spelled "Aron", as this spelling was intended to be parallel to the spelling of Presley's stillborn brother Jesse Garon. However, the State of [[Mississippi]] spelled it as "Aaron" on Presley's birth certificate, which was revealed to Presley and he chose to adopt the spelling of "Aaron"; this is also the spelling that appears on Presley's tombstone. [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elvis-Presley#Additional-Information.]</ref><ref>[http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/article-aron-or-aaron.shtml Presley had it changed to Aaron to match the Biblical spelling of the name.]</ref> Presley''', popularly known by his first name '''Elvis''', (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American 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 preferred this epithet not be used as he stated that only [[Jesus Christ]] is King.<ref>https://youtu.be/JEZpSFnDxRg</ref>) Since his death, Presley has been referenced in many songs, books, movies, television shows and other forms of media, and his legacy has generated tremendous revenue from sales of his works to tours of Graceland, which confirms his continuing cultural relevance. [[Las Vegas]] culture is now in a sense synonymous with Presley. | | '''Elvis Aaron <ref>Presley's middle name is also spelled "Aron", as this spelling was intended to be parallel to the spelling of Presley's stillborn brother Jesse Garon. However, the State of [[Mississippi]] spelled it as "Aaron" on Presley's birth certificate, which was revealed to Presley and he chose to adopt the spelling of "Aaron"; this is also the spelling that appears on Presley's tombstone. [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Elvis-Presley#Additional-Information.]</ref><ref>[http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/article-aron-or-aaron.shtml Presley had it changed to Aaron to match the Biblical spelling of the name.]</ref> Presley''', popularly known by his first name '''Elvis''', (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American 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 preferred this epithet not be used as he stated that only [[Jesus Christ]] is King.<ref>https://youtu.be/JEZpSFnDxRg</ref>) Since his death, Presley has been referenced in many songs, books, movies, television shows and other forms of media, and his legacy has generated tremendous revenue from sales of his works to tours of Graceland, which confirms his continuing cultural relevance. [[Las Vegas]] culture is now in a sense synonymous with Presley. |
| − | On December 21, 1970, Presley met with President [[Richard Nixon]] at the [[White House]] as initiated by Presley's six-pager letter offering to help oppose "the drug culture, the hippie elements, the [[SDS]], [[Black Panthers]] etc." During their meeting Presley "stressed his love of his country and told Nixon he was 'on your side.' He also said he had been studying 'communist brainwashing' and that the [[Beatles]] had been 'a real force for anti-American spirit.'"<ref name="Guardian">https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/oct/14/popandrock2</ref> The picture of this meeting is requested more from the National Archives than even the [[U.S. Constitution]].<ref name="Guardian"/> | + | On December 21, 1970, Presley met with President [[Richard Nixon]] at the [[White House]] as initiated by Presley's six-page letter offering to help oppose "the drug culture, the [[hippie]] elements, the [[SDS]], [[Black Panthers]] etc." During their meeting Presley "stressed his love of his country and told Nixon he was 'on your side.' He also said he had been studying 'communist brainwashing' and that the [[Beatles]] had been 'a real force for anti-[[American spirit]].'"<ref name="Guardian">https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/oct/14/popandrock2</ref> The picture of this meeting is requested more from the National Archives than even the [[U.S. Constitution]].<ref name="Guardian"/> |
| | 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. |