Changes

[[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]]

'''Elvis Aaron (or Aron) <ref>Presley's spelling of his middle name at birth was "Aron". 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.</ref> Presley''', popularly known by the single 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, [[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 known as "'''The King of Rock n' Roll'''" or simply "'''The King"'''.

'''Elvis Aaron (or Aron) <ref>Presley's spelling of his middle name at birth was "Aron". 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.</ref> Presley''', popularly known by the single 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, [[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 known as "'''The King of Rock n' Roll'''" or simply "'''The King"'''.  

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

Presley died on August 16, 1977 of complications due to [[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 was inducted into four Halls of Fame, won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award in 1971, and was nominated for fourteen Grammy awards, winning three, all for gospel songs.

Presley was inducted into four Halls of Fame, won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award in 1971, and was nominated for fourteen Grammy awards, winning three, all for gospel songs.

==Early Life==

==Early Life==

Presley was born in a two-room house without running water or electricity in East Tupelo, [[Mississippi]] to [[Gladys Presley|Gladys Love]] and [[Vernon Presley]]. Presley's identical twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley, was stillborn 35 minutes before him. Presley's mother Gladys almost died from the birth and both were taken to the hospital. The Presley family lived in near-poverty during the early years of Presley's life. They were on [[welfare]] and got help from their neighbors. Vernon supported the family by working different odd jobs. Despite living in poverty, Presley benefited from a closely knit family. On May 25, 1938 Vernon was sentenced for three years in the Mississippi State Penitentiary for check [[forgery]]. During the brief time Vernon spent in prison, Gladys and Presley had to temporarily live with Gladys' in-laws next door. Vernon was released on February 6, 1939 on account of good behavior.

Presley was born in a two-room house without running water or electricity in East Tupelo, [[Mississippi]] to [[Gladys Presley|Gladys Love]] and [[Vernon Presley]]. Presley's identical twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley, was stillborn 35 minutes before him. Presley's mother Gladys almost died from the birth and both were taken to the hospital. The Presley family lived in near-poverty during the early years of Presley's life. They were on [[welfare]] and got help from their neighbors. Vernon supported the family by working different odd jobs. Despite living in poverty, Presley benefited from a closely knit family. On May 25, 1938 Vernon was sentenced for three years in the Mississippi State Penitentiary for check [[forgery]]. During the brief time Vernon spent in prison, Gladys and Presley had to temporarily live with Gladys' in-laws next door. Vernon was released on February 6, 1939 on account of good behavior.

===Death===

===Death===

Elvis Presley died at the age of 42 in his home in Memphis on August 16, 1977.  The cause of death was believed to be related to an overuse and overdose of prescription drugs, combined with poor eating habits.

Elvis Presley died at the age of 42 in his home in Memphis on August 16, 1977.  The cause of death was believed to be cardiac arrest related to an overuse and overdose of prescription drugs, combined with poor eating habits.

He was scheduled to fly to Portland, [[Maine]] that night, do a show the next day, and finish his tour. During the early morning of the 16th, Presley was taking care of last minute details. He went to his suite at 7 AM and died of heart failure. Within hours, the news was being announced on the radio, and grief struck the nation. Callers would even ask jockeys to tell their stories about Presley. <ref>[http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/biography/the_death_of_elvis_presley_august_16_1977.shtml Elvis death]</ref>

He was scheduled to fly to Portland, [[Maine]] that night, do a show the next day, and finish his tour. During the early morning of the 16th, Presley was taking care of last minute details. He went to his suite at 7 AM and died of heart failure. Within hours, the news was being announced on the radio, and grief struck the nation. Callers would even ask jockeys to tell their stories about Presley. <ref>[http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/biography/the_death_of_elvis_presley_august_16_1977.shtml Elvis death]</ref>