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[[File:Elvis presley.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Presley in 1957]]

[[File:Elvis presley.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Presley 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 n' roll and sang rock, country, blues, and 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 supposed to go back on tour.  

Presley died on August 16, 1977 of complications due to [[drug]] abuse and [[obesity|poor eating]] and health habits; he died in his home Graceland a day before he was supposed 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 Grammys, 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 Grammys, 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 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 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.

For his eleventh birthday, Presley received a guitar for his birthday. The store owner said he wanted a rifle. However, Gladys did not want her son to have one and he eventually settled on the guitar. He would often sing in school for his classes, and they were pleased with him.<ref name="official bio">[http://www.elvis.com/about-the-king/biography_.aspx Elvis biography]</ref><ref>[http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/elvis_presley_1935_1953.html Biography of Presley's Early Life]</ref>  

Presley received a [[guitar]] for his eleventh birthday. The store owner said he wanted a [[rifle]]. However, Gladys did not want her son to have one and he eventually settled on the guitar. He would often sing in school for his classes, and they were pleased with him.<ref name="official bio">[http://www.elvis.com/about-the-king/biography_.aspx Elvis biography]</ref><ref>[http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/elvis_presley_1935_1953.html Biography of Presley's Early Life]</ref>  

The Presley family moved to [[Memphis]], [[Tennessee]] on November 6, 1948, where a thirteen-year-old Presley was influenced by the gospel music of an Assembly of God [[Pentecostal]] church. He was also influenced by country, pop and the African American music he heard on the streets of Memphis. On September 20, 1949, the Presley family moved to a building complex in Memphis. He was exposed to a great deal of music and was in a band with four other boys. Vernon, Gladys, and the teenage Presley worked various jobs to support the family. However, the family stayed closely knit. After graduating from L.C. Humes High School in Memphis in 1953, Presley worked at Crown Electric as a truck driver to pay for recording sessions at Sun Records. <ref name="official bio"/>

The Presley family moved to [[Memphis]], [[Tennessee]] on November 6, 1948, where a thirteen-year-old Presley was influenced by the gospel music of an Assembly of God [[Pentecostal]] church. He was also influenced by country, pop and the African American music he heard on the streets of Memphis. On September 20, 1949, the Presley family moved to a building complex in Memphis. He was exposed to a great deal of music and was in a band with four other boys. Vernon, Gladys, and the teenage Presley worked various jobs to support the family. However, the family stayed closely knit. After graduating from L.C. Humes High School in Memphis in 1953, Presley worked at Crown Electric as a truck driver to pay for recording sessions at Sun Records. <ref name="official bio"/>