GO TO Write Ups on Elvis's Tacoma Show at the Lincoln Bowl

BEEN TO HONOLULU LATELY?

A life-sized, 1,100-pound bronze sculpture of Elvis Presley was unveiled in August on the grounds of the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. The 6'2" music icon is depicted atop a pedestal, commemorating his 1973 "Aloha from Hawaii" concert produced and promoted by Mr. Al Masini. Some of Mr. Masini's projects include Entertainment Tonight, The Bold and the Beautiful, Solid Gold, Elvis in Hawaii (the largest production to date in Hawaii), Destination Stardom, and Danny Couch, along with many other hit TV shows. . Elvis in Hawaii was a major television milestone, broadcast live, globally, to over a billion people in over 30 countries. The statue was donated by TV Land.

Slideshow by Lea
 

A new video of Lisa Marie Presley singing "In the Ghetto," accompanied by her late father, Elvis Presley, WAS posted Today on Spinner.com. To mark the 30th anniversary of her father's death, Lisa Marie Presley's voice was added to the original version of her father's hit song from 1969. The video duet also features images of her late father.
Spinner.com will post the video along with the transcript of an interview with Lisa Marie . In the interview, Presley said the project was emotionally stirring. "We had two hours to lay down my vocals," she said . "So the next morning, I heard the rough ... and ... I've never cried when I've done anything ... ever ... but I just lost it when I heard it.

Presley also talked in the interview about how she was offended to see her father's song "Viva Las Vegas" used in a Viagra commercial. "I find that revolting," she said. "Some songs we have no control over. I know we didn't license that one." Proceeds from the new song and video will be used to help build temporary housing for the homeless in New Orleans, she said. The project is to be similar to Presley Place, a 12-unit apartment building for the homeless built in Memphis by Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. in 2001.

At the time, Elvis Presley Enterprises was owned by Lisa Marie Presley. She sold 85 percent of the company two years ago to CKX Inc., which now controls the worldwide business in marketing Elvis' name and image.

Elvis Presley died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on Aug. 16, 1977, and thousands of fans are in town this week for the 30th anniversary of his death.

Lisa Marie, 39, is scheduled to attend a concert Thursday in Memphis that will feature her father performing on video, with live support from his former backup singers and band members.

Her most recent album of her own music was "Now What" in 2005, but she said in the interview that she hopes to put out a new album soon.

January 8, 1935 TO August 16, 1977
WHAT WERE YOU DOING ON AUGUST 16TH 1977?

Elvis Presley Biography - Profile
* Birth name: Elvis Aaron Presley

* Birthday: * January 8, 1935

* Place of birth: Tupelo, MS, USA

* Nationality: * American

* Raised in: Memphis, Tennessee, USA

* Natural hair color: * Dark * Blond

* Eye color: * Blue

* Height:183 cm (6')

* Nicknames: The King of Rock-n-Roll, The King, The Pelvis

* Education / Profession: L.C. Humes High School, Memphis /* Actor, * Musician

* Labels: RCA Camden, BMG, RCA Victor, MGM/UA, Time-Life, CBS/Fox

* Music styles: Rock, Pop, Rock &Roll

* Claim to fame: "Hard Headed Women" - 1956

* Spouse
Priscilla Presley (1 May 1967 - 9 October 1973) (divorced) 1 child


* Awards:
> Grammy Awards: 1967 (How Great Thou Art - Single), 1972 (He Touched Me - Album), 1974 (How Great Thou Art - Track)
> Rock-Roll Hall Of Fame:1986

* Date of death: * August 16, 1977 (cardiac arrhythmia) Presley, 42, was discovered slumped in a bathroom at his mansion in Memphis, Tennessee He was rushed to the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Mini Biography
Elvis Presley's family moved to Memphis when he was 13. After working as a movie theater usher and a truck driver, he began singing locally as "The Hillbilly Cat", then signed with a local recording company, then in 1955 with RCA. He did much to establish early rock and roll music, bringing black blues singing into the white, teenage mainstream. Teenage girls became hysterical over his blatantly sexual gyrations, particularly the one that got him nicknamed "Elvis the Pelvis" (TV cameras were not permitted to film below his waist). When he died he had sold over 600-million singles and albums. The first of his 33 films was Love Me Tender (1956); critics blasted most of his films, but they did very well at the box-office earning upwards of $150 million.
Military service in the late 1950s and the "British invasion" of the 1960s reduced his concerts, though not his movie/recording income. He made a comeback in the 1970s, but his increasing weight and dependence upon stimulants and depressants took their toll. Since his death his Memphis home Graceland has become a shrine for followers. Elvis impersonators and purported sightings have become stock subjects for humorists.

Trade Mark
The famous left-sided grin.

The movement of the pelvis that gave him the nickname "Elvis - the pelvis"

Sideburns.

White sequined jumpsuits with rhinestones.

Onstage karate moves.



Trivia
Twin brother Jesse Garon Presley died at birth (Elvis was delivered 35 minutes later).

Earned a black belt in karate. [1960]

Won three Grammy Awards, all for his Gospel music.

His hair colour was blonde until his early teens. As he got older his hair became darker. By the time he had his hair cut for the army at age 22 its natural color was dark chestnut (according to Charlie Hodge, who served with him in the army).

Was originally considered for the Kris Kristofferson role in A Star Is Born (1976), but Elvis turned it down because manager Colonel Tom Parker refused him permission to act in a movie where he wouldn't have top billing. Also, he didn't like the fact that the producer, Jon Peters, was completely unknown.

Owned a pet chimpanzee called "Scatter".

Has more multiplatinum album sales than any other performer, with twelve albums selling over 2 million copies.

Father of Lisa Marie Presley (b. 1st February 1968).

Interred at Graceland Estate, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

Is a direct descendant of Abraham Lincoln's great-great grandfather, Isaiah Harrison.

Had 18 Billboard #1 Songs, the first "Heartbreak Hotel" in March, 1956; the last, "Suspicious Minds" in Sept. 1969.

Has sold over 1,300,000,000 albums worldwide; more than any other musical artist/group in the world, including The Beatles.

When The Beatles came to America in 1965 there was only one person they wanted to meet - Elvis, and on August 27, 1965 they got their wish and according to John Lennon spent an entirely enjoyable evening at the Presley home in Bel Aire, California, talking, singing and laughing with each other.

Bought Graceland mansion on 19 March 1957 from Mrs. Ruth Brown Moore for $102,500. The mansion, built of tan Tennessee limestone, consists of 23 rooms and 13.7 surrounding acres. The Music Gates were installed in April of 1957.

His television debut was on the regionally telecast "Louisiana Hayride", 5 March 1955 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

In September of 1955, "Country Song Roundup" magazine was the first to feature and article on Elvis, calling him a "folk music fireball."

In April of 1955 Elvis auditioned for a spot on Arthur Godfrey's "Talent Scouts" (1948) and was turned down.

Elvis' body was placed in a family crypt in Memphis on 18 August 1977. On 29 August 1977, however, an attempt was made to steal the body but the plan failed and three men were charged with trespassing and released on bond. Because of this incident, Vernon Presley, received approval from the Memphis Adjustment Board to allow reinterment of the bodies of Elvis and his mother Gladys Presley to the Meditation Garden behind Graceland, which took place on 2 October 1977.

The book he was reading at the time of his death was "The Scientific Search for the Face of Jesus" by Frank O. Adams, (Psychical Aid Foundation, USA, 1972).

From the time they met up until his death, Elvis always sent a roomful of flowers to Ann-Margret whenever she opened up a show in Las Vegas.

Was one of the performers featured on a set of stamps of rock and blues legends issued by the U.S. Postal Service in June 1993.

Mother Gladys bought him his first guitar at age 12 (1947)

1953 graduate of Humes High School, Memphis, TN.

Was one of the first people in the U.S. to own a "Betamax" system VCR

Honorary Member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.

After seeing him in concert, Liberace suggested adding flashy costumes into his act. Elvis took his advice, and became famous for his gold lame jackets and jeweled white jumpsuits. He later reserved a seat for Liberace at many of his concerts.

One of only a handful of artists inducted into both The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and The Country Music Hall of Fame. Others include Johnny Cash and Hank Williams.

Died with about $5 million in his bank account.

Elvis did not like confrontation. He wanted to fire his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, many times. He would tell his friends "Tell Parker he's fired." His friends would go tell him, then Parker would say "Tell Elvis to tell me personally". Elvis never would.

"Heartbreak Hotel," which spent 17 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's country chart (and 10 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100) was the No. 1 country song of the year 1956.

Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998.

His 1977 country hit, "Way Down," was the No. 1 song on Billboard magazine's country singles chart the week of Elvis' death. Nine other songs would go to No. 1 on Billboard's country charts between 1956 and 1981 and include: "I Forgot to Remember to Forget," "Heartbreak Hotel," "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You," and the two-sided No. 1 hit "Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel" (all 1956); "All Shook Up," "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" and "Jailhouse Rock" (all 1957); "Moody Blue" (1977); and "Guitar Man" (1981, a remixed version released more than three years after his death). Most of his 1950s No. 1 country hits were also No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well.

In Sam Lovullo's book "Life in the Kornfield" (which recalled his years as producer of the country music TV series "Hee Haw" (1969)), he remarked that Elvis was a big fan of "Hee Haw" (1969) and had always wanted to perform on the show. However, according to Sam Lovullo, Elvis remarked they'd have to tape his spots in the middle of the night, knowing that if manager Colonel Tom Parker found out, he'd never clear his appearance. Several months after Elvis' death, his father, Vernon Presley, appeared on "Hee Haw" (1969) and spoke about how the world would always love him and remember his music.

Hysteria over "Elvis sightings" after his death were lampooned in the Mojo Nixon song "Elvis Is Everywhere", and "Elvis Is Dead" by Living Colour.

His personal entourage were known as the "Memphis Mafia", and were given matching rings by Elvis. The diamond and gold rings sported a thunderbolt and the letters "TCB" (reportedly standing for "Take Care of Business"). Elvis was buried wearing one of the rings.

Pictured on a 29¢ US commemorative postage stamp issued 8 January 1993, the 58th anniversary of his birth. This was the inaugural issue in the Legends of American Music series.

In 2002, a re-mixed version of one his more obscure recordings, "A Little Less Conversation", became a dance club hit, and topped the charts in the United Kingdom.

The lightest Elvis ever weighed, as an adult, was 170 lbs in 1960 following his discharge from the U.S. Army. The heaviest was at the time of his death, which was 260 lbs.

Was always known to be generous to a fault with family, friends and even total strangers. Anyone who admired any posession of his, from one of his many Cadillacs to any bit of bric-a-brac in his home, often found themselves the new owners of that posession.

He fell in love with Elizabeth Montgomery on the set of Kid Galahad (1962), she visited his house on two occasions. Nothing came of it as she was married to Gig Young at the time, but they remained good friends until he died.

Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (sponsored by the Gospel Music Association) in 2001.

Made the first ever musical video of all time: Jailhouse Rock (1957).

When Ed Sullivan finally allowed him to appear on "Toast of the Town" (1948), he was filmed from the waist upwards only.

His 1960 single "It's Now Or Never" is one of the best selling singles of all times (if not 'the' best selling single) with sales which are estimated between 25 and 30 million copies.

He is responsible for the best selling single of the 1950s ("Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel", 1956) and that of the 1960s ("It's Now Or Never", 1960).

His 29¢ commemorative postage stamp issued in 1993, sold more copies than any other postage stamp in U.S. Postal Service history.

A remix of his song "A Little Less Conversation" which was featured on the soundtrack to the film Ocean's Eleven (2001) became a Billboard #1 hit single over twenty years after Presley's death.

The Beatles were admirers of his work and, although John Lennon said they enjoyed his company very much, Elvis himself, ironically, thought that they were a bad influence on America's youth.

Was extremely proud of his Cherokee roots. Wanted to be more open about it but was advised against it, according to some sources by Colonel Tom Parker, since this was around the time that there were still racial tensions in the US. Sometimes the audiences were "deceived with the truth" like in G.I. Blues (1960) when his character tells about his Cherokee background. In real life his Cherokee roots started with his maternal great-great-great grandmother Morning Dove White and it was even rumored in Memphis that he had Cherokee blood from his father's side of the family as well, though never confirmed.

He was allegedly offered roles in The Rainmaker (1956), The Defiant Ones (1958), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), West Side Story (1961), Sweet Bird of Youth (1962), The Fastest Guitar Alive (1967), Midnight Cowboy (1969), True Grit (1969), Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), A Star Is Born (1976) and Grease (1978).

He said his favorite of his films was King Creole (1958).

Angered Ed Sullivan by singing the gospel song, Peace In The Valley on his show, after Sullivan asked him not to.

He was a distant cousin of President Jimmy Carter.

Was a Deputy Sheriff in Shelby County, Tennessee.

Hal B. Wallis, producer of 8 Elvis films, dreamed of making a western starring John Wayne and Elvis.

In 1973 he met with Led Zeppelin members Robert Plant and John Paul Jones in Los Angeles. An idol to the members of Led Zeppelin, Elvis wanted to meet "who was outselling him" at concerts (Zeppelin was in the midst of a record-breaking tour that year). A meeting was arranged with two of the four band members (Plant and Jones). Plant was so awestruck at meeting his idol in person that he could barely speak to him. Jones, nearly as awestruck as Plant, made small talk with the "King," and mentioned what a beautiful watch Elvis wore. Elvis, always the generous one, instantly traded his $5,000 gold and diamond watch for Jones' $10 Mickey Mouse watch. This broke the ice with all of them, and they became fast friends. Throughout the early '70s, members of Led Zeppelin even attended a few of Elvis' concerts, and were granted the privilege of sitting in the front row by the King himself.

He named his favorite films as: Rebel Without a Cause (1955), A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) and Dirty Harry (1971).

Was an Army veteran. He was drafted in 1958, stationed in West Germany and discharged in 1960. Presley, who achieved the rank of Private First Class, was a public relations headache for the Army, according to U.S. military documents released by the Pentagon on June 9, 2005. "Elvis Presley will not be released in a manner different from any other inductee serving overseas," the Army's adjutant general wrote to citizens who complained following reports that the rock 'n' roll icon would get an early "good behavior" discharge. When he entered the Army at Memphis, Tennessee, on March 24, 1958, there was a public outcry from his fans, and protests flowed to Washington, including a hand-written plea released by the National Archives and Records Administration. "Dear Mamie," one correspondent wrote to then-first lady Mamie Eisenhower. "Will you please, please be so sweet and kind as to ask Ike [President Dwight D. Eisenhower] to please bring Elvis Presley back to us from the Army" We need him in our entertainment world to make us all laugh." A 1959 Army memo set out the Presley problem: "When Private First Class Presley was first inducted, there was considerable adverse public reaction ... alleging that he would receive preferential treatment in the Army. This impression has been largely replaced by a public impression of a good soldier serving his military obligation. ... Many teenagers who look up to and emulate Private First Class Presley will ... follow his example in the performance of their military service."

On December 21, 1970, he paid a visit to President Richard Nixon at the White House in Washington, D.C. The meeting was initiated by Presley, who wrote Nixon a six-page letter requesting a visit with the President and suggesting that he be made a "Federal Agent-at-Large" in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

More people watched Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii (1973) (TV) (live Via Satellite TV special) than watched Neil Armstrong walk on the moon.

He only performed two concerts outside of the United States, both in Canada.

Son of Vernon Presley and Gladys Presley.

Recorded 33 takes of Hound Dog.

His favorite sports were raquetball and football.

Passed out from exhaustion after recording If I Can Dream.

After production of his 1968 NBC television special he told producer Steve Binder he would never make another movie or song he didn't believe in.

Once sent $1,000,000 to Buford Pusser, the Tennessee sheriff who was the subject of the 1973 film Walking Tall (1973).

Once gave a robe to Muhammad Ali which said 'The Peoples Champion'.

His favorite actors were Marlon Brando and James Dean, the latter Elvis considered an acting genius (in a 1956 interview).

His two favorite books were The Holy Bible and The Impersonal Life.

His favorite class in high school was wood shop.

His mansion, Graceland, is the 2nd most-visited house in America. The first is the White House.

Elia Kazan wanted him for several movies but Colonel Tom Parker refused to allow Elvis to act in those movies.

The last film he saw at the cinema was The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).

Tried to get a print of Star Wars (1977) to show his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, the day before he died.

He is mentioned in the song "Three Minute Boy" by Marillion (from their 1998 album "Radiation").

When he was in high school, he was on the Humes High School boxing team.

Loved football and often had three televisons set up at Graceland to watch all of the games.

He used to play touch football at Whitehaven High School during the '60s and early '70s with kids around the neighborhood.

Helped to support an All-Negro Day at the Memphis Zoo in 1956.

In 1975 he purchased a poor black East Memphis woman an electric wheel chair and picked her up and personally sat her in it. The woman's teenage daughter told Elvis she liked his car. He gave it to her and even gave her boyfriend a job.

He was a huge fan of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and had requested to meet him in 1966, but the meeting never happened.

Was a huge fan of the television shows "The Jeffersons" (1975), "Good Times" (1974), "Happy Days" (1974) and "The Flip Wilson Show" (1970).

Once an opera singer attended one of his 1950s concerts and met him backstage. The singer told Elvis that he sang like a hillbilly and needed singing lessons. Elvis replied by saying, "Thanks for the advice, but how many of the thousands of people out there tonight came to hear you sing?".

His surname was Anglicized from the German Pressler during the Civil War. His ancestor Johann Valentin Pressler emigrated to North America in 1710. Pressler first settled in New York, but later moved to the South. Jaime Pressly is also a descendant from him. A connection between the Pressleys of Oprah Winfrey's great-grandfather and the ancestors of Elvis Presley has been posited but not confirmed. He also had Scottish, Dutch and Cherokee ancestry, among others.

Shown on a 5.50 kr postage stamp issued by Sweden in 2004.

He was the #1 touring act in America for 1977; the year he died. This, despite the fact that he was well below par and only toured until July, is quite an achievement.

Held the world indoor attendance record for a concert, which was at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit, on Dec' 31st '76. There was 62,500 in attendance, with another record for takings in a single show $850,000.

Held a single day's attendance record for his march 74 shows at the Houston Astrodome in march '74 -- 89,000 fans for two shows.

He was voted the 3rd Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artist of all time by Rolling Stone.

According to a broadcast on the A&E Biography channel, he once attended a concert for singer Connie Francis and had to leave for emotional reasons once he heard her sing the Italian song "Mama" as his mother had just recently died.

Shares a birthday with fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members David Bowie, The Doors guitarist Robby Krieger and legendary promoter Bill Graham.

Linda Thompson lived with Elvis for four years from 1972 to 1976. She was a former "Miss Tennessee," actress and songwriter. Other than Priscilla Presley, Thompson was the most significant romance that Elvis ever had.

As an infant, survived a tornado in Tupelo, Mississippi which killed 233.

Is portrayed by Kurt Russell in Elvis (1979/I) (TV), by Bruce Campbell in Bubba Ho-tep (2002), by Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Elvis (2005) (TV), by Tyler Hilton in Walk the Line (2005), Val Kilmer in True Romance (1993), and by 'Michael St Gerard (I)' in _Elvis (1990)_.

Suffered from chronic insomnia.

Is mentioned in Shania Twain's song "That Don't Impress Me Much"

His tombstone gives his name as "Elvis Aaron Presley", whereas he was in fact named "Elvis Aron Presley". Although this fueled conspiracy theories that he had faked his death, it is generally believed he changed his middle name so it would be the same as the Biblical Aaron.

Spoofed in Eminem's music video "Without me"

Had glaucoma in the 1970s.

At the time of his death in 1977, he was the second biggest selling recording artist of all time, after Bing Crosby.

He was a born again Christian who loved to sing gospel music.

Not one of Elvis' 31 feature films or either of his two music documentaries were nominated for a single Academy Award in any category.

He had two full face-lifts and rhinoplasty during the mid-1970s. On one of these visits to hospital he was accompanied by Linda Thompson.

He worked with legendary guitar player Hank Garland from 1957 to 1961.

Was director Robert Wise's original choice to play Tony in West Side Story (1961).

Portrayed by actor Jason Alan Smith in the film Crazy (2006).

Nephew of Vester Presley.

Although the films he starred in were not critically acclaimed, only Wild in the Country (1961) failed to get its money back.

In the month following his final concert at Indianapolis on 26 June 1977, he was reported to have gained a further 50 lbs in weight.

Is portrayed by Val Kilmer in True Romance (1993). Like Presley, Kilmer also has Cherokee heritage.

Of his many impersonators, his personal favorite was Andy Kaufman.

Prior to being signed by RCA in November 1955, Elvis was known as "The Hillbilly Cat" in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.

Although his height was measured as 6' when he joined the army in 1958, photographs show Elvis was wearing his army boots at the time which may have slightly increased his height.

Is portrayed by Michael St. Gerard in Great Balls of Fire! (1989)

His song "Heartbreak Hotel" is based on a suicide note left in a Florida hotel suite.

Elvis topped the Forbes list of deceased highest earners for the fourth consecutive year, with earnings of $45 million in the year 2004.

In 1977 alone, his personal physician Dr George Constantine Nichopoulos (usually referred to as "Dr Nick") had prescribed 10,000 hits of amphetamines, barbiturates, narcotics, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, laxatives, and hormones for Presley.

Barbra Streisand originally wanted Elvis to play the role of John Norman Howard in A Star Is Born (1976), but the studio couldn't meet Colonel Tom Parker's demands ($1 million plus equal billing with Streisand).

Among the actors who coveted the role, Elvis dreamed of playing Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather (1972), but could not get an audition.

One of his biggest hit songs, "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", was actually written in 1926 and first recorded by Al Jolson.

He was an avid collector of guns and badges.

Is the subject of the song "Elvis Ate America" on the album Passengers Original Sountrack 1.

Once claimed Robert Mitchum was the inspiration for his famous hairstyle. Presley met Mitchum to discuss the possibility of starring together in Thunder Road (1958), but unfortunately Colonel Tom Parker's demands for Presley's salary could not be met.

Is portrayed by 'Peter Dobson' in Forrest Gump (1994).

Along with Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins, Elvis was a member of the celebrated "Million Dollar Quartet", so named because they were money-makers for Sam Phillips's Sun Records Label.

Newspaper reports indicated that Sammy Davis Jr., Farrah Fawcett, Burt Reynolds and John Wayne were supposed to attend Presley's funeral, but they did not turn up. Ann-Margret, James Brown and George Hamilton were the only celebrities in attendance.

He was seriously considered for the role of the Texas Ranger in _True Grit (1969)_ starring John Wayne. Unfortunately Colonel Tom Parker's demand that Presley should receive top billing could not be met, so the part went to Glen Campbell instead.

He was offered a role in the animated film Gay Purr-ee (1962).

His autopsy detected fourteen different drugs in his bloodstream, ten in significant quantity.

His home Graceland in Memphis is the second most popular private tourist attraction in the United States after the White House, and is estimated to bring in $150 million to the city itself each year.

Named the highest earning deceased celebrity for the sixth consecutive year in 2006 by Forbes.com.

He was considered for Ricky Nelson's role in Rio Bravo (1959) starring John Wayne and Dean Martin. However, by the time filming began in May 1958 Presley was stationed with the US army in Germany.

He never wrote a song during his music career.

In 1973 he was biggest tax payer in USA.

It was estimated that he earned earned $4.5 billion in his lifetime.

Has sold roughly 1,800,000,000 records (1.8 billion), more than any other artist or music group.

With a lot of entertainers making a living mimicking Elvis, Jimmy Buffett wrote a song called "Elvis Imitators" making mention of a few of Elvis' films, song titles, and mannerisms.

Has sold 1.8 billion records worldwide, more than any other artist or music group.

Was discovered by Sam Phillips.

Inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to British music and integral part of British music culture. [11 November 2004]

Both his parents were unemployed welfare recipients.

In 1970 he wrote to J. Edgar Hoover requesting to join the FBI at the height of its campaign against political protests in the United States.

At his meeting with President Richard Nixon in December 1970, Presley denounced The Beatles as "very anti-American" for openly using drugs and protesting the Vietnam War, and suggested that they should be banned from entering the United States.

Met President Lyndon Johnson at the White House in 1965.

Was voted best singer of all time by Q Magazine.

Has been portrayed by actors like Val Kilmer, Harvey Keitel, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Kurt Russell, Don Johnson, Bruce Campbell, David Keith, Rob Youngblood and Peter Dobson.

The last song he performed in public was "Can't Help Falling In Love".

He did an early '60s concert in Hawaii, and donated the proceeds to help build the USS Arizona memorial.

Has sold 1.1 billion records worldwide, more than any other artist or group apart from The Beatles.

Turned down leading role in The Fastest Guitar Alive (1967), which went to his friend Roy Orbison.

In 2007 the National Rifle Association (NRA) released an Elvis Presley Tribute Revolver, officially authorized by his estate.

Following a concert in Hawaii in 1961, Presley concentrated on making movies and he did not perform live before an audience again for eight years until his return to Las Vegas in 1969.

Ranked #2 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists.

Ranked #8 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Rock & Roll.

As a young man, Elvis idolized a gospel group called The Statesmen. According to Elvis' backup singer and lifelong friend Joe Moscheo, Elvis' leg-twitching dance moves were inspired by The Statesmen's bass singer, 'Big Chief' Wetherington, who was famous for his leg twitching.

Between 1957 and 1969, he performed only two concerts and made just two television appearances.

In 1962 he ceased almost completely to record non-soundtrack songs until his 1969 album "From Elvis in Memphis".

In July of 2005, Presley was named one of the top 100 "Greatest Americans," following a vote organized by Discovery Channel. In the vote, Presley ranked ahead of all entertainers and in 8th place behind Presidents Ronald Reagan, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, plus Martin Luther King and Benjamin Franklin.

Has spent a total of 79 Weeks at the number 1 position in USA.

In total, he has spent 2,574 weeks in both the UK singles and album charts, way ahead of his closest competitors, namely Cliff Richard (1,982), Queen (1,755), the Beatles (1,749), and Madonna (1,660).

He was planning his first ever European tour in 1978.

In Alexandria, Louisiana, early in 1977 a local journalist complained that the singer was on stage for less than an hour and "was impossible to understand." In Baton Rouge, Presley didn't go on stage at all. He was unable to get out of his hotel bed and the rest of the tour was canceled.

Investor CKX paid $100 million for an 85% interest in Presley's income in February 2005.

Robbie Williams dedicated his song "Advertising Space" to him.



Personal Quotes
[When asked who he sounded like] "I don't sound like nobody."

[when asked what kind of music he sings] "I sing all kinds."

"I don't like being called Elvis The Pelvis. That's gotta be one of the most childish expressions I've ever heard coming from an adult."

"Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do 'em all together, I guess."

[his acceptance speech from the 1970 Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation Awards] "When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic book. I saw movies, and I was the hero in the movie. So every dream I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times . . . I learned very early in life that 'Without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain't got a friend; without a song, the road would never bend - without a song.' So I keep singing a song. Goodnight. Thank you."

"There's been a big change in the music field in the last 10 or 12 years. I think everything has improved - the sounds have improved, the musicians have improved, the engineers have definitely improved. I like a lot of the new groups, y'know, The Beatles and The Byrds and the . . . whoever, but I really like a lot of the new music, but a lot of it is basically, our music is basically, rock 'n roll music is basically gospel or rhythm and blues. People have been adding to it, adding instruments to it, experimenting with it."

[I just fell into it really. My daddy and I were laughing about it the other day. He looked at me and said, 'What happened, El? The last thing I remember is I was working in a can factory and you were driving a truck'. We all feel the same way about it. Still it just caught us up."

[on performing] "It's like a surge of electricity going through you. It's almost like making love, but it's even stronger than that . . . sometimes I think my heart is going to explode."

"My daddy had seen a lot of people who played guitars and stuff and didn't work, so he said, 'You should make up your mind either about being an electrician or playing a guitar, and I never saw a guitar player that was worth a damn.' "

"The image is one thing and the human being is another, it's very hard to live up to an image."

"A live concert to me is exciting because of all the electricity that is generated in the crowd and on stage. It's my favorite part of the business - live concerts."

"I've never gotten over what they call stage fright. I go through it every show. I'm pretty concerned, I'm pretty much thinking about the show. I never get completely comfortable with it, and I don't let the people around me get comfortable with it, in that I remind them that it's a new crowd out there, it's a new audience, and they haven't seen us before. So it's got to be like the first time we go on."

[at a 1972 press conference in Madison Square Garden] "Man, I was tame compared to what they do now, are you kidding? All that I ever did was just jiggle."

"I want to entertain people. That's my whole life. To my last breath."

"The police filmed a show one time in Florida because of the P.G.A, Y.M.C.A., or somebody. They thought that I was...something. They said, 'Man, he's got to be crazy'. So they, the police, came out and filmed the show. I couldn't move. I had to stand still. The only thing I could move was my little finger like that. 'You ain't nothing but a hound dog crying all the time', y'know, for the whole show".

"Take care of the fans and they will sure as hell take care of you."

"I don't know anything about music. In my line you don't have to."

"I wiggle my shoulders, I shake my legs, I walk up and down the stage, I hop around on one foot. But I never bump and grind. Why, that's vulgar. I'd never do anything vulgar before an audience. My mother would never allow it."

"Roy Orbison is the greatest singer in the world."

[1956] "The colored folks been singing it and playing it just like I'm doin' now, man, for more years than I know. They played it like that in their shanties and in their juke joints and nobody paid it no mind 'til I goosed it up. I got it from them. Down in Tupelo, Mississippi, I used to hear old Arthur Crudup bang his box the way I do now and I said if I ever got to a place I could feel all old Arthur felt, I'd be a music man like nobody ever saw."

I get tired of playing a guy who gets into a fight, then starts singing to the guy he's just beat up."

"I am not the King. Jesus Christ is the King. I'm just an entertainer."

"Since I was two years old, all I knew was gospel music. That music became such a part of my life it was as natural as dancing. A way to escape from my problems, an my way of release."

[On Blue Hawaii (1961)] "In the movie we did a song called the 'Hawaiian Wedding Song'. Elvis claimed it was so real that it took me ten years before I realized I wasn't married to the chick."

WE MISS YOU ELVIS!

WHAT WERE YOU DOING ON AUGUST 16TH 1977?

On the day that we are recognizing the 30th ANNIVERSARY OF THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL having left the house for the last time.

DO YOU REMEMBER?
WHERE YOU WERE?
WHAT YOU WERE DOING WHEN YOU HEARD THE NEWS OF HIS PASSING?

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