| Date of Birth:: 8 January 1935, Tupelo, Mississippi, USA Date of Death:: 16 August 1977, Memphis, Tennessee, USA (cardiac arrhythmia) Birth Name:: Elvis Aron Presley Nickname:: The Pelvis The King The King Of Rock 'n' Roll Height:: 6' (1.83 m) Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in East Tupelo, Mississippi. In September 1948 when Elvis was 13, he and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee. After graduating from Humes High School in Memphis, Elvis took odd jobs working as a movie theater usher and a truck driver for Crown Electric Company. 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). At the time of his death, he had sold over 600-million singles and albums. In 1956 following his 6 TV appearances on The Dorsey Brothers'" Stage Show" , Elvis was cast in his first acting role in a supporting part in Love Me Tender (1956), the first of 33 movies he starred in. Critics blasted most of his films, but they did very well at the box-office earning upwards of $150 million total. Elvis's military service in the late 1950s and the "British invasion" of the 1960s reduced his concerts, though not his movie/recording income. Through the 1960s, Elvis settled in Hollywood where he starred in over 20 movies, acting alongside some of the most well known character actors in Hollywood. Elvis made a comeback in the 1970s with live concert appearances starting in early 1970 in Las Vegas with over 57 sold-out shows. Elvis toured throughout the USA appearing on-stage in over 500 live appearances, many of them sold out shows. But the stress of constantly traveling as well as his increasing weight gain and dependence upon stimulants and depressants took their toll. Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977 at his mansion in Graceland, near Memphis at age 42. Since his death, his Memphis home Graceland has become a shrine for millions of followers worldwide. Elvis impersonators and purported sightings have become stock subjects for humorists. Elvis Presley began his career as one of the first performers of rockabilly, an up-tempo fusion of country and rhythm and blues with a strong back beat. His novel versions of existing songs, mixing 'black' and 'white' sounds, made him popular - and controversial - as did his uninhibited stage and television performances. He recorded songs in the rock and roll genre, with tracks like "Jailhouse Rock" and "Hound Dog" later embodying the style. Presley had a versatile voice and had unusually wide success encompassing other genres, including gospel, blues, ballads and pop. To date, he is the only performer to have been inducted into three separate music 'Halls of Fame'. In the 1960s, Presley made the majority of his thirty-three movies - mainly poorly reviewed musicals. 1970 saw a critically-acclaimed return to live music, followed by performances in Las Vegas and across the U.S. Throughout his career, he set records for concert attendance, television ratings and recordings sales. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in the history of popular music. His death, at the age of 42, shocked his fans worldwide. Spouse:: Priscilla Presley (1 May 1967 - 9 October 1973) (divorced) 1 child Lisa Marie Trade Mark:: The famous left-sided grin. The movement of the pelvis that gave him the nickname "Elvis - the pelvis" which he hated so much. Sideburns. White sequined jumpsuits with rhinestones. 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 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. His autopsy detected ten different drugs in his bloodstream. 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 (1955) (TV), 5 March 1955 in Shreveport, Louisiana. In September 1955, "Country Song Roundup" magazine was the first to feature an 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, 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 #1 on Billboard's country chart (and 10 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100) was the #1 country song of 1956. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998. His 1977 country hit, "Way Down," was the #1 song on Billboard magazine's country singles chart the week of Elvis' death. Nine other songs would go to #1 on Billboard's country charts between 1956 and 1981: "I Forgot to Remember to Forget, " "Heartbreak Hotel," "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You," and the two-sided #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 #1 country hits were also #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 the show and had always wanted to perform on it. However, according to Lovullo, Elvis remarked they'd have to tape his spots in the middle of the night, knowing that if manager Tom Parker found out, he'd never clear his appearance. Several months after Elvis' death, his father, Vernon Presley, appeared on "Hee Haw" 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 once, on his third and final appearance in January 1957. 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 estimated to be 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 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 broadcast) 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 crimefighting 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 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"). Was on the school boxing team at Humes High School. 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 , Cherokee and Jewish ancestry among others. There is a Star of David and a Cross on his mother's grave. 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 show 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 old Italian song "Mama", as his mother had 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. Lived with Linda Thompson for four and a half years years, from 1972 to 1976. She was a former "Miss Tennessee," actress and songwriter. Other than Priscilla Presley, Thompson was the most significant romantic relationship that Elvis ever had. As an infant he survived a tornado in Tupelo, MS, that killed 233 people. Is portrayed by Kurt Russell in Elvis (1979/I) (TV), Bruce Campbell in Bubba Ho-tep (2002), Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Elvis (2005) (TV), Tyler Hilton in Walk the Line (2005), Val Kilmer in True Romance (1993) and 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 Jason Alan Smith in Crazy (2007/I). Nephew of Vester Presley. Most of the films he starred in were not critically acclaimed - although he received good reviews for Flaming Star (1960) and King Creole (1958) - but 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 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 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' 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, Tom Parker's demand that Presley 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 is credited as a co-writer of "(I'll) You'll Be Gone" (1965). This was the B side of the hit from his film Girl Happy (1965), "Do The Clam". It is found in his five-CD box set of '60s recordings. Elvis composed the lyrics and brought the song to a recording session. In 1973 he was the biggest taxpayer in the US. It was estimated that he earned earned $4.5 billion in his lifetime. 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. Met President Lyndon Johnson at the White House in 1965. Was voted best singer of all time by Q Magazine. Has been portrayed by 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". at The Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1977. 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. His records have spent a total of 79 weeks at the #1 position in the US. His records have spent 2,574 weeks in both the UK singles and album charts, way ahead of his closest competitors 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. He is credited as a co-writer of "(I'll) You'll Be Gone" (1965). This was the B side of the hit from his film Girl Happy (1965), "Do The Clam". It is found in his five-CD box set of '60s recordings. Elvis composed the lyrics and brought the song to a recording session.He is also listed in the writer's credits to "Heartbreak Hotel". Of his movies, the one he disliked the most was Clambake (1967). His favorite actors were James Dean, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen and Marlon Brando - who ironically strongly disliked Presley. Some of his favorite movies were Rebel Without a Cause (1955), The Magnificent Seven (1960), Bullitt (1968) and Dirty Harry (1971). Mentioned in Walter Kirn's novel "Thumbsucker". He was a great fan of Peter Sellers. Was a fan of Tony Curtis. On seeing Elvis Presley in rehearsal for "Stage Show" (1954) for which he was the producer, Jackie Gleason described Elvis as "Marlon Brando with a guitar". Was the first entertainer to introduce karate in an American motion picture (Flaming Star (1960). Was a master guitar player. While he never joined any political party, his political views were somewhat mixed. During the early 1960s he was an outspoken admirer of liberal President John F. Kennedy. He later confessed to "weeping openly" at the news of Kennedy's death. Later in life, however, he made a more conservative move on the political spectrum. He began singing the praises of President Richard Nixon, and his right-wing streak culminated in a visit to the White House in December 1970. During the visit, Presley was photographed giving the President a handgun, which was (for security reasons) presented but not given. Presley spoke of his admiration for Nixon, revealed his disgust at the hippie counterculture, spoke disparagingly of The Beatles (he said that having earned their money in America, they had then left for England to promote "anti-American" feelings), fervently expressed his patriotism, offered to infiltrate and go undercover in left-wing hippie groups, asked to be appointed a federal narcotics agent, and even hugged the president twice. Nixon, for his part, was not sure if Presley was serious or not, but granted his request and made him an honorary federal agent. Nixon said he was equally parts bewildered and amused by the encounter, thanked Presley for his support, and the picture of the duo has become one of the most famous photos taken in the White House. On Presley's death in 1977, the former president asked Americans to lower their flags all over the country as a mark of respect. He was good friends with Johnny Cash, going back to their Sun Records days. Voted the third greatest singer of the rock era in a Rolling Stone magazine poll in 2008. Salary:: Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii (1973) (TV) $450,000 Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970) $500,000 + 60% of profits Charro! (1969) $850,000 + 50% of profits Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966) $225,000 + 50% of profits Tickle Me (1965) $750,000 Girl Happy (1965) $500,000 + 50% of profits Viva Las Vegas (1964) $500,000 + 50% of profits Fun in Acapulco (1963) $500,000 + 50% of profits It Happened at the World's Fair (1963) $500,000 + 50% of profits Kid Galahad (1962) $1,000,000 Follow That Dream (1962) $1,000,000 Blue Hawaii (1961) $175,000 G.I. Blues (1960) $175,000 + % of gross Frank Sinatra's Welcome Home Party for Elvis Presley (1960) (TV) $125,000 King Creole (1958) $250,000+50% of profits Jailhouse Rock (1957) $250,000 Loving You (1957) $150,000 Love Me Tender (1956) $100,000 |
