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© Getty Images
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Where it all began - The King was born Elvis Aron Presley on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Presley changed his middle name to the biblical "Aaron."
© Shutterstock
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Lone twin - Presley was supposed to have a twin brother, Jesse Garon, however he was sadly stillborn.
© Public Domain
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The Presleys - The singer was born into a working-class family, who frequently moved from place to place. Elvis especially connected with his mother, Gladys, and her faith in God.
© Getty Images
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Touched by God
- As a child, Presley went to the Assembly of God Church with his family. Gospel music would heavily influence the young musician.
© Getty Images
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Faith in music - Elvis got his first guitar for his 11th birthday, given to him by his mother. A few years later he won his high school talent show, and started to pursue a career in music.
© BrunoPress
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First demo - The singer recorded his first demo at Sun Studio after graduating in 1953. Label owner Sam Phillips took Presley under his wing.
© Getty Images
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'That's All Right' - Presley started to hit the road, and continued to record more music. 'That's All Right' was his first single, released in 1954.
© BrunoPress
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Causing a stir - Soon, he started to develop a major following, with fans drawn to the singer's striking music and dance moves.
© BrunoPress
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Signed artist - Under guidance from his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, Presley signed to RCA Records in 1955.
© Getty Images
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1956 - 1956 was a big year for the King. He got his first number one single with 'Heartbreak Hotel,' and his first number one album with 'Elvis Presley.' He also signed a contract with Paramount Pictures.
© BrunoPress
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Ed and Elvis - Presley's provocative dancing caused a stir in America, but the star was a frequent guest on shows like 'The Ed Sullivan Show.'
© Public Domain
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Elvis fever - By the mid '50s Presley was quite prolific. He was on TV, radio, and in movies too. His first film, 'Love Me Tender,' was obviously a commercial success.
© BrunoPress
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Graceland - By 1957, Elvis had bought Graceland, spending over US$100,000 on the mansion in Memphis.
© BrunoPress
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Drafted into the army - The same year, the singer was drafted into the army, and was inducted the following year. He served in Germany for around 18 months.
© Public Domain
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Farewell - Gladys Presley passed away just before Elvis left for Europe. He was granted leave from the army, and flew back to Memphis for her funeral.
© BrunoPress
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Meeting Priscilla - The singer returned to duty in Germany, where he met Priscilla Beaulieu, who was still a teenager at the time. They soon struck up a romance.
© Getty Images
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Back to America - Presley left the army in 1960, and returned to the charts with the soundtrack for 'GI Blues,' a film in which he also starred. The singer went on to star in hit films like 'Blue Hawaii,' 'Girls! Girls! Girls!', and 'Viva Las Vegas.'
© BrunoPress
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Continued success - That said, not every Elvis film was super popular. However, they usually made a lot of money, and the soundtracks were often quite successful.
© Getty Images
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Tying the knot - By 1967, Presley and Priscilla's relationship had blossomed, and they married that year.
© Getty Images
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Welcome Lisa - The happy couple had a daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, born in 1968.
© Getty Images
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Ups and downs - However, Presley's spotlight was fading in the late '60s, with his films making less and less. He wowed audiences once again in 1968, with a unique TV special.
© Getty Images
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Priscilla leaves with Lisa - Sadly, Presley's relationship with Priscilla had taken a hit, and the couple divorced in 1973. Priscilla took custody of Lisa Marie.
© Getty Images
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Personal demons - Around this time the star was also struggling with personal problems, such as drug addiction.
© Getty Images
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Hospitalized - Presley was also faced with a weight problem, and was hospitalized with health issues in 1973. He used a fake name for the hospital.
© Getty Images
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The Vegas era - The King would remain a big name in Las Vegas, and drew huge crowds even in the throws of personal problems.
© BrunoPress
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The last concert - Presley's last concert was on June 26, 1977, at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana.
© Getty Images
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Return to home - The singer regrouped in Graceland, preparing for his next tour. He passed away aged 42 on the morning of August 16, 1977, dying of heart failure related to his prescription drug use.
© Getty Images
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Resting place - Elvis Presley was buried at Graceland, near the graves of his parents.
© Getty Images
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The King's legacy
- Presley will be remembered as one of the most famous and influential musicians of all time. He helped popularize rock and roll, and is the best-selling solo artist ever.
© Getty Images
29 / 30 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 30 Fotos
Where it all began - The King was born Elvis Aron Presley on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Presley changed his middle name to the biblical "Aaron."
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Lone twin - Presley was supposed to have a twin brother, Jesse Garon, however he was sadly stillborn.
© Public Domain
2 / 30 Fotos
The Presleys - The singer was born into a working-class family, who frequently moved from place to place. Elvis especially connected with his mother, Gladys, and her faith in God.
© Getty Images
3 / 30 Fotos
Touched by God
- As a child, Presley went to the Assembly of God Church with his family. Gospel music would heavily influence the young musician.
© Getty Images
4 / 30 Fotos
Faith in music - Elvis got his first guitar for his 11th birthday, given to him by his mother. A few years later he won his high school talent show, and started to pursue a career in music.
© BrunoPress
5 / 30 Fotos
First demo - The singer recorded his first demo at Sun Studio after graduating in 1953. Label owner Sam Phillips took Presley under his wing.
© Getty Images
6 / 30 Fotos
'That's All Right' - Presley started to hit the road, and continued to record more music. 'That's All Right' was his first single, released in 1954.
© BrunoPress
7 / 30 Fotos
Causing a stir - Soon, he started to develop a major following, with fans drawn to the singer's striking music and dance moves.
© BrunoPress
8 / 30 Fotos
Signed artist - Under guidance from his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, Presley signed to RCA Records in 1955.
© Getty Images
9 / 30 Fotos
1956 - 1956 was a big year for the King. He got his first number one single with 'Heartbreak Hotel,' and his first number one album with 'Elvis Presley.' He also signed a contract with Paramount Pictures.
© BrunoPress
10 / 30 Fotos
Ed and Elvis - Presley's provocative dancing caused a stir in America, but the star was a frequent guest on shows like 'The Ed Sullivan Show.'
© Public Domain
11 / 30 Fotos
Elvis fever - By the mid '50s Presley was quite prolific. He was on TV, radio, and in movies too. His first film, 'Love Me Tender,' was obviously a commercial success.
© BrunoPress
12 / 30 Fotos
Graceland - By 1957, Elvis had bought Graceland, spending over US$100,000 on the mansion in Memphis.
© BrunoPress
13 / 30 Fotos
Drafted into the army - The same year, the singer was drafted into the army, and was inducted the following year. He served in Germany for around 18 months.
© Public Domain
14 / 30 Fotos
Farewell - Gladys Presley passed away just before Elvis left for Europe. He was granted leave from the army, and flew back to Memphis for her funeral.
© BrunoPress
15 / 30 Fotos
Meeting Priscilla - The singer returned to duty in Germany, where he met Priscilla Beaulieu, who was still a teenager at the time. They soon struck up a romance.
© Getty Images
16 / 30 Fotos
Back to America - Presley left the army in 1960, and returned to the charts with the soundtrack for 'GI Blues,' a film in which he also starred. The singer went on to star in hit films like 'Blue Hawaii,' 'Girls! Girls! Girls!', and 'Viva Las Vegas.'
© BrunoPress
17 / 30 Fotos
Continued success - That said, not every Elvis film was super popular. However, they usually made a lot of money, and the soundtracks were often quite successful.
© Getty Images
18 / 30 Fotos
Tying the knot - By 1967, Presley and Priscilla's relationship had blossomed, and they married that year.
© Getty Images
19 / 30 Fotos
Welcome Lisa - The happy couple had a daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, born in 1968.
© Getty Images
20 / 30 Fotos
Ups and downs - However, Presley's spotlight was fading in the late '60s, with his films making less and less. He wowed audiences once again in 1968, with a unique TV special.
© Getty Images
21 / 30 Fotos
Priscilla leaves with Lisa - Sadly, Presley's relationship with Priscilla had taken a hit, and the couple divorced in 1973. Priscilla took custody of Lisa Marie.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
Personal demons - Around this time the star was also struggling with personal problems, such as drug addiction.
© Getty Images
23 / 30 Fotos
Hospitalized - Presley was also faced with a weight problem, and was hospitalized with health issues in 1973. He used a fake name for the hospital.
© Getty Images
24 / 30 Fotos
The Vegas era - The King would remain a big name in Las Vegas, and drew huge crowds even in the throws of personal problems.
© BrunoPress
25 / 30 Fotos
The last concert - Presley's last concert was on June 26, 1977, at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana.
© Getty Images
26 / 30 Fotos
Return to home - The singer regrouped in Graceland, preparing for his next tour. He passed away aged 42 on the morning of August 16, 1977, dying of heart failure related to his prescription drug use.
© Getty Images
27 / 30 Fotos
Resting place - Elvis Presley was buried at Graceland, near the graves of his parents.
© Getty Images
28 / 30 Fotos
The King's legacy
- Presley will be remembered as one of the most famous and influential musicians of all time. He helped popularize rock and roll, and is the best-selling solo artist ever.
© Getty Images
29 / 30 Fotos
Elvis Presley: the untold story of the King
The King passed away 45 years ago today
© Getty Images
Stars come and go with the times, but in showbiz there's one name that won't fade away. Elvis Presley, otherwise known as the King, may be remembered forever. In just 42 years on Earth, the American singer conquered the world of entertainment.
First it was his music, with songs like 'Heartbreak Hotel' dominating the radio. Then it was the look, the audacious dance moves, which sent shock waves through conservative America and across the globe. Elvis became a household name thanks to performances on programs like 'The Ed Sullivan Show,' which led him into the world of cinema. Though his acting skills are cynically debated, it's undeniable that Presley also made a huge impact in the world of film. His performances in 'King Creole,' 'Blue Hawaii,' 'Viva Las Vegas' are loveable, and only helped the King build his empire.
Intrigued? Find out about Presley's tough upbringing, religious beliefs, domestic drama, and his tragic demise in this gallery.
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