TimelineJANUARY 8, 1935THE KING IS BORNElvis was born in East Tupelo, Mississippi. His twin brother died at birth.

1946BEGAN PLAYING GUITARElvis received his first guitar at the age of 11.

1948MOVED TO MEMPHISIn Memphis, he was influenced by African American music.

1953RECORDED FIRST ALBUMHis first album cost him four dollars. It was recorded at a public recording studio.

1954FORMED A BANDElvis formed his first band with guitarist Scotty Moore and bass guitarist Bill Black. They recorded with elements of rock, country, blues, and gospel.

1955EMPLOYS A MANAGERElvis and “Colonel” Tom Parker began their notorious management relationship which boosted Presley into superstardom.

1956TOPPED THE CHARTSThe single “Heartbreak Hotel” remained number one on pop music charts for eight weeks. This was his first RCA recording.

1957DRAFTED INTO ARMYPresley was drafted into the US Army. The shaving of his hair caused a national uproar.

East Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis’ birthplace. “Colonel” Tom Parker and Elvis Presley. Elvis getting his hair cut after being drafted into the US Army.

ELVIS PRESLEY EVAN, GWYNNE, AND ISABELLE

1961PROFITPresley made a huge profit, selling $76 million in records.

MAR. 25, 1961FILMMAKINGIn 1961, Presley began eight years of filmmaking.

1967MARRIEDHe married Priscilla Beaulieu. She was the daughter of an army comrade from Germany.

1968COMEBACKElvis made a comeback onto the music scene. He began performing regularly in Las Vegas.

FEB. 1, 1968DAUGHTER BORNElvis’ daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, was born.

1973SATELLITE BROADCASTElvis’ performance in Hawaii was the first to be broadcast by satellite.

1973DIVORCEPresley filed for divorce and became reclusive.

JUNE 27, 1977LAST PERFORMANCEPresley played his last live show in Indianapolis, Indiana.

AUG. 16, 1977DIVORCEPresley was found dead on the floor of his Graceland bathroom.

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MERGED STEREOTYPICAL “BLACK MUSIC” WITH POPULAR MUSIC OF THE TIMEIn 1953, Sun Records, a prominent record company in the south, was searching for a “white man who could sing like a Negro,” and they found it in Elvis Presley. As a child, Elvis surrounded himself with music, like gospel that flourished in his southern home. Later, he explored jazz and rockabilly styles. These soulful sounds stuck with the singer. When introduced to his band, the group’s energy seized every performance. They incorporated soul, energy and rhythm to engage American audiences. Rock n’ roll became a large portion of Presley’s repertoire. The primarily black style became acceptable to the public when sung by a white boy. Presley’s records topped charts throughout his career. Through him, white America fell in love with the fun, loose music of their black neighbors. (Biography Resource Center)

PIONEERED EROTIC MOVEMENT IN PERFORMANCESEveryone knows of Elvis’ famous hip gyrations. He drove girls mad with lust and parents mad with fury. His live performances were known for their entertainingly suggestive nature. With this, Elvis became one of the first socially acceptable sex symbols. He understood the importance of his body. Sure, churches may have renounced him, and perhaps he caused uproar here or there, however, his methods were effective. Presley made

over $40 million from merchandise alone, concerts regularly sold out, and his records always topped the charts. The movement and dance begun by Presley has become a staple in live music performances. Now nobody goes to a concert without expecting to witness an entertaining show. (ABC-CLIO)

REINVENTED SUPERSTARDOMWho else can be called “The King?” Elvis Presley’s rise to fame transformed what it meant to be a star. His public influence defined a generation. The hoards of females enthralled by Elvis set a new standard for rock stars. The drugs, posse, and multiple women in Presley’s life became expected from all ‘rock n rollers’. This phenomenal musician made quite the bang, an impression others have tried to live up to for years. (Biography Resource Center)

INCORPORATED MUSIC, FILM, AND MERCHANDISE INTO A BUSINESS EMPIREEveryone knows Elvis for his singing, however his business extended far beyond that. Presley longed for a career in film. His light-hearted movies grossed the performer $250,000 per movie. One record alone could make Elvis $60,000. Plus as an entrepreneur, Elvis merchandise was sold raking in over $40 million dollars in total. It is estimated Presley’s net worth came to about $7 million dollars due to his greedy manager and excessive gift giving. However, Elvis managed to lay the ground works for an empire, which

has made over $200 million for his family. (Biography Resource Center)

IMPROVED INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSElvis Presley’s fame transcended all borders. He began in the south, popular among the impoverished black community. He managed to integrate into white popular music. His fame grew to reach hormonal American teens. Even the President welcomed Elvis. After dominating the US, the obvious next step was the world. This icon’s popularity did just that. In his famous performance “Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite” Elvis’s performance was broadcast to 1.5 million people in 40 different countries. This common star related people to each other, bringing the world closer through music. (ABC-CLIO)

Summary of Accomplishments

EVAN R RIEGER Monday, March 8, 2010 8:31:49 AM ET

Social, Political, and Economic Background

SOCIAL POLITICAL ECONOMIC

In the 1950s, the social culture was still a bit conservative (or very conservative compared to present day). Presley was a factor in the modernization of that culture.

During the 1950s and 60s, America was at odds with Russia. Elvis Presley’s popularity flourished during this time of uncertainty.

Presley grew up in a depressed southern community. His fiscal situation helped Elvis learn the value of money, but more importantly the value of family.

Presley grew up and spent his life in the southern portion of the United States. He was heavily influenced by African American culture and music, and this influence sparked the roots of his musical style.

The Cold War continued in the 50s, yet Presley’s music eased the uncertainty of America’s youth.

The national economy flourished during Elvis’ time. It was right after the Great Depression during a time of huge economic prosperity.

He popularized rock and roll music. This is not to say that others had not, but he was a cornerstone in the process of rock and roll appreciation.

The “Race to the Moon” began as Elvis became a national figure. Technological increases, like his televised concert in Hawaii, also helped Presley’s career.

Record sales boomed in the thriving economy. For example, Elvis sold over 1 billion records throughout his career.

Presley’s genre of music varied from slow ballads all the way to rockabilly. This gave him popularity with a wide variety of listeners.

During the height of his popularity, Elvis was drafted into the army. He served America in Germany during the frantic Cold War.

Merchandise proved essential to Presley’s income. Teens with paychecks and allowances spent over a collective $40 million on Elvis merchandise alone.

It was believed by many that Presley was destroying the youth of the 1950s-60s. They thought he was an inappropriate sex symbol that was deteriorating the minds of women everywhere.

Elvis aided the Civil Rights Movement. His dedication to “black” music in white communities merged the two cultures.

Elvis was a controversial figure throughout his career. His erotic movements concerned the parents of America. However, strong economic conditions helped Americans accept the new singer due to their personal prosperity.

EVAN R RIEGER Monday, March 8, 2010 8:31:49 AM ET