| Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 — August 16, 1977) was an American singer and an actor. In spite of 30 years have passed after his death, Elvis Presley records remain successful in XX century’s popular music charts and many unsurpassed records in sound recording area still belong to him. His familiarity is so widespread that many people call him simply by his name- “Elvis”. Set expression “King of Rock n Roll” is also associated with Elvis (In America Elvis is often referred to as “The King”).
1956 was a breakthrough year in the life of Elvis Presley bringing him not only national but also global fame. Presley's first RCA was «Heartbreak Hotel», a sensitive Blues composition. Song did not have anything in common with previous songs on Sun Records and RCA was apprehensive but their fear turned out to be in vain: Single reached number one spot in US and more than million copies were sold. Immediately, singles “Blue Suede Shoes” & “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” and also first long playing album (“Elvis Presley”) were released, which crossed the million mark sales for the first time in the history of sound recording. At the same time, Elvis Presley started appearing on TV for the First time, causing shock to America and generating instantaneous love of thousands of American teenagers. Music, clothing, movements, manners and youth of Elvis— entire things were different from usual country singers and even more so on pop signers like Sinatra. At the same time, his performances were badly received by the older generation, who could see vulgarity and lack of talent in Presley (Specially the negative reaction was due to the TV show of Milton Berle, on which in June 1956, Elvis, for the first time performed “Hound Dog”). The show created a “Rebel” image of Elvis Presley even though the singer has never felt himself like a rebel and was rather natural in his manners. Ed Sullivan can serve as an example for the treatment towards the singer. Initially, Ed Sullivan stated that Elvis Presley cannot find a place in Ed Sullivan Show but later on invited Presley to appear on several episodes. During a live telecast, Ed Sullivan quoted that Elvis Presley is “a real decent, fine boy”.
In 1956 summer, Elvis Presley recorded single “Hound Dog / Don’t Be Cruel” and in fall (autumn) a second album “Elvis”- Both reached number one spot. By this time, Presley attained International fame thanks to the sale of records on foreign soil (Especially and sufficiently stable success was and remains to be in Great Britain and Germany). In October, American magazines named Elvis Presley “King of Rock-n-Roll”. At that time, Colonel Tom Parker became sole manager of Elvis Presley.
For almost 30 yrs, Elvis Presley remained one of the most famous personalities of world pop culture. In America, Elvis Presley has already become a household name on a level with presidents and sportsmen. Humor, associations, hints, open parodies etc have become integral phenomena of American Entertainment Industry. Many films and telefilms were made both biographic and as well as films having indirect connection with the life of Presley and even many more books were published (including encyclopedia and culinary). Copyist industry of Presley prospers around the world (Copyists, as a rule, use most recognizable figure of Presley of 1970s). His estate “Graceland” is second place in USA after White House with respect to attendance (600 thousands of people per year).
Music of Elvis Presley continues to be published without losing the circulations (See below for detailed discography). Large-scale marketing campaigns are organized periodically to bring Presley in top slots of hit parades (Emergence of DVDs or new singles). From 2002 onwards, for the first time, “Official” dance remixes of Presley’s songs were released: «A Little Less Conversation» (2002; Remix Junkie XL), «Rubberneckin'» (2004; Remix Paul Oakenfold). In 1999, BMG founded new label “Follow That Dream”, which specialized on the release of Presley’s musical products (See Discography).
“Elvis Presley Enterprises” handles all the deals of Presley and the company has the right to commercial use the names “Elvis” and “Elvis Presley”. Company is partially under the control of Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley. Lisa Marie Presley is also a singer and released 2 albums. |
Elvis Presley Enterprises, which manages Presley's Graceland, ran the
first official Elvis Presley Impersonator contest on the
week-long series of concerts dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the
King's death. The "Ultimate Elvis" title went to the 38 year old Shawn
Klush from Pennsylvania who was awarded $5,000 in cash plus another
$5,000 to spend at the Graceland souvenir shopping trip. The contest
marks a big change in the attitude of Graceland managers who
previously distanced Graceland from Elvis impersonators considering
them nothing more than a cheap imitation of the great King of Rock & Roll.
