Elvis Presley is a cult figure in the history of the development of American rock and roll in the middle of the XNUMXth century. Post-war youth needed the rhythmic and incendiary music of Elvis.
Hits half a century ago are popular even today. The artist's songs can be heard not only in the music charts, on the radio, but also in movies and TV shows.
How was your childhood and youth?
Elvis was born in the small provincial town of Tupelo (Mississippi). Vernon and Gladys Presley are Elvis' parents. He had a twin brother who died immediately after birth.
The Presley family lived very poorly. The head of the family had no profession and took on any job he could find. Some time later, the breadwinner was imprisoned for 2 years on charges of fraud.
Little Elvis was brought up in a religious family. He sang in the church choir. The radio often played in their house. Elvis loved country songs and constantly sang along with the singers. Presley gave his first mini-performance at a local fair. The boy performed the folk song Old Shep and received a prize. After the victory, the boy's mother gave him a guitar.
In 1948, the family changed their place of residence. She settled in the city of Memphis. In this city, the boy first got acquainted with African-American styles of music - blues, boogie-woogie and rhythm and blues.
This move formed the boy's musical taste. Now Elvis Presley covered songs with African-American motives. In this city, the guy met real friends, for whom he sang with a guitar. Most of the comrades stayed with the future American rock and roll star for a long time.
Elvis Presley received his high school diploma in 1953. Even during training, the guy decided for sure that he wanted to devote himself to music. Soon he was at the Memphis Recording Service to sing a few songs on the record as a gift to his mother. A year later, Elvis Presley recorded another musical composition at the recording studio. The owner of the studio promised to invite the singer for a professional recording.
Elvis Presley did not come from a wealthy family, so in parallel with his musical career, he was engaged in various part-time jobs. Presley worked as a truck driver and participated in singing competitions and auditions for musical projects. Unfortunately, participation in competitions and musical projects did not give Presley a positive result. The majority of the jury told the guy that he had no vocal abilities.
The Beginning of Elvis' Musical Career
In 1954, the founder of the recording studio contacted Elvis Presley. As promised, he invited the young man to participate in the recording of the musical composition Without You. The recorded track was a big disappointment for all involved - Elvis, the musicians and the director of the recording studio.
Elvis wasn't about to get depressed. He started playing the tracks That's All Right and Mama. He conveyed musical compositions to the audience in an unusual manner of performance.
This is how the first full-fledged hit of the king of American rock and roll appeared. These efforts were followed by the track Blue Moon of Kentucky, recorded in the same manner. The collection with these songs took 4th position in the charts.
In 1955, the American artist recorded about 10 quality tracks.
Young people really liked the songs, and videos for the tracks became popular in North America and Europe. The new style of music that Presley created had the effect of an "atomic bomb".
A little later, Elvis met the famous producer Tom Parker. Presley signed a recording contract with RCA Records. Surprisingly, Elvis received only 5% of song sales. He did not gain commercial success thanks to this contract.
Gaining popularity artist Elvis Presley
But one way or another, the singer's popular musical compositions were released on the RCA Records recording studio: Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes, Tutti Frutti, Hound Dog, Don't Be Cruel, I Want You, I Need You, I Love You, Jailhouse Rock and Can 't Help Falling In Love and Love Me Tender.
The compositions of the American singer took a leading position in the local music charts. Music critics describe this period as "elvisomania".
Young people imitated the appearance of Presley. Some wore plaid suits and styled their hair to the side. At each concert of the American performer there were crowded stadiums.
Elvis Presley is one of the few American performers who, despite a dizzying career, served in the army. The singer served in the third tank division.
Despite the fact that Elvis saluted his homeland, his CDs with songs that had been recorded earlier were released during the service.
Elvis Presley in cinema
At the end of his military service, Elvis Presley, on the recommendations of his producer, focused on cinema. His albums were just movie soundtracks. The films in which Presley played were not box office and commercial. Albums with music also did not become very popular.
Elvis Presley continued to experiment with music. The most successful albums, according to music critics, were His Hand in Mine, Something for Everybody, Pot Luck.
A cruel joke in the biography of Elvis was played by the film "Blue Hawaii". The producer of the American artist demanded only the same roles and songs in the style of "Hawaii".
After this trick, interest in Elvis Presley began to decline. They also began to put forward young talents on the stage, which created competition for the American rock and roll star.
Elvis Presley decided to correct the image of himself. Therefore, in 1969, he played the main roles in the films Charro! and Habit Change.
There are two great dramas. But they were never able to repair the damage that had been done to the artist's biography.
The artist's last album was Moody Blue, which was officially presented in 1976. Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977.
