Elvis at 90: King forever?
January 8, 2025
Graceland, the former home of the king of rock and roll, Elvis Presley, welcomes more than 500,000 visitors every year and is reputedly the most famous residence in the US after the White House.
The entertainment complex in Memphis, Tennessee, where Presley is buried, is a major enterprise. It regularly hosts certified auctions, fan club events, and, of course, birthday celebrations for the deceased star.
This year is no exception. Presley, who passed away in 1977, would have turned 90 on January 8, and this will be marked by four days of events and concerts at Graceland. Also opening to the public is a new exhibition "90 for 90," which will run for a year and feature 90 unique items that tell extraordinary stories about Presley's life, such as a flight certificate for his dog.
Aside from his reputation as a widely impersonated singer worldwide, Presley has been inducted into the rockabilly, gospel, country music and rock and roll halls of fame, and his music hasn't seemed to wane in popularity over the years. He's had more than 1 billion albums sold worldwide. So how did Presley get so famous?
From small-town boy to household name
Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1935, Elvis Presley began his career in Memphis, Tennessee. He recorded at the famous Sun Studio in Memphis, which also helped launch singers Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Quickly rising to fame, Presley's first hit, "Heartbreak Hotel," propelled him to stardom in 1956. He would become known as the king of rock and roll.
A GI in Germany
Presley put his career on hold while serving in the US military in Germany from 1958 to 1960.
Stationed in the small town of Friedberg, Presley, the star he was, stayed in a hotel in nearby Bad Nauheim instead of living in the barracks. There, he lived with an entourage: his grandmother, father and two bodyguards.
Today, hotel guests can sleep in the Elvis Room, preserved to commemorate The king's stay.
Made in Germany
Although Presley was prohibited from performing during military service, he still found time to make music.
Germany was the birthplace of two chart toppers: "One Night" and "A Fool Such as I." He also gave global fame to the popular German folk song, "Muss i denn zum Städtele hinaus," or in English, "Wooden Heart."
Happily ever after?
While Presley was stationed in Germany, he also met Priscilla Beaulieu, the daughter of a US military officer. She was just 14 years old at the time.
The couple married years later at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas in 1967, although Presley reportedly continued to enjoy the company of other women. Their only child, Lisa Marie Presley, died in 2023.
Legend lives on
Elvis Presley died at his Graceland residence on August 16, 1977. Yet, his legacy is still honored worldwide, including at the annual European Elvis Festival in Bad Nauheim, Germany.
There are more than 613 active Presley fan clubs worldwide, and Presley has graced stamps as well. Germany issued an Elvis stamp in 1988.
Licence to suit up
Legend has it that Presley adopted his famous look, the jumpsuit, after he split his pants while performing on stage. Whatever the reason, the garment was an instant hit.
B&K, a company in Charlestown, Indiana, creates Elvis jumpsuits based on the originals, such as for impersonator Dave Stovall (pictured below, in blue). The company also created suits for the 2022 Baz Luhrmann film "Elvis."
Inspiring Elvis
Presley has inspired an entire industry of impersonators and films like "Bye Bye Birdie," a 1967 musical based on his career.
But who inspired the king? Elvis was known to enjoy the music of gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and once called Hollywood actor James Dean a "genius."
Elvis on screen
June 2022 saw the life story of Elvis Presley, played by Austin Butler (pictured below), hit movie theaters. The film, titled "Elvis," focuses on the performer's complicated relationship with his controlling manager, Colonel Tom Parker (played by Tom Hanks), and featured electrifying music and stage scenes.
Consequently, the 2010 biography on Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley by music journalist Alanna Nash became a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon.
This article has been updated and adapted from a previously published picture gallery.