Elvis Presley, aka Elvis, aka the King of Rock and Roll, although Elvis himself

would publicly declare that Fats Domino was the real King of Rock and Roll,

is considered one of the most influential figures not just in the world of music but just for the

20th century in general. His name denotes images a swaying hips, black pompadour hair, big

sideburns, rhinestone, jumpsuits, and cap capes and 1950s rock and roll.

Elvis released his first record in 1954, his popularity exploded because of his unique sound

that combined elements of pop, country, gospel, and rhythm and blues.

And of course, there was his looks.

So, so many ladies swooned for Elvis.

Teenagers all across America, mostly teen girls, worshiped this guy, especially in the late 1950s and during

the 60s.

Elvis, a young man who came from an impoverished family living first in Tupelo, Mississippi,

and then in Memphis, Tennessee, suddenly became unimaginably famous and wealthy.

Elvis would go on to star in 31 feature films, appear in numerous widely viewed television

specials, and he would break a ton of live concert performance attendance records.

Over the course of his lifetime Elvis would perform in 1,684 shows and record 784 songs.

He'd win three Grammys and to date has sold over a billion records

globally according to his estate which would be more than any other artist in history.

By other sources have him neck and neck with Michael Jackson for the most sales of any

solo musician and then right behind the Beatles for the third most, third most sales ever.

When Elvis died on August 16th, 1977 at the age of just 42, the world lost a cultural icon, a troubled

icon.

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