Elvis Presley

Yellow text and an illustration of a man on a red background

Culturally referred to as "The King," Elvis Presley was a rock and roll sensation from Memphis, Tennessee who became one of the most renowned artists of the 20th century. His music career took flight in 1954 when he became acquainted with Sun Records producer Sam Phillips. His blend of country, rock and roll, and r&b set the precedent for his mainstream popularity when he debuted his first single on RCA Records, "Heartbreak Hotel." From that success early on, Presley ventured off into film and landed the lead role in "Love Me Tender" (1956). With success in both music and film, Presley received global acclaim. In his later years, he began to battle with several ailments that stemmed from his drug addiction and on August 8, 1977, he was found dead in a Memphis hotel.