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Elvis
Aaron Presley, an only child, was actually born a twin, but his
brother, named Jessie Garon, died in his mommy's womb. The birth was in
the most humble and poor setting, being in just a run-down wooden shack,
in Tupelo, Mississippi. Elvis, probably the greatest Rock Star of the twentieth
Century, was born on a cold Tuesday, on the 8th of January, 1935, to
Vernon and Gladys Presley.
Thankfully
and as if providence, his
parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1948, and Elvis graduated from
Humes High School, in 1953.
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Elvis’
musical influences were the pop-music of the time, and whilst he
had a penchant for country music, his heart was stirred by the
Black gospel music he heard in church. Memphis was a
hot-bed of passionate Black R&B, and Elvis wanted to
be part of this. |
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The Beale
Street Jug Band
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Elvis'
teens were his apprentice as great music was all around him, since
moving to Memphis. In 1954, he began his true musical calling, when in
Memphis, he signed up and recorded with the now legendary Sun Records label.
In late 1955, just to earn a quick buck, his recording contract was sold
to RCA Victor.
Within
a year he was a national sensation, with his unique new style and a
sound that blended all that he loved in music, he became instantly loved
by a young American Culture that was looking for anything that got away
from the blandness of White pop-music of the day.
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He
was the King of Rock and was crowned for all time in those early
years, challenging the social and racial barriers of the time,
taking Black R & B and making it all right to be White. |
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Adults,
parents, civic-leaders, and lovers of slow sentimental ballads
made him a rebel, by declaring him as the son of evil, and all that was
bad in the youth of post-war USA. Had they said that they loved his new
refreshing style, maybe he would have never been quite so big. But he
was all the rage, and the father of a whole
new era of American Rock music and popular culture, that spread across
the world.
He
starred in over 30 movies, and made history with his television
appearances and Elvis-Specials, selling 100's of millions of records.
Everything he did was record-breaking, and he soon was acclaimed as the
greatest recording start in the world.
Globally,
he has sold over one billion records, earning gold, platinum and or
multi-platinum disks for 150 different albums. This is so many more than
any other single artist, only some British Group can claim more
sales.
He
finished his career doing live concert performances on tour and in Las
Vegas, whilst still selling many records.
His
great talent, his smoldering good looks, good humor and his undeniable
charisma, made him the one and only King of Rock Music. Nearly
every person on the planet has heard the name Elvis. His name is among a
small elite of great memorable names like, JFK, Lennon, Princess
Diana, Churchill, Gandhi, and Lincoln.
Elvis
died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on Tuesday, August 16, 1977.
Whether fans like it or not, Elvis died on his throne; the King was
famous for allegedly eating lots of junk food like Hamburgers. This
apparently gave him very bad constipation, and he died straining to go to
the toilet.
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BBC Program
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LYRICS
Jailhouse Rock
Words & Music by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller
The warden threw a party in the county jail.
The prison band was there and they began to wail.
The band was jumpin’ and the joint began to swing.
You should’ve heard those knocked out jailbirds sing.
Let’s rock, everybody, let’s rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin’ to the jailhouse rock.
Spider murphy played the tenor saxophone,
Little joe was blowin’ on the slide trombone.
The drummer boy from Illinois went crash, boom, bang,
The whole rhythm section was the purple gang.
Let’s rock, everybody, let’s rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin’ to the jailhouse rock.
Number forty-seven said to number three:
You’re the cutest jailbird I ever did see.
I sure would be delighted with your company,
Come on and do the jailhouse rock with me.
Let’s rock, everybody, let’s rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin’ to the jailhouse rock.
The sad sack was a sittin’ on a block of stone
Way over in the corner weepin’ all alone.
The warden said, hey, buddy, don’t you be no square.
If you can’t find a partner use a wooden chair.
Let’s rock, everybody, let’s rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin’ to the jailhouse rock.
Shifty henry said to bugs, for heaven’s sake,
No one’s lookin’, now’s our chance to make a break.
Bugsy turned to shifty and he said, nix nix,
I wanna stick around a while and get my kicks.
Let’s rock, everybody, let’s rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
Was dancin’ to the jailhouse rock.
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