Elvis Presley's profile picture

Elvis Presley's Milestones

Elvis Presley (1935–1977), the "King of Rock and Roll," transformed music with his iconic voice and style. He lived for about 2,220 weeks, leaving a lasting legacy.
1935

Birth

Elvis Aaron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, to Gladys Love and Vernon Presley. His twin brother Jesse Garon was stillborn 35 minutes earlier.

Family January 8, 1935
1938

Family lost home

Family lost their home after Vernon was found guilty of altering a check and was jailed for eight months.

Other January 1, 1938
1945

First public performance

At age 10, performed in a singing contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show, sang 'Old Shep' and placed fifth.

Achievement October 3, 1945
1946

Received first guitar

Received his first guitar for his 11th birthday and began taking lessons from two uncles and a pastor.

Other January 8, 1946
1948

Moved to Memphis

Family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where Elvis enrolled at L.C. Humes High School.

Location November 1, 1948
1953

Humes talent show

Competed in Humes' Annual 'Minstrel' Show, singing 'Till I Waltz Again with You', which greatly boosted his reputation at school.

Achievement April 9, 1953

First recording at Sun

Made first recording at Memphis Recording Service (Sun Records), paying $3.98 to record 'My Happiness' and 'That's When Your Heartaches Begin' as a gift for his mother.

Career July 18, 1953
1954

Second Sun recording

Cut second acetate at Sun Records with 'I'll Never Stand in Your Way' and 'It Wouldn't Be the Same Without You'.

Career January 4, 1954

That's All Right recorded

Recorded 'That's All Right' with Scotty Moore (guitar) and Bill Black (bass) at Sun Records, creating the sound Sam Phillips had been looking for.

Achievement July 5, 1954

Radio debut

Dewey Phillips played 'That's All Right' on his 'Red, Hot, and Blue' radio show on WHBQ, generating massive listener interest.

Achievement July 8, 1954

First live professional performance

Trio (Elvis, Scotty, Bill) played publicly for the first time at the Bon Air club in Memphis.

Career July 17, 1954

Overton Park Shell

Performed at Overton Park Shell in Memphis, with Slim Whitman headlining. Elvis's nervous leg shaking, which became his signature 'rubber legs' dance move, caused a sensation.

Achievement July 30, 1954

Grand Ole Opry debut

Made his only performance at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Reportedly told by Opry manager Jim Denny to go back to driving a truck; the audience reaction was lukewarm.

Career October 2, 1954

Louisiana Hayride debut

Made debut on Louisiana Hayride radio show in Shreveport, Louisiana, leading to regular Saturday night performances for a year.

Career October 16, 1954
1955

Colonel Parker becomes involved

Colonel Tom Parker began to take an interest in Presley's career, initially as a special advisor with Bob Neal remaining as manager.

Relationship February 1, 1955

Signed with Colonel Parker

Elvis signed an exclusive management contract with Colonel Tom Parker, with Bob Neal officially phased out.

Relationship August 15, 1955

Signed with RCA Victor

RCA Victor acquired his contract from Sun Records for an unprecedented $40,000 ($35,000 to Sun, $5,000 to Elvis). This was the highest amount ever paid for a pop artist at the time.

Career November 21, 1955
1956

Heartbreak Hotel recorded

Made first recordings for RCA Victor in Nashville, including the moody 'Heartbreak Hotel'.

Achievement January 10, 1956

First national TV appearance

Made first of six appearances on CBS's 'Stage Show', hosted by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, beginning his national television career.

Achievement January 28, 1956

Debut album released

RCA Victor released his self-titled debut album, 'Elvis Presley', which became the first rock and roll album to top the Billboard chart and sell over a million copies.

Achievement March 23, 1956

Milton Berle Show

Made first of two appearances on NBC's 'The Milton Berle Show', performing on the deck of USS Hancock. His controversial hip-swiveling performance of 'Hound Dog' on the second appearance (June 5) caused a national outcry.

Achievement April 3, 1956

Heartbreak Hotel #1

'Heartbreak Hotel' became his first number-one pop hit on the Billboard charts, also topping the country chart.

Achievement April 21, 1956

Las Vegas debut

Began two-week residency at the New Frontier Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. His performances were not well-received by the older, conservative audience.

Career April 23, 1956 - May 6, 1956

Paramount contract

Signed a seven-year, three-picture deal with Paramount Pictures, beginning his film career.

Career April 25, 1956

Ed Sullivan Show

Made first of three appearances on CBS's 'The Ed Sullivan Show', hosted by Charles Laughton that night. Watched by an estimated 60 million viewers (an 82.6% share of the television audience). For his third appearance, he was famously filmed only from the waist up.

Achievement September 9, 1956

Love Me Tender film released

Released his first film 'Love Me Tender', a Civil War drama where he played a supporting role. The title song became a major hit.

Career November 15, 1956
1957

Purchased Graceland

Bought Graceland, a mansion on a 13.8-acre estate in Memphis, for $102,500. It would become his primary residence and later a historic landmark.

Location March 19, 1957

Jailhouse Rock film released

Released 'Jailhouse Rock' film and soundtrack. The title song's production number is considered one of his most iconic performances and a precursor to music videos.

Achievement October 17, 1957
1958

Drafted into Army

Inducted into the United States Army at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, as US 53310761, creating a major media event and temporarily halting his career.

Career March 24, 1958

King Creole film released

Released 'King Creole', often considered his best film and his personal favorite, marking the end of his early, more critically acclaimed film roles before his army service.

Career July 2, 1958

Mother's death

His beloved mother Gladys Love Presley died of heart failure at age 46. Elvis was granted emergency leave to attend her funeral and was devastated by the loss.

Family August 14, 1958

Stationed in Germany

Assigned to the 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, West Germany, serving as an armor intelligence specialist and driver for his company commander.

Career October 1, 1958 - March 2, 1960
1959

Met Priscilla Beaulieu

Met 14-year-old Priscilla Ann Beaulieu at a party at his home in Bad Nauheim, Germany. She was the stepdaughter of an Air Force Captain stationed nearby.

Relationship September 13, 1959
1960

Promoted to Sergeant

Promoted to acting sergeant (Sgt E-5) in the U.S. Army.

Achievement January 20, 1960

Discharged from Army

Honorably discharged from active duty in the Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and returned to civilian life and his music career.

Career March 5, 1960

Frank Sinatra special

Appeared on 'The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: Welcome Home Elvis' TV special, marking his official return to entertainment. He was paid $125,000 for his appearance.

Achievement May 12, 1960

It's Now or Never released

Released 'It's Now or Never' (based on 'O Sole Mio'), which became one of his biggest international hits, selling over 20 million copies.

Achievement July 5, 1960
1961

Film career focus

Focused primarily on formulaic Hollywood musical comedies, making 27 movies during the 1960s and largely abandoning serious recording and live performances.

Career January 1, 1961 - January 1, 1968

Pearl Harbor Benefit Concert

Performed a benefit concert at Bloch Arena in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, raising over $64,000 for the USS Arizona Memorial. It was his last live public performance for over seven years.

Achievement March 25, 1961

Blue Hawaii film released

Released 'Blue Hawaii' film, which became one of his most commercially successful movies. Its soundtrack album spent 20 weeks at number one.

Career November 22, 1961
1963

Priscilla moved to Graceland

Priscilla Beaulieu moved to Graceland to live with Elvis, with her parents' permission, under the condition she finish high school in Memphis.

Relationship March 1, 1963
1965

Met The Beatles

Met The Beatles for the first and only time at his home in Bel Air, California. They jammed together but no recordings were made.

Relationship August 27, 1965
1967

Married Priscilla

Married Priscilla Beaulieu in a private ceremony at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas after an eight-year courtship.

Relationship May 1, 1967
1968

Lisa Marie born

Daughter Lisa Marie Presley was born in Memphis, his only child.

Family February 1, 1968

'68 Comeback Special

Starred in the NBC television special 'Elvis' (often referred to as the '68 Comeback Special'). His dynamic live performances in a black leather suit revitalized his career and image.

Achievement December 3, 1968
1969

Vegas comeback at International Hotel

Began a four-week, 57-show engagement at the newly opened International Hotel in Las Vegas, marking his triumphant return to live concert performances after an eight-year hiatus.

Career July 31, 1969

Suspicious Minds released

Released 'Suspicious Minds', recorded during his Memphis sessions. It became his 18th and final number-one single in the U.S. during his lifetime.

Achievement August 26, 1969
1972

Madison Square Garden

Performed four sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the first artist to ever sell out the venue for four consecutive shows. An album 'Elvis: As Recorded at Madison Square Garden' was released.

Achievement June 9, 1972 - June 11, 1972
1973

Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite

Performed the 'Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite' concert at the Honolulu International Center. It was broadcast live to over 40 countries in Asia and Oceania, and later to Europe and the Americas, reaching an estimated 1 to 1.5 billion viewers worldwide, a television first.

Achievement January 14, 1973

Health decline intensifies

Health began a more serious decline, marked by increasing prescription drug abuse, weight gain, and erratic behavior. Hospitalized multiple times.

Other October 1, 1973

Divorced Priscilla

Divorce from Priscilla was finalized in Santa Monica, California. They remained close friends and co-parents to Lisa Marie.

Relationship October 9, 1973
1976

Bodyguards fired / 'Elvis: What Happened?' book

Vernon Presley fired longtime bodyguards Red West, Sonny West, and David Hebler. They subsequently co-authored the tell-all book 'Elvis: What Happened?', published in July 1977, detailing his drug abuse, which reportedly devastated Elvis.

Other July 13, 1976

Met Ginger Alden

Began dating Ginger Alden after his relationship with Linda Thompson ended. He proposed to her in January 1977.

Relationship November 19, 1976

Last Las Vegas Engagement

Performed his final engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton (formerly the International Hotel).

Career December 2, 1976 - December 12, 1976
1977

Final concert

Performed his final concert at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Career June 26, 1977

Death at Graceland

Found unresponsive by Ginger Alden on the bathroom floor at Graceland. Pronounced dead at Baptist Memorial Hospital at 2:56 PM due to cardiac arrhythmia, at age 42. Prescription drug abuse was a contributing factor.

Family August 16, 1977
1986

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

Posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in its first induction ceremony.

Achievement January 23, 1986
2018

Presidential Medal of Freedom

Posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump.

Achievement November 16, 2018