Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley (1935-01-08 - 1977-08-16) was known as the King of Rock and Roll, and is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. His music career began in 1954 at Sun Records, where he incorporated influences from African-American music to reach a wider audience. He was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo fusion of country music and rhythm and blues which propelled him to fame. His provocative dances and controversial use of African-American music brought him both fame and criticism, but Presley fast became a leading figure in popular music. In 1956, his single “Heartbreak Hotel” became a number one hit in the US and started a series of successful chart-topping records. Throughout the 60s, Presley accidentally transitioned into acting, with his most famous films being Jailhouse Rock (1957), Blue Hawaii (1961), and Viva Las Vegas (1964). Unfortunately, years of prescription drug abuse and unhealthy eating habits severely compromised his health, leading to his unexpected death in 1977.