Elvis Presley was born in 1935 in Mississippi to poor parents and revolutionized popular music. He developed an interest in music at a young age and was inspired by the blues clubs in Memphis. In 1953, Presley recorded some songs at Sun Records in Memphis, blending country and blues into his own unique style. His thrilling live performances and hit songs like "Heartbreak Hotel" launched him to stardom. Presley had a successful film and music career over decades, becoming one of the best-selling artists in history, though he passed away in 1977 at the age of 42. His legacy and the business of Elvis merchandise lives on, with Graceland remaining a popular tourist destination for fans worldwide to remember the legend of

1. The word, legend is perhaps overused but no one would dispute the title, when
applied to Elvis Presley. He revolutionized popular music and became an icon for
millions of people. Born in a humble house in Tupelo, Mississippi to poor
parents in 1935, the family later moved to Memphis. Presley had taken an
interest in music at an early age and learned to play the guitar. He went to
blues clubs in the city and loved what he heard.
In 1953, Presley recorded some songs at the studios of Sun Records. Owner Sam
Phillips knew he had found someone special. Elvis Presley had forged country
music and black blues together and found his own style. He soon got airplay on
the radio and his live performances were thrilling. No one had seen anything
like it. Chart success followed and a star was born. A spell in the US army
interrupted his career but his loyal fans were waiting for him when he came out.
Some of the early records are still considered to be classics today, such as
Heartbreak Hotel and Houndog. Elvis Presley recorded some great ballads too,
including Love Me Tender and Can't Help Falling in Love. Later hits followed
through the decades, making him one of the best selling singers in history. Fans
still love hearing Suspicious Minds, In the Ghetto and Viva Las Vegas. Presley
had a film career too and made an impression in his early dramatic roles in
Jailhouse Rock and King Creole. Later movies were more lighthearted affairs and
were aimed at a family audience.
Since Presley's death in 1977, when he was aged 42, the Presley estate has
become a profitable venture with the sale of merchandise and greatest hits
compilations. The Elvis image is on jigsaw puzzles, watches, posters and cushion
covers. Presley's Memphis home, Graceland, is open to the public and fans queue
round the block to get in. The house still contains personal items and visitors
can also see Presley's gravestone. The abundance of Elvis imitators is another
manifestation of the legend. They come in all shapes and sizes and from every
country.
The legacy of the star and his music cannot be overestimated. Many artists were
inspired to take up music and can still remember where they were when they first
heard Elvis Presley on the radio or the juke box. Women loved him and men wanted
to be him and the memories linger on.