The History of a King: Elvis Presley’s Climb To The Top

It has been nearly 70 years since Elvis Presley rose to international superstardom, but his contributions to the world of music continue to echo until today. Elvis, or the King of Rock n’ Roll as most people address him, spent 24 long years building his career in Hollywood. The legend initially started as a singer but later ventured into the world of acting. And because he had an extensive background in entertainment, he later became one of the most powerful and influential celebrities of his generation. However, the King of Rock n’ Roll’s journey to the top of the Hollywood ladder did not come easily. Before he started his career, Elvis came from a family with little investments, making his childhood and teenage years a bit challenging. But how did Elvis Presley climbed that elusive Hollywood mountain and became one the world’s greatest musical legends? If you’re interested to know more about the King of Rock N’ Roll, then you better keep scrolling.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Mississippi to a carpenter father and a housewife mother. Elvis and his family did not have a lot while he was growing up, which is why he and his parents were often moving from one place to another. Eventually, however, he and his parents were able to settle down in Memphis, Tennesse, where Elvis spent the majority of his youth.

Although his parents did not have much in life, they remained devoted to their Christian faith and would often take the young Elvis to Church to attend service. According to several records, being in Church and participating in choir activities gave Elvis the right amount of experience to train and hone his musical skills. Later on in his career, Elvis would give credit to these experiences as well.

During his teenage years, Elvis participated in several talent competitions in his school, and after graduating high school, he continued to work on his music, all while working different jobs. Then just shortly after submitting his first demo to what later became Sun Studio, Elvis was taken by Sam Phillips under his wing. When investments came from the record company, Elvis quickly went to work creating his music and released his first single, That’s All Right, in 1954.

EXPANDING HIS HORIZONS

With his career and fanbase steadily growing, Elvis soon started to expand his reach in Hollywood. He began auditioning for film roles in the hopes that he’ll land a good acting credit to add to his extensive resume. And given his good looks and irresistible charm, it was not long before he started booking acting projects left and right. Some of his most famous acting projects include Blue Hawaii, King Creole, Viva Las Vegas, and GI Blues.

While his acting career started to pick-up, his music career was on a roll as well. In 1956, Elvis scored his very first No. 1 single with the release of his song Heartbreak Hotel. He landed an acting contract with Paramount Pictures that same year.

But despite the massive degree of success he’s getting from both his music and acting career, Elvis did not stop seeking more opportunities. In 1957, while his entire career was still thriving, Elvis decided to enlist with the United States Army. He was then shipped off to Germany, where he served for more than a year. And while he was fulfilling his duties to his country in Europe, he fell in love with a young woman named Priscilla Beaulieu.

When the couple went back to the United States in 1967, they headed straight to Las Vegas to tie the knot and make their union official. And just one year after getting hitched in Las Vegas, the couple welcomed their first and only daughter, Lisa Marie.

LEGACY

Elvis Presley’s career is perhaps one of the most impressive and inspirational success stories in Hollywood to date. Who knew that a simple boy from Memphis working odd jobs to make ends meet would someday become the most influential musical figure to ever live? Although Elvis’s time on this earth ended rather quickly, he still has a lot to show for the 24 years that he has been active in the industry. Not only did he manage to make several profitable investments to secure his family financially, but he has also been inducted into the Hall-Of-Fame of Rock and Roll, Country, and Gospel Music. Say what you want about Elvis, but he was definitely a king among kings in Hollywood.

Based on materials from Biography.