Elvis Presley

 Elvis Presley the King of rock ‘n’ roll stands among the artists who reshaped 20th-century popular music. Though he didn’t invent rock & roll, he became its first true superstar, blending raw vocal power, charisma, and danger into a sound that electrified America in 1956. Rising from humble roots in Mississippi and Memphis, Presley absorbed blues, country, gospel, and soul, forging a style that defined early rock through his Sun Records singles. After moving to RCA, massive hits like “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” and “Don’t Be Cruel” made him a global phenomenon. Through the 1960s, films and soundtracks dominated his output, but flashes of brilliance remained. A major revival came with his 1968 TV special and the acclaimed From Elvis in Memphis, followed by hits like “Suspicious Minds.” Returning to live performance in Las Vegas and on tour, Presley remained a commanding entertainer into the 1970s. Despite personal decline, his influence only grew after his death in 1977. Reissues, Graceland, and renewed interest have confirmed Elvis as both the spark of rock & roll and a creator of a uniquely American body of work