Elvis Presley had a career that was unparalleled, and his legions of fans are still deeply devoted to him and his legacy. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1935, Elvis Aaron Presley’s life beginning was quite humble. The home he and his family lived in was a two-room shotgun house that his father built for the purpose of the birth, believe it or not. Elvis had a twin who was born with him, but his twin brother was born stillborn. The King found his first musical inspiration in the same place many notable musicians did: at church.
The family attended an Assembly of God church, which is a sect of charismatic Christianity. Even today, Elvis remains the best-selling solo artist of all time, and his sales are estimated between 600 million to one billion. He also holds the record for the most songs that charted in theBillboard Top 40 chart. In his long career, Elvis won three Grammy Awards, and when he was only 36 years old, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. It’s a tragedy that he died at a very young 42 years of age. Who can say what more he could have accomplished musically? His fans mourn him even to this day, as does his family.
Today in 1956, #ElvisPresley had his first recording session at #RCARecords.#Elvis recorded three songs—his first #RCA single, #HeartbreakHotel, as well as two songs that would appear on his self-titled debut album, #IGotAWoman & #MoneyHoney.#ElvisHistory #ElvisLIVES #TCB pic.twitter.com/IhkZaTwMlN
— From Elvis In Memphis (@FromElvisIn333) January 10, 2021
One of Elvis’s final performances before his tragic death of a heart attack was a performance of the popular and beautiful “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers. Elvis sang the song at a 1977 concert in Rapid City, South Dakota just two months before he died, and many musical experts consider it to be one of Elvis’s greatest and most heartfelt performances ever. It truly shows his greatness at a time when his health was failing him.
Elvis Presley at the Magnolia Gardens in Houston, June, 1955. pic.twitter.com/HcJpQpmWng
— Traces of Texas (@TracesofTexas) January 11, 2021
When he was performing, his guitarist, Charlie Hodge, had to hold the microphone for him as Elvis poured his entire heart and soul into this beautiful song. Enjoy it below.
Beautiful.
