The extraordinary Elvis Presley life story began on January 8, 1935, when Elvis Aaron Presley was born in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, to Vernon and Gladys Presley. Elvis grew up as an only kid because his twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn. Elvis and his parents relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, where he graduated from Humes High School in 1953. 

Elvis' musical inspirations were the pop and country music of the day, gospel music he heard in church and at the all-night gospel sings he frequented, and black R&B he absorbed as a Memphis adolescent on historic Beale Street. 

Elvis Presley began his singing career in 1954 with the famed Sun Records company in Memphis. RCA Victor purchased his recording contract in late 1955. He was an international sensation by 1956. He ushered in a new age of American music and popular culture with a sound and style that uniquely integrated his numerous musical influences while also blurring and challenging the social and racial barriers of the period. 

Here are some interesting Elvis Presley facts: He starred in 33 hit films, made television appearances and specials history, and received widespread recognition for his numerous, often record-breaking, live concert performances on tour and in Las Vegas. He has sold over one billion records worldwide, more than any other musician. 

His sales in the United States have garnered him gold, platinum, and multi-platinum honors. Among his many accomplishments were 14 Grammy nominations (3 wins) from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, which he got at the age of 36, and being named one of the United States Jaycees' Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation for 1970. Elvis served his country in the United States Army without any of the unique benefits that his famous position may have provided him. 

His skill, beauty, sensuality, charm, and sense of humor endeared him to millions, as did his humility and human decency throughout his life. 

How famous did Elvis become? Huge! Americans saw Elvis Presley wherever they looked in the mid-1950s. His music was playing on the radio. His films have been released on the big screen. He even appeared on television as a guest on shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show. 

Elvis was recruited into the military in 1957. Between 1958 and 1960, he served in the United States Army in Germany. He met Priscilla Beaulieu there, whom he married in 1967. 

When Elvis returned from military service, he continued where he had left off. He appeared in 33 films, the most well-known of which was "Blue Hawaii." He also released additional albums. Elvis was nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, three of which he won.

He is regarded as one of the most prominent figures of twentieth-century popular culture, and is known around the world by his first name. Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977, at his Memphis home, Graceland. He was 42.

This brief Elvis Presley biography does not begin to capture the king's personality. Plan a trip to Memphis for a Graceland tour to get the whole Elvis Presley life story and an inside peek into Elvis' life.