Who is the King of Rock and Roll?
Quick answer
Elvis Presley (1935–1977) is known as the King of Rock and Roll, or simply “the King.” Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, he blended country, blues and gospel into a new sound and became a worldwide sensation in 1956 with hits like “Heartbreak Hotel.” He remains one of the best-selling solo artists in history.
Key facts
- Born
- January 8, 1935, Tupelo, Mississippi
- Died
- August 16, 1977, Memphis, Tennessee
- Home
- Graceland, Memphis
- Number-one US hits
- 18
Rise to fame
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1954 | Records at Sun Records in Memphis with producer Sam Phillips |
| 1956 | “Heartbreak Hotel” becomes his first US No. 1 |
| 1956 | TV appearances cause a sensation; his hip-shaking dance shocks some viewers |
| 1958–1960 | Serves in the US Army in Germany |
| 1960s | Makes 31 feature films |
| 1968 | The televised “Comeback Special” |
| 1970s | Famous shows in Las Vegas in jumpsuits |
Why “the King”?
Elvis wasn’t the first rock and roll musician; Black artists such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Sister Rosetta Tharpe were pioneers, and Elvis drew heavily on Black music traditions. But his huge popularity brought rock and roll to a mass, mostly white audience in the US and worldwide, earning him the title.
Records
- One of the best-selling solo artists of all time, with estimates of 500 million records or more
- 18 US No. 1 singles
- He was among the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986
Graceland
Elvis bought Graceland, a mansion in Memphis, in 1957 for about $100,000. Now a museum, it’s one of the most-visited private homes in America, and Elvis is buried in its Meditation Garden. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006.
Elvis on screen
Baz Luhrmann’s biopic Elvis (2022) starred Austin Butler, who earned an Oscar nomination. Priscilla (2023) told the story from his wife’s point of view.
Other musical royalty
| Nickname | Artist |
|---|---|
| King of Rock and Roll | Elvis Presley |
| King of Pop | Michael Jackson; see who is the King of Pop |
| Queen of Soul | Aretha Franklin |
| Godfather of Soul | James Brown |
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