Fascinating Secrets You Didn’t Know About The Legendary Elvis Presley

The King of Rock ‘N’ Roll Didn’t Naturally Have Black Hair

Elvis Presley, the undisputed King of Rock ‘n’ Roll is known for many things, and his hair was one of them. However, his signature black, shiny hair was actually a dye job. Having been born blonde, the rock icon dyed his hair to achieve an edgier look. He began doing so when he was young and he confessed that when he started out, black shoe polish was what got the job done. However, music wasn’t always where Elvis Presley channeled his edgy persona.

The King of Rock ‘N’ Roll Didn’t Naturally Have Black Hair

Elvis Presley Didn’t Originally Want A Guitar

The king of rock didn’t always have an interest in rock – or music in general. As a matter of fact, he got his first guitar when he was only 11, but immediately after he got it, he learned not just to play, but to play well. Elvis Presley originally wanted a rifle but his mother gave him a guitar instead since she didn’t want him to get his hands on a gun. Needless to say, that played in his advantage, but as you’ll learn, Presley never actually lost his interest in firearms.

Elvis Presley Didn’t Originally Want A Guitar

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Icon Only Performed In North America

When Elvis Presley hit the big time, people all around the globe wanted to see the legend in the flesh. Even though his shows throughout the U.S. were selling out as he sang his hit songs “Heartbreak Hotel” and “That’s All Right,” unfortunately for his foreign fans, they’d need to keep waiting. In 1957, he performed in Canada, but he never had a show outside of North America. It is certainly peculiar that the biggest musician of the time hadn’t toured the world, and this gave rise to different speculations about the reason why he hadn’t. Some of the speculations involved his manager, whom you’ll learn more about later.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Icon Only Performed In North America

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll As A Regular Soldier

It’s widely known that Elvis Presley went on hiatus in 1958 when he was conscripted into the U.S. Army – something almost unthinkable for stars to do today. However, the move helped him gain a lot of respect from his haters. Actually, Presley was offered to enlist in Special Services, which meant he would be entertaining troops and living in priority housing. But, he opted to be a regular soldier instead, which helped him win over a segment of America who were initially skeptical of him and thought he was a negative cultural influence. In addition, Elvis Presley won over someone else when he was in the army.

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll As A Regular Soldier

The King’s Wife Was 14 Years Old When They First Met

Soon after the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was drafted, he was stationed in Germany. There, he saw for the first time the woman he would eventually marry, the stunning Priscilla Beaulieu. At the time, Beaulieu was only 14 years old and Presley was 24. Becoming romantically involved with one of the most massive stars in the world came at a price for the young woman emotionally, as you’ll later learn.

The King’s Wife Was 14 Years Old When They First Met

Dating The King Wasn’t Always Easy

As wonderful as it might seem for a young woman to become Elvis Presley’s object of desire, the romantic relationship Priscilla Beaulieu had with the international superstar weighed on her. Walking in the shadows of the king of rock ‘n’ roll from a young age wasn’t always easy for her. “I was kind of lost really in who I was earlier in my life, I really didn’t have teenage years,” she revealed. “I learnt so much about him and was with him so much that I thought the way he did,” Priscilla added. She wasn’t the only one in Germany who fell prey to the charms of Elvis Presley, though.

Dating The King Wasn’t Always Easy

Elvis Presley Wasn’t Keen On Spending Nights Alone

Aside from being capable of rocking out like no other, the King was also known to be pretty gentle at times, particularly in his younger years. Many people believe that Elvis Presley wasn’t keen on spending nights alone. Some speculate that the reason he didn’t like being by himself while he slept was the difficulty he faced in dealing with his mother’s passing, which happened not long before he was stationed in Germany. Whatever the reason was, Elvis made sure there was someone by his side during the night but unfortunately for Priscilla, it wasn’t always her.

Elvis Presley Wasn’t Keen On Spending Nights Alone

The Romantic Interests Of The King

During the time Presley was stationed in Germany, Priscilla, the daughter of an American Navy pilot, wasn’t the only lady he was romantically interested in. The international superstar appears to have wanted to get himself acquainted with the local culture as well. The King had a short-lived romance with the beautiful 19-year-old Elisabeth Stefaniak, a German young lady who had asked him for his autograph before he hired her to manage his fan mail. Their romance, however, ended when Presley went back to the states, and Mrs. Presley-to-be got back his attention.

The Romantic Interests Of The King

The King Married Only One Woman

It is widely known that Elvis Presley was a ladies’ man, so some might expect he had gotten married to different women throughout his life, but the King just married one woman – Priscilla Beaulieu. They tied the knot in Las Vegas in the year 1967, and despite the fact that they made an adorable couple, their marriage’s deeper aspects remind the world that Elvis and Priscilla were still human after all. Priscilla has revealed one surprising fact regarding their relationship which sheds light on the way they interacted behind closed doors. Keep reading to find out what she revealed.

The King Married Only One Woman

The King Didn’t See His Wife With No Makeup

Throughout the time that Elvis and Priscilla Presley were together, the King didn’t really see his wife without makeup according to Priscilla. In addition, she said that the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll didn’t want to watch his wife as she got dressed because for him, mystique was really important. Priscilla commented, “He never wanted to see me getting dressed, he wanted to see the result of getting dressed.” She went along with it and only in later years did she admit that she always had a bit of makeup on.

The King Didn’t See His Wife With No Makeup

Getting Married Wasn’t Entirely Elvis And Priscilla’s Decision

In show business, the line between personal life and career usually becomes blurred, especially for big stars, such as Elvis. Some claim that even though it was clear Elvis and Priscilla loved each other, the choice to get hitched wasn’t only theirs. There are rumors that Colonel Tom Parker, Presley’s big-time manager, was the one who decided that the couple would get married at the time they did – of course, to boost Presley’s public image. Sadly, the official union of the two lovers didn’t last that long.

Getting Married Wasn’t Entirely Elvis And Priscilla’s Decision

The King Became Distant After His Child Was Born

In 1972, Elvis and Priscilla Presley had a divorce, only a couple of years after getting married. It is widely known that their relationship started to deteriorate soon after they tied the knot but one of the reasons is surprising. According to Priscilla, things changed between them after they welcomed their first and only child. The King and his wife became more distant, and in the end, the relationship failed, but the secrets didn’t end there and Presley’s ex-wife revealed more things about the Rock ‘n’ Roll legend.

The King Became Distant After His Child Was Born

The King’s Secret Phobia

Apparently, Elvis Presley was a germophobe. You read that right: The rowdy, Rock ‘n’ Roll legend and man’s man was scared of germs according to what Priscilla told the Daily Mail back in 2015. The star even went to great lengths just to make sure that he was protected, such as taking his own silverware when eating at other’s homes, which is something that he actually didn’t like. Priscilla said, “he would drink where the handle was, knowing that no one would ever drink at that side.”

The King’s Secret Phobia

Elvis Presley Had A Chimpanzee

The image of an eccentric rock star isn’t complete if they don’t have an exotic pet, and Elvis Presley, being the king of all the rock stars, had a truly one of a kind pet. He owned a really active chimpanzee named Scatter. The name was really fitting seeing as the chimp often ran around the parties at Presley’s Graceland mansion screaming and thus, startling guests who were often clad in Hawaiian shirts or suits. Apparently, Scatter learned a couple of naughty tricks, among which earned him a punch to the chin from one of Presley’s female friends, and if you think that’s wild, there’s actually more.

Elvis Presley Had A Chimpanzee

The King Of Rock ‘N’ Roll Had A Thing For Guns

As mentioned, Elvis Presley was really interested in firearms, perhaps as much as he was interested in guitars but he wasn’t exactly the most careful firearm owner in the world. Singer Tom Jones, one of the King’s friends, said he once stumbled upon a gun which Presley had allegedly just left lying around in a dressing room. Ginger Alden, one of Presley’s ex-girlfriend, also recounted another incident where the king of rock ‘n’ roll fired at a TV set – talk about eccentric. Apparently, these weren’t the only incidents where Elvis Presley and guns were involved since Alden recounted another event that is even stranger.

The King Of Rock ‘N’ Roll Had A Thing For Guns

Truly An Attention Getter

It’s fair to say that if you’re a star, living on the edge becomes something you are able and tempted to do. According to Presley’s ex-girlfriend, one incident involving the music legend and firearms seems to be pretty much a close call. As recounted by Ginger Alden, Presley apparently shot a bullet into the headboard of their bed while she slept to get her attention. However, the antics of the rock star didn’t end with guns or chimps, as you’ll find out soon enough.

Truly An Attention Getter

Elvis Presley Hired An Illegal Immigrant

Elvis hired an illegal immigrant: Colonel Tom Parker, his manager. Parker was possibly the most successful manager ever in American entertainment history but he wasn’t actually born in the U.S., contrary to popular belief. Rather, he was born as Andreas van Kuijk in the Netherlands and never became a naturalized U.S. citizen after moving to the States. Presley, didn’t seem to mind, though, because Parker’s ability to sell was more important, and you’ll soon learn how Presley rewarded Parker more than fairly.

Elvis Presley Hired An Illegal Immigrant

The Generosity Of The King

Throughout his career, Elvis Presley credited Colonel Parker a lot for helping the rock icon make it big. In addition, Parker was certainly well compensated, having taken as much as half of Presley’s earnings up until he passed away. The king of rock ‘n’ roll was widely known for being generous – especially to friends and family. As a matter of fact, he pulled some rather wild stunts to show his gratitude to the fans, such as pretending to be an officer of the law, so keep reading to find out what went down.

The Generosity Of The King

The King’s Cop Costume

Similar to many of the biggest stars in history, Elvis Presley really loved his fans a lot. According to Priscilla Presley, the King would sometimes wear a police officer costume to stop some vehicles on the road and hand the drivers a “ticket” – his own autograph. He also pulled several other stunts to give his loyal fans a surprise and remain in the limelight. It might be hard to believe but Presley received an actual badge later in life from someone you might least expect would give him one.

The King’s Cop Costume

The King And The Republican President

In 1970, Elvis Presley suddenly felt the urge to meet Richard Nixon, the president of America at the time. Nixon granted his offer, and Presley, bizarrely enough, asked for a federal narcotics badge during their meeting. Even more bizarrely, the President agreed to give it to him. Actually, the Rock ‘n’ Roll king also reached out to other presidents, not just the Republican, and you’ll soon learn that Elvis Presley didn’t seem to discriminate when it comes to political party.

The King And The Republican President

The King’s Favorite Sandwich Is Unique

Everybody who eats sandwiches has their favorite kind. Some of the common ones are peanut butter & jelly, ham & cheese, and tuna fish, and there may be some who prefer some other healthier options. Elvis Presley, however, was a star who didn’t do cliché and the King’s favorite sandwich had peanut butter, banana, bacon, and honey – perhaps fittingly a combination of flavors that is the most complex imaginable.

The King’s Favorite Sandwich Is Unique

Elvis Presley And His Mother Were Really Close

Quite possibly the fact that is the most surprising on this list – Elvis Presley being a mama’s boy. The king of rock ‘n’ roll was super close with his mom before she passed away, and it is well known that they shared a pretty special bond. After Presley achieved monumental success when he was quite young, he initially purchased the Graceland mansion for his folks. Even after the passing of his mother, the international superstar kept her possessions and clothes at the mansion.

Elvis Presley And His Mother Were Really Close

Missing Out On Heaven Was Something He Didn’t Want To Do

Even though Elvis Presley wasn’t really known as a religious man, he didn’t seem to outright oppose the idea of religion. Since the star had a pretty good experience on planet earth, missing out on heaven was something he’d rather not do. The King found it too risky to pick just one religion, though, and he had said, “I don’t want to miss out on heaven due to a technicality.” Thus, he made sure that he wore a cross, the Hebrew letter “Chai”, and a star of David around his neck.

Missing Out On Heaven Was Something He Didn’t Want To Do

The King Got A Face-Lift

The King had to maintain an image and he was fully aware of it. At one point, he noticed that he didn’t really look that young anymore, unlike before, so five years later, when he was just 40 years old, Presley got a face-lift according to his ex-girlfriend Linda Thompson. A sensitive topic for many celebrities, the king of rock ‘n’ roll allegedly only underwent that surgery in his effort to preserve his youthful look. However, in his attempt to remain attractive, he did other things and not all were healthy.

The King Got A Face-Lift

The King Of Rock ‘N’ Roll Fought To Stay Young

In his later years, the king of rock ‘n’ roll battled with weight problems and pharmaceutical drugs in an effort to stay beautiful. Among the downsides of fame is the tremendous pressure entertainers have to deal with when it comes to retaining their youthfulness when they get older – and it’s certainly not easy. To lose weight, Elvis allegedly even voluntarily had himself sedated for two weeks. During this period, the music icon reportedly just left his bed to use the restroom, bathe and eat a small amount of food.

The King Of Rock ‘N’ Roll Fought To Stay Young

Elvis Presley Could Barely Eat At Some Point

According to David Stanley, his step brother, Elvis Presley eventually got to the point where he could barely eat. It was truly a sensitive period for the King, but he did it to the best of his ability. In the rock icon’s later years, he often fell asleep in the middle of a meal, and Stanley had to help him eat. However, even during hardships, Elvis Presley didn’t forgo the star-induced antics that he was so well-known for.

Elvis Presley Could Barely Eat At Some Point

The King And The Democratic President

Seven years after Presley got his hands on a federal narcotics badge courtesy of then Republican President Richard Nixon, the music legend made a phone call to Democratic President Jimmy Carter while under the influence. Turns out, the rock icon had a favor to ask this leader as well. It seems that the international superstar wanted the president to grant a pardon to his friend who had some legal troubles. Carter wasn’t so eager to help compared to his predecessor, though Presley and Carter had a conversation before hanging up, which must have been quite an interesting phone call!

The King And The Democratic President

Elvis Presley Had A Modest Send Off

Elvis Presley is definitely among the greatest icons of the twentieth century and he is widely recognized as such, which is why some might have expected a huge funeral for him, one that would match the grandiose parties he had which were filled with booze, chimpanzees and lovely ladies. However, that wasn’t the case. Only three stars came to Presley’s funeral: actors George Hamilton, James Brown and Ann-Margret, not including his friends and family, of course. However, perhaps a smaller event was actually more suitable with how the King was in his youth: pretty low-key and certainly out of the spotlight.

Elvis Presley Had A Modest Send Off

The Fate Of Graceland After The King’s Death

On August 16, 1977, the rock icon died and after that, Graceland became a contentious mansion. Several bankers wanted to put the home on the market, but Priscilla Presley disagreed as she had another idea on how to solve the mansion’s financial woes. She believed that opening Graceland to tourists would be much more lucrative than selling it, so in 1982, the mansion was opened to the public, eventually becoming a National Historic Landmark in the United States. As the legend of Elvis Presley lives on, many more hidden secrets have come to the surface only after he passed, so keep reading for more interesting facts about the king of rock ‘n’ roll.

The Fate Of Graceland After The King’s Death

An Exaggerated Comparison

When the name Elvis Presley became quite big in the ‘50s, those who belonged to the older generation didn’t really buy into his antics and sexualized dance moves on stage. His army of fans may have been very much into it, but a lot of people weren’t, even making a pretty ludicrous comparison. Some people went as far as comparing his performances, along with the teenage girls who went to them, to the rallies by Adolf Hitler. A pretty exaggerated comparison, in our opinion, but this wasn’t the only outrageous thing that was ever said about the king of rock ‘n’ roll.

An Exaggerated Comparison

The Reason For High Collars

His physical appearance was always something that preoccupied Elvis Presley and he liked to keep himself looking charming and young. You may have you noticed that the rock icon really liked to sport high collars but actually, making a fashion statement wasn’t the only reason he rocked them. His ex-girlfriend Lisa Thompson wrote about the other reason in her 2016 autobiography “A Little Thing Called Life.” Presley was allegedly quite insecure about his neck saying it is a “skinny little chicken neck” since he got teased about it by his parents when he was a kid.

The Reason For High Collars

The King Was A Twin

Elvis Presley was actually a twin but Jesse Garon, his twin brother, was sadly stillborn. On January 8, 1935, his mother Gladys had a very difficult time giving birth in their two-room home in Tupelo, Mississippi. Because of what unfortunately happened to Jesse, Gladys got really ill, so she needed to be rushed to a hospital and after that, she wasn’t able to bear any more children. They didn’t hold a funeral for Jesse Garon, and the family’s patriarch Vernon Presley decided to place the baby’s body inside a shoe box and bury him in an unmarked grave, a fact that haunted Elvis very much and caused him to later search for the resting place of his twin, though he never found it.

The King Was A Twin

The King Spoke In Baby Talk

It wasn’t a secret that Elvis Presley had been a mama’s boy, but we guess you hadn’t known that the king of rock ‘n’ roll used baby talk with his mother Gladys. You read that right – Elvis would call his mother using pet names and talked to her in baby talk even when he was already an adult. This might explain why the relationship between Elvis and Priscilla fell apart after the two had a baby. Some psychologists speculated that due to the deep adoration he had for his own mother, he had a lot of difficulty maintaining a relationship with his own wife, the mother of his child.

The King Spoke In Baby Talk

“Hound Dog” Wasn’t An Elvis Presley Original

Over the last decades, many of his critics have accused Elvis Presley of stealing “Hound Dog” since Big Mama Thornton originally recorded the track in 1953 but it just so happens that her rendition wasn’t as popular as that of Elvis’s Presley’s version in 1956. The King’s fans, on the other hand, believe it isn’t fair to accuse Presley of culturally appropriating the song due to the music industry’s nature in the ’50s, when there wasn’t such a thing as one track belonging solely to one artist. Back then, a lot of musicians performed different versions of the same song and sometimes even covers of one song which popular songwriters wrote. In addition, popular producing and songwriting duo Michael Stoller and Jerry Leiber actually penned “Hound Dog.”

“Hound Dog” Wasn’t An Elvis Presley Original

A Favorite Password

The king of rock ‘n’ roll didn’t seem to leave behind just a legacy of great songs, but his name has also become a favorite among a really strange group of individuals. Fans or not, many computer users appear to like using the name “Elvis” as their password. It isn’t surprising that Elvis Presley has become legendary in the world of music and left quite a legacy behind him, though he probably never thought that his name would end up in the World Wide Web and be inscribed there forever. However, we aren’t done yet, so keep reading to find out more fascinating unknown facts about the King.

A Favorite Password

His Eyelashes Weren’t Naturally Black

We already mentioned that Elvis Presley’s jet black hair was a dye job and he used shoe polish to get the job done. Well, the rock icon also dyed his eyelashes, which makes sense because he is rock ‘n’ roll and because no one really wants black hair with blonde lashes, right? This habit actually resulted in Elvis getting several health problems later in life due to how often he used his dying techniques. Unfortunately, Elvis suffered from many more physical qualms as you’ll find out later.

His Eyelashes Weren’t Naturally Black

The King Had A Designated Hairdresser

The only man whom Elvis Presley trusted to cut his hair was none other than Mr. Gill, his mother Gladys’ hairdresser. This Mr. Gill was prepared to go to any place so that he could cut the King’s hair. The creepy part, however, is that his hairdresser kept many of Presley’s hair trimmings and after music legend died, Mr. Gill auctioned them off. That’s a truly strange hidden secret, but what’s coming next appears even stranger.

The King Had A Designated Hairdresser

Elvis Presley Was A Fan Of Johnny Cash

The king of rock ‘n’ roll was an iconic musical talent and he also appreciated the talent that other famous musicians had. Among his favorites was the country music icon Johnny Cash, who was a guitarist, an actor, and also an author. Actually, the two were friends and admired and loved each other so much that they even tried impersonating each other – such a major bromance!

Elvis Presley Was A Fan Of Johnny Cash

The Book That Detailed The King’s Condition

On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley passed away but just two weeks before that, the book titled “Elvis: What Happened?” was released. Three of his ex-bodyguards wrote the book and they detailed a lot of the secrets about the King’s personal life. Presley attempted to pay the publishers to stop them from releasing the book, with no success. The book just exacerbated his ailments, like an elevated blood pressure, enlarged colon, glaucoma, and liver damage.

The Book That Detailed The King’s Condition

A Famous Soldier

As you know, Elvis was in the army, but did you know he was drafted when he was at his prime in the music industry? Imagine finally making it big in the job you’ve always wanted, and then you’re summoned for national service? We bet Elvis was disappointed to say the least.

A Famous Soldier

Inspiration

Ever heard of R&B singer Barry White? Believe it or not, he turned to music thanks to Elvis. While serving a jail sentence for stealing tires, he heard Elvis’ “It’s Now Or Never” on the radio and decided then and there that music was his calling. Barry White went on to become an award-winning singer and performer…all thanks to Elvis!

Inspiration

Music Class Grade

Back when Elvis was in 8th grade, he took a mandatory music class. You’d expect the King to get an A++++, right? Wrong! Elvis got a “C”, which in his school was considered a fail! We’re not too sure how he received such a low mark, but our best guess is his rebellious nature or lack of a good teacher. We can’t imagine the look on his teacher’s face when he became famous!

Music Class Grade

Michael Jackson’s Father In Law

In 1996, Michael Jackson and Elvis’ daughter Lisa Marie Presley married. Although the couple later went their separate ways, we can’t help but imagine the incredible duets that could have been between Elvis and Michael! Also, how amazing that Elvis Presley would have been the father-in-law of Michael Jackson…too bad Elvis had passed about 20 years prior.

Michael Jackson’s Father In Law

Fling With Cher

As you can imagine from his looks and esteem, Elvis was quite the ladies man. When Cher was between her marriages to Sonny Bono and Gregg Allman, she and Elvis dated a bit. Although there are rumors that the two had genuine affection for each other, it never went anywhere after Cher declined the King’s offer to join him in his hotel room. Cher spoke out recently on the incident saying she was very young and scared back then.

Fling With Cher

Benjamin Keough

Even though Elvis has been gone for quite a number of years, you may still see his face around town thanks to his look-alike grandson Benjamin Keough. Lucky for Ben, he not only inherited his grandpa’s good looks, but also his musical talent. At the moment, the young man isn’t sure whether he wants to pursue acting, singing or painting. Whatever he decides on, we’re sure he’s inherited some of his famous grandpa’s talent, so he’ll do great wherever he goes!

Benjamin Keough

10 Years Old

Elvis was very special because he didn’t just have a great voice, but also quite the moves! Many of you may not know this, but Elvis wasn’t always a great dancer, it came later in life. When he was just 10 years old, his teacher overheard him singing and persuaded him to sign up for the singing contest at the 1945 Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show. In order to reach the microphone, Elvis had to stand on a chair! We guess his dance moves weren’t quite there, as he took home 5th place.

10 Years Old

Rent Out Theme Parks

In front of the camera, Elvis was an amazing rockstar like no other. But behind closed doors, his life was very different. He had trouble sleeping at night, something no one watching him on TV would have ever guessed. Truth be told, the King Of Rock ‘n’ Roll would rent out entire amusement parks in the middle of the night, riding the roller coasters until morning.

Rent Out Theme Parks

42 & Alone

On August 15th, 1997 the world woke up to the news…King Elvis Dead. Due to his passing at such a young age, fans were shocked. Autopsy reports claim he suffered a heart attack, but those close to the King have recently opened up about his mental health and how he was struggling emotionally for years. Sadly, the King himself died alone at just 42 years old.

42 & Alone

Bye Bye Beatles

Huge icons like Elvis often inspire musicians…from garage bands to groups as famous as The Beatles. When the band was just gaining popularity, they met Elvis, and received his blessings for a successful career. But things took a turn when Elvis met President Nixon, slamming The Beatles for their “wild antics” and calling them a bad influence for the youth of the world.

Bye Bye Beatles

Legendary Costume

Elvis will forever be known for his elaborate and equally glamorous costumes. The diamond-studded suits he rocked at every show are unlike anything we’ve ever seen. No artist or group have come close to meeting the King’s fashion standards. Can you believe that Elvis’ suits weighed up to 28 pounds!! Not only did he have to face the hot lights in his get-up, he also had to sing and dance around the stage! As he got older, he would finish shows, rip his outfit off and collapse into a chair, utterly exhausted.

Legendary Costume

A Celebrity Swap

1973 was the year, and Las Vegas was the place when rock stars collided. Elvis ran into Robert Plant and John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin…man we wish we could have witnessed that! As a sign of friendship and goodwill, Elvis swapped his $5,000 gold watch in exchange for John Paul Jones’ Mickey Mouse watch. If you happen to meet John Paul Jones, ask him about it!

A Celebrity Swap

Not A Writer

While many artists today write music as well as sing it, Elvis Presley did none of that. Out of the 600 songs he recorded throughout his career, he wrote a whopping: zero. But instead of just singing the songs written by others, he would make a few edits and claim them as his own. Truth be told: no one can manipulate music as good as Elvis had.

Not A Writer

The Reason

As you’re aware, Elvis and Priscilla’s marriage only lasted a few years before the two went their separate ways. Priscilla was 27 years old when they called it quits, claiming she needed to focus on finding herself. She was quoted recently saying, “we truly lived in a bubble…I didn’t have my teenage years as a normal girl…I just kind of followed what he did…I did not divorce him because I didn’t love him. He was the love of my life, truly…If anything I left because—and I still loved him—I needed to find out what the world was like.”

The Reason

A Documentary

Priscilla Presley has recently announced that a documentary called Elvis Presley: The Searcher will be produced in memory of her love, Elvis. Never-before-seen video footage will make up most of the film, along with interviews of those closest to the King. In the documentary, Priscilla speaks on her ex-husband’s death, “I was still shocked. It was just too hard to believe…seeing the streets lined up on both sides all the way to the cemetery. You’d see glimpses, you’d see people crying, hysterical, fainting…that’s how impactful he was”.

A Documentary

They Weren’t Faithful

Sadly, Elvis and Priscilla were not loyal to each other during their marriage. Elvis began dating Joyce Bova in the 1970’s, the woman later became pregnant, but had an abortion. Priscilla had also been unfaithful, recently admitting her affair with Mike Stone. Ironically enough, Mike Stone was a karate instructor Elvis had recommended to his wife.

They Weren’t Faithful

Declining Health

Toward the end of his career, the effects of touring around the world had really gotten to Elvis. He was constantly exhausted, often slurred his words when speaking, and would lean on the mic stand to stay upright. His bandmates were never sure if he would make it through a show. Elvis’ guitarist recalls watching him on stage during one of his concerts and just breaking down crying at the King’s evident declining health. After being coerced into going to the doctor, Elvis was told he had a damaged kidney and an enlarged colon.

Declining Health

Most Visited

When Elvis was only 22 years old, he was wealthier than any other musician in the world. He decided to spend his money on a 13.8 acre mansion and called it Graceland. The King lived in his beautiful estate for 20 years before his death. No one is currently living there, as it is currently a museum and a National Historic Landmark. Elvis’ home was opened to the public in 1982 and is currently one of the most visited homes in the United States.

Most Visited

Music Trumps All

The early 1970’s were a rough few years for Elvis, especially 1973. The King was admitted into a hospital in a semi-comatose; he was completely unconscious and couldn’t be woken up. When he finally did wake up, he left the hospital, adamant about making a comeback. He went on to perform 168 concerts in 1973. Talk about a passion for music.

Music Trumps All

1974

1974 was an ever-changing year for Elvis Presley. He and Priscilla had divorced the year earlier, his father and step-mother separated, his piano player David Briggs quit and his girlfriend Linda Thompson was leaving him. The King’s world seemed to be crumbling right before his eyes, and it began to show in his music.

1974

2 Hit Wonder

Elvis Presley is one of only a handful of artists inducted into both The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and The Country Music Hall of Fame. Others include Johnny Cash and Hank Williams.

2 Hit Wonder

Priscilla Speaks Out

Priscilla felt that after Elvis’ death, it was very important for her to inform the public of the human side of Elvis, the side she knew and loved. Although he was a Rock star, he was one with a heart, one who regarded people with manners and class and one who cared deeply for his fans. He really was a stand-up guy.

Priscilla Speaks Out

Rings On Rings

Elvis was known to always wear rings, no matter the time, nor the place. The “Memphis Mafia” was the name Elvis and his closest friends called themselves. The group all had matching rings with the letters “TCB” (Take Care of Business) and thunderbolts. Elvis always held his friends and family near and dear to his heart, so it comes as no surprise that The King was buried with his rings.

Rings On Rings

Now Or Never

Elvis Presley was a best-selling Rock ‘n’ Roll artist, beloved by fans then, and now. His most famous song was the 1960 single “It’s Now Or Never”. It even became one of the best selling singles of all time, with around 30 million copies sold.

Now Or Never

Ali & Presley Meet

Muhammad Ali and Elvis Presley were actually quite good friends. The music legend gave the boxing legend a custom robe to wear before and after matches. It was made Elvis style with lots of diamonds and style. The back of the robe read “The Peoples Champion”, which was what Elvis referred to Muhammad as.

Ali & Presley Meet

Gospel Music

Can you believe that in 1954 Elvis auditioned for the Songfellows, a gospel music group? They said no. Elvis always had a love for Gospel music, producing a number of albums dedicated to the classic style of sound.

Gospel Music

“Elvis The Pelvis”

American comedian Milton Berle encouraged Elvis to perform without his guitar for a TV performance. He reportedly told young Elvis, “Let ’em see you, son.” This was the year 1956, becoming the year Elvis’ hips were discovered. The country couldn’t get enough, nicknaming him “Elvis the Pelvis”.

“Elvis The Pelvis”

Heartbreak Hotel Inspiration

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll became famous after the release of the hit ‘Heartbreak Hotel’. Can you believe the song was inspired by a newspaper article about a local suicide? A bit dark to say the least. The catchy tune was debuted in the year 1956.

Heartbreak Hotel Inspiration

6 Feet Tall

For those who never knew, Elvis Presley was actually quite a tall fella. He stood at 6 feet tall and wore a size 11 shoe. He always appeared large in photos and videos, but for those of us who never had the chance to see him live, this fact is quite interesting!

6 Feet Tall

Karate Lover

During Elvis’ time in the army, he got into the art of karate and studied the fighting style chito-ryu. Thanks to the help of his instructor Hank Slemansky, Elvis received a black belt in 1960. The King was known to use his fighting moves while on stage, combining dance and karate into his acts.

Karate Lover

Quite The Jokester

Elvis was known to be quite a jokester, frequently changing his lyrics around to get a good laugh. In 1969, he was performing “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” one evening in Las Vegas. He decided to do some lyric switching and instead of singing “Do you gaze at your doorstep and picture me there?”, he sang “Do you look at your bald head and wish you had hair?”

Quite The Jokester

Blue

Did you know that 15 of Elvis’ songs have the word blue in the title? That’s a whole lot of blue!

1. Blue Suede Shoes
2. Blue Moon
3. When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
4. Blueberry Hill
5. Blue Christmas
6. Blue Moon Of Kentucky
7. Blue River
8. Blue Hawaii
9. Milkcow Blues Boogie
10. Mean Woman Blues
11. G.I. Blues
12. Moody Blue
13. Something Blue
14. Indescribably Blue
15. Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain

Blue

Film Career

Elvis didn’t want to just stick to music, so he decided to make his way into the world of film. His first film was a western filmed called Love Me Tender. In his second film, Loving You, his parents were featured as audience members. Sadly, after his mom’s death, he never watched the film ever again. In total, the King made 31 movies throughout his career.

Film Career

Home

So we’ve mentioned his gorgeous estate Graceland, but did you know that’s where Elvis Presley is buried? It’s true, he and his parent’s graves are situated on his Graceland property. Visitors come year-round to pay tribute to the King by leaving flowers and posters next to the burial site.

Home

What Happens In Vegas…

After Elvis had starred in the film Viva Las Vegas, and produced a song with the same name, the slogan “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” was adopted. This was mainly due to fact that in the movie Elvis and his co-star Ann Margaret eloped and had a shotgun wedding in Vegas. Now, Las Vegas is the “quickie wedding” capital of the world, attracting tourists from all over to the landmark.

What Happens In Vegas…

From Haters To Lovers

When Elvis first showed up in Vegas in 1956, he was despised by music critics. The WWII generation wasn’t prepared for the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll and his hip shaking, but he showed up anyways, in style of course. A writer of the Las Vegas Sun wrote, “As he stands up there clutching his guitar, he shakes and shivers like he is suffering from itchy underwear and hot shoes”. But things slowly changed, and the city became his home base in the early 70’s. Vegas was Elvis and he was Vegas.

From Haters To Lovers

The Million Dollar Quartet

As we previously mentioned, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash were great friends. But did you know they were involved in The Million Dollar Quartet, an impromptu jamming session in Memphis, Tennessee? They performed at the Sun Record Studios and were joined by Jerry Lee Lewis back in 1956.

The Million Dollar Quartet

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

As you know, Elvis didn’t write any of the songs he performed, but, did you know who actually wrote the hit song “Crazy Little Thing called Love”? Believe it or not, Queen star, Freddie Mercury wrote it as a tribute to the King. Do you have a guess how long it took him? 10 minutes.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Same Birthday

Elvis Presley shares a birthday with another famous singer…David Bowie! Both stars were born on January 8th, but Elvis in 1935 and Bowie in 1947. Who knew 2 amazing legends shared the same big day!

Same Birthday

Hound Dog

Elvis Presley was definitely a perfectionist. Can you believe it took him 31 attempts to successfully record the song ‘Hound Dog’? That is definitely a record number in the recording studio! Although, all of those re-dos definitely paid off in the long run seeing as it’s such an iconic song!

Hound Dog