Elvis: The Downfall of a Legend

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Elvis was born to Gladys and Vernon Presley, a farming family in Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. Originally Elvis Aron Presley was a twin, however, his brother Jesse died after birth (Austin 1994). A close knit family, Elvis and his family attended the Assembly of God Church where his love of music started to blossom (EPE 2014). Growing up his family had many financial struggles. Despite this, at age eleven, Elvis received his first instrument, a guitar. Shortly after, Vernon Presley struggled to hold down a job in Mississippi. He made the decisive decision to uproot the family to Memphis, Tennessee (Hirshberg 1995).
Elvis begins to attend high school and helps support his family financially by taking various jobs. After graduating high school, Elvis begins to work at Parker Machinists Shop. While employed there, he decides to stop by the Memphis Recording Service to create a record (EPE 2014). Sam Phillips, the owner of Memphis Recording Service, with the persuasion of his assistant Marion Keisker, calls Elvis to record a song called, “Without You”. Sam is not initially impressed by Elvis’ voice and introduces him to Scotty Moore, a guitarist, and Bill Black, a bassist. He insists that they rehearse together and return when they put something together. Shortly after, Sun label puts out Elvis’ first singles (Hirshberg 1995).
The three gentlemen decide to perform together. They play gigs at small clubs and have moderate success. Eventually Elvis has one appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Unfortunately he is not well received with the audience (EPE 2014). On October 16, 1954, the group appears on the show Louisiana Hayride. Elvis is soon headlining the show. D.J. Fontana, the former house drummer for the Louisiana Hayride, joins ...

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...ten call his doctor, George Nichopoulos, and request more sedative pills. Soon he also began using cocaine along with the prescription drugs (Austin 1994). Elvis stated he was suffering from glaucoma, hypertension, an enlarged heart, clogged arteries and a twisted colon. He was on several different prescriptions which included a barbiturate and Quaalude (Hirshberg 1995).On August 16, 1977, Elvis returns to Graceland after visiting his dentist. Late that morning, Elvis Presley dies from heart failure. His funeral is held two days later (EPE 2014).

Works Cited

Austin, John (1994). Hollywood’s Greatest Mysteries. New York, NY: S.P.I Books.
Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. (2014). 1935-1957. Retrieved from http://www.elvis.com/about-the-king/biography_/1935_1954.aspx
Hirshberg, Charles (1995). Elvis: A Celebration in Pictures. New York, NY: Warner Books, Inc.

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