An only child, a mama's boy-Elvis was a shy kid who struggled to make friends and found comfort singing in church and learning guitar. While in high school, he continued his music but was often ridiculed by students. On a whim, he recorded a song for his mom's birthday at Sun Record Studios as part of a customer promotion. The studio loved it so much that they sent it to local record stations . . . and the rest is history. Here is the story of how a poor kid from Tupelo, Mississippi, became an American legend.
This informative title covers the life Elvis Presley. Readers learn of his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi and his family's relocation to Memphis, Tennessee. Presley's musical work is discussed, from his beginning singing Ole Shep at a state fair to his collaboration with Sam Phillips at Sun Studios in Memphis to his recording of That's All Right, and his introduction to Colonel Tom Parker to his signing with RCA and his first hits Heartbreak Hotel, Don't Be Cruel, and Hound Dog through his television appearances Ed Sullivan and live performances such as 68 Comeback Special and Aloha From Hawaii. Opposition to his controversial dance moves by parents, ministers and lawmakers is included, including his censorship on the Steve Allen Show and public banning of his music. Elvis's movie career is included with hits such as Love Me Tender, Viva Las Vegas, Jailhouse Rock, and Blue Hawaii as is his military service in the US Army. Presley's courtship with Priscilla Beaulieu is included, as is their marriage and the birth of their daughter Lisa Marie, their home Graceland, and their eventual divorce. Elvis's descent into drug use is included, leading to his death by heart failure at age 42. This book includes details of Elvis's life and covers the controversies surrounding his life and death. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
This informative title covers the life Elvis Presley. Readers learn of his childhood in Tupelo, Mississippi and his family's relocation to Memphis, Tennessee. Presley's musical work is discussed, from his beginning singing Ole Shep at a state fair to his collaboration with Sam Phillips at Sun Studios in Memphis to his recording of That's All Right, and his introduction to Colonel Tom Parker to his signing with RCA and his first hits Heartbreak Hotel, Don't Be Cruel, and Hound Dog through his television appearances Ed Sullivan and live performances such as 68 Comeback Special and Aloha From Hawaii. Opposition to his controversial dance moves by parents, ministers and lawmakers is included, including his censorship on the Steve Allen Show and public banning of his music. Elvis's movie career is included with hits such as Love Me Tender, Viva Las Vegas, Jailhouse Rock, and Blue Hawaii as is his military service in the US Army. Presley's courtship with Priscilla Beaulieu is included, as is their marriage and the birth of their daughter Lisa Marie, their home Graceland, and their eventual divorce. Elvis's descent into drug use is included, leading to his death by heart failure at age 42. This book includes details of Elvis's life and covers the controversies surrounding his life and death. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
Elvis Presley--the King of Rock 'n' Roll, still beloved by millions of Americans--comes to vibrant, gyrating life in this extraordinary picture-book biography from an award-winning author and the winner of a New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award. Here's the perfect book for anyone who wants to introduce rock 'n' roll and its king to the child in their lives. In single- page "chapters" with titles like "The First Cheeseburger Ever Eaten by Elvis" and "Shazam! A Blond Boy Turns into a Black-Haired Teenager," readers can follow key moments in Presley's life, from his birth on the wrong side of the railroad tracks in the Deep South, to playing his first guitar in grade school, to being so nervous during a performance as a teenager that he starts shaking . . . and changes the world! Jonah Winter and Red Nose Studio have created a tour-de-force that captures a boy's loneliness and longing, along with the energy and excitement, passion, and raw talent that was Elvis Presley. "Readers will want to pore over this thoroughly engaging volume." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
A bite-sized collection of quotes by and about the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Elvis was one of the most significant cultural icons of the twentieth century, and his music and movement changed the course of rock. This collection of more than 170 fascinating quotes captures what made the star so special. They come from Elton John, Mick Jagger ("He was a unique artist--an original in an area of imitators"), Cher, and of course Presley himself.
Elvis Presley rocketed from oblivion and became one of the greatest influences of the 20th Century. It is the story of what happened.Without a doubt, in early 1954, Elvis Presley was the least likely to achieve stardom. A poor teenage truck driver for a local electric company, coming from a Memphis housing project. In 1954, Rock and Roll music was just in its embryo stage, not yet defined as a musical genre. Evolving from black music emanating from the black-owned nightclubs in the southern United States. It was Called Rhythm and Blues (R&B,) and had a very limited following. 1950s teenagers yearning for a different sound of their own were obliged by local Memphis DJ - Dewey Phillips. Playing R&B through his successful local WHBQ radio show called Red Hot and Blue, emanating from Memphis, Tennessee, it could be heard in many neighboring states. Dewey's influence was legendary; he became the "Midwife of Rock and Roll Music(tm)."Dewey's influence on Elvis and other contemporaries such as Buddy Holly and others has, to date, been overlooked in contemporary history.On July 5th, 1954, Elvis Presley arrived at the Memphis Recording Studios to perform a demo for owner and record producer Sam Phillips (no relation to Dewey). At that moment, Elvis had not sung a single note professionally. He auditioned for hours without any success or glimmer of hope. On the brink of ending his first recording session without success, a nervous, scared teenager paced the floor during a late break. Nervously, he just started to play chords to an old blues song called "That's All Right Mama," with a slight alteration of tempo and style.That was when Lightning Struck!Nervous young Elvis Presley playing to pass time, thought no one was listening. Playing the song in a slightly different way caught Sam Phillips. by surprise. Another person in the control room that night than Sam Phillips, it is questionable if young Elvis Presley's career would have even started! The book describes the early career of Elvis Presley. The lightning storm started on July 5th, 1954. and its terminal velocity on September 9th, 1956. During the Ed Sullivan Show, over 60 million people watched the coronation of Elvis Presley as the definitive King of Rock and Roll. First coined by High school friend and local DJ Memphis Disc Jockey George Klein (GK) as "The King of Rock and Roll." It was an innocent but truthful description of what transpired the first two years of his career (1954-1956). But the road to the title had pitfalls. Elvis: The King of Rock and Roll describes why Elvis Presley earned and deserved this title. Altering a trajectory of history in a single moment. On July 5th, 1954. Elvis Presley started a firestorm that transformed popular music while forever changing the landscape of the music industry. A firestorm, which would transform the world. Elvis Presley: The King of Rock and Roll puts the reader in the midst of it. Within three years, Elvis Presley went from the brink of a failed audition to the largest-selling recording artist in the world! The musical genre pioneered by Elvis and his contemporaries presented Rock & Roll to a new audience. Arguably helping bridge a cultural divide and would be a catalyst of change for generations.You will feel the emotions of the young teenager and understand what caused the world's transformation. Focusing primarily on the music, events, and people around him. all catalysts to his success. The unassuming public persona and demeanor of young Elvis Presley, giving him the capacity to usher in the music of Rock & Roll, and changing the world forever! Elvis Presley achieved fame with raw talent alone, without any musical or financial pedigree.In 2017 George Klein -GK Reading my book excerpts in the Sirius XM Elvis Radio Studio said: "Frank, no one has written this book the way you are writing it! It has to be written!" This the story, that has yet to be shared!
The King still rules! Blending blues and country, gospel and pop, Elvis Presley sang and gyrated his way into superstardom. In this vivid, fast-flowing portrait, readers will meet the shy teen behind the sassy performer, the celebrity who sparked swoons around the world, the overworked actor and his fatal dance with prescription drugs. More than twenty-five years after Elvis's death, people of all ages still delight in his music. Author Connie Plantz introduces new fans to the man behind the Elvis mystique. Book jacket.
