Elvis Presley History
The history of Elvis Presley, year by year, from 1954 till his death. A short series of verbal snapshots that look at his life, love and career.
The History of Elvis: 1954
Documenting the life and career of history's most popular (and, many say, best) entertainer is a daunting task, because everything Elvis touched and everything he did seemed to make history by dint of his unprecedented fame. So I've taken the time to create a series that breaks The King's life up into one big year-by-year timetable, in order to better understand the forces that led to his…
The History of Elvis: 1955
1955 was the year Elvis hit the road, creating his overnight sensation by rocking out at seemingly every state fair, high school, and military base that would have him.
The History of Elvis: 1956
1956 was the year Elvis
The History of Elvis: 1957
The powers that be wrestled with the problem called Elvis in 1957, realizing that he was no fad and yet unsure of how to fit him into the popular culture establishment... or even if such a thing were possible.
The History of Elvis: 1958
The newly-crowned King of Rock and Roll was a symbol of rebellion, although it was almost completely unselfconscious in nature. Nevertheless, it seemed only the US Government itself had the power to contain the threat. Or did it?
The History of Elvis: 1959
Shaken by the death of his mother but also energized by a new and somewhat forbidden love, Elvis' life was a emotional whirlwind during his Army stint in 1959, not the least because the King wasn't sure his subjects would remain loyal.
The History of Elvis: 1960
There was no doubt that Elvis was back in 1960... and without losing a shred of popularity. But was the pop establishment finally accepting of him, or had he simply met them halfway?
The History of Elvis: 1961
Elvis was rocking harder than ever before upon his release from the Army, and becoming a more nuanced balladeer, but his (and the Colonel's) desire to make him a movie star would soon lead to some relatively lean years.
The History of Elvis: 1962
Elvis struggles with maturity, and not just the artistic kind: though not naturally tempted to excess, he spends most of this year trying to digure out what it was he actually wanted, now that he had it all.
The History of Elvis: 1963
Elvis becomes a true pop icon, for better and worse -- not just accepted, but assimilated. But he's too distracted by female trouble to notice.
The History of Elvis: 1964
Our hero, seriously unfulfilled by having all his dreams come true, searches for the answers, even as he reinforces the walls around him.
The History of Elvis: 1965
Elvis finally begins rebelling, albeit somewhat privately, against the forces which are making him ever more unsatisfied.
The History of Elvis: 1966
Elvis finds no solace in his spirituality; at least, not enough to change his career path. And yet forces will soon shape around him to help him do just that.
The History of Elvis: 1967
With music and fashion tastes rapidly changing, Elvis suddenly realizes it's time to change right back -- to somehow make his legacy catch up to him.
The History of Elvis: 1968
Not many pop icons can make their big comeback while simultaneously becoming a family man, but The King does just that in '68.
The History of Elvis: 1969
Now firmly back on the throne, The King sets about reconquering the pop music world, and leaves the movie star stuff behind.
The History of Elvis: 1970
With his reascendance complete, Elvis seeks to make something more of his fame than just being a rock star. Yet his own personal troubles are mounting.
The History of Elvis: 1971
With his marriage in trouble, Elvis finds solace on the road. Perhaps a little too much.
The History of Elvis: 1972
The King loses his Queen, and walls himself further off from the real world in compensation.
The History of Elvis: 1973
Elvis returns triumphantly to the site of an earlier success, but his increasing paranoia threatens to destroy everything, including, for the first time, his other close relationships.
The History of Elvis: 1974
The grind begins again, except this time, The King's heart doesn't seem to be in it.
The History of Elvis: 1977
The wheels come off.