To some,he's simply the King.To others,he's the poster Child of overindulgent excess.But whether viewed as musical pioneer or tragic figure,Elvis remains one of the most influential performers—and cultural catalysts—of the twentieth century.He is Che unwitting bridge between the safe,sexless,Pat Boone-style croonerof the conservative Eisenhower era 1950s and the edgy,counterculture performers 1ike Tim Morrison of the late 1960s who not only exuded sexuality but reveled in it.

Almost 30 years after his death,Elvis Presley remains one of the most influential performers and recognized pop culture icons the world over.His then-unprecedented musical style——a fusion of blues,country,pop,bluegrass,and gospel--ushered in the age of rock n’roll and paved the way for generations of musicians and singers to follow.

A diverse array of performers——from The Beatles to Bruce Springsteen——cite Elvis as an integral musical influence and inspiration.Not only did Elvis usher in a new genre of music,he also came to represent the growing disSatisfaction young people had with the mores and conventions of the restrictive 1 950s.At a time when the top pop stars were Pat Boone and Andy Williams,Elvis’blatant sensuality on stage and his smoldering presence off it made him the anti-establishment poster boy.

This biography offers a seldom seen glimpse into the life and career of Elvis,tracing his family life,musical career,films,and legacy.The volume contains a timeline and bibliography.Today,the King lives on in popular culture——On Top 20 lists,in film and television,on the radio,in cyberspace,and yes,even in the countless performances by Elvis impersonators throughout the world.

Series Foreword

Introduction

Timeline：Events in the Life of Elvis Presley

Chapter 1 The Presley Familv Tree

Chapter 2 A Short-Lived Honeymoon

Chapter 3 A Growing Passion for Music

Chapter 4 The Road to Melllphis

Chapter 5 First Love

Chapter 6 Chasing the Dream

Chapter 7 Honing the Talent

Chapter 8 Painful Lessons

Chapter 9 Breaking 7hrough

Chapter 10 Lights,Camera,Action

Chapter 11 Loss

Chapter 12 A New Woman of the House

Chapter 13 Walking a Fine Line

Chapter 14 A Tragic End

Further Reading

Index

Vocabulary