The Life of Fame & Controversy: ELVIS PRESLEY

In his 42 years of life, Elvis Presley touched the heights of unprecedented stardom through his music but this celebrated status of the late musician wasn’t achieved without the never ending controversies, scandals and rumors that continue to revolve around his name and glory. Known as the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley shifted the music into an entirely different manner and paved the path for the musicians of the future. Highlighting Priscilla Presley’s last line from her memoir, “He was a man, a very special man”, a man who is remembered by popular culture through films, books, television and of course, music.  

Elvis Presley was gifted with a kind of “once-in-a-generation” voice that not only synced with his guitar but also his Southern looks and magnetic charisma by which he captured the attention and love of his admirers. Behind the curtain of worldwide eminence, Elvis was just a man who never forgot his humble roots and searched for a way, in the midst of the glamour and prestige to head back towards his origins.

In the city of Tupelo, Mississippi on 8th January, 1935, Gladys Presley gave birth to twin boys Jesse Garon and Elvis Aaron Presley, unfortunately the former was stillborn and the latter went on to alter the musical trajectory of the world. The loss of a son startled possessive and overprotective tendencies in Gladys towards Elvis, who was her only child now. He was born in poverty; Tupelo offered low job security and the rate of literacy was extremely low. His father, Vernon was out of jobs almost every week while his mother was a seamstress. Elvis attended the church with his family, the music he grew up with was Gospel music and initially he longed to be a gospel singer: to become a part of the church band. He got his first guitar at the age of 11. Regardless of the race relations at that time, Elvis was fond of the blues, the African-American folk music originating from the post Civil War Southern regions of the country. At 13, he moved with his family to a much diverse and eclectic place, Memphis: which was a cultural and commercial hub for music. The lively environment of Memphis and the bustling aura of Beale Street inspired him: he admired the music of BB King, Johnny Ace and, Bobby “Blue” Band. The blues transformed from a genre of music to an integral part of him. Elvis refused to distance himself from the music he loved: the music he couldn’t sing just because of the differences in skin color. His defying nature broke many norms of that era where music was divided by racism: in the near-future this action of his caused tension among many conservative groups.

In 1953, he unintentionally went into a record studio which was owned by Sam Phillips and recorded two songs, most probably blues. In the start of 1954, he visited the studio for the second time and after witnessing his ability, Sam Phillips invited Elvis again but this time he took part in a recording session with two local musicians, Scotty Moore and Bill Black. This session turned out to be unsuccessful and as everyone was packing up to go home, Elvis began vocalizing a country blues song by Arthur Crudup known as That’s All Right: as Elvis took the studio by storm in those few moments, both Moore and Black joined him, Phillips realized the ambition that was concealed inside a white boy from Tupelo who was meant to live a life that was going to be etched in the history.

Elvis Presley’s rise to fame was like any other person’s rise to power. He changed the course of popular culture by making an impact that is still talked about. An impact that was driven by the force of music. Soon he started performing on stage, his first outside concert was The Louisiana Hayride: day by day, teenagers swooned over Elvis Presley more and more just as they did over Frank Sinatra a few years back. Initially Elvis alongside Moore and Black played blues from the 30s and 40s, this trio was managed by Bob Neal. The lively and vibrant genre of African-American folk music, blues assisted Elvis to climb the ladder of success. He only performed blues in a totally different manner, with his eccentric pelvic and hip movements, he resisted the traditional way of performing and evoked a sense of desire and passion amidst his audience, especially youth. The teenagers of America were climbing over conservative boundaries to embrace a sense of rebellious behavior, Elvis’ magic turned to be revolutionary under these circumstances.

Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker

As he began to gain popularity, he found himself under the management of Colonel Tom Parker, a pioneer of music promoting business who would soon become one of the notorious figures in artistic history by playing a crucial and significant role in Elvis’ downfall. Col. Parker took this opportunity of shaping a young rockstar into the King of Rock and Roll very seriously due to the self-advantages that would be the outcome of Elvis’ fame. 

The “PELVIC THRUSTS” Controversary:

Many of the traditionalists objected towards Elvis’ style of performing, especially his groundbreaking and subversive movements of lower body, his infamous pelvic thrusts. Elvis knew how pivotal and crucial it was to connect with the audience and that job he conducted extraordinarily: soon he would set an example that proved that after Elvis, music was never the same. During the dogmatically traditional times, his performing style stirred up a controversy about promoting obscenity and vulgarity amongst teenagers, especially girls who were falling victim to hysteria and infatuation. By the direction and guidance of Col. Parker, Elvis went from elevated from rags to riches, and he would forever be grateful to Colonel for making his wildest dreams come true. During the height of his popularity as well as this conflict in 1958, Colonel Parker enlisted Elvis in the US Army to display him as a patriotic young man. He appeared in four films including Jailhouse Rock and some of his songs were recorded before he left. He was drafted as a part of 3rd Armored Division in Freidberg, Germany where he met then 14-year old Priscilla Beaulieu. He returned to the States with a new career and yes, a new hairstyle.

By 1960, he reappeared and his admirers were met with a long-awaited sense of happiness to witness him entertain. His eyes were now set on an acting career like the giants of that time, Marlon Brando and James Dean. He became a part of almost 30 films in the mid 60s, most of them were musical comedies filled with campy blues. His love for music was resilient and unshakable that exceeded the racial differences. As a young American, he grew up being an eyewitness to the discrimination on the basis of color, race and religion. Elvis fought for a change, an innovation. He married Priscilla Beaulieu on 1st May, 1967. 

Elvis and Priscilla Presley's Las Vegas Wedding

The late 1960s turned out to be a revelation for him, the political turmoil and upheaval through events that occurred changed his perspective on life: the assassinations of President John. F Kennedy, his brother Robert Kennedy and civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elvis wasn’t a part of politics but through his music, he changed the landscape of history and politics as well. Amidst the defining political scenario, he chose to regenerate his singing career. His only child, Lisa Marie was born on 1st February, 1968; at that time, he was deeply dissatisfied with his career.

In the June of 1968, Elvis recorded a performance in front of a small group of audience, which aired on 3rd December of that same year. Later known as the 1968 Comeback Special, this show marked his return into the music world from cinema. The world saw Elvis clad in a black leather outfit and as a tribute to the assassinated politicians, he ended the show with If I Can Dream. The performance proved to be a worldwide success and soon after, Elvis was back on track with his concerts.  From that point till the end of his life, he ventured into a vigorous and strategic routine of live performances across America: most of them were in Las Vegas due to economical benefit according to Col. Tom Parker who was significantly involved in the constant mental manipulating and controlling Elvis especially in the 1970s. Through many physicians, Elvis was prescribed pills and drugs to stimulate his performance and career as well.

On 21 December 1970, he made an impromptu visit to the White House where he discussed the extensive use of drugs and narcotics amongst the youth, President Richard Nixon found this meeting quite awkward. The 1970s created a conflict which was marked with obstacles in his career and personal life. His divorce from Priscilla Beaulieu Presley was finalized on October 9, 1973 and they remained on good terms till his death. The chain of continuous shows and live performances made him achieve a great height of success once again. The teenagers of the 50s were now adults but they still can’t get enough of Elvis’ magic that was once ignited in their youth: he became the greatest musician and the King of Rock and Roll. Towards the end of his life, he was embedded in the culture and after his death, he became a legend: THE KING

The reign of THE KING was brought to a devastating end by the corrupt Col. Parker who made him excessively dependent on medication. His use of prescribed pills became substantial day by day to cope up with busy schedule. In the early months of 1977, his health and appearance deteriorated and there was only minor resemblance that was left of the enigmatic figure that once enchanted thousands. He limited himself to Graceland reading spiritual books and papers. On 16 of August 1977, he was about to begin another tour that evening: he was found unresponsive in his bathroom that afternoon. His soul departed from this world at 3:30 p.m at Baptist Memorial Hospital but his name never vanished. Even after his death and burial at Graceland beside his beloved mother, his popularity and fame was and still is surrounded by several controversies and scandals that never seem to cease.

Elvis and Me: controversy after death: 

The most recent one being a result of Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla (2023) which portrayed him as an abusive person and left his admirers in abysmal uncertainty of who he was. 

The film is an adaptation of Priscilla Presley’s memoir Elvis and Me: which is stated as the true story of their relationship yet in other words, it tends to contain her side of the story only. The memoir highlights his gifts and flaws both, depicting Elvis as a predator who groomed then-14 year old Priscilla Beaulieu, his behavior under the influence and his faith of spiritualism. This matter became a subject of conflict leading to the transformation of his fame and notoriety.

The name Elvis Presley is linked with music, enchantment and appeal but that same name is also correlated with accusations of stealing black music, indecent demeanor whilst performing, and grooming teenagers.  He left a legacy of ambition that transcended through race and religion, a contribution towards breaking societal norms and promoted sexual liberation. His impact extended far beyond his music and he modified the culture and made himself a part of it. Elvis Aaron Presley was a revolution that altered the course of music and history.