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Long live the king: Why Elvis is the greatest performer of all time

Seventy-three years ago, the man who would forever be known as "The King Of Rock-N-Roll" was born. His name was Elvis Aaron Presley, and he was, by far, the single greatest performer of all time.

Elvis Presley was born on January 8 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. His family, although very close, was also very poor, and struggled repeatedly to make ends meet. In search of a better life, Elvis' father, Vernon, moved the family to Memphis, Tennessee during the summer of 1948. Things improved for the Presleys financially and Elvis was able to attend high school.

Upon graduation in 1953, Elvis took a job as a truck driver. He saved every dime of his salary, eventually amassing enough to purchase himself a guitar. It became one of his most prized possessions. He went everywhere with that guitar, as it soon became one of his many trademarks.

The year 1954 would change Elvis' life forever, and Rock-N-Roll for all of eternity. For it was during the spring of that year that Elvis would record the song, "That's Alright Mama." It would become an instant smash hit. Then, Mr. Sam Phillips, the co-owner and operator of the legendary Sun Recording Studios in downtown Memphis, heard it after returning from a trip to England. Mr. Phillips was completely overwhelmed by Elvis's incredible vocal skills and unique style. He had never heard anything like it. Soon afterward, he met with Elvis and took the young man under his wing.

The partnership was extremely great and lucrative for both men. It sent Elvis into stardom, and sent Mr. Phillips smiling all the way to and from the bank. In fact, in less than two years time, Elvis had recorded four enormous hits. They were: "Heartbreak Hotel", "Jailhouse Rock", "Love Me Tender", and "Are You Lonesome Tonight". Each one of these incredible songs soared all the way to Number One on the charts, and remained there for weeks and weeks at a time. Clearly, the Sun Sessions launched Elvis' career.

By 1956, Elvis's level of success was so incredible, and his popularity so phenomenal, he became way too big of a star for Sam Phillips and Sun Recording Studios to handle. Phillips knew this, and, as a result, was forced to sign over the recording rights to Elvis to R.C.A. Records for $30,000.

In 1958, Elvis career as an entertainer was interrupted by military service. Although being taken away temporarily from his one true passion was disappointing to be sure, Elvis performed admirably in the United States Army. He was a deeply patriotic man, and did his duty


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