Celebrate the King of Rock ’n’ Roll

When you think of Elvis, what is your favorite song? It is “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Blue Christmas,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” or “Love Me Tender”? Maybe you are a fan of his flashy fashion or hair styles? Or his ballads and love songs? His gyrating hips? Was it his humble background? Perhaps it was his relations that brought the world together musically and gave us one of the biggest major music stars in history!

This marks the 45th year of Elvis Week, celebrated annually in Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis Aaron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. He would pass away in Memphis, Tennessee, on August 16, 1977. After Presley’s death, fans from around the world would come to Graceland and honor him. This would become an annual event, celebrated the week leading up to his death, August 9–15.

There are many unique facts about Elvis that proves his enduring legacy in music and culture that are recognized to this day:

• He is known as the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, but did you know that he also could be called one of the founding fathers of rockabilly? He also performed gospel, country, and blues successfully!
• He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 2018 for his cultural influence and contributions to music.
• He was inducted into five halls of fame, including the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!
• Elvis was the first solo artist to have a concert broadcast worldwide on television.
• He is the number one albums and singles artist in UK Music Charts of all time.
• Presley holds the Guinness World Record for most records sold worldwide at a whopping 500 million!  
• To this day, Elvis Presley holds multiple influences in film, stage, screen, and music, creating a legacy that carry on for decades to come!

Are you craving learning more about this legendary artist? Check out American Music for full albums of some of his greatest hits. Then go to Popular Music Library to check out nearly 30 albums by Elvis and cover artists honoring him. Are you wanting to watch the King on film? Check out Access Video on Demand, which features 10 documentaries and videos all about Elvis’s career in films, his time serving in the Army, home videos of him, and his performances in Las Vegas. Go down the rabbit hole of Access Video and discover the history of the 1950s, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and other famous musicians. I was very excited to see that you could view Elvis’s childhood home on Fold3 in Military Records.

If you would like to view over 180 full-text articles, more than 20 images related to the King or even watch a video clip, search for “Elvis” under Military and Intelligence on General OneFile. This site covers a vast array of history and has updated articles and information about the lives and tributes of those who served in the military. You can limit your search options for publication year, full text, and even the type of document. Whether academic or press release, this news resource gives a very unique look into the life and legacy of Elvis.

Lastly, if you want to check out some books, iconic films from Presley’s career, or even start your music journey, here are some fun items from the Library’s collection that you may enjoy!

Thank you. Thank you very much!

Andrew E.
Red Bridge Branch