Happy Birthday, Elvis Presley aka The King

Elvis Presley would have turned 89 on Jan. 8, 2024

In our collective minds, Elvis Presley remains a healthy, vibrant, oh-so-handsome King of rock ‘n’ roll. In reality, had he lived, he would have been an octogenarian. Difficult to fathom.

The man, also known simply as Elvis, was an American singer, musician and actor. He is regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century and is often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll” or simply “the King.” His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, led him to great success—and initial controversy.

Presley’s first RCA single, “Heartbreak Hotel”, was released in January 1956 and became a number-one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll.

In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work.

He is the best-selling solo music artist of all time, and was commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, R&B, adult contemporary, and gospel. He won three Grammy Awards, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.

In 2018, Presley was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Elvis Presley has special connection to Palm Springs, This international tourist destination is home to the famous Elvis Honeymoon Hideaway. Elvis and Priscilla Presley lived here in 1966 and 1967, and honeymooned here on May 1, 1967 after their wedding.

Day hikers can see Elvis Presley’s Palm Springs home on the Chino Canyon Overlook Trail. The 0.72-mile trail is not for the faint-hearted. It’s steep and hugs the mountainside.

On the evening of Tuesday, August 16, 1977, Presley was scheduled to fly out of Memphis to begin another tour. That afternoon, Ginger Alden discovered him in an unresponsive state on a bathroom floor. Attempts to revive him failed, and his death was officially pronounced the next day at 3:30 p.m. at the Baptist Memorial Hospital.

President Jimmy Carter issued a statement that credited Presley with having “permanently changed the face of American popular culture.”

Presley’s funeral was held at Graceland on Thursday, Aug. 18.