Elvis Presley Birthday Today
Today, January 8 is Elvis Presley’s birthday. Had he lived today, the King of Rock and Roll would have been 76 years old.
Elvis Presley Biography from Elvis.com:
Elvis Aaron Presley was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. His twin brother, Jessie Garon, was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. He and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, and Elvis graduated from Humes High School there in 1953.
Elvis’ musical influences were the pop and country music of the time, the gospel music he heard in church and at the all-night gospel sings he frequently attended, and the black R&B he absorbed on historic Beale Street as a Memphis teenager.
In 1954, Elvis began his singing career with the legendary Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his recording contract was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956, he was an international sensation. With a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences and blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of the time, he ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture.
Tomorrow will mark what would have been Elvis’ 76th birthday, but today actually marks the beginning of the celebration. Legions of Elvis fans will descend upon Memphis to celebrate the King’s birthday with cake, concerts, and more. This year the event will prove to be extra special, because officials planning his birthday will use the moment to honor freed Chilean Miner Edison Pena.