Elvis Presley

Decades before he became the King of Rock n’ Roll, Elvis Presley was born in Mississippi in January 1935. After moving to Nashville with his parents as a child, he embarked on his legendary music career in 1954 when signing to Memphis’ Sun Records. The “Can’t Help Falling in Love” singer quickly made his home in the Tennessee city, drawing artistry influences from Beale Street and purchasing his famous mansion, Graceland, in 1957.

Elvis — whose iconic career skyrocketed in the mid-to-late ’50s — married Priscilla Presley in 1967. The couple later welcomed their only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, the following year. (Lisa Marie, who followed in her father’s footsteps as a singer-songwriter, went on to have four children. She died in January 2023.) Elvis and Priscilla’s marriage was not meant to be and the two split in 1972, finalizing their divorce one year later.

Throughout his illustrious career, the “Blue Suede Shoes” singer became a pop culture icon, developing a fervent fan base, scoring 18 No. 1 hits and 14 Grammy nominations (winning three). After releasing hit after hit in the late ’50s and 1960s, Elvis began his famous Las Vegas residency, performing 636 shows in Sin City. The musician also holds the title of best-selling solo artist of all time in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Elvis died at his Graceland home in 1977 from cardiac arrest. He was 42.