Elvis Aaron Presley1935 - 1977

Early YearsElvis was born on January 8th 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, in a tiny 2 room house built by his Father.

His identical twin brother Jessie Garon diedsoon after he was born.

Elvis desperately wanted a bike for his 11th birthday but his Mum persuades him to have a guitar insteadlittle did she know what the future held for her son! In 1948 they move to Memphis,Tennessee.

First RecordingElvis sang at a schooltalent show and won first prize!In 1953 when he was 17/18, Elvis recorded acouple of songs at Sun Studios for his Mum Gladys birthday.

In the summer of 1954 Elvis is teamed up with a group of musicians and backing singers and records his first track Thats Alright.Double click to hear Thats Alright

On October 16th 1954 Elvis and his band appear on a radio show and are an instant hit!

On November 20th 1955 Elvis signs a record contract and records his first single Heartbreak Hotel a few months later.

Double click here to listen to Heartbreak Hotel

Elvis has his first number 1!Heartbreak Hotel reaches number 1 and Elvis starts to appear on TV shows.

He also makes his first movie, Love Me Tender in which he sings many songs.

Graceland Elvis Presleys home!

The third film Elvismakes is calledJailhouse Rock. Miss TownsendsFavourite! Double click here to hearJailhouse Rock

Elvis joins the army!In 1956 Elvis joins the army and has to have his famous quiff shaved off.He is sent to Germany.Sadly his Mum dies that year too.

In May 1967 Elvis gets married to Priscilla and in February 1968 their daughter Lisa-Marie is born.

In 1977 Elvis and Priscilla get a divorce.Elvis has been touring for years and is very tired. He has made 31 films and had 149 songs in the charts!He finishes his career playing in Las Vegas, sometimes doing 2 shows a night.

Elvis Dies!Sadly on August 16th 1977 Elvis dies of a heart attack, he is 42. He is found dead in his bathroom the next morning. He is buried in the grounds of Graceland with his mother. His father dies a few years later. Find out if anyone you know can remember what they were doing when they heard Elvis had died.

Now its your turn!How many facts can you remember about the life and songs of Elvis Presley?

Your turn now to make an Elvis fact sheet!Double click here fora couple of Elvis medleys

Changing Fashions!Now look closely at how the clothes that Elvis wore changed over the years.

Does his hair change too?

What do you notice about the clothes and hair as the years pass? Add this to your fact file.

If Elvis were alive today, what questionswould you like to ask him?

Next lesson you will work with a groupof friends to think of 3 questions you would ask Elvis Presley if he were alive today.