Elvis Presley
1935 - 1977

Many people consider Elvis Presley to be Rock and Roll's greatest performer.  As he grew up in the South, he was influenced by the blues, gospel, and country-and-western music.  When he was a teenager he recorded some songs for his mother, which impressed the studio manager.  This experience lead to other recordings and eventually to fame and fortune in the record and movie business.   

Elvis Presley's unique singing style combined country music, black rhythm-and-blues and early rock and roll.  His good looks, unique singing style, and electric performances made him one of the most popular idols in modern American history.   His recordings are still popular today and his motion pictures are still watched on TV.  He is still considered a legend in American popular culture.

Elvis Presley developed a drug dependency and died tragically from a heart attack in 1977.  He was only 42 years old.