Five things you never knew about Elvis Presley
As we approach what would've been Elvis' 91st birthday, we’re taking a look at the lesser-known parts of the Tupelo-born superstar’s illustrious life.
It's that time of the year again, and rock ‘n’ roll fans from across the world are descending on Tennessee for Elvis’ birthday celebrations. Taking place mainly around the Graceland Mansion, these annual festivities commemorate the late great rockstar's illustrious life and the musical magic that put Memphis on the map. With exclusive presentations from those who knew 'the King' best and special performances from the world’s top tribute acts, these celebrations showcase all things Elvis Presley in a truly unique way. Whether you’ve secured your ticket for this year’s celebrations or are looking ahead to your own Elvis-themed escape, we’ve got a range of itineraries across the United States that are perfect for marking the big occasion.
To celebrate Elvis’ 91st birthday, our team has been taking a closer look at the life and legacy of North America’s most iconic rockstar. From his humble beginnings in suburban Tupelo to his smouldering signature look, here are five things you might not have known about the 'King of Rock 'n' Roll'.
1. The high life was always on his mind
Given that he spent most of his childhood in a small shotgun house in Mississippi, you might forgive a young Elvis Presley for thinking big after finding fame. Once his career took off in 1954, ‘the King’ bought his legendary, columned Memphis mansion, Graceland, when he was just 22 years of age. At the time of purchase, the property was around 14 acres and slightly over 10,000 square feet. These days, the site occupies more than 17,500 square feet.
2. Can’t help falling in love with the USA
There’s no denying it: over the years, Elvis achieved global fame and became a household name across every continent. From his chart-topping records to his success on Hollywood’s silver screen, ‘the King’ became an icon of rock ‘n’ roll. Despite 40% of the artist’s music sales coming from outside of the United States and Canada, he never actually performed anywhere but North America during his career.
3. His signature hound dog hairdo
‘The King’ is famed for his smouldering looks, in part due to his dark black hair that was characteristically slicked back into a 1950s pompadour. But did you know that his hair was naturally less striking? He famously had it dyed black in order to give more of an edge to the mousy brown hair he had inherited.
4. All shook up in the army
While it’s difficult to imagine Elvis in any career other than music and show business, he actually served in the US army. What’s even more interesting is that he had already achieved a high level of fame when he began his two years of active army duty. During the late fifties, he served in Company D, 32nd Tank Battalion, 3rd Armor Division in Friedberg, a town in Bavaria, Germany.
5. A little less conversation – and even less songwriting
Unlike many singers on the charts these days, Elvis was no singer-songwriter. Across his dazzling 24 years in the industry, he recorded 600 tracks, despite never writing any of the lyrics. That’s not to say that they’re any less impressive, though, and you can hear him work his magic with our Presley-inspired playlist.
Follow in the footsteps of ‘the King’ with Newmarket Holidays
So, now you have a better grasp of the man behind the music. The best part, though, is that we’ve only scratched the surface! To delve deeper into the Deep South’s musical heritage, give one of our friendly holiday planners a call. You can also view the full range of rock ‘n’ roll itineraries on our dedicated Elvis Presley page or check out holiday hotspots across the world with a look at our destinations page.
For more inspiration on your own musical getaway, discover the most iconic spots from Elvis’ life with our rock ‘n’ roll roadmap or hear from one of our expert tour managers with a special Presley-themed Q&A.
