Elvis Presley is one of the most iconic figures in history. His influence on music and culture has been felt across generations, but what many people may not know is that his family played an essential role in his early life and success.
Who is Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was an American singer and songwriter who rose to fame in the mid-1950s. His unique blend of rock and roll, country, blues, and gospel music changed the course of popular music history forever. He became an international superstar with a host of hit songs and movies, becoming one of the most successful and influential musicians of all time.
Importance of family in Elvis’s life
Elvis Presley’s family played an essential role in his early life and success. His parents, Gladys and Vernon Presley, were supportive of his music and career aspirations, encouraging him to pursue his dreams. They even mortgaged the family home to finance Elvis’ first recording sessions at Sun Records in 1954.
Parents and Siblings
Vernon Elvis Presley (father)
1. Early life and background
Vernon Elvis Presley was born on April 10, 1916 in Fulton, Mississippi to Jesse D. and Minnie Mae Hood Presley. He was raised in poverty and had a difficult childhood, working odd jobs as a young man to support himself. In 1933, he enlisted in the United States Army and served for two years before returning home to Mississippi.
2. Relationship with Elvis
Vernon had a close relationship with his son, Elvis. He was a supportive and encouraging father who believed in Elvis’s talent and encouraged him to pursue his dreams of becoming a musician. Vernon provided the initial financial backing for Elvis’s recording sessions at Sun Records in 1954, mortgaging the family home to make it happen.
3. Involvement in Elvis’s career
Vernon Presley was heavily involved in Elvis’s career, acting as an advisor and offering advice on the direction of his music. He also managed the financial aspect of Elvis’s career, negotiating contracts and royalties for him.
Gladys Love Presley (mother)
1. Early life and background
Gladys Love Presley was born on April 25, 1912 in Pontotoc, Mississippi to Robert Lee Smith and Dollie Lou Gray. She was a shy and quiet girl who loved music, particularly country music. At the age of sixteen, she married Vernon Elvis Presley in 1933 after he returned from his service in the United States Army.
2. Influence on Elvis’s passion for music
Gladys Love Presley was a major influence on Elvis’s early passion for music. She was a fan of country music and often took her young son to the local radio station, where he would listen to the Grand Ole Opry broadcasts.
3. Tragic passing and impact on Elvis
Sadly, Gladys Love Presley passed away unexpectedly in 1958 due to a heart attack at the age of 46. Elvis was devastated by her death and it had an immense impact on his life.
Jesse Garon Presley (twin brother)
1. Born prematurely
Elvis Presley had a twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley, who was born prematurely at 4:35 am on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. The two brothers were very close and both shared an interest in music. Unfortunately, Jesse Garon passed away from complications of his premature birth 35 minutes after his birth.
2. his influence in Elvis’s life
Jesse Garon Presley had a major influence on Elvis’s life despite dying shortly after his birth. It is believed that the tragedy of losing his twin brother at such an early age had a profound impact on Elvis and shaped his personality and outlook on life.
Spouse and Children
Priscilla Presley (wife)
1. Meeting and courtship with Elvis
Priscilla Presley first met Elvis in 1959 when she was just 14 years old. Her family had relocated to Germany, where Elvis was stationed with the United States Army at the time. The two hit it off right away and began a courtship that lasted nearly seven years until their marriage in 1967.
2. Marriage and life together
Priscilla and Elvis were married on May 1, 1967 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They moved into a large estate in Memphis, TN called Graceland where they lived together with their daughter Lisa Marie. The couple enjoyed a happy marriage for six years until their divorce was finalized in 1973.
3. Divorce and ongoing relationship
Priscilla and Elvis were divorced in 1973, after a long drawn out legal process that lasted nearly two years. Despite the divorce, Priscilla has maintained an ongoing relationship with Elvis’s family.
Lisa Marie Presley (daughter)
1. Birth and early years
Lisa Marie Presley was born on February 1, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee to Elvis and Priscilla Presley. As a child, Lisa Marie lived with her parents at Graceland, their large estate in Memphis. She had a close relationship with her father who often took her on tour with him during his time performing in Las Vegas.
2. Relationship with Elvis
Lisa Marie and Elvis had a strong bond from the time she was born until his death in 1977. Despite her young age, Lisa was often included on tour with Elvis and she spent much of her childhood at Graceland, learning songs and dance moves from her famous father.
3. Achievements and career
Lisa Marie Presley is an accomplished musician, actress, and businesswoman. She began her career in music at a young age, releasing her debut album To Whom It May Concern in 2003. The album was certified gold and earned her three Grammy Award nominations. She has since released five additional albums with varying levels of success.
Extended Family
Immediate relatives
1. Aunts, uncles, and cousins
Elvis Presley had two aunts on his mother’s side: Clettes Presley and Delta Mae Biggs. He also had an uncle named Vester Presley.
2. Their relationship with Elvis
Despite the large size of his extended family, Elvis had strong relationships with many of his aunts, uncles, and cousins. His aunt Clettes was his favorite, often taking him on vacations and providing a nurturing environment for him to grow up in. His uncle Vester was also close to Elvis, despite their age difference.
Grandchildren
1. Names and backgrounds
Elvis Presley had four grandchildren: Danielle Riley Keough, Benjamin Storm Keough, Finley Aaron Love Lockwood, and Harper Vivienne Ann Lockwood. Danielle is the daughter of Elvis’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley and musician Danny Keough.
2. Involvement in the entertainment industry
Elvis Presley was an iconic figure in the entertainment industry, having a profound impact on both music and film. He began his career as a singer, releasing his first single, “That’s All Right,” in 1954. He quickly rose to fame with hits such as “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Jailhouse Rock.”
Legacy and Influence on Future Generations
Preservation of Elvis’s estate and music
Elvis Presley has left behind a lasting legacy that continues to influence generations to this day. His estate, Graceland, is now preserved as a museum for fans and visitors to explore his life and career. Additionally, his music is still widely listened to and recognized as some of the most influential rock and roll of all time.
Impact of Elvis’s family on his fans
Elvis Presley’s family has had a significant impact on his fans throughout the years. Lisa Marie, Elvis’s daughter, was included in many of her father’s performances and events while she was growing up, and as an adult has released several albums and toured extensively.
Continuing influence on the entertainment industry
Elvis Presley’s influence on the entertainment industry has been so profound that he continues to be an influential figure today. His iconic look and signature style of music have become synonymous with rock and roll, and his songs are still widely listened to by both old fans and new generations.
Conclusion
Elvis Presley’s family has had a lasting impact on generations of fans and the entertainment industry as a whole. From his immediate relatives to extended family, Elvis’s influence has been felt in many aspects of life and culture. His daughter Lisa Marie has been successful in her own right, while his grandchildren have begun to establish careers in music and entertainment.
