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Elvis Presley

Artist

Elvis Presley

58 songs on Gitaartabs · 55 for beginners

Songs by Elvis Presley

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Biography

Elvis Presley is the founder of rock and roll and rockabilly. At eight years old, he received a second-hand guitar from his parents, and his uncles Johnny Smith and Vester Presley taught him to play. After his first singing competition at age ten, Elvis worked as a truck driver until he walked into the studio of Sun Records. With the excuse of recording a song for his mother, he made a recording that caught the studio owner's attention. A year later, Elvis improvised on his guitar during a break and began singing "That's Alright Little Mamma" — rock and roll was born. This moment marked the beginning of a revolutionary musical legacy.

Presley's career grew explosively, but was interrupted by two years of military service in Germany. After his return, he made films, and despite a mixed acting career, he continued to record music. His great comeback took place in 1968, followed by legendary Las Vegas performances with hits like "In The Ghetto" and "Suspicious Minds". On Gitaartabs you can find 55 of his songs — from classic rockabilly to rock and roll highlights that you can play yourself on guitar.

About the music

Elvis turns eight and receives a second-hand guitar from his parents. His uncles Johnny Smith and Vester Presley teach him to play. When Elvis is ten, he has his first performance—a singing competition—where he wins second prize. When he turns eighteen, he becomes a truck driver and often passes by a studio.

After a while, he walks into the studio and, using the excuse that he wants to record a song because his mother's birthday is coming up, he records a track. The studio owner thinks he's good, and a year later they record another song, but no one is enthusiastic about it. Then, during a coffee break, Elvis suddenly starts playing some powerful chords on his guitar and begins singing "That's alright little mamma." Rock & Roll is born.

Elvis makes more and more records and has to perform more frequently. But then his career as a singer seems to come to an end—he is required to serve two years in the military in Germany. However, the studio owner had recorded additional material and releases it gradually during the time Elvis is in Germany. After two years of service, Elvis begins making films, but it turns out he is not a born actor, though the films sell well.

After eight years of filmmaking, Elvis makes a grand comeback in 1968 with his comeback concert. In 1969, he performs a huge concert in Las Vegas with new world hits "In The Ghetto" and "Suspicious Minds."

In 1973, he performs a massive concert that is broadcast worldwide via satellite television. But shortly after his performance, his wife wants a divorce after six and a half years of marriage. This is the beginning of Elvis's decline. He has to go to the hospital frequently—now it's an eye condition, then it's being overweight. Elvis also becomes depressed and suspicious. But even between hospital visits, he continues to perform.

Then on August 16, 1977, Elvis dies in his own home in Memphis in the bathroom from heart failure. It is said to have been caused by a drug overdose.

A few links to sites: http://www.elvis.com/, http://www.elvisnederland.com/ http://www.itselvistime.nl/ and http://www.elvispresley.nl/

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