Elvis Presley:
10 facts
about The King
Elvis, The King
It will be 40 years on the 16th of August that The King died, leaving millions of fans behind. Still today, his ingenious music, style statements and over the top lifestyle fascinate. Stylight partnered with the music streaming platform Deezer, and looked back at 10 things you did not know about Elvis Presley. From his windmill dance move to his rockabilly hair there is no denying, especially with the millions of fans still streaming his songs, The King’s era is still alive.
A musical pioneer
With more than half a million playlists including songs of The King on Deezer, there is no denying Elvis is still alive in the heart of millions of fans. In fact, almost 35% of Deezer listeners who’ve tuned in to Elvis’s classics are under 45 year old, so it is very likely that most were not even born when the rock singer passed away, proving that The King’s heritage is passed down to the next generations. When looking at the most played songs on Deezer worldwide, the classic rock song Jailhouse Rock comes 1st, followed by Suspicious Minds and the balade Can't Help Falling In Love, all of course by The King of Rock and Roll. In addition to his deep voice and melodious songs, Elvis can pride himself in making up dance moves that had never been seen before. Have you heard of the Pelvis? This movement of the hips shocked many following his first TV Hollywood appearance on CBS. Despite the church and some critics calling him vulgar, nothing could stop Elvis from coming up with more moves like the windmill or the rubber legs that made the baby boomers go hysterical. There is no denying some of his dancing style has inspired many performers... Michael Jackson, anyone?
Looking back at his memorable style
Did you notice Hawaiian shirts made a come back on Balenciaga SS18? Well, The King made them popular with his Blue Hawaii movie back in 1961. Regarding his hair, few people know The King actually was blond. He started dying his hair black as early as 1956 and created the Pompadour hairstyle with extreme care, nourishing it with vitamins, jojoba and rose oil. Presley was adored for his good looks and he payed particular attention to what he wore on stage. Tapered jeans and Hawaiian shirts of the late 50’s early 60’s left room to gold suits, leather jumpsuits and embroidered capes in the late 60’s and early 70’s. In fact, the famous white overall featuring an American eagle in gems that he wore for his live broadcast concert “Aloha from Hawaii” costed quite a fortune to create, $65 000 to be exact. Since over 1 billion viewers tuned in to this live show in 1973, we say it was worth it! Jewelry was as well a huge part of the 1970’s Elvis Presley. Gold rings and necklaces were part of his wardrobe and were tied up to The King’s spiritual beliefs. He was raised in a Christian household, Elvis wore the Star of David, the hebrew letter Chai and a cross on his chest to make sure he would go to heaven.
An over-the-top lifestyle
Elvis is tied to Memphis, where his career jump started, and in Las Vegas where it peaked. In his Graceland property, Elvis lived an over-the-top lifestyle, furnishing the famous “jungle room” in an exotic, Polynesian style. Today Graceland has hosted royal family members and American Presidents such as George W Bush. The King also collected Cadillacs, his first one being a pink 1954 Fleetwood Series 60 model. Despite having an extravagant lifestyle (he even had a pet chimpanzee), and many love affairs, he married his long-time girlfriend Priscilla Presley in Las Vegas in 1967, offering her a ring with a three-and-a-half-carat diamond surrounded by 20 smaller detachable diamonds from Memphis jeweler Harry Levitch. The couple eloped flying in Frank Sinatra’s private jet, marking minds and starting a whole tradition of Elvis chapels. But The King also performed in the city so much, that more people saw him in Vegas than anywhere else.
A heritage that lives on
After his death in 1977, we still like to remember Elvis Presley as The King. According to Deezer’s data, Presley is the most listened to in Sweden and in the UK. In fact the Swedes are so insane about Elvis, that his alleged “real daughter” is said to have flown from the US to Sweden after his death. The UK is the second country that streams his songs the most, the top city being Glasgow, where the King stopped at the airport of Prestwick in 1960, on his way back home after his military service. No later than last year, his very first guitar, a present from his dad in 1969, was sold in auctions for the amount of $334 000! There is no denying, the King still rules! Who knows, maybe he is indeed still alive.
What have you learnt about Elvis?
