Chapter 13: Rock and Roll Pt. 1
Presley’s explosion into national stardom was further fueled by the emerging power of television, which played a critical role in transforming him from a regional sensation into a national cultural icon. In 1956, under the guidance of his manager Colonel Tom Parker, Presley secured a series of high-profile television appearances that both amplified and challenged his public image. His first nationally broadcast performance on The Milton Berle Show caused a media firestorm. When Presley launched into an unrestrained version of “Hound Dog,” abandoning his guitar and engaging in exaggerated hip-swiveling and full-body movements, it scandalized conservative critics while thrilling teenage fans. Some commentators denounced the performance as vulgar and morally corrupting, fueling a broader cultural panic over rock and roll’s perceived threat to social norms.
In an effort to temper Presley’s provocative style, The Steve Allen Show presented a comically restrained version of Presley’s act. Dressed in a tuxedo and instructed to sing “Hound Dog” to an actual basset hound dressed in formalwear, Presley appeared visibly uncomfortable. The performance, while widely watched, was staged more to mock rock and roll than to celebrate it. However, the most famous attempt to "sanitize" Presley came on The Ed Sullivan Show. Although Sullivan had initially vowed never to book Presley, the singer's growing popularity forced a change of heart. During his third and final appearance in January 1957, the show’s producers famously filmed him only from the waist up in an attempt to obscure his pelvic movements. Presley’s charisma remained undiminished, and his performances drew record-breaking viewership and increased national fascination.
Presley's career quickly expanded into feature films, beginning with Love Me Tender (1956), followed by Jailhouse Rock(1957) and King Creole (1958). These films blended musical performances with dramatic storytelling and extended Presley’s appeal to moviegoers. Under Parker’s strategic guidance, this multimedia presence helped transform Presley from a regional star into an international icon.
In 1958, at the height of his popularity, Elvis Presley was inducted into the U.S. Army, signaling a temporary pause in his explosive career. Two life-altering events occurred during his military service. The first was deeply personal: his mother, Gladys Presley, died in 1958, an event that devastated Elvis. Intensely close to his mother, Presley later described her death as the greatest tragedy of his life. The second event would prove significant to his future personal life—while stationed in Germany, he met Priscilla Beaulieu, the woman he would eventually marry.
Upon returning from military service in 1960, Presley resumed his career with the film G.I. Blues, which capitalized on his image as a returning soldier. This marked just one entry in a long string of films—Presley starred in 33 movies between 1956 and 1969, beginning with Love Me Tender (1956). Although many of these films were commercially successful, they were largely formulaic teen-oriented musicals with little critical acclaim. Presley longed to take on more serious dramatic roles, but under Colonel Tom Parker’s management, his acting career remained tightly tied to his musical persona and mass-market appeal.
As rock and roll evolved in the 1960s—with the British Invasion, Motown, and psychedelic rock dominating the charts—Presley’s presence on the singles charts began to decline. From approximately 1962 to 1968, he retreated from live performances and was rarely seen in person outside of his films. During this period, however, he found artistic success in gospel music, releasing critically acclaimed albums such as His Hand in Mine (1960) and How Great Thou Art (1967), the latter winning him a Grammy Award. He increasingly withdrew from public life, surrounding himself with a close circle of confidants known as the "Memphis Mafia," and spent much of his time at his Memphis estate, Graceland.
In 1967, Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu, and their daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, was born the following year. That same year marked a turning point in his career with the airing of a televised comeback special in December 1968. This performance reintroduced Presley as a powerful live performer and reignited interest in his music. Now appealing to both his original fanbase and a new generation, he launched a new era of touring under Parker’s management.
Colonel Tom Parker skillfully marketed Presley throughout this period, securing a highly profitable Las Vegas residency and organizing national tours that brought Presley to both major cities and smaller markets often bypassed by other major acts. A high point came in 1973 with Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite, the first global satellite broadcast of a live concert. The show was seen by an estimated one billion people, a testament to Presley’s enduring global appeal.
Despite this resurgence, Presley’s personal life and health were deteriorating. His marriage to Priscilla ended in divorce in 1973, and he became increasingly dependent on prescription drugs. His weight fluctuated dramatically, driven by cycles of restrictive dieting and substance use. The pressures of constant touring, combined with his personal struggles, took a toll on both his physical and mental well-being.
Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42, from heart-related complications likely exacerbated by years of drug abuse. His death shocked the world and marked the end of an era. Shortly afterward, his posthumous recording of “My Way,” originally made famous by Frank Sinatra, became a best-selling single.
Presley’s legacy only grew after his death. Millions of albums have continued to sell, many repackaged in new formats. His life and music have been the subject of countless biographies, documentaries, and academic studies. Graceland, his home in Memphis, was opened to the public and has since become a major tourist destination, drawing over half a million visitors annually. More than four decades after his death, Elvis Presley remains one of the most iconic and influential figures in American cultural history.