Presley, Elvis
Presley was "discovered" by recording engineer/studio owner Sam Phillips, who headed the small Sun Studios in Memphis after Presley recorded a custom record for his mother there. Phillips paired him with two local musicians, guitarist Scotty Moore and bass player Bill Black, to record his first single, a cover of the R&B hit "That's Alright Mama" backed with the country hit "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Elvis began touring on the country circuit and was an immediate sensation thanks to his powerful singing and suggestive dance moves. Unable to fully exploit the star, Phillips sold Elvis's contract to RCA Victor in 1956.
Guided by his single-minded manager, "Colonel" Tom Parker, Elvis became a
teen sensation thanks to successful records including “Heartbreak
Hotel,” “Love Me Tender,” “Hound Dog,”
and “Don't Be Cruel.” His success led to a movie contract in
1956, and he appeared in 33 films through 1972, including
See account by his former wife, Priscilla,
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
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