We couldn’t help falling in love with king of rock ‘n’ roll

Elvis, American guitarist Scotty Moore and bass player Bill Black in the parking lot of Katz Drug Store, September 9, 1954. Photo courtesy of Opal Walker with two additional one-year options.

The new management contract gave his manager Colonel Parker 25 per cent of the gross income on all Elvis’s activities.

Elvis later sent a telegram to Colonel Parker saying: “Dear Colonel. Words can never tell you how my folks and I appreciate what you did for me. I have always known and now my folks are assured that you are the best and most wonderful person I could ever hope to work with. Believe me when I say I will stick with you thru (sic) thick and Bill Black and Elvis in front of a steam train, May 26, 1955. Photo courtesy of The Magic Collection thin and do everything I can to uphold your faith in me. Again I say thanks and I love you like a father.”

Elvis was just 42 when he died 40 years ago, in 1977. It is estimated that he sold more than one billion records worldwide during his career. Combined with his acting work, Las Vegas residency, countless music awards and TV specials, he was undoubtedly the biggest music star the world had ever seen.

Tennessee’s most celebrated son rose from the poor streets of Tupelo to record hit after hit from Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes Elvis backstage in Tyler, January 25, 1955. Photo courtesy of Michell/The Magic Collection and Hound Dog to Jailhouse Rock, It’s Now Or Never, Are You Lonesome Tonight and Viva Las Vegas.

As he once told secretary Marion Keisker, who worked for Sam Phillips, “I sing all kinds... I don’t sound like nobody.” ■ A Boy From Tupelo – The Complete 1953-1955 Recordings and A Boy From Tupelo: The Sun Masters from RCA/Legacy are released on July 28, see smarturl. it/ElvisTupelo. Elvis Presley The 50 Greatest Hits is released by Sony Music on August 11, see smarturl.it/Elvis50Greatest_amz Elvis on December 27, 1954. Photo by William “PoPsie”Randolph courtesy of Sony Music Archives