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Elvis Presley Main Page Discography, Albums, Singles, V, CDs, DVDs Filmography, Movies, Films Trivia, Quotes Elvis Presley Images, Pictures, Photos: Elvis Presley Picture Gallery Next: The Ramones Previous: Pink Floyd	Quotations by Elvis Presley "I don't know anything about music. In my line you don't have to." I don't sound like nobody. (When asked who he sounded like) Some people tap their feet, some people snap their fingers, and some people sway back and forth. I just sorta do 'em all together, I guess. "The Police filmed a show one time in Florida because of the P.G.A, Y.M.C.A., or somebody. They thought that I was...something. They said, 'Man, he's got to be crazy'. So they, the police, came out and filmed the show. I couldn't move. I had to stand still. The only thing I could move was my little finger like that. 'You ain't nothing but a hound dog crying all the time' y'know for the whole show". A live concert to me is exciting because of all the electricity that is generated in the crowd and on stage. It's my favorite part of the business - live concerts. There's been a big change in the music field in the last 10 or 12 years. I think everything has improved - the sounds have improved, the musicians have improved, the engineers have definitely improved. I like a lot of the new groups, y'know, The Beatles and The Byrds and the...whoever, but I really like a lot of the new music, but a lot of it is basically, our music is basically, rock 'n roll music is basically gospel or rhythm and blues. People have been adding to it, adding instruements to it, experimenting with it. It's like a surge of electricity going through you. It's almost like making love, but it's even stronger than that...sometimes I think my heart is going to explode. (referring to performing) I just fell into it really. My daddy and I were laughing about it the other day. He looked at me and said, 'what happened El? The last thing I remember is I was working in a can factory and you were driving a truck'. We all feel the same way about it. Still it just caught us up. My daddy had seen a lot of people who played guitars and stuff and didn't work, so he said, 'You should make up your mind either about being an electrician or playing a guitar and I never saw a guitar player that was worth a damn.' The image is one thing and the human being is another, it's very hard to live up to an image. Man, I was tame compared to what they do now, are you kidding? All that I ever did was just jiggle. (1972 press conference Madison Square Garden) I've never gotten over what they call stagefright. I go through it every show. I'm pretty concerned, I'm pretty much thinking about the show. I never get completely comfortable with it, and I don't let the people around me get comfortable with it, in that I remind them that it's a new crowd out there, it's a new audience, and they haven't seen us before. So it's got to be like the first time we go on. When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic book. I saw movies, and I was the hero in the movie. So every dream I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times...I learned very early in life that: 'Without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain't got a friend; without a song, the road would never bend - without a song.' So I keep singing a song. Goodnight. Thank you. (his acceptance speech from the 1970 Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation Awards) "I want to entertain people. That's my whole life. To my last breath." "Take care of the fans and they will sure as hell take care of you." I sing all kinds. (When asked what kind of music he sings) I don't like being called Elvis The Pelvis. That's gotta be one of the most childish expressions I've ever heard coming from an adult. "I wiggle my shoulders, I shake my legs, I walk up and down the stage, I hop around on one foot. But I never bump and grind. Why, that's vulgar. I'd never do anything vulgar before an audience. My mother would never allow it." Trivia: Although his height was measured as 6' when he joined the army in 1958, photographs show Elvis was wearing his army boots at the time which may have slightly increased his height. Twin brother Jesse Garon Presley died at birth (Elvis was delivered 35 minutes later). Won three Grammy Awards, all for his Gospel music. His hair colour was blonde until his early teens. As he got older his hair became darker. By the time he had his hair cut for the army at age 22 its natural color was dark chestnut (according to Charlie Hodge, who served with him in the army). Of his many impersonators, his personal favorite was Andy Kaufman. Is portrayed by Val Kilmer in True Romance (1993). Like Presley, Kilmer also has Cherokee heritage. Was originally considered for the Kris Kristofferson role in A Star Is Born (1976) but Elvis turned it down because manager Colonel Tom Parker refused him permission to act in a movie where he wouldn't have top billing. Also, he didn't like the fact that the producer, Jon Peters, was completely unknown. Owned a pet chimpanzee called "Scatter". Interred at Graceland Estate, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Is a direct descendant of Abraham Lincoln's great-great grandfather, Isaiah Harrison. Although the films he starred in were not critically acclaimed, only Wild in the Country (1961) failed to get its money back. At the time of his death in 1977, he was the second biggest selling recording artist of all time, after Bing Crosby. His television debut was on the regionally telecast "Louisiana Hayride", 5 March 1955 in Shreveport, Louisiana. In September of 1955, "Country Song Roundup" magazine was the first to feature and article on Elvis, calling him a "folk music fireball." Was director Robert Wise's original choice to play Tony in West Side Story (1961). He had two full face-lifts and rhinoplasty during the mid-1970s. On one of these visits to hospital he was accompanied by Linda Thompson. Was one of the performers featured on a set of stamps of rock and blues legends issued by the U.S. Postal Service in June 1993. From the time they met up until his death, Elvis always sent a roomful of flowers to Ann-Margret whenever she opened up a show in Las Vegas. Mother Gladys bought him his first guitar at age 12 (1947) 1953 graduate of Humes High School, Memphis, TN. Honorary Member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Died with about $5 million in his bank account. "Heartbreak Hotel," which spent 17 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's country chart (and 10 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100) was the No. 1 country song of the year 1956. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2002, a re-mixed version of one his more obscure recordings, "A Little Less Conversation", became a dance club hit, and topped the charts in the United Kingdom. Elvis did not like confrontation. He wanted to fire his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, many times. He would tell his friends "Tell Parker he's fired." His friends would go tell him, then Parker would say "Tell Elvis to tell me personally". Elvis never would. Is mentioned in Shania Twain's song "That Don't Impress Me Much" Linda Thompson lived with Elvis for 4 years from 1972 to 1976. She was a former "Miss Tennessee," actress and songwriter. Other than Priscilla Presley, Thompson was the most significant romance that Elvis ever had. He used to play touch football at Whitehaven High School during the 60s and early 70s with kids around the neighborhood. Pictured on a 29¢ US commemorative postage stamp issued 8 January 1993, the 58th anniversary of his birth. This was the inaugural issue in the Legends of American Music series. The lightest Elvis ever weighed, as an adult, was 170 lbs in 1960 following his discharge from the U.S. Army. The heaviest was at the time of his death, which was 260 lbs. His 1960 single "It's Now Or Never" is one of the best selling singles of all times (if not 'the' best selling single) with sales which are estimated between 25 and 30 million copies. Was always known to be generous to a fault with family, friends and even total strangers. Anyone who admired any posession of his, from one of his many Cadillacs to any bit of bric-a-brac in his home, often found themselves the new owners of that posession. When Ed Sullivan finally allowed him to appear on "Toast of the Town" (1948), he was filmed from the waist upwards. He fell in love with Elizabeth Montgomery on the set of Kid Galahad (1962), she visited his house on two occasions. Nothing came of it as she was married to Gig Young at the time, but they remained good friends until he died. Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (sponsored by the Gospel Music Association) in 2001. Made the first ever musical video of all time: Jailhouse Rock (1957). He was allegedly offered roles in The Rainmaker (1956), _Defiant Ones (1958)_ , _Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958)_ , West Side Story (1961), _Sweet Bird Of Youth (1962)_ , _Fastest Guitar In The West, The (1967)_ , 'Midnight Cowboy (1969)_ , 'True Grit (1969)_ , _Willy Wonka & The Choclate Factory (1971)_ , A Star Is Born (1976) and Grease (1978). The Beatles were admirers of his work and although John Lennon said they enjoyed his company very much, Elvis himself, ironically, thought that the Beatles were a bad influence on America's youth. Hal B. Wallis, producer of 8 Elvis films, dreamed of making a western starring John Wayne and Elvis. He named his favorite films as: Rebel Without a Cause (1955), A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) and Dirty Harry (1971). His favorite actors were Marlon Brando and James Dean, the latter Elvis considered an acting genius (in a 1956 interview). Tried to get a print of Star Wars (1977) to show his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, the day before he died. His mansion, Graceland, is the 2nd most-visited house in America. The first is the White House. Elia Kazan wanted him for several movies but Colonel Tom Parker refused to allow Elvis to act in those movies. The last film he saw at the cinema was The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). His personal entourage were known as the "Memphis Mafia", and were given matching rings by Elvis. The diamond and gold rings sported a thunderbolt and the letters "TCB" (reportedly standing for "Take Care of Business"). Elvis was buried wearing one of the rings. Once gave a robe to Muhammad Ali which said 'The Peoples Champion'. Was a huge fan of the televison shows "The Jeffersons" (1975), Good Times, Happy Days, and "The Flip Wilson Show" (1970). On December 21, 1970, he paid a visit to President Richard Nixon at the White House in Washington, D.C. The meeting was initiated by Presley, who wrote Nixon a six-page letter requesting a visit with the President and suggesting that he be made a "Federal Agent-at-Large" in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. In 1975 he purchased a poor black East Memphis woman an electric wheel chair and picked her up and personally sat her in it. The woman's teenage daughter told Elvis she liked his car. He gave it to her and even gave her boyfriend a job. He was a huge fan of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and had requested to meet him in 1966, but the meeting never happened. Hysteria over "Elvis sightings" after his death were lampooned in the Mojo Nixon song "Elvis Is Everywhere", and "Elvis Is Dead" by Living Colour. Once an Opera singer attended one of his 1950s concerts and met him backstage. The singer told Elvis that he sang like a hillbilly and needed singing lessons. Elvis replied by saying - "Thanks for the advice, but how many of the thousands of people out there tonight came to hear you sing?" Held a single day's attendance record for his march 74 shows at the Houston Astrodome in march '74 -- 89,000 fans for two shows. According to a broadcast on the A&E Biography channel, he once attended a concert for singer Connie Francis and had to leave for emotional reasons once he heard her sing the Italian song "Mama" as his mother had just recently died. Shares a birthday with fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members David Bowie, Doors guitarist Robbie Krieger and legendary promoter Bill Graham. He is mentioned in the song "Three Minute Boy" by Marillion (from their 1998 album "Radiation"). He was voted the 3rd Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artist of all time by Rolling Stone. In Sam Lovullo's book "Life in the Kornfield" (which recalled his years as producer of the country music TV series "Hee Haw" (1969)), he remarked that Elvis was a big fan of "Hee Haw" (1969) and had always wanted to perform on the show. However, according to Sam Lovullo, Elvis remarked they'd have to tape his spots in the middle of the night, knowing that if manager Colonel Tom Parker found out, he'd never clear his appearance. Several months after Elvis' death, his father, Vernon Presley, appeared on "Hee Haw" (1969) and spoke about how the world would always love him and remember his music. Is portrayed by Kurt Russell in Elvis (1979/I) (TV), by Bruce Campbell in Bubba Ho-tep (2002), by Jonathan Rhys-Meyers in "Elvis" (2005) (mini), by Tyler Hilton in Walk the Line (2005) and by Val Kilmer in True Romance (1993). Suffered from chronic insomnia. His tombstone gives his name as "Elvis Aaron Presley", whereas he was in fact named "Elvis Aron Presley". Although this fueled conspiracy theories that he had faked his death, it is generally believed he changed his middle name so it would be the same as the Biblical Aaron. Elvis' body was placed in a family crypt in Memphis on 18 August 1977. On 29 August 1977, however, an attempt was made to steal the body but the plan failed and three men were charged with trespassing and released on bond. Because of this incident, Vernon Presley, received approval from the Memphis Adjustment Board to allow reinterment of the bodies of Elvis and his mother Gladys Presley to the Meditation Garden behind Graceland, which took place on 2 October 1977. In April of 1955 Elvis auditioned for a spot on Arthur Godfrey's _Talent Scouts (1948)_ and was turned down. His 1977 country hit, "Way Down," was the No. 1 song on Billboard magazine's country singles chart the week of Elvis' death. Nine other songs would go to No. 1 on Billboard's country charts between 1956 and 1981 and include: "I Forgot to Remember to Forget," "Heartbreak Hotel," "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You," and the two-sided No. 1 hit "Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel" (all 1956); "All Shook Up," "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" and "Jailhouse Rock" (all 1957); "Moody Blue" (1977); and "Guitar Man" (1981, a remixed version released more than three years after his death). Most of his 1950s No. 1 country hits were also No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well. He was a born again Christian who loved to sing gospel music. Not one of Elvis' 31 feature films or either of his two music documentaries were nominated for a single Academy Award in any category. Portrayed by actor Jason Alan Smith in the film Crazy (2006). He worked with legendary guitar player Hank Garland from 1957 to 1961. The book he was reading at the time of his death was "The Scientific Search for the Face of Jesus" by Frank O. Adams, (Psychical Aid Foundation, USA, 1972). Bought Graceland mansion on 19 March 1957 from Mrs. Ruth Brown Moore for $102,500. The mansion, built of tan Tennessee limestone, consists of 23 rooms and 13.7 surrounding acres. The Music Gates were installed in April of 1957. Shown on a 5.50 kr postage stamp issued by Sweden in 2004. Nephew of Vester Presley. Has more multiplatinum album sales than any other performer, with twelve albums selling over 2 million copies. Father of Lisa Marie Presley (b. 2/1/1968) In the month following his final concert at Indianapolis on 26 June 1977, he was reported to have gained a further 50 lbs in weight. Prior to being signed by RCA in November 1955, Elvis was known as "The Hillbilly Cat" in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. Earned a black belt in karate. [1960] After seeing him in concert, Liberace suggested adding flashy costumes into his act. Elvis took his advice, and became famous for his gold lame jackets and jeweled white jumpsuits. He later reserved a seat for Liberace at many of his concerts. Had 18 Billboard #1 Songs, the first "Heartbreak Hotel" in March, 1956; the last "Suspicious Minds" in Sept. 1969. Has sold over 1,000,000,000 (1 billion) albums worldwide; more than any other musical artist/group in the world, including The Beatles. When The Beatles came to America in 1965 there was only one person they wanted to meet - Elvis, and on August 27, 1965 they got their wish and according to John Lennon spent an entirely enjoyable evening at the Presley home in Bel Aire, California, talking, singing and laughing with each other. One of only a handful of artists inducted into both The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and The Country Music Hall of Fame. Others include Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. Spoofed in Eminem's music video "Without me" Had glaucoma in the 1970s. In 1973, met with Led Zeppelin members Robert Plant and John Paul Jones in Los Angeles. An idol to the members of Led Zeppelin, Elvis wanted to meet "who was outselling him" at concerts (Zeppelin was in the midst of a record-breaking tour that year). A meeting was arranged with two of the four band members (Plant and Jones). Robert Plant was so awestruck at meeting his idol in person, that he could barely speak to him. John Paul Jones, nearly as awe-struck and Plant, made small talk with the "King," and mentioned what a beautiful watch Elvis wore. Elvis, always the generous one, instantly traded his $5,000 gold and diamond watch for Jones' $10 Mickey Mouse watch. This broke the ice with all of them, and they became fast friends. Throughout the early '70's, members of Led Zeppelin even attended a few of Elvis' concerts, and were granted the privilege of sitting in the front row by the King himself.