Elvis Presley's Gospel Music Connection - Gospel Roots of the King of Rock 'n Roll

Elvis Presley was born Elvis Aaron Presley on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. Although his family was very poor by anyone's standards, they were a musical family, so Elvis grew up on music and started singing as a boy. Raised in the "Bible belt," Elvis also grew up singing in church and was fascinated with gospel music and choirs. Many of Presley's musical influences came from his family's attendance at the Assembly of God Church in Tupelo, Mississippi. (See Gospel Music 101: Who was Elvis Presley? Gospel singer, music icon and more.)

In Elvis in His 0wn Words, 1977, Presley is quoted as saying, "Since I was two years old, all I knew was gospel music. That music became such a part of my life it was as natural as dancing. A way to escape from the problems. And my way of release." In 1957, Elvis Presley told the Tacoma New Tribune, "I lose myself in my singing. Maybe it's my early training singing gospel hymns. I'm limp as a rag, worn out when a show's over."

Elvis Presley - Music Career

By the time he was a teenager, he was already performing, and in 1954, young Elvis Presley made his first performance on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. The audience reaction was polite but unenthusiastic, and Elvis had to continue driving a truck to pay his bills. However, as time passed, the response to his innovative fusion of black, gospel, rock, and country sounds became more and more popular so that eventually Elvis Presley became one of the best-selling solo artists in the history of music. Elvis sold over one billion records, and his records continue to sell well today. According to Wikipedia, Elvis is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture.

Elvis Presley - Gospel Songs & Albums

As he became more popular, Elvis continued to record gospel songs and gospel albums, and he enjoyed playing gospel music at informal sessions before shows and with other musicians. Elvis recorded his first gospel album in 1957, and the last gospel album Elvis Presley recorded was in 1975, just two years before his death. Out of 14 Grammy nominations, his three wins were all gospel projects. (See The Gospel According to Elvis Presley: Elvis' gospel recordings (gospel videos included.)

Elvis Presley - Death

After several years of illness, drug abuse, bouts of obesity and depression (see Top ten similarities between Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson), Elvis began to have trouble performing on stage. However, on June 26, 1977, Presley performed at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana. According to Everything Elvis, it was the "best show he had given in a long time." It was also to be the last performance of "the King of Rock 'n Roll." On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley was found dead at Graceland.

Elvis Presley was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

Sources:

Music 101: Who was Elvis Presley? Gospel singer, music icon and more
The Gospel According to Elvis Presley: Elvis' gospel recordings (gospel videos included)
Top ten similarities between Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson
Cecil Blackwood Passes Away
Wikipedia
Music 101: What is gospel music?
Elvis Presley: gospel singer, rock 'n roll singer, movie star, Mr. Potato Head