Artist

"Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't goin' away."

• Born Elvis Aaron Presley Jan. 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Died Aug. 16, 1977, in Memphis, Tennessee.

• The King of Rock and Roll had his first No. 1 single with "Heartbreak Hotel" in 1956, followed by a string of hits the same year, including "Blue Suede Shoes," "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You," "Don't Be Cruel," and "Hound Dog."

• Presley scored 18 No. 1 hits throughout his career.

• He catapulted further into the mainstream with appearances in several popular movies, includingLove Me Tender(1956),Jailhouse Rock (1957) andBlue Hawaii(1961).

• Presley earned his first GRAMMY nominations at the2nd GRAMMY Awards for Record Of The Year ("A Fool Such As I"), Best Performance By A "Top 40" Artist ("A Big Hunk O' Love") and Best Rhythm & Blues Performance ("A Big Hunk O' Love"). He won his first GRAMMY for 1967 for Best Sacred Performance for his version of "How Great Thou Art."

• He was awarded the Recording AcademyLifetime Achievement Award in 1971. He has seven recordings in theGRAMMY Hall Of Fame, including "Don't Be Cruel," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog," and "Jailhouse Rock."

• Did you know? Before he became famous, Presley drove a delivery truck for the Memphis, Tennessee-based Crown Electric Company.

• TheElvis Presley Charitable Foundation was established in 1984 by Graceland/Elvis Presley Enterprises in the spirit of Presley's dedication to community service and to honor his legacy. The organization supports a variety of causes, including the Memphis-based counseling center Goodwill Homes and the creation of the Elvis Presley Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Memphis for students majoring in media and the arts.