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The name Elvis is Norse for 'all wise'.
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When Elvis was 15 months old a tornado blew through his town and he was almost killed.
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Elvis got his first guitar when he was 11 years old.
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The first songs Elvis recorded were My Happiness, and That's When Your Heartaches Begin. He recorded them at Sun Records, reportedly for his mother as a gift, which cost him $4.
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When Elvis' recording of That's All Right played on the radio, it was so popular it was played 13 times that day. Fans could not believe Elvis was white.
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Elvis quickly became famous for his music and for his movements while performing. Many people thought it was indecent and he was forbidden from shaking his hips. He gained the nickname 'Elvis the Pelvis' at one point for his style.
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Elvis Presley's first breakout hit was Heartbreak Hotel in 1956.
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Elvis signed a contract with Paramount Pictures in 1956 for seven years, because he wanted to become a serious actor.
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Elvis Presley's single record with Hound Dog and Don't Be Cruel was so popular that it stayed at the top of the charts in the United States for 11 weeks. This record held for 36 years.
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The September 9th, 1956 appearance of Elvis Presley on the Ed Sullivan Show drew a TV audience of 60 million viewers. The only shot him from the waist up.
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In 1957 Elvis bought his mansion in Memphis, Tennessee for $100,000. It was named Graceland by the previous owner who had a daughter named Grace.
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In 1957 Elvis was drafted into the US Army. He spent two years in active duty and met his future wife Priscilla Beaulieu while in Germany. She was only 14. He was 24. They didn't marry for eight years, once Elvis felt she was old enough.
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Elvis and Priscilla had a daughter Lisa Marie, in 1968.
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Elvis Presley gave almost 1,100 concert performances in his lifetime.
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Elvis had 18 No. 1 hits between 1956 and 1969.
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Elvis has been inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame, the Country Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Elvis starred in 31 movies.
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Elvis Presley's music has earned him 150 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards for his albums and singles.
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Elvis died on August 16th, 1977, at the age of 42. He had health problems related to substance abuse.
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There are more than 250,000 Elvis Presley impersonators around the world today.
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People were so fascinated by Elvis that they refuse to believe he died. Many think he faked his death to live in peace from all the fans and attention. There are many Elvis sightings still today.
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