August 16, marks the anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death.
Elvis Aaron Presley was born January 8, 1935, to Vernon and Gladys in Tupelo, Mississippi. Gladys was carrying twins, but Elvis’s older brother was still-born 35 minutes before his delivery.
According to his Wikipedia entry, “Presley’s ancestry was primarily a Western European mix: On his mother’s side, he was Scots-Irish, with some French Norman; one of Gladys’s great-great-grandmothers was Cherokee. His father’s forebears were of Scottish or German origin.”
On the German side of the family, Elvis’s ancestor, Johann Valentin Pressler, a winegrower, immigrated to the US and settled with his wife and five children in New York. He then moved with his family to the south (where Elvis was born). The name Pressler – also Preslar, Preßler and Bressler – has changed with the time and was adapted into English to Presley.
The origin of the surname Presley is not clear. Some say that it originates from Brezel (Pretzel), which is quite popular in Pfalz, Germany.
According to some genealogists, Elvis is related to both Oprah Winfrey and Jimmy Carter.
On July 5, 1954, Elvis got his lucky break. After a recording session at Sun Records, boss Sam Phillips was ready to call it a day. Elvis hadn’t performed well enough to keep Sam’s interest. Just then, Elvis picked up a guitar and started playing a 1946 blues song, with his unique dancing style and trademarked vocal style. The combination of these elements won Sam over. The song was recorded and played on the radio, with a great reception.
This began his career that would lead to international fame, super-stardom and general celebrity life. Numerous international hits included “Jailhouse Rock,” “Love Me Tender,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” and “Suspicious Minds.” Twenty Elvis albums reached number one on the charts and his concerts were sell-outs.
His fame, like that of so many celebrities, took a toll on his family life.
Elvis married Priscilla Beaulieu on May 1, 1967. Priscilla also has interesting ancestry. Her grandfather, Albert Henry Iversen, emigrated from Norway to the US in the early 1900s and had three children, Albert Jr., James and Anna (who later became known as Ann). Ann, at 19, gave birth to Priscilla. Priscilla’s parents then visited family members in Norway in 1992
His daughter and only child, Lisa Marie Presley, was born nine months later. In 1972, they divorced, and Lisa Marie grew up between Graceland (Elvis’s famous home) and Beverly Hills, where her mother lived. Lisa Marie, daughter of “the king”, would later become the wife of her generation’s musical king, Michael Jackson.
Towards the end of his life, his health deteriorated and he was found dead in his bathroom on August 16, 1977.
Elvis will forever be remembered for his music. His unique voice and dance moves are still copied today by Elvis impersonators around the world. Here’s a recording of his first single – “Heartbreak Hotel” – from 1956.
I am 75 years old. I have been an Elvis fan since 1956. My favorite Elvis song are Dont be
I am 75 years old and a fan since 1956. My favorite Elvis songs are Dont be Cruel Jailhouse Rock and Suspicious
favorite elvis tunes are dont be cruel suspicious minds and jail house rock been a fan since 1956 and i am 75 years old seen him 2 times in person visited graceland 2 times
My favorite Presley moment was meeting Elvis and Ann-Margret in a Las Vegas hotel parking lot during their filming of Viva Las Vegas!
My family is also related. We share the same
7th great grandfather.
My cousins have done DNA matching.
The last name was changed many times due
to religious persecution, misspellings, etc
Elvis is my rock star no one can sing like him in my book so for now Mr Rose from Kentucky is getting on his track.
I was fortunate to see Elvis in person when he performed at the Hampton Colosium back in the 70’s. So glad I made the effort.
Third cousin. His grandmother, Minnie Mae Hood, was my father’s father’s aunt.
Thomas George Adams
August 18, 2012
Does any body know my Grand father. His name is Thomas George Adams Married to Dorothy Hampshire. He had six children one of those being my Father William George Adams (dec) of Carlingford NSW Sydney Australia. I am assuming he was born early 1900’s, possibly in Sydney or of European decent. Any body! Please! Someone must of known him.