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Remembering the life and legacy of Elvis Presley

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Known as the "King of Rock and Roll," Elvis Presley rose to fame in the 1950s with his unique voice singing blues, country and pop. Elvis left the building too soon on Aug. 16, 1977, after suffering a heart attack at the age of 42.
Gary Null/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Known as the “King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis Presley rose to fame in the 1950s with his unique voice singing blues, country and pop. Elvis left the building too soon on Aug. 16, 1977, after suffering a heart attack at the age of 42.

Remembering the life and legacy of Elvis Presley

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By | NYDN@medianewsgroup.com
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Known as the “King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis Presley rose to fame in the 1950s with his unique voice singing blues, country and pop. Elvis left the building too soon on Aug. 16, 1977, after suffering a heart attack at the age of 42.
Elvis Presley, born on Jan. 8, 1935, is photographed with his parents Vernon Presley and Gladys Presley in 1940. Elvis' twin, Jesse, died at birth.
Elvis Presley, born on Jan. 8, 1935, is photographed with his parents Vernon Presley and Gladys Presley in 1940. Elvis’ twin, Jesse, died at birth.
A 20-year-old Elvis Presley sat with his manager Colonel Tom Parker in his office in 1955. Colonel was great at making deals and led Elvis Presley to become one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood.
A 20-year-old Elvis Presley sat with his manager Colonel Tom Parker in his office in 1955. Colonel was great at making deals and led Elvis Presley to become one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood.
Piano virtuoso Liberace is shown playing the guitar with Elvis Presley at the piano in November 1956 at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas.
Piano virtuoso Liberace is shown playing the guitar with Elvis Presley at the piano in November 1956 at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas.
At the ripe age of 21, Elvis Presley couldn’t hide his excitement before appearing on “The Ed Sullivan” show on CBS on Sept. 9, 1956.
Liberace, left, is shown with his brother George Liberace, center, and Elvis Presley, at the New Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas on April 30, 1956.
Liberace, left, is shown with his brother George Liberace, center, and Elvis Presley, at the New Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas on April 30, 1956.
Not only could Elvis sing, but he could act too. In 1956, the King took his talents to the big screen, starring in his first film “Love Me Tender.”
Elvis always knew how to put on a show! With his iconic dance moves and charming looks, it wasn't too long before women of all ages were attracted to the chart-topping music star in 1956. At left is Scotty Moore.
Elvis always knew how to put on a show! With his iconic dance moves and charming looks, it wasn’t too long before women of all ages were attracted to the chart-topping music star in 1956. At left is Scotty Moore.
Elvis Presley’s first No. 1 single was “Heartbreak Hotel,” which topped the charts in 1956.
Elvis Presley receives a polio vaccine shot on Oct. 28, 1956, in New York from Dr. Harold Fuerst, left. At right is Dr. Leona Baumgartner, commissioner of the New York City Department of Health.
Elvis Presley receives a polio vaccine shot on Oct. 28, 1956, in New York from Dr. Harold Fuerst, left. At right is Dr. Leona Baumgartner, commissioner of the New York City Department of Health.
Elvis Presley pictured with his girlfriend Yvonne Lime at Graceland, his home in Memphis, Tenn., circa 1957.
Elvis Presley pictured with his girlfriend Yvonne Lime at Graceland, his home in Memphis, Tenn., circa 1957.
Elvis Presley poses with his “Jailhouse Rock” co-star Barbara Lang in April 1957, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Elvis Presley, right, meets with polio victims Beth Currier, left, and Elaine Brockway on May 17, 1957, in California.
Elvis Presley, right, meets with polio victims Beth Currier, left, and Elaine Brockway on May 17, 1957, in California.
Elvis Presley and his co-star and companion Anne Neyland of Texas read over the script of the musical movie “Jailhouse Rock” at MGM Studios on June 6, 1957, in Hollywood, Calif.
Elvis Presley poses with actress Venetia Stevenson on Aug. 9, 1957, in Memphis, Tenn.
Elvis Presley poses with actress Venetia Stevenson on Aug. 9, 1957, in Memphis, Tenn.
Elvis Presley, 21, takes his pre-induction written examination during processing for the U.S. Army on Jan. 4, 1957, in Memphis, Tenn.
Elvis Presley, 21, takes his pre-induction written examination during processing for the U.S. Army on Jan. 4, 1957, in Memphis, Tenn.
Before Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley trademarked the tip-toe dance move, as seen here in 1957’s “Jailhouse Rock.”
Elvis Presley prepares for his upcoming entry into the U.S. Army with a haircut in 1958.
Elvis Presley prepares for his upcoming entry into the U.S. Army with a haircut in 1958.
Reporting for duty! On March 24, 1958, Elvis Presley was inducted into the U.S. Army, a day his fans referred to as “Black Monday.”
Pvt. Elvis Presley, assigned to the U.S. Army's 3rd Armored Division, poses in the driver's seat of an army tank on Oct. 3, 1958, at Friedberg, West Germany.
Pvt. Elvis Presley, assigned to the U.S. Army’s 3rd Armored Division, poses in the driver’s seat of an army tank on Oct. 3, 1958, at Friedberg, West Germany.
Elvis Presley is shown in uniform at Company D 1st Battalion 32nd U.S. Army Armour at the barracks area in 1958 in Friedberg, Germany.
Elvis Presley is shown in uniform at Company D 1st Battalion 32nd U.S. Army Armour at the barracks area in 1958 in Friedberg, Germany.
Elvis Presley is with some of the other members of the Third Armored Division boarding the transport General Randall in 1958 at the Brooklyn Army Terminal headed for an 18-month tour of duty in Europe.
Elvis Presley is with some of the other members of the Third Armored Division boarding the transport General Randall in 1958 at the Brooklyn Army Terminal headed for an 18-month tour of duty in Europe.
Elvis Presley, right, is at his German off-base home with his father, Vernon Presley, on Nov. 10, 1959.
Elvis Presley, right, is at his German off-base home with his father, Vernon Presley, on Nov. 10, 1959.
American rock and roll legend Elvis Presley smiles after he is promoted to sergeant on Feb. 11, 1960, at the U.S. Army unit's maneuver headquarters in Grafenwoehr, Germany.
American rock and roll legend Elvis Presley smiles after he is promoted to sergeant on Feb. 11, 1960, at the U.S. Army unit’s maneuver headquarters in Grafenwoehr, Germany.
Elvis Presley looks fit and happy to be back in the United States after his tour of Army duty in Europe, during a press conference on March 3, 1960, two days before he was officially discharged from the Army.
Elvis Presley looks fit and happy to be back in the United States after his tour of Army duty in Europe, during a press conference on March 3, 1960, two days before he was officially discharged from the Army.
Elvis Presley smiles during a press conference inside his private railroad car at Los Angeles Union Station as he arrives on April 20, 1960, in Los Angeles, Calif. to make a movie.
Elvis Presley smiles during a press conference inside his private railroad car at Los Angeles Union Station as he arrives on April 20, 1960, in Los Angeles, Calif. to make a movie.
Elvis Presley is shown with six babies who appear in the movie “G.I. Blues” with co-star Juliet Prowse on set on June 27, 1960, in Hollywood, Calif. The babies are three sets of twins who double for one another in the movie.
In 1960, fans sighed with relief when Elvis Presley left the Army and resumed his career in music and film. Presley starred in the 1961 film “Blue Hawaii” alongside co-star Joan Blackman.
Without taking a break from the big screen, Elvis Presley was right back to work with the 1962 film “Girls! Girls! Girls!”
Ann Margret and Elvis Presley pose in 1964 for a publicity photo for their new film “Viva Las Vegas.”
Elvis Presley poses for a portrait in 1964.
Elvis Presley poses for a portrait in 1964.
As one of the most eligible bachelors of his time, Elvis Presley broke the hearts of many women when he tied the knot to Priscilla Beaulieu at the Aladdin Hotel on May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas.
As one of the most eligible bachelors of his time, Elvis Presley broke the hearts of many women when he tied the knot to Priscilla Beaulieu at the Aladdin Hotel on May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas.
Singer Elvis Presley and his bride, the former Priscilla Beaulieu, are shown at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. after their wedding on May 1, 1967. Presley, 32, and Beaulieu, 21, met while he was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army along with her step-father.
Singer Elvis Presley and his bride, the former Priscilla Beaulieu, are shown at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. after their wedding on May 1, 1967. Presley, 32, and Beaulieu, 21, met while he was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army along with her step-father.
In 1968, Elvis rocked the stage during his “Comeback Special” on NBC.
Elvis Presley and his 22-year-old wife Priscilla leave Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. with their baby daughter Lisa Marie on Feb. 10, 1968, born at the hospital on February 1.
Elvis Presley and his 22-year-old wife Priscilla leave Baptist Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. with their baby daughter Lisa Marie on Feb. 10, 1968, born at the hospital on February 1.
Elvis Presley and his wife Priscilla welcomed a healthy baby girl, Lisa Marie Presley, on Feb. 1, 1968.
Elvis Presley and his wife Priscilla welcomed a healthy baby girl, Lisa Marie Presley, on Feb. 1, 1968.
On Dec. 21, 1970, Elvis Presley paid a visit to President Richard Nixon at the White House in Washington, D.C. The singer initiated the meeting, asking President Nixon for a Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs badge.
On Dec. 21, 1970, Elvis Presley paid a visit to President Richard Nixon at the White House in Washington, D.C. The singer initiated the meeting, asking President Nixon for a Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs badge.
Elvis Presley speaks during a press conference at the New York Hilton Hotel prior to his 1972 concert at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Elvis Presley speaks during a press conference at the New York Hilton Hotel prior to his 1972 concert at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Elvis Presley holds a press conference at the New York Hilton Hotel prior to his 1972 concert at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Elvis Presley holds a press conference at the New York Hilton Hotel prior to his 1972 concert at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock and Roll,” performs in 1972.
Elvis Presley speaks during a promotional interview at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas on Sept. 4, 1972, for his upcoming televised concert “Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii,” to be broadcast live in over 40 countries, on Jan. 14, 1973, from Honolulu, Hawaii.
Elvis Presley and his former wife, Priscilla, 28, leave Los Angeles County Superior Court in Santa Monica, Calif. on Oct. 9, 1973, after he was granted a divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences.
Elvis Presley and his former wife, Priscilla, 28, leave Los Angeles County Superior Court in Santa Monica, Calif. on Oct. 9, 1973, after he was granted a divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences.
Cigar in hand, Elvis Presley walks down the ramp after arriving in Charleston, W. Va. on July 11, 1975, for the first of three concerts in the West Virginia capital city. Elaborate security precautions kept Presley a safe distance away from the crowd which greeted him at the airport and his downtown hotel. More than 18,000 tickets were sold for the concerts, one on Friday evening and two on Saturday.
Cigar in hand, Elvis Presley walks down the ramp after arriving in Charleston, W. Va. on July 11, 1975, for the first of three concerts in the West Virginia capital city. Elaborate security precautions kept Presley a safe distance away from the crowd which greeted him at the airport and his downtown hotel. More than 18,000 tickets were sold for the concerts, one on Friday evening and two on Saturday.
Elvis Presley, with then-girlfriend Linda Thompson, pictured after his concert on March 21, 1976, in Cincinnati, Ohio, is much heavier with an evident decline in health.
Elvis Presley, with then-girlfriend Linda Thompson, pictured after his concert on March 21, 1976, in Cincinnati, Ohio, is much heavier with an evident decline in health.
Elvis Presley performs in concert at the Milwaukee Arena on April 27, 1977, in Milwaukee, Wis.
Elvis Presley performs in concert at the Milwaukee Arena on April 27, 1977, in Milwaukee, Wis.
The New York Daily News’ front page for Aug. 17, 1977, reads: “Elvis Presley Dies at 42. Singer suffers heart attack.”
Pallbearers carry the flower-covered coffin of Elvis Presley into the mausoleum at Forest Hill Cemetery on Aug. 18, 1977, in Memphis, Tenn. two days after his death on August 16. Flowers covered the area around the mausoleum and were later handed out to mourners.
Pallbearers carry the flower-covered coffin of Elvis Presley into the mausoleum at Forest Hill Cemetery on Aug. 18, 1977, in Memphis, Tenn. two days after his death on August 16. Flowers covered the area around the mausoleum and were later handed out to mourners.
A string of white vehicles follow the hearse carrying the body of rock and roll musician Elvis Presley along Elvis Presley Boulevard on the way to Forest Hills Cemetery on Aug. 18, 1977, in Memphis, Tenn. Thousands of people line the route for the city's final tribute to Elvis.
A string of white vehicles follow the hearse carrying the body of rock and roll musician Elvis Presley along Elvis Presley Boulevard on the way to Forest Hills Cemetery on Aug. 18, 1977, in Memphis, Tenn. Thousands of people line the route for the city’s final tribute to Elvis.
Meditation Garden at Graceland in Memphis, Tenn. is where Elvis Presley is now buried, along with other family members and a memorial to his twin brother Jesse who died at birth. Elvis' body was originally interred in a mausoleum in Forest Hills Cemetery in Memphis. Graceland opened to the public in 1982.
Meditation Garden at Graceland in Memphis, Tenn. is where Elvis Presley is now buried, along with other family members and a memorial to his twin brother Jesse who died at birth. Elvis’ body was originally interred in a mausoleum in Forest Hills Cemetery in Memphis. Graceland opened to the public in 1982.

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