Early Life and Education of Elvis Presley: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Elvis Presley. From birth to education, explore key events.

Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock and Roll," was a pivotal American singer and actor of the 20th century. His sexually charged performances and genre-bending music, drawing from diverse influences during a period of evolving race relations, propelled him to immense fame, although not without initial controversy. He remains an iconic figure in music and popular culture.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

January 8, 1935: Elvis Presley's Birth

On January 8, 1935, Elvis Aaron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi.

1938: Family Loses Home

In 1938, the Presley family lost their home after Vernon Presley was found guilty of altering a check and jailed.

September 1941: Enters First Grade

In September 1941, Elvis Presley entered first grade at East Tupelo Consolidated.

1945: Talent Show Performance

In 1945, Elvis Presley sang "Old Shep" at a talent show. This song later appeared on his second RCA Victor album, marking the first time he played piano on an RCA Victor session.

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September 1946: Enters Milam for Sixth Grade

In September 1946, Elvis Presley entered a new school, Milam, for sixth grade.

November 1948: Family Moves to Memphis

In November 1948, the Presley family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, and Elvis enrolled at L. C. Humes High School.

1950: Practicing Guitar

In 1950, Elvis Presley began practicing guitar under the tutelage of Lee Denson, a neighbor.

June 1953: Graduation and Musical Aspirations

By the time Elvis Presley graduated high school in June 1953, he had singled out music as his future.

1954: First professional recordings

In 1954, at the age of 19, Elvis Presley made his first professional recordings.

1954: Rockabilly crystallizes with Elvis Presley's first release

In 1954, rockabilly crystallized into a recognizable style with Elvis Presley's first release on the Sun label, according to music historians.

1956: Elvis expresses respect for African-American performers

In 1956, Elvis Presley expressed respect for African-American performers and their music, recalling his childhood listening to blues musician Arthur Crudup and stating his desire to be a music man like him. The Memphis World reported that Presley "cracked Memphis' segregation laws" by attending the local amusement park on its "colored night".

1956: Presley's rise to national attention

In 1956, Elvis Presley's rise to national attention transformed popular music, impacting youth culture and rebellious attitudes by defining rock and roll as a musical genre and cultural touchstone. His influence helped facilitate a new acceptance and appreciation of Black culture.

March 19, 1957: Purchase of Graceland

On March 19, 1957, Elvis Presley purchased his 18-room mansion, Graceland.

March 24, 1958: Drafted into the Army

On March 24, 1958, Elvis Presley was drafted into the United States Army at Fort Chaffee in Arkansas, which was a major media event.

September 17, 1958: Completion of Training

Between March 28 and September 17, 1958, Elvis Presley completed basic and advanced training at Fort Hood, Texas.

October 1, 1958: Assignment to West Germany

On October 1, 1958, Elvis Presley was assigned to the 1st Medium Tank Battalion in West Germany, where he served as an armor intelligence specialist.

1958: Drafted into Military Service

In 1958, Elvis Presley was drafted into military service.

March 2, 1960: Return to the U.S.

On March 2, 1960, Elvis Presley returned to the U.S. after his military service. He was honorably discharged three days later.

August 1965: Meeting with the Beatles

Before Elvis Presley met with President Nixon on December 21, 1970 and expressed his views on the Beatles, Presley and his friends had a four-hour get-together with the Beatles at his home in Bel Air, California, in August 1965.

1966: Presley expresses desire for traditional spelling of middle name

In 1966, Elvis Presley expressed the desire to his father that the more traditional biblical rendering of his middle name, Aaron, be used henceforth, "especially on legal documents".

1966: Proposal to Priscilla Beaulieu

In 1966, Elvis Presley proposed to Priscilla Beaulieu, marking a significant event in his personal life.

May 1, 1967: Marriage to Priscilla Beaulieu

On May 1, 1967, Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu in a brief ceremony at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas.

February 1, 1968: Birth of Lisa Marie Presley

On February 1, 1968, Elvis Presley's only child, Lisa Marie Presley, was born, during a time when he was unhappy with his career.

December 21, 1970: Meeting with President Richard Nixon

On December 21, 1970, Elvis Presley met with U.S. President Richard Nixon at the White House to discuss combating drug culture and his desire to receive a Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs badge. During the meeting, Presley expressed his views on the Beatles and their anti-American influence.

January 16, 1971: Named One of the Ten Most Outstanding Young Men

On January 16, 1971, Elvis Presley was named one of the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce's Ten Most Outstanding Young Men of the Nation, recognizing his achievements and contributions.

1971: Affair with Joyce Bova

In 1971, Elvis Presley had an affair with Joyce Bova, which resulted in her pregnancy and subsequent abortion, unbeknownst to Elvis at the time.

February 23, 1972: Separation from Priscilla

On February 23, 1972, Elvis and Priscilla Presley separated after Priscilla revealed her relationship with Mike Stone. Priscilla said Elvis "forcefully made love to" her when she told him about the affair.

October 9, 1973: Divorce Finalized

On October 9, 1973, Elvis Presley's divorce from Priscilla was finalized, though they remained close friends. By this time, Elvis's health was in serious decline, and he overdosed on barbiturates twice during the year.

July 13, 1976: Firing of Bodyguards

On July 13, 1976, Vernon Presley fired Elvis's bodyguards Red West, Sonny West, and David Hebler, citing the need to cut back on expenses. Some suggest Elvis was too cowardly to face them himself, while others attribute the firing to lawsuits or concerns about their outspokenness regarding Elvis's drug dependency.

November 1976: Dating Ginger Alden

In November 1976, Elvis Presley began dating Ginger Alden after his relationship with Linda Thompson ended. He proposed marriage to Ginger Alden two months later.

August 8, 1977: Last Public Appearance

During the early morning hours of August 8, 1977, Elvis Presley made his last public appearance when he rented the entire Libertyland amusement park in Memphis for himself and about ten others.

August 1977: Elvis Presley's Death

In August 1977, Elvis Presley died at his Graceland estate at the age of 42.

August 16, 1977: Elvis Presley's Death

On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley died at his Graceland estate at the age of 42.

1977: Decline in Health and Performance

By early 1977, Elvis Presley's health had severely declined, and his performances were described as sad and sloppy, with a bloated, drugged Presley struggling to remember lyrics. He canceled a performance on March 31 in Baton Rouge due to his condition.

1977: President Jimmy Carter remarks on Presley's legacy

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter commented on Elvis Presley's legacy, noting how his fusion of white country and black rhythm and blues styles permanently changed American popular culture. That year, Presley was regarded as one of the most famous people in the world.

2024: Threat and Security Measures in 1970, Equivalent Value in 2024

During Elvis Presley's Las Vegas engagement in August 1970, he was threatened with murder unless US$50,000 (equivalent to $405,000 in 2024) was paid. The FBI took the threat seriously, and security was increased, with Presley performing with firearms for protection.