Elvis Presley (1935–1977) was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and his 1954 Sun Records sides fusing country, R&B, and gospel are a founding moment of rock and roll. The Sun Sessions and From Elvis in Memphis (1969) bookend the essentials — more than 600 million records sold worldwide. Shop Elvis Presley vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Elvis Aaron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935, the surviving twin of stillborn Jesse Garon Presley. The family moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1948. He recorded his first commercial sides for Sam Phillips's Sun Records in 1954, with his fusion of country, R&B, and gospel becoming a foundational moment in the development of rock and roll. His RCA Victor contract from 1955 (negotiated by Colonel Tom Parker for $40,000) made him an international star. His career across more than two decades produced more than 600 million records sold worldwide and 21 Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles. After the 1968 Comeback Special and the 1969 From Elvis in Memphis sessions, his late career was concentrated in Las Vegas residencies. He died from cardiac arrest at Graceland on August 16, 1977 at age 42.
Elvis Presley's catalog spans rock and roll, rockabilly, country, gospel, blues, R&B, and pop. His distinctive vocal performance - capable of intimate balladry, gospel-influenced soul, and explosive rock and roll - alongside his visual presentation and stage performance is widely considered the foundational template for popular rock music performance.
Original Sun and RCA Victor pressings of the early Elvis catalog are foundational items in rock and roll collecting. Multiple anniversary box sets, audiophile reissues, and comprehensive From Memphis to Vegas box sets and Follow That Dream Records collector editions have been released across the catalog.
Listeners new to Elvis Presley typically start with The Sun Sessions or From Elvis in Memphis (1969).
