Most men (and women) are defined as much by how they handle adversity as the success they create. Elvis was no exception. Elvis did have some difficult times in his life starting with the loss of his mom. It is said that Elvis never quite got over this. His divorce for Priscilla was a highly publicized event among rumors of numerous affairs. Colonel Parker was taken to court for financial mismanagement though he was acquitted. Elvis acquired close to $4.5 billion during his career, but was not fiscally responsible and this lead to much mismanagement and frequent litigation during (and after) his lifetime among his management people and record companies.

The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce (the Jaycees) named Elvis One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation for 1970 in a ceremony on January 16, 1971, one of Elvis’s proudest moments. This award has been given since 1938 and has honored men of achievement in all areas of endeavor - sports, government, science, medicine, entertainment, etc. It recognizes outstanding personal achievement and the exemplification of the opportunities available in the free enterprise system, along with patriotism, humanitarianism, and community service.

In the late 1960’s Elvis began to suffer ill health. He developed an apparent weight problem and became addicted to drugs (amphetamines and sedatives). Elvis talked to those around him about a spiritual journey, which had him searching for peace and a sense of purpose. He never made a public profession of Christ but chose to seek knowledge in many different religions and beliefs. During this time Elvis continued to tour and sell out his venues.

Elvis’ final years have been the subject of a cottage industry of celebrity bios, tell-alls, and gossip screeds from those who knew him well, or purported to know him well. Those activities are really beyond the scope of a mini-bio such as this, but it’s enough to note that his behavior was becoming increasingly instable. His weight fluctuated wildly; his marriage broke up; he became dependent upon a variety of prescription drugs. Worst of all, he became isolated from the outside world except for professional purposes (he continued to tour until the end), rarely venturing outside of his Graceland mansion in Memphis. Colonel Parker’s financial decisions on behalf of his client have also come in for much criticism.

On August 16, 1977, Presley was found dead in Graceland. The cause of death remains a subject of widespread speculation, although it seems likely that drugs played a part. An immediate cult following sprang up around his legacy, kept alive by the hundreds of thousands of visitors who make the pilgrimage to Graceland annually. Elvis memorabilia, much of it kitsch, is another industry in his own right. Dozens if not hundreds make a comfortable living by impersonating the King in live performance. And then there are all those Elvis sightings, reported in tabloids on a seemingly weekly basis.

Elvis’s death didn’t end an era – it ended a career of a man who was loved and worshipped by people around the globe. With Elvis’s death, the world mourned a true icon and there were many public outcries of grief. Elvis had charisma, sensuality and a pleasant demeanor which endeared him to millions of fans. He changed the American culture by opening new avenues of discussion and launching new trends in music.

Known the world over, he is regarded as one of the most important music figures in the twentieth century. He was a rare talent, and a kind human being. He is known as “the king of rock and roll” and he deserves the title. Elvis Presley was the first-ever person to be inducted into three halls of fame: the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Country Hall of Fame.

Tags: Apparent Weight, Colonel Parker, Different Religions, Drugs Amphetamines, Exemplification, Financial Mismanagement, Free Enterprise System, Government Science, Humanitarianism, Ill Health, Jaycees, Junior Chamber Of Commerce, Mini Bio, Personal Achievement, Public Profession, Screeds, Sedatives, Sense Of Purpose, Spiritual Journey, United States Junior Chamber