If you’ve heard oldies music, chances are you’ve heard the powerful voice and hip-shaking tunes of the one and only Elvis Presley. Over 47 years after his death, Elvis remains a legendary icon in rock and pop culture. But why was he so influential? Let’s break down his rise to fame and the keys to his success.

Elvis’s Humble Beginnings

Elvis was born in 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi and grew up very poor. But he was obsessed with music as a kid. For his 11th birthday, his parents got Elvis his first guitar and the rest was history!

After his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, Elvis soaked up the blues, gospel, and country music thriving there. As a shy teenager, he would sneak out to African American “juke joints” on the other side of the racial divide to listen to edgy R&B artists that white kids weren’t supposed to enjoy back then.

These diverse musical influences shaped Elvis’s unique new sound blending genres when he began performing.

What Made Elvis Stand Out

When Elvis started out, most pop stars just casually sang harmless tunes. But Elvis delivered high energy performances with gyrating hips and passion that shocked adults and electrified youth.

At a time when rock music was still new and wild, Elvis’s look and style seemed rebellious – his wild black hair and colorful outfits were totally different from other artists.

Elvis moved, sang, and played guitar with such swagger and confidence that huge crowds of screaming fans couldn’t get enough of him! Other pop stars looked stiff as boards next to this dynamic young Rebel from Memphis!

Elvis Takes Over TV and Film

Elvis became so famous so fast that he soon starred in movies like “Jailhouse Rock” and made splashy TV appearances. His 1956 debut on The Ed Sullivan Show earned sky-high ratings since parents banned kids from watching his supposedly inappropriate hip moves!

When Elvis was drafted into the army in 1958, the famous photos of him getting his buzzcut hairdo only made him more popular with teens. After being discharged, his manager convinced Elvis to focus on cheesy Hollywood films and cute pop songs to soften his dangerous image for money reasons.

So throughout the 1960s, adult Elvis lost his edge churning out cliché romances like “Blue Hawaii” that made grownups happy but bored his original rock fans.

The Comeback!

By the late ’60s, Elvis hadn’t performed live in over 7 years as he wasted time on B-movies. He almost seemed washed up by 1968 – hard to believe considering today’s mega fame!

Desperate to prove himself again, Elvis staged a major comeback TV special centered around his early rock songs that blew the minds of critics.

Reviving his golden years revived Elvis’s passion for thrilling live shows also. He returned to the stage in Las Vegas with a fabulous new sparkling jumpsuit – suddenly the King was back!

Legacy as The King

Sadly, Elvis died in 1977 at just 42 years old from health issues complicated by years of drug problems. However, the world never forgot how one country boy from Mississippi revolutionized pop music forever and paved the way for rock music to thrive.

Decades later, Elvis remains the undisputed King as new generations discover his talents. Over 20,000 fans still flock to Graceland each year to honor Elvis’s legacy and contributions to music history. Pretty cool for a poor kid with a guitar!

So in the end, Elvis earned eternal fame by breaking molds – his bold new music and style simply captivated millions. Even today, Elvis still feels revolutionary compared to those cookie-cutter pop stars!