Fascinating facts about Elvis Presley
The ‘King of Rock and Roll’
was born on January 8, 1935. Celebrate
his birthday by listening to East Coast Gold on Friday when we'll be playing some of his
biggest hits and documenting his extraordinary journey.
American singer and actor Elvis Presley changed the music game in the 1950s and became a pioneer for Rock ‘n Roll.
He won countless awards including three Grammys, four NMEs, and, in 2018, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Listen through the day this Friday as we honour The King and his blue suede shoes – including between 9 and 10 am when Gordon Graham has an Elvis Special that’s not-to-be-missed.
In honour of his birthday, we also look at fascinating facts about the star.
READ: The classic hits of the legendary Elvis Presley
- Elvis Presley served as a soldier in the United States Army between March 1958 and March 1960.
- He was discovered by producer Sam Phillips at Sun Records after he sent in his audition tape.
- He was very versatile. He sang blues and country songs, gospel hymns and Rock n’ Roll.
- Elvis Presley dominated the best-seller charts from 1956 until 1958.
- He was not afraid to mingle with Black people and this resulted in some of his white fans denouncing him.
- In 1967, Elvis married Priscilla Ann Presley and the two divorced in 1973.
- Elvis and Priscilla’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, was born on 1 February 1968.
- Presley died on August 16, 1977 at the age of 42 after suffering a heart attack that was caused by an overdose of prescription drugs.
READ: Elvis Presley still alive? All revealed in Mauling News
Award-winning East Coast Gold plays Classic Hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s. Listen to East Coast Gold via the ECR app or here. We’re also on various other platforms, including Alexa (just enable the ‘East Coast Gold’ skill); MyTuner, Radio Garden; iono.fm, Radioline or OpenRadio.
Who's on-air when?
Gordon Graham, weekdays 6-10am and Sundays 2-6pm.
Jane Linley-Thomas, weekdays 10am-1 pm and Saturday 2-6pm.
Damon Beard, weekdays 1-5pm and Sundays, 6-10am.
Dave Guselli, weekdays 5-9pm and Saturdays, 6-10am.
Alex Jay, weekends 10am – 2pm.
Take part in our music poll below, and let's settle the debate on which decade produced the best music.