Elvis Aaron Presley

This 1976-88 portrait of Elvis Presley by R. W. Cowan hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.

“Elvis Presley grew up in the musical melting pot of Memphis, where his emerging talent was heavily influenced by local strains of pop, country, rhythm and blues, and gospel. As a young truck driver in 1953, he paid four dollars to record a song for his mother's birthday. Sun Records then the label of such other young talents as Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis soon signed him, and his first record, ‘That's All Right, Mama,’ was an instant hit. By 1956, thanks in part to a series of sensational television appearances, he was crowned the ‘king of rock and roll,’ with a string of recordings that included ‘Heartbreak Hotel,’ ‘Don't Be Cruel,’ and ‘Hound Dog.’ Since his death, Presley has emerged as an iconic entertainment figure, and his Graceland mansion has become one of the nation's most-visited popular culture shrines.” -- National Portrait Gallery

This picture can be seen at Music Hall of Fame Tuscumbia, Alabama

“Elvis Aaron Presley, January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977. Son of Vernon Elvis Presley and Gladys Love Presley, father of Lisa Marie Presley. • He was a precious gift from God we cherished and loved dearly. • He had a God-given talent that he shared with the world, and without a doubt, he became most widely acclaimed; capturing the hearts of young and old alike. • He was admired not only as an entertainer, but as the great humanitarian that he was; for his generosity, and his kind feelings for his fellow man. • He revolutionized the field of music and received its highest awards. • He became a living legend in his own time, earning the respect and love of millions. • God saw that he needed some rest and called him home to be with Him. • We miss you, Son and Daddy. I thank God that He gave us you as our son. (TCB logo) —Vernon Presley”