Elvis Presley

Someone who inspires others in such a way they are motivated to do something of a similar nature, is what I consider to be a hero. Someone who came up, and overcame the odds, despite what society may think and be like. My hero is the one and only Elvis Aron Presley. Elvis is known worldwide as the “King of Rock and Roll,” or a legend of that nature for very genuine reasons.

Elvis was born in a two-room house to Vernon and Gladys Presley in Tupelo, Mississippi along with a brother, Jessie Garon, who was dead upon birth. This was a tragedy the Presley family had to overcome, thus leaving Elvis as an only child. Elvis’ parents were not people of much wealth, and convinced Elvis to accept a guitar for his birthday instead of what he really wanted, a bicycle. This was his first inspiration to embark on his musical journey, and he had no idea as to what a ride he was in for. Elvis played for his Junior High School many times when he first began to play guitar, but soon moved to Memphis, Tennessee.

Elvis in the early years of success (www.life.com/Life/ classicpictures/elvis/)

Low rent homes, such as public housing, were what Elvis and his parents found themselves living in when they arrived in Memphis. He gathered more and more musical inspiration from black blues and gospel he heard around town, which motivated him all the more. Elvis then admirably sang and played his guitar for his new high school, L.C. Humes High School, nervously during a student talent show. He shockingly seemed to get more applause than anyone else. He embraced the applause and it seemed to him one of the greatest feelings imaginable.

Elvis in the midst of success (http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Aug-17-Wed-2005/photos/elvis.jpg )

Elvis got his first break when he made a demo tape and impressed the owner of the recording studio, and was then signed with Sun Labels. Although this was only small time success, it lead Elvis to much larger success once those tracks that he recorded with Sun were re-released under a new contract with RCA Records in 1955, leading Elvis to national exposure and success. "Heartbreak hotel," "Don’t Step on My Blue Suede Shoes," "See See Rider," and other tracks were what led Elvis to his new found glory. Only a year later, he was considered to be an international sensation, bringing in a whole new era of music. He began starring in films, television specials, and live performances while on tour and in Las Vegas. Elvis has twenty-five multi-platinum albums, fifty-five platinum albums, and twenty-seven platinum singles, all beating any other artist by far.

Elvis was a man who came up above everything and everybody, and turned almost nothing into everything. He worked his way up, as if he were at the bottom of the barrel, and became an international superstar. He’s my inspiration and the reason why I love music as much as I do, and also my motivation as well. To me, this man practically invented music by himself; inspiring all others to make it as well, including me, which is why Elvis is my hero.