20 Rare Facts about Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley, often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll,” was an American singer, musician, and actor who became one of the most iconic and influential figures in the history of popular music. Born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis rose to fame in the mid-1950s with his innovative blend of rockabilly, rhythm and blues, and country music, which laid the foundation for the rock and roll genre. His charismatic performances, distinctive voice, and dynamic stage presence set him apart in an era of emerging youth culture.

Elvis Presley Facts

Twin Brother: Elvis Presley was born a twin, but his twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley, was stillborn. This event deeply affected Elvis throughout his life.
Karate Black Belt: Elvis earned a black belt in karate and was an avid practitioner of the martial art. He even incorporated karate into his exercise routine.
Presley’s Middle Name: Elvis’s middle name, “Aaron,” was misspelled on his gravestone. It should be “Aron,” which is how he spelled it himself.
Air Force Stint: In 1958, Elvis was drafted into the U.S. Army and served for two years. He was stationed in Germany and performed his military duties like any other soldier.
First Record: Elvis’s first professional recording was not a rock song but a ballad titled “My Happiness.” He recorded it as a gift for his mother at Sun Studio in 1953.
Pelvis Controversy: Elvis’s infamous pelvic movements on stage were so controversial that they led to him being filmed only from the waist up during a performance on the “Ed Sullivan Show.”
Limited Overseas Performances: Despite his worldwide fame, Elvis only performed live outside of the United States three times – all in Canada.
White Knickers Incident: In 1957, during a performance in Toledo, Ohio, a young fan threw a pair of white women’s underwear on stage, which led to Elvis playfully holding them up.
Star Trek Connection: In a 1965 episode of “Star Trek,” Captain Kirk is seen singing “You Are My Sunshine.” This is the only time William Shatner sang in his Star Trek role, and it was a nod to Elvis, who was a fan of the show.
Presidential Meeting: Elvis famously met President Richard Nixon in 1970, resulting in one of the most requested photographs from the National Archives.
Private Concert: In 1961, Elvis performed a private concert at a prison in Chino, California, for an audience of just three inmates who had won a contest.
Phobia of Hair Loss: Elvis had a fear of losing his hair, which is why he often dyed it black. He also preferred his sideburns to cover his ears as he believed it would distract from his receding hairline.
Movie Marathons: Elvis was known to enjoy movie marathons at his home, Graceland. He would rent entire movie theaters to watch films with friends during the early morning hours.
Private Jet Purchases: Elvis owned two private jets during his lifetime, named “Lisa Marie” after his daughter, and “Hound Dog II.” The planes were lavishly customized to his taste.
Generous Tipper: Elvis was known for his generosity and often left substantial tips. He once tipped a bellboy $1,000 to keep the elevator open for him.
Pet Kangaroo: Elvis had a fascination with exotic animals, including a pet kangaroo named Scatter. Scatter often roamed freely around Graceland.
Army Romance: While stationed in Germany during his military service, Elvis met a young woman named Priscilla Beaulieu. They eventually married in 1967.
Favorite Snack: Elvis had a favorite sandwich that has become legendary – a concoction of peanut butter, banana, and bacon. He would sometimes deep fry it for an extra indulgence.
Superhero Aspirations: Elvis once expressed his desire to play a superhero on screen, specifically mentioning his interest in portraying Marvel’s Doctor Strange.
Collector of Police Badges: Elvis had a hobby of collecting police badges from various law enforcement agencies. He often used his celebrity status to acquire them.