Elvis Presley’s lovely voice and impressive moves marked a before and after in music history. However, as well-known as he is, there are still many fun facts about “The King” that you may not know about. Let’s take a look at them now!
Elvis Had a Twin Brother
Rock and Roll Super Star Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935, alongside his identical twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley.
Tragically, Jesse was stillborn, and Elvis grew up as an only child. In his later years, “The King” often spoke of feeling Jesse’s presence during various moments of his life.
Whether at concerts, on film sets, or in solitary moments, Elvis felt a profound connection to his lost twin, which lingered throughout his career.
Elvis Was a Natural Blond
Despite being famous for his jet-black hair, photos from Elvis Presley’s childhood show that he was, in fact, a natural blonde. Who knew, right?!
In his late teens, he began dyeing his hair to achieve the striking look that years later ended up becoming his signature mark.
When he was first starting, he used shoe polish as a makeshift dye, but as his career progressed and he had the means, he transitioned to professional hair dye.
He Was a Peanut Butter Lover
Elvis was known for his love of peanut butter and unusual food combinations, and he even came up with a famous sandwich recipe known today as the “Elvis Sandwich.”
This famous snack consisted of a gigantic peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwich fried in butter. That sure sounds delicious, right?
Granted, this is no healthy snack, but it sounds like something we would like to try. The king sure had more than interesting food habits.
He Was a Man of Many Faiths
As a kid, Elvis attended church regularly with his parents. It is said that his early exposure to gospel music there deeply influenced his later music career.
However, in his later years, he used to wear three chains around his neck with a cross, a Star of David, and the letter chai of the Hebrew alphabet.
Why did he do this? Well, his explanation was rather simple: “When I die I don’t want to be left out of Heaven because of a technicality.”
He Got Americans to Accept the Polio Vaccine
In 1956, The King made a big impact in promoting the polio vaccine when he agreed to get vaccinated live on TV before a performance on The Ed Sullivan Show.
His public shot really helped boost people’s trust in the vaccine, leading to a big jump in the number of American teenagers getting vaccinated.
Elvis’s decision to take part in this health campaign showed just how much influence he had at the time. A great example of how to use fame for a good cause.
He Didn’t Win Many Grammys
Contrary to what most people believe, despite being a global superstar, Elvis won only three Grammy Awards during his career, and all of them were for gospel recordings.
His secular music, though immensely popular, never received the same recognition from the Recording Academy. Let’s just say they weren’t big rock and roll fans.
However, it is also worth mentioning that The Grammys began in 1958, so they weren’t around for Presley’s first two years of mega-stardom: 1956 and 1957. Tough luck!
He Had a Pet Chimpanzee Named Scatter
Elvis did, in fact, own a pet chimpanzee named Scatter. Back in the 1960s, the Chimp worked on an educational program for children that was broadcast in Memphis, Elvis’s hometown.
Scatter was trained to obey its owner. It would be a matter of time before Elvis Presley met the ape and adopted him. Apparently, it was love at first sight.
The chimp was known for his mischievous and unruly behavior. He often wore clothes, drank alcohol, and caused chaos at Graceland. That place sure must have been chaotic!
He Bought His Iconic Mansion, Graceland, at Just 22 Years Old
Most of us have heard about Graceland, Elvis’ legendary home in Memphis, Tennessee. The Mansion is currently the second most visited house in the United States, following the White House.
However, what many might not know is that Elvis bought the mansion in 1957 when he was just 22 years old! We are feeling kinda envious right now.
At that time, he paid $102,500 for the property, which was a considerable amount of money. Graceland has since become a major landmark and symbol of The King’s legacy.
His Famous Jumpsuits Were Not Only Flashy But also Super Heavy
Most of us are familiar with Elvis’ famous flashy jumpsuits. However, not many know that these outfits originally weighed between 25 and 30 pounds because of their heavy fabric.
As the costumes became more and more elaborate and more intricate embroidery and jewels were added to them, some ended up weighing as much as 75 pounds.
The sheer weight and detail of these jumpsuits added to their dramatic impact on stage and helped define an era of Elvis’ legacy.
Elvis Loved Karate and He Was a Black Belt!
While stationed in Germany with the US Army, Elvis developed a passion for karate, studying with masters and eventually earning his black belt in 1960.
He continued his training back in America where he achieved a 7th-degree black belt by 1973. Throughout his life, he trained with the most famous karate masters in the world.
According to Elvis, practicing karate brought him significant spiritual peace and fulfillment. For someone with such a hectic lifestyle as the king, it sure was of great help for him.
He Recorded His First Song as a Present for His Mother
Not many people know this, but the first song Elvis Presley recorded was “My Happiness.” He recorded it in July 1953 at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee.
He was just 18 years old at the time. He paid $4 to make the recording, which was intended as a gift for his mother.
Although his first recording was a personal recording and not released commercially at the time, it marked the beginning of his legendary music career.
He Had a Prolific Movie Career
The king’s film career began in 1956 with Love Me Tender, showcasing his musical talent. He starred in 31 feature films, blending acting and singing.
Many of Elvis’ movies were musical comedies, like Blue Hawaii and Viva Las Vegas, capitalizing on his charm and musical appeal. These films often boosted his song’s popularity.
Though not critically acclaimed, Elvis’ movies were box-office successes. His acting ambitions remained unfulfilled, as Hollywood typecast him, focusing more on his star power than dramatic roles.
He Accidentally Inhaled His Toothcap
In 1957, while filming his iconic MGM movie Jailhouse Rock, Elvis suffered an accident on set and accidentally ended up swallowing his toothcap. Can you believe it?
During a scene where he slid down a pole, the cap came loose and ended up lodged in his lung. He needed surgery to remove it.
Fortunately, the procedure was simple and did not damage his vocal cords, and he made a full recovery, continuing his career with no lasting effects.
He Never Learned How to Read Music
Though it may seem surprising, Elvis Presley never learned to read music and didn’t compose any of his songs or write his own lyrics.
He learned everything by ear, relying on his photographic and encyclopedic memory. This ability not only impressed musicians but also allowed him to effortlessly memorize his lines for Hollywood movies.
Despite lacking formal training, his natural talent was key to his success in music and film. It’s not every day that one can find someone with such a rare ability.
He Introduced the TV Remote to “The Beatles”
Elvis was one of the first people in the US to own a remote control for his television. Apparently, he loved watching TV and often had several sets going at once.
In fact, Elvis’ passion for TV left a mark on one of the world’s most famous rock and roll bands of all time: The Beatles.
According to former Beatles and British rock superstar Paul McCartney, Elvis was the one to introduce the TV remote to “The Beatles” when they visited him in his Los Angeles home in 1965.
Elvis Never Performed Outside of North America
Despite his worldwide fame, Elvis has never performed on foreign soil aside from a handful of shows in Canada back in 1957. Hard to believe, right?
Many sources believe this was decided by Colonel Parker, Elvis’ “controversial” manager who had a big influence on him throughout his entire career.
Parker was an illegal immigrant, and he refused offers for Elvis to perform abroad because he was afraid he wouldn’t be allowed back into the country after the tour.
He Met with President Nixon to Help Combat Substance Abuse
According to Time Magazine, in 1970, Elvis famously met with President Richard Nixon at the White House, a meeting he initiated by writing a six-page letter.
Elvis wanted to help combat drug culture and offered his services as an undercover agent. He even requested and received a federal narcotics badge during the visit.
The bizarre encounter, which included Elvis giving Nixon a gift of a Colt .45, remains one of the most unusual moments in both men’s lives.
He Was Fascinated with Police Badges
Not many people know about this, but Elvis had an unusual hobby of collecting police badges from different law enforcement agencies across the country.
He was fascinated by law enforcement and would often request badges as souvenirs when visiting cities on tour. His collection was vast and included a badge from every state.
He even had a custom-made police badge that he would sometimes wear, showing his deep admiration for law enforcement in a unique way.
In Fact, His Addiction Was So Big that He Had an Entire Law Enforcement Paraphernalia Collection
Beyond his collection of police badges, Elvis also amassed a variety of law enforcement paraphernalia, including weapons and uniforms.
He often dressed in police attire and would sometimes pull over drivers while impersonating an officer. Elvis’s fascination with law enforcement bordered on an obsession.
He even asked President Nixon for a federal narcotics badge during his visit to the White House in 1970. He kept the badge in a special place at home after the meeting.
He Was a Huge Cinephile
Elvis loved watching movies, but due to his fame, he couldn’t attend regular screenings. Instead, he would rent out entire movie theaters for private midnight showings.
He’d invite friends, family, and even strangers to join him. These private screenings became a regular activity, and Elvis would often watch several films in a row.
This unusual habit was a way for Elvis to enjoy one of his favorite pastimes without being constantly disturbed. And we don’t blame him; everyone deserves to watch a movie in peace.
He Named His Private Jet Named After His Daugther
Elvis owned a custom-designed Convair 880 jet, which he named after his daughter, Lisa Marie. The jet was outfitted with gold-plated seat belts, a bedroom, and a conference room.
Elvis used the plane to travel between concert venues and for personal trips. The plane became a symbol of his success and his love for luxury.
Today, the plane is on display in perfect shape at Graceland, where it continues to draw fans from around the world.
He Was Interested in UFOs and the Paranormal
Elvis had a fascination with UFOs and the paranormal, often discussing these topics with friends and reading books on the subject. Who would have thought?!
According to Larry Geller, one of Elvis’ former assistants, the pair saw bright objects in the sky, once in the desert and another time above Graceland.
Elvis’ dad, Vernon, also claimed to have seen a U.F.O. the day he was born. It seems that this obsession with the paranormal ran in the family. What do you think?
Elvis Had a Pink Cadillac Obsession
Elvis was known for his love of pink Cadillacs. He famously purchased one in 1955 and often gave them away as gifts to friends, family, and even strangers.
His iconic 1955 Fleetwood Series 60 Cadillac was a symbol, a one-of-a-kind at the time, and helped solidify the singer’s flamboyant style.
Elvis even custom-painted the car pink, a color that became closely associated with his early image and helped solidify his legend as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
He Was Really Into Numerology
Elvis had an interest in numerology and often consulted numerologists for advice. He believed that certain numbers had special significance in his life and made important decisions based on them.
For example, for reasons unknown, the number 8 was particularly meaningful to him, and he would try to incorporate it into various aspects of his life.
In fact, documents written by Elvis just ten days before his death in which he discusses numerology have been found. Sounds kinda creepy, doesn’t it? What do you think?
He Was a Sleepwalker and an Insomniac
Apparently, when he was young, his mother took the inside knob off his bedroom door at night so that he wouldn’t wander off and hurt himself.
He also struggled with insomnia for much of his life, often staying awake for days at a time. He would spend these sleepless nights watching television, reading, or playing the piano.
The singer’s insomnia was likely exacerbated by his demanding schedule, the pressures of fame, and his reliance on prescription medications, which didn’t help him at all.
He Spawned a Lipstick Craze
Fans frequently used lipstick to write marriage proposals and love messages on Elvis’s Cadillac and on buildings where he performed.
This is why he introduced a line of autographed lipstick shades named “hound-dog orange,” “cruel red,” “tender pink,” and “tutti-frutti red.”
The advertisements urged, “Always keep me on your lips,” and it seems the girls did, as sales reportedly exceeded $20 million annually.
He Had a Passion for Animals
Elvis was a great animal lover. Not only did he own a chimpanzee, but he also had many other pets throughout his life, including horses and dogs.
He had a passion for horses and he used to own a herd of over 20 beautiful specimens in his Graceland stable. He also gifted them to his close friends.
He was so attached to his horses that when one of his favorites died while he was on tour, they didn’t tell him anything until he got home for fear that the news would devastate him.
He Is the Best-Selling Solo Artist in US History
With over 146.5 million certified album sales in the United States alone, Elvis holds the title of the best-selling solo artist in U.S. history. His influence on music is unparalleled.
His extensive catalog spans rock, pop, gospel, and country, solidifying his legacy as “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
Even 40 years after his death, his music continues to sell, making him a cultural icon worldwide. Do you own any Elvis’ records? Statistically, you probably do.
He Had a Personal Nurse for Many Years
Elvis had a personal nurse, Tish Henley, who worked for him from 1968 until his death. She was responsible for administering a variety of medications that Elvis took regularly.
Elvis’s reliance on medications became more pronounced as his health declined. His dependency was so significant that Henley became one of his closest confidantes.
Henley even wrote a book about the years she spent working for the famous singer where she described him “not only as my patient, but a good friend.”
He Has Hundreds of Thousands of Imitators Around the World
Since Elvis passed away from a heart attack in 1977, Elvis impersonating has become a growing and very profitable industry.
From about 170 impersonators at the time of his passing, today, there are an estimated 250,000 to 400,000 Elvis impersonators worldwide, from singers to skydivers.
Would you like to hire an Elvis impersonator for your next birthday party? We are not sure we would enjoy something like that, but apparently, many people sure do.