10 Interesting Facts About Elvis Presley You Probably Didn’t Know

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, needs no introduction. His music, style, and iconic stage presence captivated the world and made him a cultural icon. But how well do you know the King?

Get ready to dive into 10 interesting facts and little-known trivia about Elvis Presley, revealing a side of him you’ve probably never seen before. These little-known details will give you a fresh perspective on this iconic figure, from his natural hair color to his surprising lack of songwriting credits.

Get ready to discover a new side of Elvis!

1. Elvis Had a Twin Brother

Elvis Presley, born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, had an identical twin brother, Jesse Garon, who was tragically stillborn 35 minutes before Elvis’s birth. The loss of Jesse was devastating for Elvis’s parents, Vernon and Gladys Presley, who had eagerly anticipated the arrival of their twins. Later, Elvis’s family claimed he had the strength of 2 men inside him.

2. Elvis Was a Natural Blonde

Elvis Presley was not always the dark-haired heartthrob we remember. Like his father, Vernon Presley, Elvis was born a natural blonde. However, aspiring to look like his heroes Tony Curtis and Marlon Brando, he began dying his hair black as a teenager. In his early years, Elvis couldn’t always afford professional dye jobs and used shoe polish to maintain his desired look.

Once he achieved fame and fortune, Elvis continued to dye his hair black throughout his career, using a unique mixture of three shades to achieve his signature look. This transformation became integral to his iconic image, solidifying his place in popular culture as a dark-haired legend.

3. Elvis Recorded His First Song at the Age of 18 For Just $4

In 1953, 18-year-old Elvis Presley, then a truck driver, walked into Sun Studio in Memphis and paid $4 to record two songs: “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin.” Legend has it that this recording session was a birthday gift for his mother, Gladys, but she never heard it as the Presleys didn’t own a record player, and Elvis never re-recorded the song.

4. Elvis Graceland is the Second Most Visited Home in the USA

Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee, was purchased by the King in 1957 for $102,500, equivalent to over $1.1 million today. His parents put down a $1,000 deposit and lived there briefly before Elvis officially moved in on June 26, 1957, while filming “Jailhouse Rock.” Today, this iconic residence welcomes over 650,000 visitors annually, making it the second most-visited house in the United States, after the White House.

5.  At His Heaviest, Elvis Reached 350 Pounds

Elvis Presley struggled with weight fluctuations throughout his life. While he reportedly reached a weight of 350 pounds, autopsy reports reveal that his appearance was mainly due to water retention, not excessive fat. This condition, combined with poor lifestyle choices, bad eating habits, and depression, contributed to his health decline and untimely death in 1977.

6. Elvis Was a 7th Degree Black Belt in Karate

Elvis Presley’s fascination with karate began during his military service in Germany. He studied with karate masters in Germany and Paris, becoming deeply drawn to the discipline and self-defense aspects. Upon returning to the United States, Elvis earned his black belt and continued training, eventually attaining the rank of 7th-degree black belt. Elvis Presley incorporated karate moves into his stage performances, popularizing them in America. Friends recall that practicing karate brought him peace and contentment.

7. Elvis’ Jumpsuits Weighed a Staggering 75 Pounds!

Elvis Presley’s iconic jumpsuits, a defining feature of his later career, were not just stage costumes but a spectacle. Initially inspired by martial arts uniforms and flashy movie attire, Elvis began wearing jumpsuits in the early 1970s during his Las Vegas residency. These custom-made outfits featured elaborate designs with embroidery, gemstones, and sequins, each given a unique name like “Aloha from Hawaii” or “American Eagle.”

The jumpsuits’ weight evolved alongside their increasing extravagance. In the early years, they weighed 25-30 pounds, but by the end of his career, some weighed as much as 75 pounds due to intricate embroidery and jewels. The most iconic and expensive jumpsuit, the “American Eagle” or “Aloha” suit, was created in 1973 and cost a staggering $65,000 then, equivalent to over $440,000 today. It’s now a prized exhibit at Graceland.

8. Elvis Recorded Over 600 Songs Yet Wrote None

The King recorded over 600 songs in his lifetime, but surprisingly, he never wrote one himself. While this might seem unusual for such a prolific artist, it wasn’t uncommon in his era. Instead, Elvis Presley worked with various songwriters and producers who provided him with material that suited his voice and style.

Some of his most famous songs were written by legendary songwriters like Otis Blackwell (“Don’t Be Cruel,” “All Shook Up”), Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller (“Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock”), and Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman (“Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “Viva Las Vegas”).

While Elvis didn’t write his songs, he was heavily involved in the arrangement and production process, often adding his personal touch and making the songs his own. His unique interpretations and performances of these songs made him a legend.

9.  Elvis Never Performed Outside North America

Despite his global fame and influence, Elvis Presley never performed a concert outside of North America. However he played three shows in Canada in 1957, but these were the closest he ever came to an international tour. The reasons for this are complex, but it’s believed that his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, played a significant role. Parker, an illegal immigrant from the Netherlands, feared that if he left the United States, he might not be allowed to re-enter, jeopardizing his control over Elvis’s career.

This decision, while understandable from Parker’s perspective, meant that fans outside North America never had the opportunity to see Elvis perform live. It remains a tantalizing “what if” in music history, leaving many to wonder what impact a global tour by the King of Rock and Roll might have had on his legacy and the worldwide spread of rock ‘n’ roll.

10. Elvis Served in the Military in 1958

In December 1957, Elvis Presley, now a major star, was drafted into the U.S. Army. After a brief deferment, under intense media scrutiny, the 23-year-old entered as a private in March 1958. He trained at Fort Hood, Texas, and took emergency leave in August to visit his ailing mother, who sadly passed away. In September, Elvis was assigned to West Germany, serving as a jeep driver and receiving countless fan letters.

While in Germany, Elvis lived off base with his family and met 14-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu, whom he later married. He left the army as a sergeant in March 1960. His first post-army film, “G.I. Blues,” topped the charts for ten weeks, the longest of any Elvis album. Ultimately, he starred in 31 films.