Singer who reshaped 20th Century music and culture

They called him The King, and not without good reason. For in the fickle world of pop stardom, Elvis, who died on 16 August, 1977, was royalty - a colossus among performers, an antidote in a troubled world.

His staggering good looks were matched not only by his humour, charisma and sensuality but also by his sheer talent. He was in every sense the finished item. Unique, radiant, inspiring.

In a career covering just 23 years he achieved no less than 150 gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards for his singles and albums – more than any other artist and starred in 31 feature films.

Elvis Aaron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on 8 January, 1935, the surviving twin and only child of Gladys and Vernon Presley.

He was bought his first guitar in 1946 and two years later his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, a hotbed of musical influence that would help shape the young star-to-be.

He began his career with Sun Records in 1954 but the following year his contract was bought by RCA Victor, beginning Elvis’ legendary partnership with manager “Colonel” Tom Parker.

Soon after, Heartbreak Hotel hit the million sales mark and within a year RCA had shifted more than 10 million Elvis records.

In the first of three appearances in 1956 on the Ed Sullivan Show Elvis drew 82.5% of the total audience – around 55 to 60 million viewers.

With his career in vinyl assured, Mr Parker carved out his star’s celluloid future in a lucrative seven-year contract with independent film producer Hal Wallis, beginning with Love Me Tender in 1956, Jailhouse Rock the following year and King Creole in 1958. That same year Elvis was drafted into the US army and the image of the clean-cut, all American boy was complete.

Throughout his career Elvis was linked to a host of beautiful women. His marriage to Priscilla Beaulieu, which lasted just five years, produced a daughter, Lisa Marie.

After several years off the charts Elvis made a triumphant return in 1969 with Suspicious Minds and throughout the Seventies, up until his death, threw himself into live performances across the USA, setting new records for sell-outs virtually everywhere he went.

His battle with obesity frequently made for unpalatable newspaper and magazine headlines and it has always been claimed an addiction to prescription drugs was responsible in whole, or part, for his premature death.

Arguably the greatest showman the world has ever seen, Elvis' records continue to hold new generations spellbound.

He gave the world rock ‘n’ roll with attitude, breaking down cultural and racial taboos by incorporating many different styles into his music including African-American blues.

US President Jimmy Carter said of Elvis' death: “He was unique and irreplaceable. More than 20 years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equalled. His music and personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture.”

John Lennon said poignantly: “Before Elvis, there was nothing.”