Elvis Presley In The 1960s

INTRODUCTION

The 1960s was a good time for Elvis Presley. He was released from the Army with the title of Sergeant, got married, had his first and only child and enjoyed success both in the movies and in his music. He was already popular when he went into his army but as he was released he became more popular than ever before. However by the time the 1960s were drawing to a close, Elvis Presley’s popularity was beginning to wane and he was thought to have been a joke by critics. Only his most loyal fans stood by him at this time.

ELVIS PRESLEY AND MOVIES IN THE 1960s

Although Elvis Presley had recorded music after his release from the army on March 5, 1960, he was making his way through Hollywood. Colonel Tom Parker was Elvis Presley’s manager and he pushed Elvis into a heavy schedule in the movies. Elvis himself wanted to be portrayed in more serious roles and made two movies, ‘Wild in the Country’ (1961) and ‘Flaming Star’ (1960). These more serious roles however proved to be something that his fans did not want and they flopped as a consequence.

After his films flopped, Elvis agreed with Parker to keep his movies to a formula that relied on Elvis acting in comedy musical films. During the 1960s Elvis starred in no less than 27 movies. Some of his most popular films during this time included:

• Viva Las Vegas (1964)
• G. I. Blues (1960)
• Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962)
• Blue Hawaii (1961)

Many of Elvis Presley’s films were accompanied by soundtrack albums. Due to the sheer amount of films and songs that Elvis Presley recorded, his work began to suffer. Finally in 1967, producers realised that there was a problem with Elvis Presley’s music but by then he was already considered a joke by critics and serious music lovers.

ELVIS PRESLEY AND PRISCILLA BEALIEU

Elvis and Priscilla met in Germany when Elvis was stationed there with the army on September 13, 1959. Priscilla was only 14 years old when they met and they married May 1, 1967. Their only child, Lisa Marie was born February 1, 1968.

CONCLUSION

Although the 1960s began well for Elvis Presley, the amount of work and the quality of his music began to slip. Toward the end of the 1960s, Elvis Presley’s career was struggling and yet in his personal life his marriage and the birth of his daughter helped to get him back on track. 1968 saw Elvis begin to climb to the top once more and made his come-back in December 1968.