Elvis Presley: I Want to Entertain People

“Elvis has left the building.” A record television audience of some 60 million people watched Elvis Presley on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW the night of September 9, 1956. With his ground-breaking television performances and many number-one hits, that year saw the Elvis phenomenon grow to massive proportions. Girls went into hysterics over him and boys emulated his style. Adults feared the effect rock and roll, and Elvis in particular, had on their teenagers. Elvis became the world's biggest pop icon and changed the face of American pop culture. He became the King of Rock and Roll. Over the years, Elvis' career evolved from rock-and-roll rebel to movie star to ballad crooner to Las Vegas performer, experiencing several downfalls and comebacks along the way.