Advertisement | ad info

Elvis’ clash with media on view at Newseum

Critics initially hated the music but came around after star enlisted in Army

Jump to text below
Advertisement | ad info

Photos: Elvis Presley (1935-1977)

loading photos...
  1. Young King

    Elvis Presley with mother Gladys and father Vernon in 1938. Vernon Presley was a sharecropper and truck driver, while Gladys was a sewing machine operator. The couple was married in 1933. Young Elvis Aaron Presley was born on Jan. 8, 1935. (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  2. Debut album

    Elvis Presley's debut RCA album. Photo taken on January 31, 1955 (RCA) Back to slideshow navigation
    Advertisement | ad info
  3. Shake it, baby

    Presley performs during a concert in the mid 1950s. Presley's hip gyrations caused a storm of controversy during early TV appearances on Milton Berle and Steve Allen's talk shows. (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
    Advertisement | ad info
  4. Thrilling the masses

    Presley sings and dances on stage before a predominantly female audience. The singer attracted hordes of teenage fans, which led one New York Daily News critic to write that pop music "has reached its lowest depths in the 'grunt and groin' antics of one Elvis Presley." (Frank Driggs Collection  / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  5. Silver-screen King

    "Jailhouse Rock" was Presley's third Hollywood movie. He'd already made "Love Me Tender" and "Loving You." Presley made a total of 31 movies. (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
    Advertisement | ad info
  6. The military years

    Presley received his draft notice on Dec. 20, 1957. He chose not to receive special treatment and was posted in Friedberg, Germany. He returned to the U.S. on March 2, 1960. (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  7. A wave of success

    Presley starred as Chad Gates in 1961's "Blue Hawaii." The film told the story of a soldier who'd recently gotten out of the army and was celebrating with his buddies in Hawaii. It featured Angela Lansbury in a supporting role. (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
    Advertisement | ad info
  8. Happy couple

    Presley holds hands with his bride, Priscilla Beaulieu Presley, on their wedding day, May 1, 1967, in Las Vegas, Nev. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  9. Baffling meeting

    President Richard Nixon meets with Presley on Dec. 21, 1970, in Washington, D.C. The meeting between two of the most improbable cultural icons of the 1970s lasted all of 30 minutes, but it has fascinated the nation for years. (White House via AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  10. Little Lisa Marie

    Lisa Marie Presley was born Feb. 1, 1968, to Elvis and Priscilla. Lisa Marie has been married four times -- Michael Jackson and Nicolas Cage were two of her husbands. Lisa Marie inherited her father's estate when she was 30. (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
    Advertisement | ad info
  11. Classic concert

    Presley performs onstage at the International Convention Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Jan. 14, 1973. The "Aloha from Hawaii" concert was broadcast via satellite and reached at least a billion viewers. (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
    Advertisement | ad info
  12. Life after Priscilla

    Presley with girlfriend Linda Thompson at the Hilton Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio. Thompson began a relationship with the recently separated Presley in 1972. She lived with him at Graceland for three and a half years. (Tom Wargacki / WireImage) Back to slideshow navigation
  13. Shocking news

    The front page of the Commercial Appeal newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., delivers the news the day after Presley's death. The main headline reads "Death Captures Crown of Rock and Roll -- Elvis Dies Apparently After Heart Attack." Later it was found that drug use played a role in Presley's death. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  14. Paying homage

    An annual procession through the Graceland estate and past Presley's grave takes place every year on the anniversary of his death (Aug. 16, 1977). The largest gathering to date was in 2002 and estimated at 40,000 visitors. (Ron Galella / WireImage) Back to slideshow navigation
    Advertisement | ad info
  15. We'll leave the light on

    Mark Omdahl of North Dakota, dressed as Elvis Presley, sings during a candlelight vigil on the 28th anniversary of Presley's death during Elvis Week 2005 at Graceland. (Carlo Allegri / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  1. Editor's note:
    This image contains graphic content that some viewers may find disturbing.

    Click to view the image, or use the buttons above to navigate away.

  2. Editor's note:
    This image contains graphic content that some viewers may find disturbing.

    Click to view the image, or use the buttons above to navigate away.

    Advertisement | ad info
  3. Editor's note:
    This image contains graphic content that some viewers may find disturbing.

    Click to view the image, or use the buttons above to navigate away.

  4. Editor's note:
    This image contains graphic content that some viewers may find disturbing.

    Click to view the image, or use the buttons above to navigate away.

updated 3/21/2010 5:21:07 PM ET

WASHINGTON — Elvis Presley will soon be the subject of a new exhibit at the Newseum in Washington, with his blatant freedom of expression and clash with the media on full view.

Newseum President Ken Paulson says negative newspaper coverage of Elvis helped make him the king of rock 'n' roll. Critics initially hated his music and his moves, but teens went wild.

The turning point came when Elvis served for two years in the U.S. Army. Parents couldn't hate him anymore, and the news media eventually came along, too.

The exhibit opening March 19 will include rare objects from Presley's life, some never before displayed outside Graceland.

Among the artifacts are Elvis' 1957 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and the overcoat and gold belt he wore to meet President Richard Nixon.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Sponsored links
Advertisement | ad info
Advertisement | ad info

Discuss:

Discussion comments

,
Sponsored links
Advertisement | ad info
Advertisement | ad info

Most active discussions

  1. votes comments
  2. votes comments
  3. votes comments
  4. votes comments
Advertisement | ad info
  1. '55 Singer Elvis Presley
    Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
    Jump to photos

    Elvis Presley (1935-1977)

  2. Jump to text

    Elvis Presley will soon be the subject of a new ...

  3. Jump to discussion

    Elvis’ clash with media on view at Newseum