TIME Magazine’s first-ever consideration of Elvis Presley, a snippet review of the single Heartbreak Hotel in 1956, did not contain many clues about what was to come.
“A new singer with a new twist: a double voice that alternates between a high, unpleasant quaver, reminiscent of Johnnie Ray at his fiercest, and a rich basso that might be smooth if it were not for its spasmodic delivery,” the reviewer quipped. “Heartbreak Hotel, yelps the high voice, is where he’s going to get away from it all. Answers the basso: he’ll be sorry.”
It didn’t take long, however, for that critic to be put in his place. One reader wrote in to say that TIME had better watch its mouth when talking about “the new god of the beanie brigade and the kiss-me-quick clique” or else the magazine would have “all of young America” to answer to. A group of 43 Elvis fans from Connecticut penned a group letter to just that effect: “If you think the teen-agers of this country are taking the slander you printed about our man Elvis you are sadly mistaken,” they wrote.
Sure enough, in the two decades that followed, the world would hear that once-dismissed voice from every radio and jukebox around. Even though the man died 40 years ago, at age 42, on Aug. 16, 1977, his influence continues to this day.
Michelle Molloy, who edited this photo essay, is a senior photo editor at TIME.
Elvis Presley poses for a family portrait with his parents Gladys Presley and Vernon Presley in 1937 in Tupelo, Miss.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesElvis as a child in early 1940's.RB/Redferns/Getty ImagesElvis at approximately 9 years old.Everett CollectionElvis at approximately 12 years old.Globe Photos/ZumaElvis performs on the stage in Tampa, Fla, 1955.APElvis is surrounded by his enthusiastic teenage fans in Houston, TX., 1956.Bettmann/Getty ImagesElvis performs outside to adoring fans on Sept. 26, 1956 in his hometown of Tupelo, Miss. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesElvis and his manager Colonel Tom Parker sit at a typewriter in front of the a picture of the RCA Victor Dog in circa 1956 in Memphis, Tenn.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesElvis swivels his hips as he performs with his band onstage during his second appearance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show,' New York, N.Y., Oct. 28, 1956. CBS Photo Archive/Getty ImagesOpening of "Love Me Tender" movie at the Paramount Theater, New York, on Nov. 15, 1956.20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett CollectionRock and roll musicians Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash as "The Million Dollar Quartet" Dec. 4, 1956 in Memphis, Tenn. This was a one night jam session at Sun Studios. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesElvis strolls the grounds of his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tenn. circa 1957. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesElvis in the movie "Jailhouse Rock"
1957, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. John Springer Collection/Corbis/Getty ImagesElvis mourns the death of his mother Gladys with his father at Graceland, Aug. 14, 1958. Everett CollectionWearing only underwear, singing star turned US Army Pvt. Elvis Presley (3L) raises his arms along w. several other inductees during an inspection at Ft. Chaffee, Alaska, March 1, 1958.Don Cravens—The Life Images Collection/Getty ImagesRocker/Corporal Elvis wearing uniform while chatting w. fans through window as girlfriend Priscilla Beaulieu sits beside him in back seat of car, Germany, 1960.James Whitmore—The LIFE Images Collection/Getty ImagesFrank Sinatra (left) welcomed special guest star Elvis Presley home from the Army. A highlight from the show featured a medley by Sinatra and Presley of each other's songs. 1960.ABC Photo Archives/Getty ImagesSwedish-American actress, singer and dancer Ann-Margret and Elvis promoting the movie Viva Las Vegas, 1964.Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty ImagesElvis Presley and Priscilla on their wedding day, May 1,1967. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesElvis Presley during his '68 Comeback Special on NBC.NBC/NBCU Photo Bank /Getty ImagesElvis Presley shows President Richard Nixon his cuff links, during a visit to the White House. Dec. 21, 1970.National Archives/Getty ImagesElvis with his wife Priscilla and their daughter Lisa-Marie as they pose for a family portrait, 1970s.Frank Carroll—Sygma /Getty ImagesElvis Presley in his driveway
at Graceland, circa 1970s.
Gary Lewis—MPTVElvis performs at Madison Square Garden, New York City, June 1972, George KalinskyFans weep and pay tribute to Elvis at Forest Hill Cemetery Midtown, in Memphis, Tenn. Aug. 19, 1977. Robb Mitchell—The Commercial Appeal/ZumaElvis kneels onstage as he performs at the Mosque Theater, Richmond, Va., June 30, 1956.Alfred Wertheimer—Getty Images
