Historic photos show Elvis Presley's life from Tupelo to Graceland in Memphis
Posted: November 16th, 2025, 7:14 pm
https://www.commercialappeal.com/pictur ... 308617007/
Elvis Presley's first newspaper portrait from 1954.
"Colonel Parker's World of Show Business" is on display at Elvis Presley's Memphis through at least the end of 2025. The exhibit showcases artifacts from the career of Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager.
Provided By Graceland
Elvis fiddles with an electric bass inside Graceland in this photograph published March 7, 1965, in the first issue of Mid-South, the now-defunct Sunday magazine of The Commercial Appeal. Elvis had misgivings about allowing pictures to be made inside his home. "It's not that I don't want pictures," he said. "You know what I mean. Some people might think I am looking for publicity or trying to exploit my home. I certainly don't want anyone to think that."
Charles Nicholas / The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley was outfitted with all of his military gear at Ft Chaffee, Ark. Elvis was inducted March 24, 1958 at Memphis and spent several days at Ft. Chaffee before moving on to Ft. Hood Texas on the 28th, where he would undergo six months training. He would return to his hometown March 7, 1960 after completing his tour of duty.
Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley and fellow inductee Farley Guy (right), an old friend from Lauderdale Courts on March 24, 1958. After reporting for duty about 6:30 a.m. at the Draft Board office in the M&M Building, 198 South Main, he and other inductees would spend much of the day at Kennedy Veterans Hospital for processing and physicals before boarding a bus for Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. By the 28th, Elvis arrived at Fort Hood, Texas where he would undergo six months of training before shipping off to Germany. Presley moved about the rec room at Kennedy constantly. "If you think I'm nervous, it's because I am," he joked. (Robert Williams / The Commercial Appeal)
Bob Williams, The Commercial Appeal
The U.S. Army provided a box lunch for Elvis Presley and other inductees the day they reported for duty March 24, 1958. After reporting for duty about 6:30 a.m. at the Draft Board office in the M&M Building, 198 South Main, he and other inductees would spend much of the day at Kennedy Veterans Hospital for processing and physicals before boarding a bus for Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. By the 28th, Elvis arrived at Fort Hood, Texas where he would undergo six months of training before shipping off to Germany. ( By Fred Payne, Memphis Press-Scimitar / The Commercial Appeal)
Fred Payne, Memphis Press-Scimitar
"Colonel Parker's World of Show Business" is on display at Elvis Presley's Memphis through at least the end of 2025. The exhibit showcases artifacts from the career of Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager.
Elvis Presley on the day of his induction into the army March 24, 1958. Miss Judy Spreckels and Miss Anita Wood (next to Elvis) were among those to see him off. After reporting for duty about 6:30 a.m. at the Draft Board office in the M&M Building, 198 South Main, he and other inductees would spend much of the day at Kennedy Veterans Hospital for processing and physicals before boarding a bus for Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. By the 28th, Elvis arrived at Fort Hood, Texas where he would undergo six months of training before shipping off to Germany.
Barney Sellers, The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley stands outside Graceland in this undated photo.
Robert Williams / The Commercial Appeal Files
Elvis Presley performs at the Armory in Louisville. Nov. 25, 1956.
By Cort Best, The Courier-Journal
The birthplace of Elvis Presley in Tupelo, MS.
Brad Vest For USA TODAY
A photo of the Presley family hangs in the home that was the birthplace of Elvis Presley in Tupelo.
Brad Vest For USA TODAY
Elvis Presley performs what would be his last Memphis concert on July 5, 1976, before a crowd of 12,000 at Mid-South Coliseum.
Barney Sellers / The Commercial Appeal
Comedian George Jessel hit the stage in an exaggerated salaam to the King of rock and roll at Elvis's evening performance at Ellis Auditorium February 25, 1961. Jessel, the master of ceremonies, could not make it to the earlier matinee performance because of an airline strike. Elvis Presley Day began earlier with a luncheon honoring the singer at Hotel Claridge. More than $50,000 was raised for charity from the events.
"Colonel Parker's World of Show Business" is on display at Elvis Presley's Memphis through at least the end of 2025. The exhibit showcases artifacts from the career of Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager.
Provided By Graceland
June 15, 2017 - A framed picture of Elvis Presley is seen within the apartment he called home for 4 years in the Lauderdale Courts apartment complex. Elvis, Gladys and Vernon Presley lived in the apartment from September, 1949, to January, 1953.
Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley made an appearance, but did not sing, at Russwood Park on June 28, 1957, for a benefit for what would become St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Elvis is flanked by comic Lou Costello and actress Jane Russell. Others appearing on the program before an estimated crowd of 11,000 were singers Roberta Sherwood and Ferlin Husky and actress Susan Hayward.
Barney Sellers / The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley at his piano inside Graceland in this 1965 photograph. Elvis had misgivings about allowing pictures to be made inside his home. "It's not that I don't want pictures," he said. "You know what I mean. Some people might think I am looking for publicity or trying to exploit my home. I certainly don't want anyone to think that."
Charles Nicholas / The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley attended a luncheon on Jan. 16, 1971, at what was then the Holiday Inn Rivermont in Downtown Memphis. The luncheon was part of the festivities surrounding his being named one of the Jaycees of America's Ten Outstanding Young Men in America.
Dave Darnell / The Commercial Appeal
A screaming crowd of thousands of teenagers welcomes a guitar-thumping Elvis Presley back to the town where he was born, Tupelo, Miss., during the Mississippi-Alabama State Fair on Aug. 26, 1956.
Eldred Reaney / The Tennessean
"Colonel Parker's World of Show Business" is on display at Elvis Presley's Memphis through at least the end of 2025. The exhibit showcases artifacts from the career of Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager.
Provided By Graceland
Elvis Presley playing touch football at the Dave Wells Community Center December 27, 1956. Several hundred people watched the singer pass, kick and run a touchdown. Elvis's first movie, "Love Me Tender", in which he performed several songs, had premiered November 15th in New York City. The movie opened Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 21, 1956) at Loew's State Theatre in Memphis. On Sunday January 6, 1957, Elvis would make his third and final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. In between the football game and the Sullivan appearance, he reported for his pre-induction Army physical January 4th. (By Barney Sellers / Copyright, The Commercial Appeal)
Barney Sellers, The Commercial Appe
While on his first furlough, Elvis Presley explains the insignia on his uniform to fans at the gates of Graceland Sunday evening June 1, 1958. Elvis arrived late Saturday night for a two week leave. He was inducted into the army at Memphis March 24, 1958.
Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley performs at the Milwaukee Arena on April 27, 1977, less than four months before his death.
Robert L. Miller/Milwaukee Journal
December 27, 1957 - Elvis Presley, poses with his house guests, Kathy Gabriel, 19, left, and Hanneri Melcher, 20, in Memphis. Melcher, Miss Austria 1957, met Elvis in Las Vegas in November 1957, and visited Graceland at Christmas time with her roommate, 1957's Miss Ohio, Kathy Gabriel as they were on their way to New York. Elvis had just received news of a 60-day draft extension to March 20. (Robert Williams/The Commercial Appeal )
Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal
"Colonel Parker's World of Show Business" is on display at Elvis Presley's Memphis through at least the end of 2025. The exhibit showcases artifacts from the career of Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager.
Provided By Graceland
Elvis Presley plays touch football at the Dave Wells Community Center on Dec. 27, 1956. Several hundred people watched the singer pass, kick and run a touchdown. Elvis' first movie, "Love Me Tender," in which he performed several songs, had premiered Nov. 15 in New York City. The movie opened Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 21, 1956) at Loew's State Theatre in Memphis. On Jan. 6, 1957, Elvis would make his third and final appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." In between the football game and the Sullivan appearance, he reported for his pre-induction Army physical Jan. 4.
Barney Sellers / The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley on the day of his induction into the army March 24, 1958. "There's not much difference between this and making a movie", he said. "In Hollywood, you have to get up at 5 a.m. and be on the set at 6. The only different thing here is that you don't have a limousine". After reporting for duty about 6:30 a.m. at the Draft Board office in the M&M Building, 198 South Main, he and other inductees would spend much of the day at Kennedy Veterans Hospital for processing and physicals before boarding a bus for Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. By the 28th, Elvis arrived at Fort Hood, Texas where he would undergo six months of basic training before shipping off to Germany.
Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley in a Memphis city court Friday October 19, 1956 along with Gulf service station employees Edd Hopper (left) and Aubrey Brown. The trio had a fight the previous night when Elvis pulled into the station at Gayoso and Second for repairs and was beseiged by fans. Hopper, the station manager, ordered Presley away and a brief altercation ensued. All three were booked for assault and battery and disorderly conduct. Charges against Presley were dismissed. Hopper and Brown both had to pay fines. (By Robert Williams / The Commercial Appeal)
Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley and Mary Kathleen Selph (cq) (Left) seen at the corner of South Parkway and Elvis Presley Blvd. in Memphis, Tennessee June 30, 1972. (By Dave Darnell / The Commercial Appeal) *** NOTE: ID on Selph from her mother, Peggy Selph Cannon (cq) on 5 Jan 00. Mrs. Cannon lives at 7706 Deer Trail Lane, Bartlett, TN 38133. Mrs. Cannon says her daughter was killed in an auto accident on 18 Jul 72 at the age of 20 and was the 60th traffic fatality in Memphis that year.
Dave Darnell, The Commercial Appeal
Feb. 1, 1968 - Elvis Presley, followed by his father, Vernon Presley, walks down a corridor at Baptist Hospital after seeing his daughter, Lisa Marie, for the first time.
Fred Griffith / The Commercial Appeal
there are more pictures on
https://www.commercialappeal.com/pictur ... 308617007/
Elvis Presley's first newspaper portrait from 1954.
"Colonel Parker's World of Show Business" is on display at Elvis Presley's Memphis through at least the end of 2025. The exhibit showcases artifacts from the career of Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager.
Provided By Graceland
Elvis fiddles with an electric bass inside Graceland in this photograph published March 7, 1965, in the first issue of Mid-South, the now-defunct Sunday magazine of The Commercial Appeal. Elvis had misgivings about allowing pictures to be made inside his home. "It's not that I don't want pictures," he said. "You know what I mean. Some people might think I am looking for publicity or trying to exploit my home. I certainly don't want anyone to think that."
Charles Nicholas / The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley was outfitted with all of his military gear at Ft Chaffee, Ark. Elvis was inducted March 24, 1958 at Memphis and spent several days at Ft. Chaffee before moving on to Ft. Hood Texas on the 28th, where he would undergo six months training. He would return to his hometown March 7, 1960 after completing his tour of duty.
Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley and fellow inductee Farley Guy (right), an old friend from Lauderdale Courts on March 24, 1958. After reporting for duty about 6:30 a.m. at the Draft Board office in the M&M Building, 198 South Main, he and other inductees would spend much of the day at Kennedy Veterans Hospital for processing and physicals before boarding a bus for Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. By the 28th, Elvis arrived at Fort Hood, Texas where he would undergo six months of training before shipping off to Germany. Presley moved about the rec room at Kennedy constantly. "If you think I'm nervous, it's because I am," he joked. (Robert Williams / The Commercial Appeal)
Bob Williams, The Commercial Appeal
The U.S. Army provided a box lunch for Elvis Presley and other inductees the day they reported for duty March 24, 1958. After reporting for duty about 6:30 a.m. at the Draft Board office in the M&M Building, 198 South Main, he and other inductees would spend much of the day at Kennedy Veterans Hospital for processing and physicals before boarding a bus for Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. By the 28th, Elvis arrived at Fort Hood, Texas where he would undergo six months of training before shipping off to Germany. ( By Fred Payne, Memphis Press-Scimitar / The Commercial Appeal)
Fred Payne, Memphis Press-Scimitar
"Colonel Parker's World of Show Business" is on display at Elvis Presley's Memphis through at least the end of 2025. The exhibit showcases artifacts from the career of Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager.
Elvis Presley on the day of his induction into the army March 24, 1958. Miss Judy Spreckels and Miss Anita Wood (next to Elvis) were among those to see him off. After reporting for duty about 6:30 a.m. at the Draft Board office in the M&M Building, 198 South Main, he and other inductees would spend much of the day at Kennedy Veterans Hospital for processing and physicals before boarding a bus for Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. By the 28th, Elvis arrived at Fort Hood, Texas where he would undergo six months of training before shipping off to Germany.
Barney Sellers, The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley stands outside Graceland in this undated photo.
Robert Williams / The Commercial Appeal Files
Elvis Presley performs at the Armory in Louisville. Nov. 25, 1956.
By Cort Best, The Courier-Journal
The birthplace of Elvis Presley in Tupelo, MS.
Brad Vest For USA TODAY
A photo of the Presley family hangs in the home that was the birthplace of Elvis Presley in Tupelo.
Brad Vest For USA TODAY
Elvis Presley performs what would be his last Memphis concert on July 5, 1976, before a crowd of 12,000 at Mid-South Coliseum.
Barney Sellers / The Commercial Appeal
Comedian George Jessel hit the stage in an exaggerated salaam to the King of rock and roll at Elvis's evening performance at Ellis Auditorium February 25, 1961. Jessel, the master of ceremonies, could not make it to the earlier matinee performance because of an airline strike. Elvis Presley Day began earlier with a luncheon honoring the singer at Hotel Claridge. More than $50,000 was raised for charity from the events.
"Colonel Parker's World of Show Business" is on display at Elvis Presley's Memphis through at least the end of 2025. The exhibit showcases artifacts from the career of Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager.
Provided By Graceland
June 15, 2017 - A framed picture of Elvis Presley is seen within the apartment he called home for 4 years in the Lauderdale Courts apartment complex. Elvis, Gladys and Vernon Presley lived in the apartment from September, 1949, to January, 1953.
Brad Vest/The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley made an appearance, but did not sing, at Russwood Park on June 28, 1957, for a benefit for what would become St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Elvis is flanked by comic Lou Costello and actress Jane Russell. Others appearing on the program before an estimated crowd of 11,000 were singers Roberta Sherwood and Ferlin Husky and actress Susan Hayward.
Barney Sellers / The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley at his piano inside Graceland in this 1965 photograph. Elvis had misgivings about allowing pictures to be made inside his home. "It's not that I don't want pictures," he said. "You know what I mean. Some people might think I am looking for publicity or trying to exploit my home. I certainly don't want anyone to think that."
Charles Nicholas / The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley attended a luncheon on Jan. 16, 1971, at what was then the Holiday Inn Rivermont in Downtown Memphis. The luncheon was part of the festivities surrounding his being named one of the Jaycees of America's Ten Outstanding Young Men in America.
Dave Darnell / The Commercial Appeal
A screaming crowd of thousands of teenagers welcomes a guitar-thumping Elvis Presley back to the town where he was born, Tupelo, Miss., during the Mississippi-Alabama State Fair on Aug. 26, 1956.
Eldred Reaney / The Tennessean
"Colonel Parker's World of Show Business" is on display at Elvis Presley's Memphis through at least the end of 2025. The exhibit showcases artifacts from the career of Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager.
Provided By Graceland
Elvis Presley playing touch football at the Dave Wells Community Center December 27, 1956. Several hundred people watched the singer pass, kick and run a touchdown. Elvis's first movie, "Love Me Tender", in which he performed several songs, had premiered November 15th in New York City. The movie opened Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 21, 1956) at Loew's State Theatre in Memphis. On Sunday January 6, 1957, Elvis would make his third and final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. In between the football game and the Sullivan appearance, he reported for his pre-induction Army physical January 4th. (By Barney Sellers / Copyright, The Commercial Appeal)
Barney Sellers, The Commercial Appe
While on his first furlough, Elvis Presley explains the insignia on his uniform to fans at the gates of Graceland Sunday evening June 1, 1958. Elvis arrived late Saturday night for a two week leave. He was inducted into the army at Memphis March 24, 1958.
Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley performs at the Milwaukee Arena on April 27, 1977, less than four months before his death.
Robert L. Miller/Milwaukee Journal
December 27, 1957 - Elvis Presley, poses with his house guests, Kathy Gabriel, 19, left, and Hanneri Melcher, 20, in Memphis. Melcher, Miss Austria 1957, met Elvis in Las Vegas in November 1957, and visited Graceland at Christmas time with her roommate, 1957's Miss Ohio, Kathy Gabriel as they were on their way to New York. Elvis had just received news of a 60-day draft extension to March 20. (Robert Williams/The Commercial Appeal )
Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal
"Colonel Parker's World of Show Business" is on display at Elvis Presley's Memphis through at least the end of 2025. The exhibit showcases artifacts from the career of Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley's manager.
Provided By Graceland
Elvis Presley plays touch football at the Dave Wells Community Center on Dec. 27, 1956. Several hundred people watched the singer pass, kick and run a touchdown. Elvis' first movie, "Love Me Tender," in which he performed several songs, had premiered Nov. 15 in New York City. The movie opened Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 21, 1956) at Loew's State Theatre in Memphis. On Jan. 6, 1957, Elvis would make his third and final appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." In between the football game and the Sullivan appearance, he reported for his pre-induction Army physical Jan. 4.
Barney Sellers / The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley on the day of his induction into the army March 24, 1958. "There's not much difference between this and making a movie", he said. "In Hollywood, you have to get up at 5 a.m. and be on the set at 6. The only different thing here is that you don't have a limousine". After reporting for duty about 6:30 a.m. at the Draft Board office in the M&M Building, 198 South Main, he and other inductees would spend much of the day at Kennedy Veterans Hospital for processing and physicals before boarding a bus for Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. By the 28th, Elvis arrived at Fort Hood, Texas where he would undergo six months of basic training before shipping off to Germany.
Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley in a Memphis city court Friday October 19, 1956 along with Gulf service station employees Edd Hopper (left) and Aubrey Brown. The trio had a fight the previous night when Elvis pulled into the station at Gayoso and Second for repairs and was beseiged by fans. Hopper, the station manager, ordered Presley away and a brief altercation ensued. All three were booked for assault and battery and disorderly conduct. Charges against Presley were dismissed. Hopper and Brown both had to pay fines. (By Robert Williams / The Commercial Appeal)
Robert Williams, The Commercial Appeal
Elvis Presley and Mary Kathleen Selph (cq) (Left) seen at the corner of South Parkway and Elvis Presley Blvd. in Memphis, Tennessee June 30, 1972. (By Dave Darnell / The Commercial Appeal) *** NOTE: ID on Selph from her mother, Peggy Selph Cannon (cq) on 5 Jan 00. Mrs. Cannon lives at 7706 Deer Trail Lane, Bartlett, TN 38133. Mrs. Cannon says her daughter was killed in an auto accident on 18 Jul 72 at the age of 20 and was the 60th traffic fatality in Memphis that year.
Dave Darnell, The Commercial Appeal
Feb. 1, 1968 - Elvis Presley, followed by his father, Vernon Presley, walks down a corridor at Baptist Hospital after seeing his daughter, Lisa Marie, for the first time.
Fred Griffith / The Commercial Appeal
there are more pictures on
https://www.commercialappeal.com/pictur ... 308617007/