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This Is Elvis!

Are you an Elvis Presley fan? See how much you know about one of the true legends of rock and roll!

1. What was Elvis’s first #1 single in the U.S.?
   • “Heartbreak Hotel”
   • “Jailhouse Rock”
   • “Love Me Tender”
   • “Suspicious Minds”

   “Heartbreak Hotel”

   Although all four of the songs above were number #1 singles, “Heartbreak Hotel” was the first. The song hit the top of the charts in 1956 and stayed there for 8 weeks.

2. Elvis holds the record for the most songs charting on Billboard’s Top 40. How many songs appeared on the list?
   • 48
   • 75
   • 104
   • 151

   104

   This number is based on the analysis done by chart statistician Joel Whitburn; Presley historian Adam Victor claims the number to be 114 (the discrepancy is due to the analysis of songs that preceded the unified Billboard charts). The number 151 is also relevant to Presley—that is the number of his hits that charted on Billboard’s Top 100.

3. On the eve of his 1968 comeback concerts in Las Vegas, Elvis received a note that read: “Here’s hoping that you have a very successful opening and break both your legs.” Who sent it?
   • Frank Sinatra
   • Tom Jones
   • Colonel Tom Parker
   • Dean Martin

   Tom Jones

   Elvis and Tom Jones became close friends after Jones saw Elvis’ Vegas shows.

4. Elvis was a twin.
   • True
   • False

   True

   Elvis’ twin brother, to be named Jesse Garon Presley, died during birth. It has been written that Elvis was haunted by his twin brother his entire life, and Jesse’s unmarked grave still exists in Princeville Cemetery, Tupelo, Mississippi.

5. What is Elvis’ best-selling single of all time?
   • “It’s Now or Never”
   • “Hound Dog”
   • “Love Me Tender”
   • “Jailhouse Rock”

   “It’s Now or Never”

   “It’s Now or Never” has sold more than $22 million to date and is fifth on the list of all-time best-selling songs. (Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” holds the #1 spot, with sales in excess of $55 million to date.)

6. In his 31st—and final—film, Change of Habit, Presley co-starred with Mary Tyler Moore. Moore played a nun in the film; what did Presley play?
   • A priest
   • A drug addict
   • A football star
   • A doctor

   A doctor

   Presley portrayed Dr. John Carpenter, a doctor in a clinic in the ghetto. He falls in love with his co-worker, Mary Gallagher (Moore), whom he doesn’t know is a nun. The movie, a big departure for Presley, dealt with sensitive issues such as ghetto life, mob intimidation, conflicts in the church, and autistic children (a diagnosis that was almost unheard of in 1969).

7. Elvis was the original choice to play Tony in the film version of West Side Story.
   • True
   • False

   True

   Director Robert Wise originally chose Elvis to play Tony in the film version of the landmark musical West Side Story. However, Presley’s manager, the Colonel, felt the role was wrong for his meal ticket and made Elvis turn it down. The producers then auditioned Warren Beatty, Tab Hunter, Anthony Perkins, Burt Reynolds, Troy Donahue, Bobby Darin, Richard Chamberlain, and Gary Lockwood before settling on Richard Beymer for the role.

8. Elvis won three Grammy Awards, all in the same genre. Which was it?
   • Rock
   • Gospel
   • Country
   • Pop

   Gospel

   All of Presley’s Grammy Awards were for gospel recordings. He won in 1967 for Best Sacred Performance, in 1972 for Best Inspirational Performance, and again in 1974 for Best Inspirational Performance.

9. What was the nickname of Presley’s entourage that followed him everywhere?
   • Memphis Mafia
   • Tupelo Trio
   • Mississippi Mob
   • The Jordanaires

   Memphis Mafia

   The Memphis Mafia was a group of friends with whom Presley constantly surrounded himself, from the early 1960s until his death. Their presence wasn’t always a good thing, though—Journalist John Harris once wrote: “Surrounded by the[ir] parasitic presence, it was no wonder that as he slid into addiction and torpor, no-one raised the alarm: to them, Elvis was the bank, and it had to remain open.”

10. Who were the presenters for Elvis when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
    • Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins
    • Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley
    • Julian and Sean Lennon
    • The Eagles

    Julian and Sean Lennon

    Elvis was inducted into the hall of fame at the first ceremony in 1986. Although the Beatles only met Elvis once, on August 27, 1965, he made a huge impression on the Fab Four. John Lennon and Paul McCartney remained close friends with Elvis.