21 Rare Photos of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll (21 photos)
Every year on August 16, fans around the globe honor the memory of Elvis Presley, celebrating the legacy of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. His hometown of Memphis, Tennessee, takes center stage during the annual Elvis Week festivities. But how well do we really know Presley beyond his legendary hits? Step back in time with these rare photographs featured in the book *Elvis Presley’s Memphis*. 
Elvis onstage during his second appearance at the Overton Park Shell in Memphis, Tennessee, on August 5, 1955. 
Taking a break from screaming fans, Elvis relaxes with his family at their four-bedroom ranch-style home at 1034 Audubon Drive on July 4, 1956. He bought the house for $40,000 a year before purchasing Graceland. 
Elvis in his yard in May 1956, pictured right after returning from a tour. The band's instruments are still strapped to the roof of his car, and his famous pink Cadillac can be seen on the left. 
Elvis backstage at the Ellis Auditorium in Memphis on February 6, 1955. Between sets, meetings were held to negotiate Colonel Tom Parker taking over as his manager. 
Elvis dancing with Barbara Hearn in his living room on July 4, 1956. Hearn, an ex-girlfriend, later recalled that he had a pink bedroom with two twin beds pushed together. 
Elvis headlining the Memphis Cotton Carnival at the Ellis Auditorium on May 15, 1956. The crowd was so massive that organizers had to remove the venue's partition walls to accommodate the overflow. 
Dewey Phillips, host of the 1950s radio show *Red, Hot & Blue*, was considered one of the top DJs of his era. His groundbreaking program seamlessly blended blues, country, R&B, and pop dance tracks. 
Raising his right hand, Elvis Presley is officially sworn into the U.S. Army by Major Elbert P. Turner. By midnight on March 24, 1958, Elvis and 20 other Memphis recruits stood in their first formation at Fort Chaffee. 
Nearly 200 fans gathered at Union Station to welcome Elvis home from military service on March 7, 1960. The King wore a custom German-tailored dress blue uniform and a white shirt gifted to him by Frank Sinatra. 
A fan shows off her dress at an Elvis concert at the Ellis Auditorium on May 15, 1956. More than 7,000 fans packed the venue to dance, scream, and cheer as the young King belted out his hits. 
Elvis Presley at the Ellis Auditorium in Memphis, circa 1956–57. He is wearing the same shoes, socks, and ring featured during his May 15, 1956 performance. 
Elvis strumming his guitar at Graceland on March 7, 1965. This photograph appeared in the inaugural issue of *Sunday* magazine. 
Elvis was always eager to give back to charity, supporting organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the Salvation Army, the Memphis Area Community Chest, and groups fighting muscular dystrophy and polio. 
Elvis pictured in 1957 alongside one of his Cadillacs. 
Elvis outside Jim's Barber Shop on South Main Street in Memphis in 1956. On March 8, 1960, Elvis famously remarked, "Somebody asked me what I missed about Memphis, and I said, 'Everything.'" 
By the fall of 1955, Elvis was touring heavily across the South, including Texas and Florida, while making regular appearances on the *Louisiana Hayride* radio show and recording at Sun Studio. 
Main Street was the bustling heart of downtown Memphis in 1951. In 1950, Elvis had worked as an usher at Loew's State Theater (visible on the right). 
Built in 1939 at 51 S. Cooper Street in Midtown, the Memphian Theater became Elvis's favorite movie house. Whenever he returned home from touring, he spent almost every night here. 
An aerial view of Memphis in 1948. 
Elvis performing at Russwood Park on July 4, 1956. Photographer Robert W. Dye enjoyed access to die for, shooting right from the stage just 10 feet away from Elvis.
