The early life of singer Elvis Presley, from his musical beginnings in Tupelo, Miss., and Memphis, Tenn., to his unprecedented rise to fame in 1956; following a string of hit records and memorable TV performances, Elvis becomes a movie star.

A string of lightweight movies in the 1960s stunts Elvis' musical growth and alienates many fans; the singer has a triumphant TV comeback in 1968; a grueling concert schedule and an increased reliance on prescription drugs take a toll on Elvis.