Lead Guitarist & Vocals: Tommy

Known as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Tommy awed and inspired audiences around the globe for well over twenty years. Many believe him to be the most adored singer, performer, and songwriter ever born. The story of his life is filled with dizzying highs and devastating lows, but it was during the climax of his career and in the center of the limelight where he truly thrived.

Born in the heart of Mississippi, young Tommy enjoyed singing even as a youngster, his voice a harbinger of the greatness to come. His family moved to Memphis, Tennessee when he began his teenage years at L.C. Humes High School. After graduation, he became a truck driver, personally financing the recording of his own records – a testament to his unwavering determination.

When he auditioned for Sun Records with his electrifying rendition of “That’s All Right Mama,” he secured an instant recording contract. The single sold over 18,000 copies, a staggering number for an unknown artist at the time. In no time, Tommy’s popularity catapulted him to the top of the charts with “Heartbreak Hotel.” His subsequent releases that same year included the iconic hits “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Love Me Tender,” and “Jailhouse Rock.”

Tommy’s popularity only gained greater momentum through the 1960s and 1970s, where he dominated the music scene and set record sales so high that they still remain unmatched. With ten platinum records and over 130 gold records to his name, many agree that he not only defined rock ‘n’ roll but embodied its very essence.

During his illustrious career, Tommy appeared in various movies, taking well over 30 films to the top of the box office. Not only did he dominate the music scene, but his Hollywood ventures also garnered lucrative profits. His most famous films include the sun-soaked “Blue Hawaii,” the playful “Girls! Girls! Girls!,” and the high-octane “Spinout.”

Although Tommy was a worldwide superstar, he humbly served in the Army in Germany for two years. It was there he met his future wife, Priscilla. The two had one child named Lisa Marie, but were later divorced. During this time, and into the early 1970s, Tommy began battling a growing dependence on drugs, namely amphetamines and other narcotics.

Until the latter 1970s, Tommy never showed any signs of slowing down his still-booming career. However, tragedy struck in 1977 when, before a concert, he was found dead in his hotel room by his new fiancée. The world mourned the loss of a true icon.

After his untimely death, his records outsold – and continue to outsell – many popular artists today. His home in Memphis, Graceland, remains one of the top tourist attractions in the entire United States, a pilgrimage site for fans from around the world.

Already a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame, Tommy’s enduring legacy was further cemented when he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001. His influence on music, fashion, and popular culture continues to resonate, ensuring that the King’s reign is far from over.