How did Elvis Presley Die

Born on January 8, 1935, the King Elvis Presley has been a revered icon since time immemorial. His versatile persona, magnetic voice, and the enigmatic charm got him innumerable fans to last him a lifetime. He made a very humble beginning which eventually made him an indisputable pop star of rock and roll.

Elvis began his career at the age of 19 as the first performer for rockabilly. A singer, actor and a musician, Elvis was clearly influenced by the country music, pop, and a hint of gospel. Although his hypnotic performances and sexual gyrations won him hoards of fans, he was dismissed as vulgar and a source of bad influence by a certain lot.

However, his popularity continued to a commercial feat. Despite his fame, the mystery of his death remains unsolved.

Elvis Presley began his career in, Memphis, Tennessee, after his two year military service. He returned to studio in 1960, to record some of the smash hits like 'Are You Lonesome Tonight', 'It's Now or Never' and the evergreen romantic song, 'Can't Help Falling in Love With You'.

Elvis made his commercial breakthrough in 1956-1957, before he was commissioned in the military. He made six appearances on CBS's 'Stage Show' and recorded his first hit single, 'Heartbreak Hotel'.

Elvis was not only a singer, but a successful actor too. He starred in 33 films, made special appearances, and made record breaking tours throughout his professional career life. 'Love Me Tender', a musical, 'Loving You', and 'Blue Hawaii' musical comedies, non musical films like, 'Flaming Star and Charro' and the unforgettable dramatic film 'King Crelo' are some of the acclaimed films of Elvis Presley.

By the end of 1960s, Elvis faced the most unhappy times. Out of his eight singles released between January 1967 to May 1968, only two managed to climb up to top 40 and number 28, but nothing further than that. To make a comeback, Elvis gave his live performance in front of a small audience in 1968.

This was known as the 'Simply Elvis', which later came to be called '68 Comeback Special'. His tight black leather wardrobe on the comeback show worked the charm again! After the 68 comeback there was no looking back for him.

It was post 1968, that Elvis become an international icon for creating timeless music. In 1972, 'Elvis on Tour' won Golden Globe Award for Best Documentary Film. In the same year, he left his wife Priscilla. This is when his downfall began.

Since his comeback, Elvis had staged more number of shows with every passing year. In 1973 alone, he staged 168 concerts. After the divorce, Presley's health deteriorated severely. His inability to keep his weight under control became obvious after his breakup.

During his first overdose of barbiturates, a sedative drug, he spent three days in coma. He became addicted to Demerol, according to Dr. George C. Nichopoulos, his physician. Despite his illnesses, Presley took up hectic touring schedule.

In early 1977, journalist Tony Scherman wrote, "Elvis Presley had become a grotesque caricature of his sleek, energetic former self.

Hugely overweight, his mind dulled by the pharmacopoeia he daily ingested, he was barely able to pull himself through his abbreviated concerts." By 1977, Elvis was suffering from glaucoma, high blood pressure, liver damage, and an enlarged colon, all due to drug abuse.

Finally on 16th August 1977, at the age of 42, Elvis Presley died in the bathroom of his Graceland mansion. He fell on the bathroom floor in a pool of vomit. His panicked staff rushed him to the nearby Baptist Memorial Hospital, where the death of Elvis Presley was finally pronounced after several attempts of trying to revive him.

The official report says that he died of a cardiac arrhythmia. He died at 3:30 pm CST and his autopsy was carried out at 7:00 pm.

However, his death still remains a question that intrigues many. The main reason for his death remains, drug abuse and overdose of sleeping pills like Placidyl and Valium. However, at the end of it all, the 'King of Rock and Roll', Elvis Presley knew that 'This is Living'!