Rarely Seen Photographs of Elvis Presley From Between the 1950s and 1960s

One of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, Elvis Presley is often referred to as “the King of Rock and Roll”, or simply, “the King”. These rarely seen photographs of Elvis from the book Elvis Presley's Memphis, which were culled from the archives of Graceland and The Commercial Appeal, Memphis' 169-year-old newspaper.

Elvis in the front yard of his home at 1034 Audubon Drive in May 1956. When this photo was taken, Elvis had just returned from touring; the band's instruments were still packed on the roof of his car. His famous pink Cadillac can be seen over his right shoulder. (Phillip Harrington / "Elvis Presley's Memphis")

Elvis pictured backstage at Ellis Auditorium in Memphis on Feb. 6, 1955. Between shows, Col. Tom Parker met with Sam Phillips of Sun Studio, Elvis and Bob Neal, Elvis' manager at the time, to begin negotiations for Parker to represent Elvis. (Robert W. Dye / Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc.)

Elvis danced with Barbara Hearn in the living room of his house at 1034 Audubon Drive on July 4, 1956. Hearn, Elvis' former girlfriend, later recalled that Elvis' bedroom was pink with twin beds. "It looked like a teenage girl's room," Hearn said in "Elvis Presley's Memphis." "His mother just bought what she thought was pretty, and he loved it too. If she did it, he loved it." (Alfred Wertheimer / "Elvis Presley's Memphis")

Legendary disc jockey Dewey Phillips joined Elvis on stage at Ellis Auditorium on Feb. 6, 1955. When Phillips first played Elvis' song "That's All Right" on the radio, the phone lines jammed with callers wanting to hear more. (Robert W. Dye / Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc.)

Elvis performed at Ellis Auditorium on May 15, 1956, as the headliner for the Memphis Cotton Carnival. The demand to see Elvis was so great that both sides of the auditorium, North and South Halls, were opened to accommodate the overflow. (Robert W. Dye / Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc.)

As the fast-talking host of "Red Hot and Blue" on WHBQ raido throughout the 1950s, Dewey Phillips was considered by many to have been the greatest deejay of the era. His eclectic show -- which mixed blues, country, R&B and dance records seamlessly -- helped prepare Southern audiences for the coming wave of rock 'n' roll. Phillips died on Sept. 28, 1968 at age 42. (The Commercial Appeal)

The raised right hand of Elvis Presley meant the singing idol was officially in the U.S. Army. Administering the oath at the Memphis induction center was Maj. Elbert P. Turner. By midnight March 24, 1958, Elvis and 20 other inductees from Memphis were lining up for their first formation at Fort Chaffee, Ark. (Barney Sellers / The Commercial Appeal)

Some 200 fans waited at Union Station to welcome Elvis home from his stint in the U.S. Army on March 7, 1960. He was wearing a non-issue dress blue Army uniform made in Germany. Elvis was discharged with the rank of sergeant, but the tailor had mistakenly given him the stripes of staff sergeant. The formal white shirt was a gift from Frank Sinatra delivered by his daughter, Nancy, on Elvis' first day back in the States. (Charles Nicholas / The Commercial Appeal)

This photo shows Elvis on Aug. 5, 1955 at his second appearance at the Overton Park Shell in Memphis, Tenn. (Robert W. Dye / Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc.)

A fan shows off her dress at Elvis Presley's concert at Ellis Auditorium on May 15, 1956. More than 7,000 people jammed the auditorium to stomp, shudder, shriek and sigh as a young Elvis writhed his way through a rock 'n' roll repertoire. (Robert Williams / The Commercial Appeal)

Elvis Presley in an undated photograph at Ellis Auditorium in Memphis, probably 1956-1957. He appears to be wearing the same shoes, socks and ring he wore the night of his May 15, 1956 concert. (The Commercial Appeal)

Elvis fingered an electric bass inside Graceland in this photograph published on March 7, 1965 in the first issue of Mid-South, the Sunday magazine of The Commercial Appeal. (Charles Nicholas / The Commercial Appeal)

Elvis was always eager to help charities. Over the years he worked with many organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Salvation Army, Memphis Union Mission, Muscular Dystrophy, St. Jude and the March of Dimes. (Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc.)

Elvis pictured in 1957 with one of his Cadillacs. (Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc.)

Elvis outside Jim's Barber Shop on South Main Street in Memphis in 1956. On March 8, 1960, Elvis was quoted as saying, "Somebody asked me this morning what I missed about Memphis and I said everything." (Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc.)

By the fall of 1955, Elvis had toured the South, including Texas and Florida, performed at the Grand Ole Opry and on "Louisiana Hayride," and recorded all of his Sun Studio songs. (William Speer / Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc.)

Taking a break from fans, Elvis relaxed with family on the patio of his home at 1034 Audubon Drive in Memphis. Elvis paid $40,000 for the four-bedroom, ranch-style house in 1956, a year before he puchased Graceland. On the same day this photograph was taken -- July 4, 1956 -- Elvis also played a benefit concert at Russwood Park in Memphis. (Alfred Wertheimer / "Elvis Presley's Memphis")

Elvis performed at Russwood Park on July 4, 1956. Photographer Robert W. Dye had access most fans would have died for, watching the show on stage 10 feet from Elvis. Asked once about how he got to be on stage, Dye answered, "It was the only safe place to be. Those girls in the audience would mob you." (Robert W. Dye / Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc.)