The date: January 8, 1935. The place: a shotgun shack in East Tupelo, Miss. No one could have predicted that in that place, on that day, would be born one of the greatest entertainers the world has known. As John Lennon said: "Before Elvis, there was nothing."

In the 42 years of his life, Elvis Aron Presley was idolized; since his death, he has become immortalized. Now, drawing from Life magazine's unrivaled archives, Charles Hirshberg and the editors of LIFE chronicle in pictures and text Elvis's transformation from shy teenager to superstar. It is a story most people think they know. But, as with any good tale, it is a story best told in the details. And this singular collection of unforgettable pictures, some never seen until now, reveals all those detailsÑthe sad, the funny, the passionate.

From his electrifying moments onstage before wildly adoring fans to his unguarded moments alone or with family; from the early historic studio sessions to his culture-shaking appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show; from his promise-filled boyhood to his stint in the U.S. Army to his dazzling comeback in the late sixties, you will see the total Elvis. Enriching this pageant of images are the stories behind major events, plus a timeline of his life, little-known trivia, and the remembrances of those who knew and loved the King.

Today more than 600,000 pilgrims visit Graceland mansion every year, making Elvis's estate the second most visited home in the United States after the White House. Over one billion copies of his albums have been sold worldwide, and his face is imprinted on postage stamps around the globe. Elvis is more than the stuff of rock and roll legend. He is an American icon.

From the magazine that sets the standard for photojournalism comes the definitive pictorial biography of the rocker they called royalty, a man whose memory continues to bring joy and inspiration to his countless fans everywhere.