Elvis presley biography recordings gospel music

Elvis Presley may be called the King of Rock 'n' Roll, but the only Grammy Awards he ever won were for his gospel music.

Nominated 14 times, he took home three of the trophies for two of his sacred albums and the other for a live performance of "How Great Thou Art." While the music industry and fans supported the work, gospel’s influence on Presley wasn’t confined to his overtly religious albums, but was deeply infused in his discography as well as his life.

"Gospel was one of the most important elements in his musical identity," said Charles Hughes, director of the Memphis Center at Rhodes College.

Presley grew up rooted in Pentecostalism.

He attended church and listened to both black and white gospel music, developing an appreciation for quartets.

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"Throughout his career he kept returning to gospel," said Hug