Elvis Presley: The King of Rock and Roll

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Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, in a two room house that was built by his dad, Vernon. Elvis loved his parents dearly and had a very close relationship with his mom, Gladys. He also had a profound faith in God. The family had little money, but Elvis’s parents did their best to provide for him. His childhood, the height of his fame, and the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his death made him the icon of the 1950’s that he is today. Throughout Elvis’s childhood and into his teenage years, the Presley family struggled to get by, but they never left their strong Christian faith. Elvis was inspired by gospel music and loved singing in church. When he was ten years old, he sang on stage for the first time at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show in Tupelo and received a standing ovation. A few months later for his eleventh birthday, Elvis’s mom bought him a gift that would forever change history (www.history.com). It was a guitar that she purchased from the Tupelo Hardware Store for $6.95 because it was all that they could afford. Two years later, in search of a better life, the Presley family packed up everything they owned and moved to Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis attended L.C. Humes High School and graduated on June 3, 1953. That summer, he stopped by The Memphis Recording Service and recorded a demo for $4 as a gift for his mom. The owner was pleased with Elvis and wanted him to team up with two local musicians, Scotty Moore and Bill Black. On October 16, 1954, Elvis, Scotty, and Bill appeared on the “Louisiana Hayride,” which was a live country radio show that aired on Saturday nights. Elvis signed a one year contract with the radio show for 52 Saturday night appearanc... ... middle of paper ... ...he 1950’s that he is today. Elvis had a strong Christian faith and he loved The Lord. He donated to various charities and always wanted to help people, as he knew what it was like to have absolutely nothing. Graceland opened to the public in 1982 and serves as a place for Elvis fans to go in order to keep his memory alive. Elvis will always be remembered as the “King of Rock and Roll” because of his influence to Rock and Roll music. Works Cited “Elvis Aaron Presley.” 2014. The Biography.com website. May 07 2014 http://www.biography.com/people/elvis-presley-9446466 “Elvis Presley Biography.” 2014. Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. May 07 2014 http://www.elvis.com/about-the-king/biography_.aspx “Elvis Presley Receives His First Guitar.” 2014. The History.com website. May 07 2014 http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/elvis-presley-receives-his-first-guitar

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