I guess to really understand Elvis, you need to understand Elvis as a child. Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935, to Gladys and Vernon Presley. Elvis had a twin brother, Jessie Garon Presley. Jessie died at birth. Elvis was raised in a small two bedroom house in Tupelo, Mississippi. The town’s people called Tupelo, which was located near the Appalachian Mountains, the Mississippi Hills.

Elvis grew up in a very poor side of town and where he mingled with the black culture. This exposed him to rhythm and blues, gospel, bluegrass, jazz and pop. Elvis didn’t dress like a typical white middle class young man. He dressed with a rebel edge which included leather jackets, open shirts, and upturned colors. He slicked his hair back and grew long side burns. Elvis was a mixture of the black and white cultures that he grew up with. It was essential as a part of the image that would propel him to fame.

Elvis began singing at an early age in church, at local assemblies, camp meetings and revivals. While in elementary school his teacher convinced him to participate in a talent contest at the Mississippi/Alabama Fair and Dairy Show. Elvis wore a cowboy suit, had to stand on a chair to reach the microphone, and he sang a Red Foley song, “Old Shep”. Elvis won second place and a $5.00 prize. Shortly after this Elvis’ uncle bought him a guitar and gave him lessons.

The Presley’s moved to Memphis when Elvis was thirteen. He graduated from L. C. Humes high school in 1953. Elvis went to work for Crown Electric Company as a truck driver. He was planning to get a job as an electric repairman and took evening classes towards that end.

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