EElvis Presley When someone says “The King of Rock n’ Roll” we all automatically know whom they are talking about. No matter how old or young we all know the King is Elvis Presley. Known for his good looks and amazing talent, he shook the newly found rock n’ roll world. Ladies adored him and guys wanted to be him. However, Elvis had a tough growing up but once he hit it big in Memphis, he shot right off to stardom carrying his gospel and R&B influences with him on a journey that no one would expect.
Elvis Aaron and Jesse Garon Presley, twins, were born January 8, 1935 to Vernon and Gladys Presley. Jesse was a stillborn and was buried the next day leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. Things were hard in the Presley house as Elvis grew up. His dad and uncle had been “sentenced to three years in Mississippi State Penitentiary for altering a $4 check from Orville Bean in payment for a hog in 1937” (Guralnick 2). In 1939 Vernon was released early on good behavior but by then Gladys had lost their house due to not being able to make payments on it alone. Work was hard to find and Vernon jumped from job to job. In 1942 when Elvis had just started the first grade, his father had to leave again. This time it was to move to Alabama for work leaving Elvis and Gladys in Mississippi. A year later Vernon returns to his wife and son and finds work in their hometown, Tupelo. Things started to look up for the Presleys by 1945. They had moved into a new four-bedroom home, Vernon had steady work, and Elvis was a healthy10 year old boy. On October 3 the Presleys attended Children’s Day at the annual Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show. Elvis’s fifth grade teacher, ironically Orville Bean’s daughter, “had entered him in the talent show after hearing him sing the Morning Prayer at school” (Guralnick 4). Elvis performed Red Foley’s “Old Shep” as he stood on a chair without accompaniment and he ended up receiving fifth place that day. Little did he know that someday he would be back at the same fair on that stage performing again but next time as a rock n’ roll sensation!
In 1946 for Elvis’ eleventh birthday, his parents bought him a guitar and from there on it was history for Elvis. By 1948 they moved to Memphis, which was soon to be home to the legendary Sun Records and Sam Philips. In the summer of 1953, a graduated, self confident, flashy dressing, greased hair Elvis Presley walked into Sun records to record an acetate for his mom. However, it wouldn’t be until he went in a second time to make another acetate that he would catch the attention of Sam. Sam teamed Elvis up with guitarist Scotty Moore and bass player Bill Black (Elvis Presley Official Website). After attempting several songs that did not catch Sam’s attention the group took a break. Elvis decides to continue working and suddenly bursts into a sped up version of Big Boy Crudup’s “That’s All Right” (Elvis Presley Official Website). Scotty and Bill quickly join in and the song becomes a hit. The trio gets airtime on the radio and performs it at several concerts getting great feedback from audiences. On November 21, 1955 Elvis signs with RCA Records and four months later he releases his self-titled album (Elvis Presley Official Website). Elvis continued to acquire great success throughout the years starring in 31 featured films, recording over 150 albums and singles, holding the record of selling one billion record units worldwide, and receiving the One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation award for 1970 from The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce recognizing his outstanding achievements (Guralnick 289). Although Elvis was a pioneer for the Rock n’ Roll movement, his influences were that of a more subtle type of music.
Many people knew Elvis as the King of Rock n’ Roll but not many knew of his deep appreciation of gospel. It started when he was younger when his family moved into a home near a vacant lot that held many annual gospel events. When Elvis was 19, him and his cousin Gene Smith began attending the First Assembly of God Church in South Memphis in an attempt to meet girls (Guralnick 13). The gospel singing Blackwood Brothers quartet were prominent members of the church and would put on a “All Night Gospel Singing” event every month. Elvis, his family, and his new girlfriend Dixie would attend this event every month. Elvis liked the Blackwood brothers but “preferred the more charismatic Statesmen” (Guralnick 14). Dixie and Elvis would also run off to hear the preaching and singing of gospel singer Reverend W. Herbert Brewster’s colored sermon (Guralnick 14). Gospel carried on with Elvis through his music and even in his marriage later on to Priscilla Presley. Priscilla writes, “anyone who spent time with Elvis realized very quickly how much gospel music was a part of him” (IX). She recalls “living and breathing gospel” every Sunday morning with Elvis. He would sit her down and make sure he had her undivided attention as they went through the songs of gospel artists and bands such as the Happy Goodman Family, the Stamps, the Statesmen Quartet, and more. Priscilla further reminisces on how Elvis would point out the distinctive qualities of each band and the high and low notes each would sing passionately (IX).
Elvis Presley’s reign only went on for 22 years. However, his rough beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi and his big break in Memphis Tennessee will always be remembered. Elvis’ albums, movies, stage performances, and those unforgettable, wild dance moves will always live on. He has inspired, just as he was by others, and pioneered a powerful genre that continues to transform and expand as time goes on.

Bibliography
Elvis Presley Official Web Site - Graceland Mansion - Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc., 2012. Web. Jan. 2012. <http://www.elvis.com/>.
Guralnick, Peter, and Ernst Jorgensen. Elvis Day by Day. New York: Ballantine, 1999. Print.
Moscheo, Joe, and Priscilla Beaulieu. Presley. The Gospel Side of Elvis. New York: Center Street, 2007. Print.