January 23, 2011 Elvis Basics

Hi !!!

My research today confirms yet again the Presley family moved quite a bit during Elvis' younger years.  Mainly in search of affordable housing.  When Elvis was 13, they move to Memphis TN. 

Here Elvis is exposed to cultural sights and sounds he would have missed out on, had they remained in Mississippi.  He enjoys attending all night gospel churches.  The music is different and very much to his liking.

  He sings at his High School Minstrel Show on April 9, 1953. The program for the event, miss-spells his name. He is #16 out of 22 participants.   He gets the most applause, and is asked for an encore when he sings the current Teresa Brewer hit; Till I Waltz Again With You.  He graduates from High School on June 3rd .  He seeks out employment and is hired by M.B Parker Machinist Shop.  In September he gains employment by  Crown Electric as a truck driver delivering parts to work sites. 

In July 1953 Elvis walked into Sun Records to record his voice for the first time.  It cost him $3.98.  He chooses My Happiness, and That's When Your Heartaches Begin. 
The following year he returns to Sun, and records Casual Love Affair and I'll Never Stand In Your Way in January 4,1954.  In July Sam sets up a meeting with guitarist Scotty Moore to meet Elvis and critique his potential.  Elvis shows up at Scotty's house.  Scotty calls Bill Black for his opinion. The guys weren't blown away at Elvis' talent, but agreed with the right song he could perhaps be alright.  The trio attempts to cut a record a few days later.  Sam Phillips the owner of Sun Records, has a song in mind called Without You.
The first few hours result in nothing.  Everyone decides to take a break.  Elvis picks up his guitar and starts messing around with a song that came out when he was three years old called That's Alright Mamma by Arthur Grudup.  The others join in and Sam loves the sound.  Elvis makes his first his first record!

This is an understated basic description of course.  I am one for details and impressions.  Some details I have stumbled up quite by accident.  Others I sought out. It's like trying to piece together a giant puzzle.  Each time one piece fits, there are twice as many questions to replace it. Each time I research, I find out something new and often times thought provoking.

Whatever I discover, you can discover too.  I never know what subject I will focus on from day to day.  But what ever it is, you can read about it here.  Some websites have different details on the same events.  Some sites clearly have the wrong information. 

I found out today that Gladys' father died when she was 19 from heart failure. Her mother died when she was 23 a few months after Elvis was born from Tuberculosis.  Her parents were first cousins.

Later