Elvis: Before the Fame and Fortune

It was a cold winter day in the quiet little town of Tupelo, Mississipi. You can almost hear music from "Also Sprach Zarathustra," building, as Jesse Garon and Elvis Aaron were born in a tiny two-room house. One boy was stillborn at birth while the other boy would live to become the greatest entertainer of the 20th century.

Confusion arose in later years over the spelling of Elvis' middle name Aaron. It appears as though the physician scribbled a name on the birth certificate that looks like "Aron". Elvis and Vernon always used the more common spelling of Aaron. Hence, that is believed to be the correct spelling and is the way it appears on his gravestone.

Elvis received his first guitar as a birthday present around 10 or 11 instead of the bicycle or rifle he really wanted. His uncles Johnny and Vester taught him the basics of how to play the guitar.

On October 3, 1945 a very shy, cute little guy named Elvis, made his first public appearance on a stage at the Alabama State Fair. He had to stand on a box to reach the microphone as he sang "Old Shep." He won second place prize of $5.00 and free admission to the rides that day.

Elvis was 16-years-old when he first heard J.D. Sumner at the Ellis Auditorium and dreamed of someday being on stage with him. Little did he know then that someday J.D. would be performing as part of his very own Elvis Presley ensemble.

On April 17, 1952 Elvis got a part time job in Memphis, Tennessee's Loew's State Cinema as an usher. However, he was soon fired. It seems someone found out about the concession stand girl that was giving him free candy and popcorn.Why isn't that surprising ?

Soon after that he went to work for Marl Metal Manufacturing Company. Elvis was forced to quit when Gladys found out he was falling asleep at school.

On April 9, 1953, the Humes High School Talent Contest was treated to Elvis performing, "Cold Cold Icy Fingers." They liked him so well they ask him to do a second song, "Till I Waltz with you Again."

This sideburned, ducktailed young man in a crew cut world, graduated from L.C. Humes High school on June 3, 1953.

Elvis went to work for Crown Electric Company driving a delivery truck in July, 1953. He had always wanted to be a truck driver. But that didn't last long either, as the world

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