| January 8, 1935: Gladys Presley of Tupelo, Mississippi gives birth to twin boys in a two-room "Shotgun" house built by her husband, Vernon, on Old Saltillo Road. The first, Jesse Garon, is stillborn. Elvis Aron Presley arrives 30 minutes later. Elvis' beginnings could not have been more humble. The Presley's of Tupelo, Mississippi-------Gladys, Vernon and baby Elvis---were dirt poor. Elvis was born in a shack his father built himself, and the doctor who delivered him was paid his fee by the welfare office. Elvis' twin brother, Jesse Garon, was stillborn, which may help explain why Elvis was especially cherished by his parents. His middle name was misspelled on his birth certificate. January 9: Jesse Garon Presley is buried at Priceville Cemetery in an unmarked grave. September 15, 1942: At six, Elvis enters first grade at Lawhon School in Tupelo. Vernon finds work in a defense plant in Memphis, returning to Tupelo on weekends. But by the end of 1942, he is again unemployed. 1943-1944: Contimuing his elementary school eduction at Lawhon, Elvis is considered a well-mannered and quiet child. Althought his parents are forced to change housing on a regular basis because of Vernon's inability to find steady work near home, Elvis' life is similar to that of most children in this rual Mississippi area. The boy often heard singing the gospel songs he hears in the First Assembly of God Church down the block from his house, and during services he is known to run down the asile to be nearer the choir. 1945: Entering the fifth grade, Elvis is asked by his teacher, Mrs. J. C. Grimes, to sing in the high school cafeteria and in chapel. October 3, 1945: At the suggestion of Mrs. Grimes, Elvis is entered in the talent contest on "Children's Day" at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show, and he makes his first appearance as a singer at the age of ten. Dressed in a cowboy suit and standing on a chair to reach the microphone, he sings "Old Shep" without accompaniment---winning second place, a five-dollar prize and a free ticket to all the rides. January 8, 1946: Elvis is torn between wanting a bicycle or a .22 caliber rifle for his eleventh birthday. He gets a six-string guitar instead. Over the next year, Vernon Presley's brother Vester gives Elvis basic guitar lessons. September 12, 1948: After losing yet another job and almost penniless, Vernon packs the family into their old car and heads for a better life in Memphis. Gladys’ brothers get him a job at the Precision Tool Company, and the Presley’s move into a tiny apartment at 572 Poplar Avenue. September 13, Elvis enrolls at L. C. Humes High School in Memphis July 18, 1953: Elvis goes to Sam Phillips’ Memphis Recording Service to make an acetate record. He brings his guitar and accompanies himself singing "My Happiness" and "That’s When Your Heartaches Begin.* Marion Keisker makes history by turning on the studio tape machine when she hears him sing and she makes a note of his phone number and address to pass on to Sam. The rest is history…….. *The Elvis Encyclopedia by David E. Stanley* Studio Sessions for RCA September 1-3, 1956: Radio Recorders, Hollywood When Elvis arrived at Radio Recorders, he was met by a guard and a “No Visitors Allowed” sign, both indications that the Colonel had done his work. Sporting a beautiful tan and dressed in black pants and patterned shirt, Elvis appeared ready to put all his anxieties behind him and focus on the agenda: an album and a new single. Sitting down at the piano, he warmed up with the band, singing whatever came to mind. The 20th Century executives hadn’t thought he was good enough to play on “Love Me Tender,” but here he was, serenading an enthralled crowd with his singing and playing. Elvis and Gordon Stoker would split the piano work because no keyboard player had been hired for the sessions, with Elvis for the most part playing on songs he’d performed at home, some for many years. He had no trouble with “Old Shep,” the Red Foley tearjerker that had won him second place in the Tupelo talent contest, delivering a master in one take (although he kept going for another four). Recorded September 2, 1956, first released on LP: Elvis 1956. *The Complete Recording Sessions by Ernst Jorgensen* |
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| When I was a lad And old Shep was a pup Over hills and meadows we'd stray Just a boy and his dog We were both full of fun We grew up together that way I remember the time at the old swimmin' hole When I would have drowned beyond doubt But old Shep was right there To the rescue he came He jumped in and then pulled me out As the years fast did roll Old Shep he grew old His eyes were fast growing dim And one day the doctor looked at me and said I can do no more for him Jim With hands that were trembling I picked up my gun And aimed it at Shep's faithful head I just couldn't do it I wanted to run I wish they would shoot me instead He came to my side And looked up at me And laid his old head on my knee I had struck the best friend that a man ever had I cried so I scarcely could see Old Shep he has gone Where the good doggies go And no more with old Shep will I roam But if dogs have a heaven There's one thing I know Old Shep has a wonderful home Words & music: Red Foley |
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