For many musicians, there is a moment that changes everything for them; they get that one big hit or that one chance to make it happen for them, and they do not even realize it at the time. It may not be how they imagined it or it may not have been what they had wanted for their life, but there were chances to take and go for it.
Elvis was an awkward kid growing up, having lost his twin and being close to his mother and his father, and having his own issues to deal with. He found ways to come out his shell, but what he was really passionate about was music. Growing up, he found ways to get into music, singing with the church choir or to himself, he knew that music was it for him.
When he was ten years old, he sang for a contest in the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show in Tupelo.1 He was still too short to reach the microphone so he had to stand on a stool to help him reach. Even though he had no musical accompaniment, he got up and performed; he came in fifth place.2 Even though he lost, he continued to explore music, and eventually he became Elvis. But how did that happen?
For his birthday, his mother Gladys gave him a guitar. His uncle taught him chords, and Frank Smith, a preacher at an Assembly of God Church, also gave him lessons on how to play.3 He was fortunate to have these people to show him how to play, something that would come in handy later in his life. He would later become a regular performer at the Country Music Jamboree outside the Tupelo courthouse.4 He had his guitar and would take it with him to school every day, even though his classmates would make faces and ridicule him for the music he played. He still continued to do what he loved.5 Elvis ignored them and did what he wanted; he had set a goal for himself, and he was going for it.
When Elvis was thirteen, his father moved the family to Memphis; there, Elvis would hear the music coming from the black neighborhood, although he had heard some similar sounds in Tupelo.6 He was always hearing sounds; he had a talent for picking up sounds.7
Nobody thought he would have gotten to that point; he had failed music class in high school, and a teacher had even rejected him from joining the glee club. He was also rejected by a gospel quartet he was set on joining.8 It was a big disappointment for him, and he seemed to be discouraged by everyone around him, even his own father.
In August 1953, Elvis had finally gotten up the nerve to go the Memphis Recording Service; he claimed that he wanted to record a song for his mother. An associate of Sam Phillips was there that day, who liked what he heard and kept a copy of the recording Elvis had done.9 Elvis was discovered when he had already graduated from high school. His breakout occurred late in the evening on July 5, 1954 during a late-night recording session that had proved unfruitful, until Elvis started improvising on the 1940s blues song, “That’s All Right (Mama).” Sam Phillips, the head of Sun Records, happened to be in the studio to hear the improvisation of Elvis with two other local musicians. Elvis had the sound that Phillips said he could make a billion dollars, “if he could find a white man who had the Negro sound and the Negro feel.”10 Elvis had that sound.11 It was then, at that moment, that Elvis just happened. He was new, something that people were not used to yet. He was not like every other star. Though once he was discovered, he was awkward, self-conscious, nervous, he mumbled, but he was making it.12 No matter, this was the step that Elvis needed in order to be headed in the direction of greatness. He was going to make it, though in those first sessions, they were not successful; they kept on trying to achieve that sound only Elvis had, and finally it all worked out. It came out of nowhere; he did it himself. This time was only stepping stones for him, but nonetheless it was what needed to be taken; heading the direction toward the person we know today as the King of Rock n Roll.
- Bobbie Ann Mason, Elvis Presley (New York: Viking Books, 2003), 17. ↵
- Mason, Elvis Presley, 18. ↵
- Glen Jeansonne, David Luhrssen, and Dan Sokolovic, Elvis Presley, Reluctant Rebel: His Life and Our Times (Praeger, 2011), 11. ↵
- Glen Jeansonne, David Luhrssen, and Dan Sokolovic, Elvis Presley, Reluctant Rebel: His Life and Our Times (Praeger, 2011), 11. ↵
- Peter Guralnick, Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley (Little, Brown & Company, 1994), 27. ↵
- Mason, Elvis Presley, 19. ↵
- Mason, Elvis Presley, 20. ↵
- Mason, Elvis Presley, 23. ↵
- Mason, Elvis Presley, 25. ↵
- James Miller, Flowers in the Dustbin: The Rise of Rock and Roll, 1947-1977 (Fireside, 2000), 72. ↵
- Mason, Elvis Presley, 21. ↵
- Mason, Elvis Presley, 23. ↵
77 comments
Jason Garcia
I had no idea that Elvis was rejected so many times. His music is amazing, in my opinion. His story is truly an inspirational one. I knew that Elvis had derived his style of music from the black community but I had no idea he started to listen for the melodies at such a young age. By looking at the way he performed and the way he sang you would have never expected him to be a shy and nervous kid. Its crazy to think of famous people that way. This article really gave great insight into his life story.
Rafael Lopez-Rodriguez
It’s amazing to see how music can be some sort of scapegoat for many people going through tough times early in their lives. I didn’t know much about Elvis and his early life. I know he is a very popular music figure around the world and changed music forever knowing how he overcame being rejected many times in his life. This is a good example that you can achieve anything you set your mind to does not matter what other people say of you. Those failures you can take them to your advantage and use it as motivation to get better and prove them wrong. Today Elvis is known for having a big impact in the music world and winning the heart of his fans.
Samuel Stallcup
Elvis’s life has always been an interesting story because he was a huge super star, yet drugs and a lack of self-control kind of ruined the rest of his life. However, I thought it was interesting to read that Elvis always strived for what he wanted, regardless of what other people said. I also thought it was interesting that he failed music class, yet went on to become one of the most iconic musicians America has ever seen.
Destiny Flores
I never knew much about Elvis before his explosion of popularity. It’s so interesting when articles ,such as this, take a glimpse into people’s lives, and at who they were, before they were actually somebody. It’s a mind opener to see how his childhood was and how his love for music started. Especially because he became such a huge game changer in the music and dance industry.
Arianna Kennet
I myself am a musician, an Elvis is definitely someone I have always admired. Something new I learnt about him is how he started off his whole music career, and it is touching to know he was discovered merely because of something sweet he did for his mother. Elvis is a legend and he has made music which will live on forever, a rare thing in this era.
Alyssa Childs
It is nice to read that people of fame have a somewhat normal life. Elvis is like many people who have the passion for music. Like other he got a guitar for his birthday and kept playing until he was really good at it. I find it funny how he portrayed himself on stage in front of big audiences, but hey music is all about expressing yourself. His voice was unique and inspired many people to carry on that style of singing. He will always be remembered for his voice and style.
Jasmine Jaramillo
As the article continues I thought it was interesting to see where young Elvis got his inspiration from. I didn’t know that his uncle had taught him his first few chords. I also enjoyed the story of Elvis running up to sing in the choir. I really like that Elvis was discovered from a song he wrote for his mother. Elvis had a unique voice and this article really did his life story justice.
Didier Cadena
It was really informative to find out about all the times that Elvis had failed but still never gave up. Most people would have given up, but he didn’t and look how it all turned out for him. In a way, his early story is a really inspirational one of not giving up on your dreams. It was also weird to find out that he failed his music class, because of his of impact on the music industry.
Michael Thomas
This article was interesting and informative. It is amazing how Elvis had the perseverance to continue his pursuit in music, despite what his critics told him when he was young. If Elvis had listened to his critics, he would have given up and would not be remembered for his music. All his effort paid off in the end when he was able to sign a record deal with Sun Records.
Dayna Valdez
I really enjoyed this article! It was very interesting and well written. It is so surprising to me that the King of Rock n Roll was self conscious or even awkward, he was even shy! Who would have thought that he of all people was rejected several times?! It is incredible how greatly he succeeded and how determined he was to.