They lived in a small two room house that had no running water. Vernon made a living driving a milk truck.

On January 8, 1935, just two years after they married, Gladys gave birth to identical twins in that little Tupelo house. They were named: Elvis Aaron and Jesse Garon. Jesse, who was delivered only minutes after Elvis, was born dead. Jesse was laid to rest the following day.

Gladys worshiped her surviving son, and Elvis Aaron Presley worshiped his mother.

Elvis displayed an early love for music. The Presleys belonged to the First Assembly of God Church and they enjoyed singing together at church services. When Elvis was thirteen, he asked his parents for a bicycle. The Presleys, who seemed to always be struggling financially, couldn't afford to buy Elvis that bicycle. Instead they bought him a guitar. And the rest, as they say, is history!

In those early years, Elvis would try to copy the styles he listened to on the radio. Among his favorites were Jimmy Rodgers, Otis Spann, B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, Arthur Crudup, and Muddy Waters. Little by little Elvis developed the sound that would one day change the music world forever.

In 1948, Vernon Presely moved his family to Memphis. The Presleys felt that there were better job opportunities in a big city. They were seeking a better life.

When Elvis first entered high school he wore his hair in a flat-top style. However, at about age 16, Elvis started to let his hair grow longer and grew what were considered to be long sideburns at the time. The clothes he wore were a little different, some would say they were kind of wild. Elvis had his own style.

Elvis could always "wow" an audience. At a high school talent contest during his senior year he perfomed two songs, Cold, Cold Icy Fingers and Old Shep, before 1,600 pupils and after the performance the audience just went wild. According to a former pupil who was in the audience that day, the girl beside her was so moved by Elvis' singing that she fainted.

On May 26, 1953 Elvis hitchhiked 240 miles carrying his guitar to take part in the first Jimmy Rodgers "Father of Country Music" festival talent contest. Elvis won second place that day.

Elvis recieved his high school diploma on June 14, 1953.