"Don't criticize what you don't understand, son. You never walked in that man's shoes." That is one famous quotation by Elvis Presley, or also-known-as "The King of Rock ‘n' Roll".
True enough, the Elvis Presley childhood years were harsh and probably no one would expect a shining legend like him having to grow up in such environment. This Elvis Presley biography article will help you learn more about the childhood of the King of Rock and Roll.
The King was born on 8th of January, 1935 to the Presley's in Tupelo, Mississippi, while his twin brother was stillborn.
Due to the lack of education opportunities, his father Vernon worked crops and mother Gladys had to quit her job as an operator at a local factory when she was pregnant with Elvis. The family faced financial scarcity and were forced to live in a "shotgun" shack.
During Elvis Presley's childhood, he attended church services and learnt how to sing. In his 5th grade, he entered a talent contest under the request of his teacher on Children's Day. His great talent of singing won him the second prize of a 5 dollar prize with a free-ride ticket.
Gladys was always protective over him and even made him take his own home cutlery to school to use when eating canteen meals. So when he asked to have a bicycle, she talked him into getting a guitar instead.
His uncle and pastor became his guitar teacher and he would play the guitar along the Tupelo Creeks. This marked a significant beginning of his legend as the King.
He won a prize in a county fair contest when he was a child singing "Ol Shep" which was a real highlight of the whole Elvis Presley childhood.
Poverty forced the Presley's to move Memphis. There, his parents found jobs to put food on the table. He was said to be passive, shy and polite during his adolescent years.
During the worst times, he had to pick out useable items from the garbage and bring them home to reuse. His father Vernon was also convicted of fraudulently changing the amount payable on a cheque he received.
His Mother Gladys got the sentence reduced due to her consistent campaigning of the authorities for a pardon for her husband.
Elvis got his first job as an usher at a local theatre and later drove a truck, and he contributed most of his salary to the family's household.
His schoolmates said that he looked weird in his flashy eye-catching outfits and long hair, always standing out of the crowd, just like what he became later; the King of Rock ‘n' Roll.
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