In 1952, when Elvis was 17 years old, he worked at Loew's State Theater as an usher, to earn some pocket money. His father once said: “He’s a sympathetic boy, and tender-hearted,” Vernon continued. “It hurts him when someone thinks bad of him. Maybe this will tell you what he’s like. He was usherin’ at the movies this time, and on his night off he was downtown with his friends and he sees this Salvation Army lady takin’ up the Christmas collection. But the box was empty. Elvis put his last $5 bill in it, and started drummin’ up a noise to get that box filled. It was filled.”

On 11th January 1954 Elvis Presley worked at Precision Tool company, operating a drill press for $1.55 a hour.

Backside of Graceland, Top left was Priscilla, Linda and Gingers Bathroom. Right below those windows is the Music room The long black door to the right leads to the Jungle Room.

The Meditation Garden at Graceland

Today marks two years since we lost you. The only pleasure in this is knowing you're back with your Father & Son !!

Love you Lisa Marie…

“I would give my neck to be back home. I am homesick all the time … I’m happy to do my part in the Army, but you’ll never know how much I want to get back home … back to the entertainment business one way or another the rest of my life … whether playing or as a stagehand. You will never know how wonderful old Memphis is until you’ve been away for a while.” — during a telephone interview while in Germany, January 3, 1959

“DID YOU KNOW?”

JULY 31, 1969 the first performance Elvis did in Las Vegas, he was unannounced on stage. According from Tom Parker, he said, “When the audience comes to see a show, they know who they are there to see.”

From the Book “Elvis and the Colonel”

After Sam Phillips sold Elvis' contract to RCA Victor the first recording sessions the band did with the new label were held in Nashville on January 10 and 11, 1956. The studio at 1525 McGavock St. was RCA's first permanent recording facilities there. Nashville itself was not yet the recording center it would eventually become, in fact up to then there were only a few studios in town.

Elvis Presley Record Player

Two models of the “Elvis Presley Autograph” record player were produced in the fall of 1956 by RCA Victor. Both were covered with blue vinyl contrasted with a light blue-gray tweed material, and both were distinguished by Elvis’ signature, which was stamped in gold on the top.

The more sophisticated model, which sold for $47.95, could play up to fourteen 45-rpm records automatically. Those on a budget could put down one dollar and pay one dollar per week at participating RCA dealers. A bonus was included with this model in the form of an Elvis three-record EP set that featured 12 songs.

The other record player was a four-speed model that cost $32.95, or 75 cents down and 75 cents per week. The less expensive model came with a two-record EP set with eight songs. Both record players came with an instruction booklet titled “How to Use and Enjoy Your RCA Victor Elvis Presley Automatic 45 Victrola Portable Phonograph.”

Elvis Presley Sneakers

After the Saperstein deal, fans could literally dress themselves from head to toe — hats to shoes — in Elvis Presley merchandise. Elvis Presley Enterprises licensed the Randolph Manufacturing Company to make Elvis canvas sneakers in 1956.

Two different colors were available, a green and black pair and a black and white pair. The former are the most valuable, though sneakers in both colors are rare and highly sought collectibles. The tan-colored box that the sneakers came in featured a photo of Elvis on the front and the back. The photo on the front was a shot of Elvis performing, which was the famous pose used on his first album cover.

The photo on the back was a dreamy portrait, with “Love Me Tender” printed at the top and Elvis’ signature at the bottom. The box is now considered extremely rare. A pair of sneakers in the box is currently worth up to $4,300.