Elvis In The 50’s

December 4, 2008 at 5:31 AM (Memphis)

In 1954, Elvis walks into Sun Studio and records the song, ‘My Happiness’ as a gift for his mother. The owner, Sam Phillips, is away so his assistant, Marion Keisker, handles the recording. She saves the tape for Sam to hear. When Sam calls Elvis back, he pairs him with Scotty Moore and Bill Black. Nothing really happens until after a long tedious session on July 4, the trio breaks into a sped-up version of Arthur Crudup’s “That’s All Right”. This song paired with a livened up version of Bill Monroe’s ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’ would be the first of five singles Elvis would release on the Sun label.

By 1956, Elvis is a sensation. His first million seller is ‘HeartBreak Hotel’.   He performs on The Ed Sullivan Show, among others, and causes quite a controversy over his movement on stage.

1-02-heartbreak-hotel1

.

The Sensational Elvis

elvis-19501

Elvis in 1950

elvis-at-21

Elvis at the Claridge Hotel in Memphis

Elvis at the Claridge Hotel in Memphis

memphis-sun-studio

Leave a Comment

Sara’s Scar

December 4, 2008 at 4:01 AM (Growing Up Years, Johnny and Verna, Sara & Dave)

Sara was about 8 yrs old.  Her daddy, along with her older brother Johnny, were on the roof repairing some storm damage. They had a brick on the roof with them, for some reason. Down below, Sara was casually walking by when suddenly brother Johhny decided they didn’t need the brick on the roof with them any more and tossed it to the ground (without a thought as to who might be hanging out or walking by below them).  Well…. it happened to be his little sister Sara who happened to be passing by ‘at just that time’ and it struck her ‘in the face’ – on the left eyebrow to be exact, barely missing her eye!

johnny_young-manSweet Brother Johnny (front center)

Because she was taken by surprise with no chance to protect herself, she was ‘knocked out cold.’ Johnny quickly shimmied down the ladder and cradled his limp sister in his arms, yelling “Don’t die, don’t die.”

You can see the scar (in her photo below) which remains visible today.  It is always a reminder for Sara of her older brother, whom she absolutely adores and admires to this day.  Still here…didn’t die.. by the grace of the good Lord above.

sara_scarSara (right) with Bobby Gene Holloway, a cousin.

Leave a Comment