Elvis Presley would have turned 90 in 2025. Two places in particular shaped him on his path to fame: Tupelo and Memphis.
7 interesting facts about Elvis Presley
- He was naturally blond and began dyeing his hair black as a teenager.
- He had a twin brother who died at birth.
- He appeared in 31 feature films between 1956 and 1969.
- He gave more than 1,100 concerts.
- He never left the US, except for his military service in Germany.
- Loved a sandwich named after him, with peanut butter and bananas fried in butter.
- Had a black belt in karate.
Elvis’ childhood in Tupelo
It is January 8, 1935, when Elvis Aaron Presley is born into poverty in the small town of Tupelo, Mississippi. His twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley, died at birth or was stillborn, which had a profound emotional impact on the family.
The birthplace of the future “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” consisted of only two small rooms, built by his father, Vernon Presley. Although Vernon built the house himself, it belonged to his employer, who had given him the wood and land. The Presleys had to pay rent. Since there was no room for a crib, Elvis slept in a dresser drawer for the first three years of his life. Elvis’s father was even sent to the notorious Parchman Prison for 1.5 years for check fraud. His mother Gladys was then forced to leave the house where he was born. Later, the family moved several times within Tupelo, mainly due to financial difficulties.
During this time, little Elvis found solace in the Assembly of God Church, where the passionate gospel music left a lasting impression on him. Elvis’ musical influences have always been shaped by African-American music. At the age of ten, he was already participating in local music talent contests, winning second place among other awards.
Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum in Tupelo
Visitors can see the small shotgun house where Elvis was born at the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum in Tupelo. It shows how the Presley family lived in the very small rooms. Next to it is a replica of the Assembly of God Church, which had such a profound influence on Elvis, and an “Elvis at 13” statue depicting the young Elvis.
The museum displays a variety of memorabilia from Elvis’ childhood, including photos, toys, and clothing.
- Address: 306 Elvis Presley Dr, Tupelo, MS 38801 (Google Maps)
- Opening hours: Monday–Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Elvis’ first guitar – Tupelo Hardware Co.
For his 11th birthday, the young Elvis Presley wanted a rifle. His mother, however, wanted to give him a bicycle. The compromise was a guitar, which Elvis’ mother bought at the local Tupelo Hardware Co. for $6.95. The musical instrument marked the beginning of his legendary career. He taught himself to play the guitar.
Tupelo Hardware Co. still exists today in downtown Tupelo. Every year, many Elvis fans from all over the world come here and stand on the exact spot where 11-year-old Elvis is said to have stood to receive his first guitar. And even today, the hardware store sells around 300 guitars a year, the salesperson tells us.
- Address: 114 W Main St, Tupelo, MS 38804 (Google Maps)
- Opening hours: Monday–Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., closed on Sunday
Elvis Presley Driving Tour
Tupelo offers a special self-guided tour that takes visitors to various locations that played an important role in Elvis’ childhood. The different stops include his kindergarten, Milam Junior High School, which he attended, and Tupelo Hardware Co.
From Tupelo to Memphis
When Elvis was 13 years old, the Presley family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in hopes of better economic opportunities. They first moved into an apartment on Poplar Avenue, but moved to the Lauderdale Courts Housing Project, a housing project in Memphis, just one year later. Other apartments and houses followed, such as those on Winchester Street and Alabama Street.
From shy teenager to rock ‘n’ roll star
In Memphis, Elvis soaks up the city’s musical influences from blues, country, soul, and gospel. He attends L.C. Humes High School, but is a rather reserved student. Despite his shy nature, he performs at school events such as the “Minstrel Show,” showing a side of himself on stage that contrasts with his quiet demeanor.
On June 3, 1953, he graduated from high school. Just a few days later, he recorded two songs, “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin” and “My Happiness,” for his mother at Sun Studio on Union Avenue in Memphis. The recording costs were $3.98. At that time, Marion Keisker, the secretary of label boss Sam Phillips, is said to have recognized Elvis’ talent and classified him as a “good ballad singer.” More test recordings followed, but it wasn’t until a year later, in July 1954, when Elvis’ first single, “That’s All Right,” was released, that he made his breakthrough.
Move to Graceland
With the success of his first hits, Elvis bought a house for himself and his parents on Audubon Drive. Just one year later, in 1957, he moved to the Graceland estate, which remained his home until his death on August 16, 1977.
Elvis Presley’s Graceland
Graceland was built in 1939 in the Southern colonial revival style on the outskirts of Memphis and covers approximately 5.6 hectares. Elvis Presley bought the estate in 1957 for $102,500.
Since 1982, Graceland has been a museum and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the USA. Every year, over 600,000 visitors from all over the world come to see the house, gardens, and grave of Elvis Presley. This makes Graceland the second most visited house in the US after the White House.
Graceland has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991 and was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 2006.
A visit to Graceland not only offers insight into the life and career of Elvis Presley, but also a journey back to the era of rock ‘n’ roll and American pop culture of the 1950s and 1960s.
Today, Graceland encompasses not only the King’s mansion, but also a huge complex that resembles an amusement park. You can easily spend several hours here. That’s why I recommend coming to Graceland in the early morning, or at the latest after lunch.
Even if you’re not an Elvis fan, a visit to Graceland should be at the top of your list when visiting Memphis.
Elvis’ mansion
A typical Graceland tour starts with a short film about Elvis Presley in a small cinema located right next to the ticket office at the main entrance. From there, you will be directed to small buses that will take you across the street to the mansion. It is not possible to walk there! After the tour of the mansion, you will be brought back.
The Graceland mansion has a total of 23 rooms, including eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms, which have remained almost unchanged. There is no time pressure, so you can take your time looking at everything for as long as you like.
Right next to the main entrance are the living room, dining room, and kitchen. Also on the ground floor is the “Jungle Room,” which resembles a jungle with its exotic furniture and green carpets. Elvis recorded a total of 16 songs there in 1965, among other things.
I find some of the furnishings bizarre, such as the TV room. Here, for example, Elvis had three televisions set up side by side so that he could watch the three major channels at the same time.
The King also made changes in other rooms. Among other things, Elvis had peacock-shaped stained glass windows installed in the living room in 1974.
The billiard room in the basement is hung with over 320 meters of pleated fabric. Incidentally, Elvis never lost a game of billiards here. His opponents always let him win, or so they say.
Only the bedroom suite on the second floor, where Elvis died, cannot be visited. It is closed to the public. It has remained unchanged since his death.
Directly opposite, at the rear of the Graceland villa, stands the racquetball building, which Elvis had built in 1975. A pinball machine and a piano are also located in the building.
The meditation garden next door contains the graves of his parents Gladys and Vernon, his grandmother Minnie Mae, his daughter Lisa Marie, and his grandson Benjamin Keough. Of course, Elvis Presley also found his final resting place here.
Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum
In addition to the mansion, Graceland offers numerous exhibitions in a complex covering over 18,580 square meters. Here, visitors can trace Elvis’ entire life and view an impressive collection of his stage outfits, gold records, movie posters, and other memorabilia from his career.
Private Presley: Elvis in the Army Exhibition
Elvis served in the US Army from 1958 to 1960 and was stationed in Germany. The exhibition includes his service uniforms, dress uniforms, army lockers, suitcases, and much more.
Presley Motors Automobile Museum
This exhibition features an extensive collection of Elvis’ cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles, providing insight into his love of cars. Highlights include his famous pink Cadillac, a 1975 Dino Ferrari, and the 1973 Stutz Blackhawk.
Making of Elvis – Film Exhibition
One part of the exhibition is dedicated to the films in which Elvis Presley once starred, as well as the film “Elvis,” which tells his life story.
Elvis: Dressed to rock
Over 100 stage outfits from 1969 to 1977, including jumpsuits, capes, belts, jewelry, and more, are displayed in huge showcases.
If you like, you can even take home a copy of a costume from the souvenir shop next door. However, you’ll have to dig deep into your pockets, as the price ranges from $1,500 to $2,800.
Icons: The Influence of Elvis Presley
There is actually an exhibition dedicated to 25 musicians and entertainers who were influenced by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. These include Bruce Springsteen, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Elton John, KISS, and many more.
Elvis’ private jets
Also on display at Graceland are Elvis Presley’s two private jets. Elvis bought a Convair 880, the Lisa Marie (also known as Flying Graceland and Hound Dog I), in 1975 and had it redesigned to his specifications for over $800,000. You can walk through the entire plane and see the living room, conference room, bedroom, and bathrooms.
However, you can only take a look at the Hound Dog II, a 10-seat Lockheed Jetstar; it is not possible to enter it.
Visit Graceland
- Address: Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116 (Google Maps)
- Tickets: Adults from $82, children aged 5-10 from $46.50 (buy online)
- Parking: $10
- Opening hours: daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
