Did Elvis have a twin brother?

Yes, Elvis had an identical twin brother named Jesse Garon Presley who was stillborn. Jesse was delivered 35 minutes before Elvis. The family was too poor to afford a headstone, and Jesse was buried in an unmarked grave. Elvis visited the grave throughout his childhood and felt his twin's spirit stayed with him.

How poor was Elvis growing up?

Elvis grew up in extreme poverty. His family lived in a two room shotgun house without indoor plumbing. They lost their home when Elvis was three after his father went to jail. The family moved frequently and sometimes lived without electricity. Elvis often wore hand me down clothes and went hungry during his childhood.

What was Elvis's first recording?

Elvis's first recording was My Happiness at Sun Records in Memphis in 1953 when he was 18. He paid $4 to record the song as a birthday gift for his mother Gladys. Sun Records owner Sam Phillips heard the recording and called Elvis back. This led to his first professional recording That's All Right in 1954.

How did Elvis change music?

Elvis fused white country music with Black blues and gospel into rock and roll. He brought Black musical styles to white mainstream audiences during the segregated 1950s. His energetic performances and rebellious image created modern youth culture. He opened doors for future rock artists and helped break down racial barriers in music.

Why was Elvis controversial?

Elvis shocked 1950s America with his hip swiveling dance moves and rebellious image. Parents and religious leaders called his performances obscene. Television networks filmed him only from the waist up to hide his hip movements. This controversy made him wildly popular with teenagers and challenged conservative social norms of the era.

How many records did Elvis sell?

Elvis sold over 500 million records worldwide, making him one of the best selling music artists in history. He had 18 number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He released over 100 albums during and after his lifetime. His music continues selling decades after his death in 1977.

Why do people search for Elvis today?

People search for Elvis because he represents a transformative moment in American culture. He revolutionized music, challenged social norms, and proved poverty could not stop talent. Every January 8, millions search for Elvis birthday to celebrate his legacy. Graceland attracts over 600,000 visitors annually. His influence shaped generations of musicians.

January 8, 1935: Elvis Presley Born in Mississippi

How a boy from a two room house became the King of Rock and Roll

Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. His twin brother was stillborn. He rose from poverty to change American music forever.

Key Facts

Born

January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi

Twin Brother

Jesse Garon Presley (stillborn)

First Recording

My Happiness at Sun Records, 1953

First Number One Hit

Heartbreak Hotel, 1956

Nickname

The King of Rock and Roll

Total Number One Hits

18 on Billboard Hot 100

First TV Appearance

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show, 1956

Movies Made

31 feature films

Grammy Awards

3 competitive Grammys, all for gospel music

Records Sold

Over 500 million worldwide

Quick Stats

Attribute	Value
Birth Date	January 8, 1935
Birth Place	Tupelo, Mississippi
Family Background	Born in two room shotgun house
First Guitar	Received age 11 from mother Gladys
Age at First Recording	18 years old
Breakthrough Year	1956
Billboard Number Ones	18 chart topping singles
Total Albums Released	Over 100 albums
Annual Searches	Millions search Elvis birthday each January 8

About January 8, 1935: Elvis Presley Born in Mississippi

Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in a two room house in Tupelo, Mississippi. His identical twin brother Jesse Garon was stillborn 35 minutes before Elvis arrived. This loss shaped Elvis throughout his life. From extreme poverty, Elvis revolutionized American music forever.

The Twin Brother Elvis Never Knew

Jesse Garon was delivered stillborn before Elvis arrived. The family was too poor to afford a burial marker. Elvis visited the grave throughout childhood and believed his twin's spirit watched over him. Many said this loss drove his need to perform and connect with audiences.

From Poverty to Stardom

The Presley family lived in extreme poverty in a tiny two room house. Vernon worked odd jobs but struggled to support his family. They lost their home when Elvis was three. The family moved frequently, sometimes without electricity or running water. This hardship made Elvis generous throughout his life, often giving away Cadillacs to strangers.

The Guitar That Changed Everything

For his 11th birthday in 1946, Elvis wanted a bicycle. His mother bought him a guitar for $7.90 instead. By age 13, the guitar became his constant companion. He taught himself by listening to gospel at church and blues on Beale Street in Memphis.

Breaking Racial Barriers in Music

Elvis fused white country with Black blues and gospel at Sun Records. His music brought Black musical styles to white mainstream audiences during the segregated 1950s. Many Black artists recorded similar music but could not access white radio. Elvis credited musicians like Arthur Crudup and B.B. King as influences, though critics accused him of stealing Black music.

The Scandal That Made Him Famous

When Elvis appeared on television in 1956, his hip movements caused a moral panic. Parents condemned his performances as obscene. The Ed Sullivan Show filmed Elvis only from the waist up. This controversy made him wildly popular with teenagers rebelling against conservative parents. His style challenged 1950s conformity and helped create modern youth culture.

Why People Still Search for Elvis Today

Every January 8, millions search Elvis birthday to celebrate the King of Rock and Roll. Graceland attracts over 600,000 visitors annually. His influence shaped The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, and countless others. Elvis represents when American culture transformed. He bridged racial divides, challenged social norms, and proved poverty could not stop greatness.

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Did You Know?

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Elvis's identical twin brother Jesse Garon was stillborn 35 minutes before Elvis was born

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Elvis received his first guitar for his 11th birthday because his mother could not afford the bicycle he wanted

•

The Ed Sullivan Show filmed Elvis only from the waist up because his hip movements were considered too obscene

•

Elvis grew up so poor that his family sometimes lived without electricity or running water

•

Elvis won all three of his competitive Grammy Awards for gospel music, not rock and roll

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Over 600,000 people visit Graceland every year to honor the King of Rock and Roll

Frequently Asked Questions

Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. He was born in a tiny two room house built by his father Vernon. His identical twin brother Jesse Garon was stillborn 35 minutes before Elvis arrived. The family lived in extreme poverty during Elvis's childhood.