Timeline

Elvis Aaron Presley is born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi

Elvis buys his first guitar from the Tupelo Hardware store — a $7.90 birthday present.

After moving to Memphis, Tennessee, Elvis graduates from Humes High school. He performs at a school talent contest and makes a demo acetate disc of “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin.”

Elvis makes a demo acetate at Sam Phillips’ Sun studio

First recording session for RCA where he records Heartbreak Hotel.

Elvis performs a bluesy version of Hound Dog on the Milton Berle show which garners lots of negative publicity.