These Little-Known Facts About Elvis Presley Will Change How You See Him

On his 11th birthday, Elvis asked for a rifle. What he got instead was a guitar, which he reluctantly accepted but would ultimately reshape the American music scene. Priced at $7.75 from Tupelo Hardware, the guitar became his sidekick before he even knew how to hold a chord.

His pastor gave him a few lessons, and Elvis began learning gospel songs by ear. It wasn’t love at first strum, but something took root. The boy with the greasy hair and shy smile began strumming rhythms that stirred his soul. That modest guitar would eventually roar like thunder across stadiums around the world.