Remembering How Elvis Presley Enjoyed the ‘Scrambler’

As fans worldwide pay tribute to Elvis Presley on the 50th anniversary of his death on August 16, 1977, let’s remember the tremendous fun he had in his beloved Memphis, Tennessee.

Going back to October 3, 1945, a small, shy 10-year-old Elvis took the stage at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show in Tupelo, Mississippi, to perform in a youth talent competition. That day, although no one in the audience could have imagined it, they were witnessing the humble beginnings of the future King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

He actually came in 5th place for standing up in a chair to reach the microphone so he could sing “Old Shep.” He won a whopping $5 and later received a spanking from his mother, Gladys, for riding what she thought was a dangerous amusement park offering.

Imagine growing up as a poor boy in Tupelo and Memphis getting to visit the county fair with very limited money to participate and ride what ever he wanted.

The event would shape his musical journey in ways that connected his modest childhood with his eventual global fame.

That all changed by walking into Sam Phillips’ SUN Records in 1953.