Need a gift for a new baby that’s fit for a little king? This is officially the coolest baby shower gift we’ve ever seen: The American Eagle Jumpsuit Onesie from ShopElvis.com!
Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in East Tupelo, Mississippi, the only son of Gladys and Vernon Presley. His twin, Jesse Garon, was stillborn. It was in the middle of the great depression and times were hard. Gladys worked at a garment factory and Vernon performed odd jobs. Vernon built a home on Old Saltillo Road for the new family. When he was eight, Elvis sometimes sang on a local radio broadcast called Saturday Jamboree that let the audience participate. At age ten his school teacher entered him in a children’s talent contest at the state fair where he sang “Old Shep” and later got a spanking from Gladys for going on a carnival ride. Gladys gave him his first guitar for his eleventh birthday. He wanted a rifle. Elvis occasionally performed for his classmates throughout junior high, but when his idol Mississippi Slim invited him to perform on his show, Elvis apparently had acute stage fright. He eventually got over it and the rest is history. Here are some remarkable images of The King as a wee prince.
Elvis with his parents, 1938
A very young Elvis Presley, 1939
Elvis, Age 6, 1942
With His Parents in 1943
Elvis, 1943
Elvis and Gladys Presley
Elvis in the 7th Grade, Milam Junior High
In honor of Lullaby Renditions of Elvis Presley, out yesterday, it’s Elvis week on the blog. Stop by each day for fun stuff including a free Rockabye Baby Elvis coloring page, activities, and more!
Can’t get enough baby Elvis? Listen to an exclusive full-length sneak peek of “Love Me Tender” (lullaby style) here.
Oh, and by the way, we’re giving away five Lullaby Renditions of Black Sabbath CDs! Enter here.
On March 15th, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Genesis, ABBA, Jimmy Cliff and The Stooges into the Hall of Fame. The induction ceremonies began back in 1986 with Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis joining the Hall of Fame. It’s a great ceremony and a true testament to rock music. Now you can enjoy this event with your own little rocker because the Rock Hall is selling their own official clothing for kids and babies. Get your little tyke rocking early or give as a great baby shower gift with our new digital download gift package!
Want to rock out at your baby shower? Here are more of our top picks to make a killer party playlist. Or if you just need a thoughtful baby shower gift (besides Rockabye Baby! lullaby CDs, of course!) a personalized mix CD is always in fashion.
Want to see more of our playlist picks? Don’t miss Part I in our series on music to liven up your shower.
Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag Part 1 – James Brown
There is no kind of party James Brown can’t start. Now get up off that thing.
Baby – Os Mutantes
Because psychedelic Brazilian pop belongs on every list.
Baby, Let’s Play House - Elvis Presley
We don’t need to explain this one, right? Just look at him with little Lisa Marie. Awww…
Love Child – Diana Ross & The Supremes
We could play it safe and pick “Baby Love.” That’s a great song, for sure, and everybody knows it. But the bittersweet grandeur of this saga of a girl born out-of-wedlock (to our younger readers–that was scandalous in the 60s) can’t be topped. Or why not play both?
You Don’t Have to be a Baby to Cry – Claudine Longet
The only reason we’re not advocating the classic Ernest Tubb version is because he doesn’t have a breathy French accent.
Little Sister – Elvis Presley
More Elvis, more often.
Rock Your Baby – Wanda Jackson
Wanda is the coolest rockabilly chick of all time and in the rock & roll hall of fame to boot. Rock your baby, and don’t be slow!
Tell Mama – Etta James
Don’t let Etta anywhere near your man, ladies. Baby shower material? Why not? Tell ‘em Rockabye Baby! said so.
Beat on the Brat – The Ramones
Warning: this might horrify your mother-in-law, unless she used to hang out at CBGBs. If you don’t think your friends and family will know you are only KIDDING, try their awesome version of Phil Spector’s “Baby, I Love You.”
