The tradition of religious music was a part of daily life for the
young Elvis when growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi. The Presley
family attended the First Assembly Of God church, watched the
country stars perform church standards on the weekly shows, and as a
teen, Elvis and his friends would sneak into churches to catch the
lively music of a different musical heritage. A passion that he
would carry throughout his professional career and personal life,
spirituals and gospels were an important influence on both Elvis
Presley the performer and Elvis Presley the man. |