ELVIS' FIRST DAY JOB


by Lea Frydman

Before he became the King of Rock young Elvis got fired from his first day job


Upon graduating from Humes High School, Elvis lost no time in contributing to the family income by taking on a full-time job. Precision Tool Company Inc. was a Memphis located company at Kansas Street, manufactured ordnance shells for the US Army. Elvis briefly held the factory assembly line job at the Precision Tool Company, starting June 3, and ending July 1, 1951. His weekly take home pay was a mere $27.00 working from 7:00am to 3:30pm, five days a week.
That year he took his driver's license test using his uncle Travis Smith's 1940 Buick.

A rumour has it that Elvis was fired because of an argument with the foreman over the length of this hair, but Elvis was not fired for his hair but because he was under age. The truth of the matter was revealed on his next job application. Brothers, Travis and John Smith (maternal cousins to Elvis) also worked there and it was through their contact that both Elvis and Gene Smith get jobs at Precision Tool Company.

Elvis’ next job was driving a truck for the Crown Electric Company. Run by Jim and Gladys Tipler at Poplar Avenue.
Gladys Tipler and Gladys Presley knew each other though a circle of friends that attended the Assembly of God Church.
The pay was less than at the Precision Tool Company, but Elvis loved the job that lasted 14 months until the fall of 1954.

After a phone call from Sam Phillips inviting Elvis to record at Sun Studio. And the rest when on to become history!