On July 4, 1776 America claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" so they live American Dream. 4th of July Holiday - The Star Spangled Banner
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Elvis - Uncle Sam Jumpsuit
for the 4th of July concert in Tulsa

On the 4th of July 1953 worked and performed at Eagles Nest nightclub on Lamar Avenue in downtown Memphis where is was photographed wearing a busboy uniform. Through JD Sumner he met the black quartet the Swan Silverton and was impressed with their harmonies. That July Elvis would often join the Blackwood Brothers at the Ellis Auditorium. Gospel music credo became an integral part of Elvis. He craved its message because it soothed and clamed him. He fantasized about becoming a great tenor gospel soloist and this dream was encouraged by his mother Gladys. Elvis auditioned for the Songfellows and was mortified by their rejection. Jim Hamill advised Elvis to keep driving a truck because in his opinion Elvis could not hear harmony and was "flat." Luckily for all of us Elvis fans... the young Elvis Presley was determined to prove Hamill wrong.

On the 4th of July 1954 Elvis was at the Sun Studio recording on that very hot summers day. Sam Phillips was dissatisfied with the session so he turned off the recording machine. The boys, Scotty Moore, Bill Black and Elvis started to fool around... and Elvis playfully started to mimic Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right Mama" singing it in a mean up beat tempo. Sam liked what he was hearing and turn on the tape machine ... and the rest is history

On the 4th of July 1955 During the festive Fourth of July celebrations Elvis let himself go during a performance at the City Recreational Building in Stephenville, Texas.

On July 4th 1956 Elvis performed a benefit concert at the Russwood Park in Memphis before 14 thousand screaming fans. To the Memphians Elvis was always beloved hometown hero.

On July 4th 1976 Elvis appeared in an Uncle Sam costume for a Fourth of July performance in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The audience laughed along with Elvis - unfortunately it was not of his best concerts 

4th of July 2010 Recently found in Graceland archives
 (4) unseen photos of Elvis (see above)
Will be on display during Elvis Week 2010

Holidays with Elvis: Christmas | Birthdays | Mother's Day | Valentine's Day 

I wish all American Elvis fan visitors a Happy Fourth of July
Make your July 4th safe - Implore Firework Safety

The Star Spangled Banner
Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, 
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, 
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. 
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

 On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
 Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, 
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, 
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses? 
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, 
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream:
 'Tis the star-spangled banner! O long may it wave 
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. 

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
 Between their loved homes and the war's desolation! 
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
 Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
 Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just, 
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." 
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave 
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.