Before Elvis Presley was “The King,” he was a “dirt poor” usher at a movie theater in Tennessee with dreams of making it big.
, would often admire the window of a clothing store called “Lansky Bros.” located in the heart of Memphis’ music district. The shop was a favorite among musicians; B.B. King was a known regular. During one summer in 1952, owner Bernard Lansky saw this “young, skinny kid” who easily stood out on the street.
Elvis Presley bought clothes on credit from Bernard Lansky in Memphis before appearing on the Ed Sullivan show, according to Lansky’s son Hal.“It’s a fabulous movie – Baz and his team did an incredible job, and we were just so tickled to be included in the movie,” said Hal. “We were part of Elvis’ life. It was a short one, but he encountered so many people during that brief time, and he never forgot them. I’m just thankful that the Lansky connection was a part of that story.
“Every time Elvis got paid, he’d come in maybe once a week and buy a pair of pants or a jacket – something simple,” said Hal. “But he just kept coming and coming. And then one day, he said, ‘Mr. Lansky, I’m gonna be on a national TV show.’ My dad said, ‘That’s great Elvis! What show is that gonna be?’ Elvis replied, ‘The Ed Sullivan Show.’ My dad just went ‘Whoa!’ Back then in the ‘50s and ‘60s, that was a huge deal. It was like the ‘American Idol’ of our time.
According to Hal, Presley remained a loyal customer even after achieving stardom. Lansky was not responsible for the sequined jumpsuits that Presley adopted during his Las Vegas years, but the demand was still there. Hal said that his favorite story his father loved telling was the time when Presley first sold a million records.“They gave Elvis a Messerschmitt, this three-wheeled German car,” said Hal. “Elvis brought over the car to the shop to show my dad. He said ‘Mr. Lansky, look at this car!’ Elvis was just so proud of himself that he finally made it. Well, my dad said, ‘Elvis, when you’re finished with that car, I want it.
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