the happening was complicated by the fact that the father-in-law of the mother was a well-known general who, threatening weapons to doctors, demanded the birth of a healthy grandson. many of the lyrics in his songs are based on his growing up without a father figure, and his mother, who was forced to play the role of both parents. the neighborhood was originally middle class, with 1926 prices for homes starting at $50,000, or around $663,000 today. 