Timeline of Elvis Presley (1935-1977)
- 1935 - Elvis Aaron Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi
- 1948 - Elvis’ Family moved to Memphis, Tennessee.
- 1954 - Elvis started recording at SUN Records
- 1956 - Elvis signed a contract with RCA Studios
- 1956 - Elvis Released his first album (Elvis Presley) and first movie (Love Me Tender).
- 1959 - Elvis goes to the Army
- 1960 - Elvis Returns from the Army and signed many contracts to star in many movies
- 1968 - After doing many movies, Elvis made a comeback to Live performances
- 1969 - Elvis Goes to Las Vegas and starts performing there
- 1970 - That’s The Way it Is is Filmed
- 1973 - Aloha from Hawaii is Filmed
- 1977 - Elvis Passed Away at the age of 42.
The Story of Elvis (1935-1977)
Elvis Aaron Presley was born on January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi to Parents Gladys Love and Vernon Elvis Presley. Gladys didn’t know she was going to have twins. His twin brother, Jesse Garon, died just after birth. Later in his life, Elvis’ mother told him, “When a twin dies, the other takes their strength.” When he was young, Elvis and his family lived in a two room shack in east Tupelo. They were very poor. Vernon, Elvis’ father, had trouble keeping a job, due to the Great Depression. Vernon got arrested for forging a check for 8 months in 1938. Elvis was 3 years old. When Vernon returned, the family started to go to church. There, Elvis found his love for music and he sang and danced with the choir. On Elvis’ 11th birthday, his mother bought him a guitar. “It will help you with your singing,” she told him when she gave it to him. Elvis loved that guitar so much, he brought it to school almost every day. He sang for his classmates during lunch and they talked about dreaming of going onto the Grand Ole Opry. Some people were rude to Elvis. Some made fun of Elvis because he played “Hillbilly music.” One day, bullies cut the strings on his guitar. Elvis was so poor, he couldn’t buy strings, so he didn’t have a guitar. Since he was depressed about his guitar, some classmates chipped in to buy him new strings.With Elvis’ new guitar, Gladys asked a local pastor named Frank Smith to help teach Elvis how to play guitar. Elvis mainly taught himself where to put his fingers on the fretboard with a book he read. Elvis started to hang out WELO, a local radio station. There, he listened to professional guitar players and he listened carefully to their playing.
Since Vernon couldn’t hold a steady job, the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1949. Music was everywhere in Memphis. There was blues on Beale Street, country on the radio, and gospel everywhere else, especially at the Poplar Street Mission, across the street from the Lauderdale Courts housing project, where the Presley’s lived. Elvis made friends with Johnny and Dorsey Burnett. They became two rockabilly stars later in life. They all jammed together in the laundry room at Lauderdale Courts. Vernon got a job unloading big, heavy cases of paint. Since they moved, Elvis needed a new guitar teacher. He found a 18 year old son of the local preacher, Jesse Lee. Every weekend, Jesse came over and practiced with Elvis where Elvis and his friends jammed out the Laundry room. Elvis started to grow more and he made some new friends. Buzzy, Farley, and Paul. The four rode bikes, went to the movies, and played football together. They started to make money mowing lawns. By his junior year in high school, Elvis looked completely different. He grew out big sideburns. Before they grew in, he used to pencil them in. He also started coloring his hair black with Shoe Polish. That didn’t make good hair dye, because his car broke down in the rain one day, and he had to push it home. The shoe polish got into his eyes and his eyesight got worse and worse throughout his life. Anyway, girls started to like this new look of Elvis’ and they liked that fact he was a little shy. Elvis took a girl named Regis to the school prom. Elvis started going to Charlie's, a store where kids went to listen to records. Elvis and his friends listened to 78s, records that were made of thick shellac. There were like 45s, but they were thicker, so they could be played more. Elvis started going to the local radio station, WMPS, which would also host concerts. Elvis also went to the Ellis Auditorium. Once every month, many people gathered and sang gospel songs there. Elvis knew the songs from church. Sometimes, they would sing all through the night. Elvis started to go to parties. He used to be very shy, but he started to be more extroverted. His Aunt Lillian talked about how Elvis came to a birthday party with his guitar. They had to turn out the lights before Elvis sang.
At this point, Elvis was out of High school. He had many jobs. While he was employed at M.B. Parker Machinist’s Shop in July of 1953, he walked into Memphis Recording Service to record.The receptionist, Marion Keisker asked “What kinds of music do you sing?” Elvis said “I sing all kinds.” Then, Marion asked “Who do you sound like?” Elvis answered, “I don’t sound like anybody.” He recorded “My Happiness” for his mother. After hearing Elvis, Marion was impressed with Elvis’ voice and noted his name with the comment: Good Ballad Singer. She sent that to the proprietor of both Memphis Recording Service and Sun Records, Sam Phillips. He invited Elvis to record something for commercial release. Ekvis sings a song called “Without You.” Though Sam Phillips was very disappointed, he introduces Elvis to the Guitarist, Scotty Moore and Bassist, Bill Black. He asked the boys to rehearse and return in a week or so. He went to Scotty’s house. Scotty thought Elvis looked a little crazy, because he was wearing pink pants, white shoes, and a black shirt. His hair was also in the style of a “Ducktail,” now known as a “Pompadour.” Elvis sang every song he knew. Most were slow ballads. Neither musicians were impressed with Elvis. However, the next night, they were at Sun Studios.
Elvis sang “I Love You Because.” He tried it in every way possible. Phillips was unimpressed with every recording. While Scotty and Bill got sodas and were taking a break. Elvis, started playing the blues song, “That’s All Right, Mama.” It was originally recorded by Arther Cudup. The musicians like what Elvis was doing and they played along. Finally, Sam Phillps was liking the music. Everyone in the studio listened to it and was impressed. It sounded like nothing before. The B side of the single was “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” Sam Phillips asked a local radio station to play it. It played on the radio the next night. Gladys and Vernon listened very closely to the radio. More than 100 people called in and asked them to play it again. It was long until Elvis and the now called “Blue Moon Boys” started performing in local concerts.
The first big concert of Elvis’ was when he finally fulfilled his childhood dream of being on the Grand Ole Opry. He, of course, was nervous. He was even more nervous, because the Opry Star, Bill Monore, was rumored to not like Elvis' version of “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” and that was the song he was singing that night. However, Monroe was polite. Unfortunately, so was the audience. Elvis was asked to never return to the show.
Afterwards, Elvis went to the Louisiana Hayride. According to the country star, Porter Wagoner, “Elvis would throw his guitar around his shoulder, and then Bill Black would try to do that with his big stand-up bass. People would tear the house down!” In a month, Elvis got a regular spot on the Louisiana Hayride. 3 months later, DJ Fontana, the drummer of the Louisiana Hayride, officially joined the “Blue Moon Boys.”
While performing his local concerts, a man named Colonel Tom Parker was watching Elvis. He wasn’t a colonel. He had once been in the army, but he wasn’t an officer. He dropped out to go into managing a circus. When watching Elvis, he was the manager of country superstar, Hank Snow. He wanted to be Elvis’ manager. He had plans for Elvis. He thought that Elvis shouldn’t be doing local concerts. Instead, he should be touring the country. The only problem was that Elvis had a manager, Bob Neal. He was the one who got Elvis a regular spot on the Louisiana Hayride. He also helped Elvis with business deals with Sam Phillips. That didn’t stop Colonel Tom Parker, though. Parker knew Sun was too small and Bob Neal was too small. Parker knew that if Elvis was going to be a star, he needed him. Sam Phillips knew all of this too, but he didn't like Parker and didn’t want to let Elvis go. Vernon liked all of the talk of movie deals and big record deals. Gladys on the other hand, didn’t like Colonel. She hardly knew him and he wasn’t the easiest guy to like. He smoked and cussed. He also seemed like he was only in it for the money. Later on, this would be the case. Gladys also didn’t want Elvis to start touring with all of the screaming fans. She wanted him to settle down and start a family. After all of the struggles and back and forth, Colonel Tom Parker became Elvis’ manager. And with all of the debts, Sam Phillips sold Elvis’ contract to RCA Victor for the sum of $35,000. That was more than any other contract before it. If Elvis was a flop, then RCA could have lost a ton of money. Luckly, Elvis did well. Really well.
In 1956, Elvis Career really started taking off. Elvis made his national television debut on The Stage Show in January, Also, Elvis recorded his first RCA Single, Heartbreak Hotel. It is about a man whose girlfriend broke up with him. In March, His First Album “Elvis Presley” was released. In April, Elvis was in magazines. The first national magazine to do a story on Elvis, LIFE magazine, called him a “howling hillbilly.” WIth all of the TV Performances, teens really started to listen to and love Elvis. They loved his look and how he performed. He was nervous. His knees shook and his hips moved back and forth. Parents thought this dancing was dirty and started calling him “Elvis the Pelvis.” The New York Times wrote “Mr. Presley has no discernible singing ability.” “Beware Elvis Presley,” said another newspaper. All of these statements hurt Elvis. “I don’t do any vulgar movements. It’s just my way of expressing how I feel,” Elvis said in an interview. In July, Elvis went on Steve Allen’s Tonight Show. Since there was all of this bad publicity. He sang “Hound Dog,” to a basset hound named Sherlock. It was one of the most embarrassing moments in Elvis’ career. In September, Elvis went onto the Ed Sullivan Show. He was only filmed from the waist up.
Hits kept coming for Elvis, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Hound Dog.” In October, Elvis' Second Album, “Elvis” was released. Colonel Still thought Elvis wasn’t famous enough. Even though Elvis was able to buy a Pink Cadillac Fleetwood for his mom, which he did, he needed to be in movies. In November, “Love Me Tender” was released. It took place in the CIvil War. Elvis was a singing Cowboy. With the movie, the title track went to #1 on the charts. Elvis was becoming the next James Dean. Elvis was a big fan of James Dean’s “A Rebel Without a Cause.” and he watched it more than 40 times. Little did he know, he would be in 31 movies throughout his career. In December, Elvis stopped by Sun Studios again and listened to Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and a new piano player, Jerry Lee Lewis. Elvis was especially impressed with Jerry Lee’s playing. Elvis went into the jam session and “The Million Dollar Quartet” was born.
The following year in March, Elvis first appeared in his famous Gold Lame suit designed by Nudie. Also in March, Elvis first appeared in his famous Gold Lame suit designed by Nudie. Elvis fulfilled a promise he gave to his mom. He bought her a mansion, “Graceland”. He was planning for the entire family to live there. However, the next year, he got drafted into the US Army. Before he got drafted, movies and albums were released. In July of 1957, “Loving You” was released. The soundtrack to the movie was released the same month. In October, “Elvis’ Christmas Album” was released. Two days later, the movie “Jailhouse Rock” was released. While Elvis was in the army, more content was released. Just after Elvis got drafted, “Elvis’ Golden Records” was released. In July of 1958, the movie “King Creole”. The soundtrack was released in September. Many compilation albums were released. “For LP Fans Only,” was released in February of 1959. In July of 1959, “A Date With Elvis” was released. FInally, In November, “50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t be Wrong: Elvis’ Golden Records Volume 2” was released. While in the army, Elvis was nervous, because Gladys was suffering from mild Hepatitis. Elvis was doing fine in the Army. However, on August 11, he received the news that Gladys’ health took a turn for the worse. Elvis was granted an emergency leave to see her. Elvis had Gladys’ pink Cadillac parked outside her window, so she could see it in bed. Gladys started to seem better for a brief time. Sadly, in the middle of the night, the doctors called Elvis. He rushed to the hospital, but his mother already died. It was the saddest moment of his life. Gladys was the closest person to him. The Next morning, Elvis and Vernon were outside Graceland crying about what happened the night before. “She’s all I lived For,” Elvis cried outside his home. He was wearing a while frilled shirt his mother often admired. He sat there and cried, only leaving to go talk to visiting loved ones. Then he would take said loved ones to Gladys’ open coffin. For days following, Elvis took his mother’s pink housecoat and hugged and kissed it. A witness called it, “The most pitiful sight you ever saw.”
After his mother’s death, Elvis went back to the army. He drove a jeep for a sergeant. Also, he and a friend were in charge of a talent show. After all of this, he was still treated just like any other soldier. This made Elvis glad. Elvis rented out hotels for his family and friends to visit. During the day, he was a private in the Army. At night, he and his friends were goofing off. They ran around the hotel and shot squirt guns at each other. They also pulled pranks. One prank went too far. They set a small fire by accident. They got kicked out and Elvis rented a house. He started to not be able to wake up early, because of the late nights goofing off.. He started to take pills during the day. Since they worked, he took more. Back then nobody knew the danger of them, so once somebody started taking them, they could never stop.
Since his mother died, Elvis tried to get another woman in his life. Vernon did the same. Elvis met Priscilla Beaulieu. She was 14 years old. Elvis said she was too young to go on a date, so he waited until she was older to start dating her. Vernon met a woman named Dee Stanley. She was married when they started dating. When they got married, Elvis was so angry he refused to go to the wedding.
Elvis returned from the Army in March of 1960. Three Weeks later, he received $125,000 to be on The Frank Sinatra Timex Show. It was the first time he was on stage in 15 months. He and Sinatra sang a mashup between “Love Me Tender” and Sinatra’s song, “Whichcraft.” The girls screamed just like they did in the 50’s. The King was back!
Now that the King had returned, Colonel Tom Parker got him back into the movies. His first movie back was “GI Blues” It was released in November of 1960. The soundtrack was released in October before the movie was released. Next was “Flaming Star”. It was released in December. Then, the rabbit hole of bad movies begins. “Wild in the Country” was next. It was released in June of 1961. In November, “Blue Hawaii.” The soundtrack was released in October before the movie. Next, “Follow that Dream” in April of 1962. “Kid Galahad” was released in August of 1962. “Girls! Girls! Girls!” was next in October of 1962. The soundtrack was released in November. In April of 1963, “It Happened at The World’s Fair” At this point, Elvis’ Fame was starting to slip, but the movies just kept going. “Fun in Acapulco” was released in November. The soundtrack was released in the same month. In 1964, “Kissin’ Cousins”, “Viva Las Vegas”, and “Roustabout” was released. 1965 had 3 movies, “Girl Happy,” “Tickle Me”, and “Harum Scarum.” The movie just got worse and worse and Elvis was getting less and less popular. In 1966, “Frankie and Johnny,” “Paradise, Hawaiian Style”, and “Spinout” were released. 1967 had “Easy Come, Easy Go,” “Double Trouble,” and “Clambake.” In 1968, “Stay Away, Joe,” “Speedway,” and “Live a Little, Love a Little.” On the set of “Clambake, “ Elvis slipped, fell, and hurt his head. He had to go to the hospital. Afterwards, friends and family thought Elvis was acting differently, and they were right.
With all of the bad movies, only 6 studio albums were released.“Elvis is Back!” was released in April of 1960. “His Hand in Mine” was released in November of 1960. “Something for Everybody” was released in June of 1961. “Pot Luck” was released in June of 1962. “Elvis for Everyone!” was released in August of 1965. Finally, “How Great Thou Art” was released in February of 1967. There were also Compilation albums. “Elvis’ Golden Records Volume 3” and “Elvis’ Golden Records Volume 4” were released.
Elvis was tired of the movies. He was depressed. In 1967, he and Priscilla got married. However, now, they were fighting. Elvis’ only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, was born on February 1st. Elvis wanted to make a comeback. Vernon was wondering why Elvis was so depressed. He had a mansion, private planes, a wife, and even a daughter. He had it all. Elvis just needed to get back to live performances. It was the reason he got popular in the first place. NBC signed up Elvis for a TV Special. Colonel Tom Parker wanted Elvis to sing Christmas songs on TV. However, NBC hired a good director and writers for the program. Colonel Parker wasn’t really involved. Elvis sang his biggest hits. Elvis exercised for the show. He grew out his long sideburns again. He came out wearing a tight, black, leather, biker like outfit. His 50’s guitarist from the “Blue Moon Boys,” Scotty Moore, returned to play with Elvis. Elvis sang and danced his heart out. They released some of the songs from the show on an album on November 22, 1968. The King of Rock and Roll has returned! Well, almost…
Elvis’ movie contracts weren’t up yet. Elvis made three more movies in 1969. “Charro!”, “The Trouble With Girls,” and “Change of Habit” were released. In January, Elvis hired a new producer, Chips Moman. Elvis was still performing. He was performing at The International Hotel in Las Vegas. His first concert back was called “Supernatural” by Rolling Stone. The audience included Cary Grant, Fats Domino, Henry Mancini and Sammy Davis Jr. Now with the movies out of the way, Elvis still needed to record new music. “From Elvis in Memphis” was Elvis’ first album back. It was released in June of 1969. Next was “From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis.” It was released in October of 1969. Then, it was “On Stage,” released in June 1970. In November of 1970, the live film, “That’s the Way It Is” was released. The soundtrack was released the same day.
The next year, Elvis kept touring. The albums, “Elvis Country (I’m 10,00 Years Old),” “Love Letters from Elvis,” and “Elvis sings the Wonderful World of Christmas” were released. The Year after that, 1972, the albums “Elvis Now,” “He Touched Me”, and “Elvis: As Recorded at Madison Square Garden” were released. Also, in 1972, Elvis’ final film, “Elvis on Tour” was released. It was also a live film, like “That’s the Way it Is.” In 1973, Elvis gave a live performance at the Honolulu International Center. It was broadcasted on television to 36 countries around the world. There were about 1.5 million people watching. Afterwards, Elvis was so tired, he slept for 24 hours.
With all of the ups, there were many downs. Priscilla and Elvis ended up getting divorced, because of all of the fighting and of Elvis being constantly gone and on the road. He also became a drug addict. He used the pills to get through the day. Elvis needed help, but he didn’t get any. Instead, he yelled at anybody who said he did have a problem. His friends didn’t say anything. They were terrified about what Elvis would do if he heard anything about it. Elvis had a very bad temper. The guys liked how things were anyway. They liked all of the fun. Elvis was acting very strange. In December, of 1970, he wrote a letter to the president, Richard Nixon, requesting to come to the White House and get a federal narc’s badge. He said he wanted to fight “drug abuse and communist brainwashing techniques.” Elvis met Nixon and got what he wanted, He turned down performing at the White House. Throughout the 1970s, Elvis got sicker and sicker. His diet was too bad. He ate too many Peanut Butter and Banana sandwiches fried in bacon fat. He also drank too many milkshakes. The last time he exercised was in January of 1973. So, he started to gain a lot of weight. He started to mess around on stage more, messing up lyrics and was having mood swings while performing. While all of this, In 1974, he was about to be in “A Star is Born” with Barbra Steisand. However, Colonel turned down the offer. Elvis still released albums, too. “Elvis” (sometimes called “The Fool Album”) was released in July 1973. Next, “Raised on Rock” was released in October of the same year.“Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis” was released in July of 1974. Finally, “Good Times” was released in August of 1974. The next couple of years were just getting worse and worse. Elvis got so bad, he quit going to RCA to record. So, RCA brought the Studio to Elvis. He recorded in the now famous. Jungle Room of Graceland. Album quality and quantity started to get bad again. “Promised Land” was released in January of 1975. “Today” was next in May of 1975. “From Elvis Presley Boulevard in Memphis, Tennessee” was released in May of 1976. And Finally, “Moody Blue,” Elvis’ last album, was released in July of 1977. So, in 1977, Elvis sickness was so bad, it was hard to keep it a secret. He kept eating and eating more and more. When his weight got so bad, he starved himself for many many days at a time. He would take many pills before performances. He really started going bad when he and Colonel Tom Parker planned out a 5 month tour over 50 cities. His skin was very pale, he was always drenched with sweat, his eyelids drooped, and his voice was very hoarse. He was barely able to stand on his own two feet. Even though he was very unhealthy, his fans stayed loyal and true to Elvis. Elvis struggled to stay alive. Then, the end happened.
On August 16, 1977, Elvis Aaron Presley passed away at the age of 42. He was said to have suffered from Glaucome, Hypertension, an enlarged heart and a twisted colon. He was more than likely taking more than 6 different medications and about 3 or 4 painkillers. “What am I going to do? Everything is gone.” Vernon said when he learned his son passed away. Lisa Marie, Elvis’ only daughter, was only 9. She had to grow up without a father.
Even though Elvis died more that 40 years ago, he still has millions of fans. There are Elvis products still being made, there are people still buying Elvis’ music, there are Elvis Tribute Artists (ETAs) who perform as Elvis as jobs, and people visit Elvis’ home, Graceland, every single year. There are more Elvis fans every year. To this day, Elvis is still “The King of Rock and Roll.”
Resources: Remembering Elvis-30 years Later - Life Books
Who Was Elvis Presley - Geoff Edgers
Since Vernon couldn’t hold a steady job, the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1949. Music was everywhere in Memphis. There was blues on Beale Street, country on the radio, and gospel everywhere else, especially at the Poplar Street Mission, across the street from the Lauderdale Courts housing project, where the Presley’s lived. Elvis made friends with Johnny and Dorsey Burnett. They became two rockabilly stars later in life. They all jammed together in the laundry room at Lauderdale Courts. Vernon got a job unloading big, heavy cases of paint. Since they moved, Elvis needed a new guitar teacher. He found a 18 year old son of the local preacher, Jesse Lee. Every weekend, Jesse came over and practiced with Elvis where Elvis and his friends jammed out the Laundry room. Elvis started to grow more and he made some new friends. Buzzy, Farley, and Paul. The four rode bikes, went to the movies, and played football together. They started to make money mowing lawns. By his junior year in high school, Elvis looked completely different. He grew out big sideburns. Before they grew in, he used to pencil them in. He also started coloring his hair black with Shoe Polish. That didn’t make good hair dye, because his car broke down in the rain one day, and he had to push it home. The shoe polish got into his eyes and his eyesight got worse and worse throughout his life. Anyway, girls started to like this new look of Elvis’ and they liked that fact he was a little shy. Elvis took a girl named Regis to the school prom. Elvis started going to Charlie's, a store where kids went to listen to records. Elvis and his friends listened to 78s, records that were made of thick shellac. There were like 45s, but they were thicker, so they could be played more. Elvis started going to the local radio station, WMPS, which would also host concerts. Elvis also went to the Ellis Auditorium. Once every month, many people gathered and sang gospel songs there. Elvis knew the songs from church. Sometimes, they would sing all through the night. Elvis started to go to parties. He used to be very shy, but he started to be more extroverted. His Aunt Lillian talked about how Elvis came to a birthday party with his guitar. They had to turn out the lights before Elvis sang.
At this point, Elvis was out of High school. He had many jobs. While he was employed at M.B. Parker Machinist’s Shop in July of 1953, he walked into Memphis Recording Service to record.The receptionist, Marion Keisker asked “What kinds of music do you sing?” Elvis said “I sing all kinds.” Then, Marion asked “Who do you sound like?” Elvis answered, “I don’t sound like anybody.” He recorded “My Happiness” for his mother. After hearing Elvis, Marion was impressed with Elvis’ voice and noted his name with the comment: Good Ballad Singer. She sent that to the proprietor of both Memphis Recording Service and Sun Records, Sam Phillips. He invited Elvis to record something for commercial release. Ekvis sings a song called “Without You.” Though Sam Phillips was very disappointed, he introduces Elvis to the Guitarist, Scotty Moore and Bassist, Bill Black. He asked the boys to rehearse and return in a week or so. He went to Scotty’s house. Scotty thought Elvis looked a little crazy, because he was wearing pink pants, white shoes, and a black shirt. His hair was also in the style of a “Ducktail,” now known as a “Pompadour.” Elvis sang every song he knew. Most were slow ballads. Neither musicians were impressed with Elvis. However, the next night, they were at Sun Studios.
Elvis sang “I Love You Because.” He tried it in every way possible. Phillips was unimpressed with every recording. While Scotty and Bill got sodas and were taking a break. Elvis, started playing the blues song, “That’s All Right, Mama.” It was originally recorded by Arther Cudup. The musicians like what Elvis was doing and they played along. Finally, Sam Phillps was liking the music. Everyone in the studio listened to it and was impressed. It sounded like nothing before. The B side of the single was “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” Sam Phillips asked a local radio station to play it. It played on the radio the next night. Gladys and Vernon listened very closely to the radio. More than 100 people called in and asked them to play it again. It was long until Elvis and the now called “Blue Moon Boys” started performing in local concerts.
The first big concert of Elvis’ was when he finally fulfilled his childhood dream of being on the Grand Ole Opry. He, of course, was nervous. He was even more nervous, because the Opry Star, Bill Monore, was rumored to not like Elvis' version of “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” and that was the song he was singing that night. However, Monroe was polite. Unfortunately, so was the audience. Elvis was asked to never return to the show.
Afterwards, Elvis went to the Louisiana Hayride. According to the country star, Porter Wagoner, “Elvis would throw his guitar around his shoulder, and then Bill Black would try to do that with his big stand-up bass. People would tear the house down!” In a month, Elvis got a regular spot on the Louisiana Hayride. 3 months later, DJ Fontana, the drummer of the Louisiana Hayride, officially joined the “Blue Moon Boys.”
While performing his local concerts, a man named Colonel Tom Parker was watching Elvis. He wasn’t a colonel. He had once been in the army, but he wasn’t an officer. He dropped out to go into managing a circus. When watching Elvis, he was the manager of country superstar, Hank Snow. He wanted to be Elvis’ manager. He had plans for Elvis. He thought that Elvis shouldn’t be doing local concerts. Instead, he should be touring the country. The only problem was that Elvis had a manager, Bob Neal. He was the one who got Elvis a regular spot on the Louisiana Hayride. He also helped Elvis with business deals with Sam Phillips. That didn’t stop Colonel Tom Parker, though. Parker knew Sun was too small and Bob Neal was too small. Parker knew that if Elvis was going to be a star, he needed him. Sam Phillips knew all of this too, but he didn't like Parker and didn’t want to let Elvis go. Vernon liked all of the talk of movie deals and big record deals. Gladys on the other hand, didn’t like Colonel. She hardly knew him and he wasn’t the easiest guy to like. He smoked and cussed. He also seemed like he was only in it for the money. Later on, this would be the case. Gladys also didn’t want Elvis to start touring with all of the screaming fans. She wanted him to settle down and start a family. After all of the struggles and back and forth, Colonel Tom Parker became Elvis’ manager. And with all of the debts, Sam Phillips sold Elvis’ contract to RCA Victor for the sum of $35,000. That was more than any other contract before it. If Elvis was a flop, then RCA could have lost a ton of money. Luckly, Elvis did well. Really well.
In 1956, Elvis Career really started taking off. Elvis made his national television debut on The Stage Show in January, Also, Elvis recorded his first RCA Single, Heartbreak Hotel. It is about a man whose girlfriend broke up with him. In March, His First Album “Elvis Presley” was released. In April, Elvis was in magazines. The first national magazine to do a story on Elvis, LIFE magazine, called him a “howling hillbilly.” WIth all of the TV Performances, teens really started to listen to and love Elvis. They loved his look and how he performed. He was nervous. His knees shook and his hips moved back and forth. Parents thought this dancing was dirty and started calling him “Elvis the Pelvis.” The New York Times wrote “Mr. Presley has no discernible singing ability.” “Beware Elvis Presley,” said another newspaper. All of these statements hurt Elvis. “I don’t do any vulgar movements. It’s just my way of expressing how I feel,” Elvis said in an interview. In July, Elvis went on Steve Allen’s Tonight Show. Since there was all of this bad publicity. He sang “Hound Dog,” to a basset hound named Sherlock. It was one of the most embarrassing moments in Elvis’ career. In September, Elvis went onto the Ed Sullivan Show. He was only filmed from the waist up.
Hits kept coming for Elvis, “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Hound Dog.” In October, Elvis' Second Album, “Elvis” was released. Colonel Still thought Elvis wasn’t famous enough. Even though Elvis was able to buy a Pink Cadillac Fleetwood for his mom, which he did, he needed to be in movies. In November, “Love Me Tender” was released. It took place in the CIvil War. Elvis was a singing Cowboy. With the movie, the title track went to #1 on the charts. Elvis was becoming the next James Dean. Elvis was a big fan of James Dean’s “A Rebel Without a Cause.” and he watched it more than 40 times. Little did he know, he would be in 31 movies throughout his career. In December, Elvis stopped by Sun Studios again and listened to Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and a new piano player, Jerry Lee Lewis. Elvis was especially impressed with Jerry Lee’s playing. Elvis went into the jam session and “The Million Dollar Quartet” was born.
The following year in March, Elvis first appeared in his famous Gold Lame suit designed by Nudie. Also in March, Elvis first appeared in his famous Gold Lame suit designed by Nudie. Elvis fulfilled a promise he gave to his mom. He bought her a mansion, “Graceland”. He was planning for the entire family to live there. However, the next year, he got drafted into the US Army. Before he got drafted, movies and albums were released. In July of 1957, “Loving You” was released. The soundtrack to the movie was released the same month. In October, “Elvis’ Christmas Album” was released. Two days later, the movie “Jailhouse Rock” was released. While Elvis was in the army, more content was released. Just after Elvis got drafted, “Elvis’ Golden Records” was released. In July of 1958, the movie “King Creole”. The soundtrack was released in September. Many compilation albums were released. “For LP Fans Only,” was released in February of 1959. In July of 1959, “A Date With Elvis” was released. FInally, In November, “50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t be Wrong: Elvis’ Golden Records Volume 2” was released. While in the army, Elvis was nervous, because Gladys was suffering from mild Hepatitis. Elvis was doing fine in the Army. However, on August 11, he received the news that Gladys’ health took a turn for the worse. Elvis was granted an emergency leave to see her. Elvis had Gladys’ pink Cadillac parked outside her window, so she could see it in bed. Gladys started to seem better for a brief time. Sadly, in the middle of the night, the doctors called Elvis. He rushed to the hospital, but his mother already died. It was the saddest moment of his life. Gladys was the closest person to him. The Next morning, Elvis and Vernon were outside Graceland crying about what happened the night before. “She’s all I lived For,” Elvis cried outside his home. He was wearing a while frilled shirt his mother often admired. He sat there and cried, only leaving to go talk to visiting loved ones. Then he would take said loved ones to Gladys’ open coffin. For days following, Elvis took his mother’s pink housecoat and hugged and kissed it. A witness called it, “The most pitiful sight you ever saw.”
After his mother’s death, Elvis went back to the army. He drove a jeep for a sergeant. Also, he and a friend were in charge of a talent show. After all of this, he was still treated just like any other soldier. This made Elvis glad. Elvis rented out hotels for his family and friends to visit. During the day, he was a private in the Army. At night, he and his friends were goofing off. They ran around the hotel and shot squirt guns at each other. They also pulled pranks. One prank went too far. They set a small fire by accident. They got kicked out and Elvis rented a house. He started to not be able to wake up early, because of the late nights goofing off.. He started to take pills during the day. Since they worked, he took more. Back then nobody knew the danger of them, so once somebody started taking them, they could never stop.
Since his mother died, Elvis tried to get another woman in his life. Vernon did the same. Elvis met Priscilla Beaulieu. She was 14 years old. Elvis said she was too young to go on a date, so he waited until she was older to start dating her. Vernon met a woman named Dee Stanley. She was married when they started dating. When they got married, Elvis was so angry he refused to go to the wedding.
Elvis returned from the Army in March of 1960. Three Weeks later, he received $125,000 to be on The Frank Sinatra Timex Show. It was the first time he was on stage in 15 months. He and Sinatra sang a mashup between “Love Me Tender” and Sinatra’s song, “Whichcraft.” The girls screamed just like they did in the 50’s. The King was back!
Now that the King had returned, Colonel Tom Parker got him back into the movies. His first movie back was “GI Blues” It was released in November of 1960. The soundtrack was released in October before the movie was released. Next was “Flaming Star”. It was released in December. Then, the rabbit hole of bad movies begins. “Wild in the Country” was next. It was released in June of 1961. In November, “Blue Hawaii.” The soundtrack was released in October before the movie. Next, “Follow that Dream” in April of 1962. “Kid Galahad” was released in August of 1962. “Girls! Girls! Girls!” was next in October of 1962. The soundtrack was released in November. In April of 1963, “It Happened at The World’s Fair” At this point, Elvis’ Fame was starting to slip, but the movies just kept going. “Fun in Acapulco” was released in November. The soundtrack was released in the same month. In 1964, “Kissin’ Cousins”, “Viva Las Vegas”, and “Roustabout” was released. 1965 had 3 movies, “Girl Happy,” “Tickle Me”, and “Harum Scarum.” The movie just got worse and worse and Elvis was getting less and less popular. In 1966, “Frankie and Johnny,” “Paradise, Hawaiian Style”, and “Spinout” were released. 1967 had “Easy Come, Easy Go,” “Double Trouble,” and “Clambake.” In 1968, “Stay Away, Joe,” “Speedway,” and “Live a Little, Love a Little.” On the set of “Clambake, “ Elvis slipped, fell, and hurt his head. He had to go to the hospital. Afterwards, friends and family thought Elvis was acting differently, and they were right.
With all of the bad movies, only 6 studio albums were released.“Elvis is Back!” was released in April of 1960. “His Hand in Mine” was released in November of 1960. “Something for Everybody” was released in June of 1961. “Pot Luck” was released in June of 1962. “Elvis for Everyone!” was released in August of 1965. Finally, “How Great Thou Art” was released in February of 1967. There were also Compilation albums. “Elvis’ Golden Records Volume 3” and “Elvis’ Golden Records Volume 4” were released.
Elvis was tired of the movies. He was depressed. In 1967, he and Priscilla got married. However, now, they were fighting. Elvis’ only daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, was born on February 1st. Elvis wanted to make a comeback. Vernon was wondering why Elvis was so depressed. He had a mansion, private planes, a wife, and even a daughter. He had it all. Elvis just needed to get back to live performances. It was the reason he got popular in the first place. NBC signed up Elvis for a TV Special. Colonel Tom Parker wanted Elvis to sing Christmas songs on TV. However, NBC hired a good director and writers for the program. Colonel Parker wasn’t really involved. Elvis sang his biggest hits. Elvis exercised for the show. He grew out his long sideburns again. He came out wearing a tight, black, leather, biker like outfit. His 50’s guitarist from the “Blue Moon Boys,” Scotty Moore, returned to play with Elvis. Elvis sang and danced his heart out. They released some of the songs from the show on an album on November 22, 1968. The King of Rock and Roll has returned! Well, almost…
Elvis’ movie contracts weren’t up yet. Elvis made three more movies in 1969. “Charro!”, “The Trouble With Girls,” and “Change of Habit” were released. In January, Elvis hired a new producer, Chips Moman. Elvis was still performing. He was performing at The International Hotel in Las Vegas. His first concert back was called “Supernatural” by Rolling Stone. The audience included Cary Grant, Fats Domino, Henry Mancini and Sammy Davis Jr. Now with the movies out of the way, Elvis still needed to record new music. “From Elvis in Memphis” was Elvis’ first album back. It was released in June of 1969. Next was “From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis.” It was released in October of 1969. Then, it was “On Stage,” released in June 1970. In November of 1970, the live film, “That’s the Way It Is” was released. The soundtrack was released the same day.
The next year, Elvis kept touring. The albums, “Elvis Country (I’m 10,00 Years Old),” “Love Letters from Elvis,” and “Elvis sings the Wonderful World of Christmas” were released. The Year after that, 1972, the albums “Elvis Now,” “He Touched Me”, and “Elvis: As Recorded at Madison Square Garden” were released. Also, in 1972, Elvis’ final film, “Elvis on Tour” was released. It was also a live film, like “That’s the Way it Is.” In 1973, Elvis gave a live performance at the Honolulu International Center. It was broadcasted on television to 36 countries around the world. There were about 1.5 million people watching. Afterwards, Elvis was so tired, he slept for 24 hours.
With all of the ups, there were many downs. Priscilla and Elvis ended up getting divorced, because of all of the fighting and of Elvis being constantly gone and on the road. He also became a drug addict. He used the pills to get through the day. Elvis needed help, but he didn’t get any. Instead, he yelled at anybody who said he did have a problem. His friends didn’t say anything. They were terrified about what Elvis would do if he heard anything about it. Elvis had a very bad temper. The guys liked how things were anyway. They liked all of the fun. Elvis was acting very strange. In December, of 1970, he wrote a letter to the president, Richard Nixon, requesting to come to the White House and get a federal narc’s badge. He said he wanted to fight “drug abuse and communist brainwashing techniques.” Elvis met Nixon and got what he wanted, He turned down performing at the White House. Throughout the 1970s, Elvis got sicker and sicker. His diet was too bad. He ate too many Peanut Butter and Banana sandwiches fried in bacon fat. He also drank too many milkshakes. The last time he exercised was in January of 1973. So, he started to gain a lot of weight. He started to mess around on stage more, messing up lyrics and was having mood swings while performing. While all of this, In 1974, he was about to be in “A Star is Born” with Barbra Steisand. However, Colonel turned down the offer. Elvis still released albums, too. “Elvis” (sometimes called “The Fool Album”) was released in July 1973. Next, “Raised on Rock” was released in October of the same year.“Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis” was released in July of 1974. Finally, “Good Times” was released in August of 1974. The next couple of years were just getting worse and worse. Elvis got so bad, he quit going to RCA to record. So, RCA brought the Studio to Elvis. He recorded in the now famous. Jungle Room of Graceland. Album quality and quantity started to get bad again. “Promised Land” was released in January of 1975. “Today” was next in May of 1975. “From Elvis Presley Boulevard in Memphis, Tennessee” was released in May of 1976. And Finally, “Moody Blue,” Elvis’ last album, was released in July of 1977. So, in 1977, Elvis sickness was so bad, it was hard to keep it a secret. He kept eating and eating more and more. When his weight got so bad, he starved himself for many many days at a time. He would take many pills before performances. He really started going bad when he and Colonel Tom Parker planned out a 5 month tour over 50 cities. His skin was very pale, he was always drenched with sweat, his eyelids drooped, and his voice was very hoarse. He was barely able to stand on his own two feet. Even though he was very unhealthy, his fans stayed loyal and true to Elvis. Elvis struggled to stay alive. Then, the end happened.
On August 16, 1977, Elvis Aaron Presley passed away at the age of 42. He was said to have suffered from Glaucome, Hypertension, an enlarged heart and a twisted colon. He was more than likely taking more than 6 different medications and about 3 or 4 painkillers. “What am I going to do? Everything is gone.” Vernon said when he learned his son passed away. Lisa Marie, Elvis’ only daughter, was only 9. She had to grow up without a father.
Even though Elvis died more that 40 years ago, he still has millions of fans. There are Elvis products still being made, there are people still buying Elvis’ music, there are Elvis Tribute Artists (ETAs) who perform as Elvis as jobs, and people visit Elvis’ home, Graceland, every single year. There are more Elvis fans every year. To this day, Elvis is still “The King of Rock and Roll.”
Resources: Remembering Elvis-30 years Later - Life Books
Who Was Elvis Presley - Geoff Edgers
The Nashville Marathon Sessions (1970)
The Nashville Marathon Sessions was a 4 day recording session by Elvis on June 4-8, 1970 in Studio B at RCA. It was to record legendary songs like Suspicious Minds in The American Sound Sessions in 1969.
They never recorded a song that was as legendary as Suspicious Minds, but they did record great songs including Mystery Train/Tiger Man (jam), Twenty Days and Twenty Nights, I’ve Lost You, I was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago, The Sound of Your Cry, Faded Love (Country Version), The Fool, A Hundred Years From Now, Little Cabin on the Hill, Cindy CIndy, There Goes My Everything, If I were You, Only Believe, Sylvia, Patch it Up, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Got My Mojo Working, How the Web Was Woven, It’s Your Baby, You Rock It, Stranger In The Crowd, I’ll Never Know, Mary in the Morning, It Ain’t No Big Thing, You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, Just Pretend, This is Our Dance, Life, Heart of Rome, When I’m Over You, I really Don’t Want to Know, Faded Love, Tomorrow Never Comes, Funny How Time Slips Away (Remake), I washed My Hand in Muddy Water, and Love Letters. Ok, that is all of the songs recorded, but yeah, they are good songs. The Majority of the songs recorded went on the Albums of Love Letters from Elvis, Elvis Country, and That’s The Way It Is.
They never recorded a song that was as legendary as Suspicious Minds, but they did record great songs including Mystery Train/Tiger Man (jam), Twenty Days and Twenty Nights, I’ve Lost You, I was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago, The Sound of Your Cry, Faded Love (Country Version), The Fool, A Hundred Years From Now, Little Cabin on the Hill, Cindy CIndy, There Goes My Everything, If I were You, Only Believe, Sylvia, Patch it Up, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Got My Mojo Working, How the Web Was Woven, It’s Your Baby, You Rock It, Stranger In The Crowd, I’ll Never Know, Mary in the Morning, It Ain’t No Big Thing, You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, Just Pretend, This is Our Dance, Life, Heart of Rome, When I’m Over You, I really Don’t Want to Know, Faded Love, Tomorrow Never Comes, Funny How Time Slips Away (Remake), I washed My Hand in Muddy Water, and Love Letters. Ok, that is all of the songs recorded, but yeah, they are good songs. The Majority of the songs recorded went on the Albums of Love Letters from Elvis, Elvis Country, and That’s The Way It Is.
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The Ed Sullivan Show Appearances (1956-1957)
The First Appearance
Elvis’ First appearance was on September 9, 1956. He sang “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Love Me Tender” for his first set. He also sang “Ready Teddy” and a shortened version of “Hound Dog” in the second set.
Don't Be Cruel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N81IktPflsA&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=11
Love Me Tender - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwWJXzobSp8
Ready Teddy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tiBYUzRLmI&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=13
Hound Dog - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrn8nTMcv_k
The Second Appearance
Elvis’ second appearance was on October 28, 1956. He sang “Don’t be Cruel” and “Love Me Tender”, like in the first appearance for the first set. Unlike the first set, he sang “Love Me” for his second set. He finally sang a 4 minute-long version of “Hound Dog” for his 3rd set.
Don’t be Cruel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arTAfHu-pvs&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=5
Love Me Tender - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwlrUUyxg9c&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=9
Love Me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkK7RYm-99o&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=10
Hound Dog -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNYWl13IWhY&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=6
The Third Appearance
Elvis’ third and final appearance was on January 6, 1957. For his first set, he sang a medley of “Love Me Tender”, “Hound Dog,” and “Heartbreak Hotel.” He also sang “Don’t be Cruel” in this set. In the second set, he sang “Too Much” and “When My Blue Moon Turns Gold Again.” Finally, in his third set, he sang “Peace in the Valley.”
Love Me Tender/Hound Dog/Heartbreak Hotel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54rUaRSGCCU&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=1
Don’t be Cruel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpKyFTYvhpU&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=3
Too Much - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dt9AlNv0GQ&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=4
When My Blue Moon Turns Gold Again - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3XcN_6Y2ug&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=8
Peace in the Valley - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKHVtJcG3Is&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=7
Ed Sullivan wanted to bring back Elvis for a 4th appearance, but Elvis got busy with movies, then later the Army, so he never returned. That was Elvis’ Appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Elvis’ First appearance was on September 9, 1956. He sang “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Love Me Tender” for his first set. He also sang “Ready Teddy” and a shortened version of “Hound Dog” in the second set.
Don't Be Cruel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N81IktPflsA&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=11
Love Me Tender - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwWJXzobSp8
Ready Teddy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tiBYUzRLmI&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=13
Hound Dog - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrn8nTMcv_k
The Second Appearance
Elvis’ second appearance was on October 28, 1956. He sang “Don’t be Cruel” and “Love Me Tender”, like in the first appearance for the first set. Unlike the first set, he sang “Love Me” for his second set. He finally sang a 4 minute-long version of “Hound Dog” for his 3rd set.
Don’t be Cruel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arTAfHu-pvs&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=5
Love Me Tender - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwlrUUyxg9c&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=9
Love Me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkK7RYm-99o&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=10
Hound Dog -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNYWl13IWhY&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=6
The Third Appearance
Elvis’ third and final appearance was on January 6, 1957. For his first set, he sang a medley of “Love Me Tender”, “Hound Dog,” and “Heartbreak Hotel.” He also sang “Don’t be Cruel” in this set. In the second set, he sang “Too Much” and “When My Blue Moon Turns Gold Again.” Finally, in his third set, he sang “Peace in the Valley.”
Love Me Tender/Hound Dog/Heartbreak Hotel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54rUaRSGCCU&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=1
Don’t be Cruel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpKyFTYvhpU&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=3
Too Much - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Dt9AlNv0GQ&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=4
When My Blue Moon Turns Gold Again - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3XcN_6Y2ug&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=8
Peace in the Valley - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKHVtJcG3Is&list=PLQWND5qZhbj1y0Tlvm1LOwKfjqS_Uvc7c&index=7
Ed Sullivan wanted to bring back Elvis for a 4th appearance, but Elvis got busy with movies, then later the Army, so he never returned. That was Elvis’ Appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show.
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