Today in Elvis History

It's April 16th, and on this day in 1955, Elvis Presley performed at the Big "D" Jamboree at the Sportatorium in Dallas, Texas. This appearance marked a significant moment in his early career, as manager Bob Neal arranged four spots for Elvis on the popular Dallas-based radio show. The Big "D" Jamboree, known for its strong local signal, helped elevate Elvis's exposure in the Texas entertainment s...

It's April 17th, and on this day in 1971, Elvis Presley ordered the first of the famous "TCB" ("Takin' Care of Business") necklaces, a signature piece of jewelry that became synonymous with his image. The necklaces featured the iconic three letters, adorned with a diamond-studded lightning bolt descending from the "C." The slogan "Takin' Care of Business" was coined during Elvis's December 20, 196...

It's April 18th, and on this day in 1972, Elvis Presley made a lasting impact on the lives of his fans. While on tour in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he was honored by Governor Bruce King, who bestowed upon him the title of honorary "Colonel, Aide de Camp." But the most memorable moment came later that day at Tingley Coliseum, where Elvis performed his final show of the tour. During intermission, he m...

It's April 12th, and on this day in 1956, Elvis performed two shows at the Armory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The audience's enthusiastic screams nearly lifted the roof, leaving Elvis in awe backstage. He expressed his amazement, saying, "It makes me want to cry. How does all this happen to me?" During the performance, he showcased his horseshoe diamond ring and proudly mentioned owning 40 suits a...

It's March 16th, and on this day in 1957, Elvis received a phone call from his parents with life-changing news. They had found the perfect home—Graceland. Situated just outside of Memphis, in a secluded grove of towering oaks, the estate was perfect for the Presley family, who were seeking privacy from the relentless attention of fans. Graceland, named after the great aunt of the woman who built i...

It's March tenth, and on this day in 1959… RCA Records released Elvis Presley's single “I Need Your Love Tonight,” backed with “A Fool Such as I.” With one million copies pressed right out of the gate, it was clear RCA was betting big on the King—even though he was stationed thousands of miles away in Germany. A gold record was promptly sent overseas to Elvis, reminding the world that even in unif...

It's April 8th, and on this day in 1973, Elvis Presley flew to San Francisco to attend the California Karate Championships at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium. Elvis, a black belt in karate under his instructor Ed Parker, was expected to perform a demonstration of brick-breaking before the championship matches. However, a publicity stunt that featured Elvis's name prominently on the event’s marq...

It's April 9th, and on this day in 1953, Elvis Presley made his debut on a big stage at the Humes High School "Annual Minstrel Show." Encouraged by his teacher, Mrs. Scrivener, Elvis performed in front of a packed crowd at the Humes Auditorium. Despite being billed as "Elvis Prestley, guitarist," Elvis took to the stage and sang "Take Them Cold Icy Fingers Off of Me," a 1950 country hit by Pee Wee...

It's April tenth, and on this day in 1957, actress Yvonne Lime arrived in Memphis to visit Elvis Presley. The two had met the previous year on the set of *Loving You* and had occasionally dated in Hollywood. During her visit, Elvis was dealing with a skin rash, so their first evening together was a quiet one, spent on the patio of his home on Audubon Drive—where he still lived while renovations we...

It's April 11th, and on this day in 1962, *Follow That Dream* premiered in Ocala, Florida. The film, Elvis’s ninth, was based on the 1957 novel *Pioneer, Go Home* by Richard Powell. The premiere took place in the very town where much of the film was shot. The movie also has an interesting connection to future stars—Joanna Moore, who portrayed Alicia Claypool, is the mother of Tatum O'Neal, the 197...

It's April 13th, and on this day in 1956, Elvis performed two shows at the Municipal Auditorium in Amarillo, Texas, at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. After these performances, Elvis and his band chartered a flight to Nashville for a last-minute recording session. However, the flight encountered multiple issues, leading Elvis to remark, "Man, I don't know if I'll ever fly again." Also on this day in 1963, *Bil...

It's April 14th, and on this day in 1956, Elvis Presley was in Amarillo, Texas, performing two shows at the Municipal Auditorium. Shortly after midnight, Elvis and his band boarded a twin-engine plane to head for Nashville, where a recording session awaited. However, the flight took a dramatic turn when the pilot got lost and the plane began running low on fuel. In a tense moment, the pilot had to...

It's April 15th, and on this day in 1965, *Girl Happy*, Elvis Presley’s seventeenth film, opened at five hundred theaters and drive-ins nationwide, breaking box-office records in many locations. Over the Easter weekend, the film grossed \$178,500 in Detroit alone. In Los Angeles, it was shown simultaneously in fifty-eight theaters. Within the first ten days of release, *Variety* reported that the...

It's April 24th, and on this day in 1957, Elvis's gospel favorite, "Peace in the Valley," reached number 39 on the record singles chart. Released earlier that month, the four-track EP sold over 400,000 copies, marking a pivotal moment in Elvis's career. The success of this gospel track signaled a shift in public perception, as the audience began to see Elvis not just as a rock 'n' roll star, but a...

It's April 25th, and on this day in 1955, Elvis began a five-day tour with artists from TNT Records, performing at the M-B Corral in Wichita Falls, Texas. After his set, he traveled to Seymour for a second performance but ran out of gas and money, arriving just before midnight. Despite the delay, dedicated fans waited, and Elvis delivered an impromptu show, initiated humorously by Scotty Moore pre...

It's April 26th, and on this day in 1957, Elvis posed proudly in front of the newly installed gates of Graceland, capturing a personal milestone in what would become his legendary home. Photographers snapped the moment, marking the beginning of his iconic association with Graceland, a place that would come to symbolize his success and personal sanctuary for years to come.

It's April 27th, and on this day in 1960, Elvis Presley began his first recording session at RCA Victor’s newly opened studios in Hollywood. This marked a significant shift from his previous sessions at Radio Recorders. Elvis was in full dress uniform, working on songs for the soundtrack of *G.I. Blues*. The session, which ran from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., proved to be a challenging one. Out of...

It's April 28th, and on this day in 1956, Colonel Tom Parker organized a special matinee show for teenagers, offering an affordable opportunity for young fans to see Elvis perform. Attendees paid just one dollar for admission and received a soft drink, making it a memorable and accessible event for the next generation of Elvis fans. In 1957, Elvis arrived in Los Angeles and checked into the pentho...

It's April 29th, and on this day in 1977, a story broke in the *Nashville Banner* revealing that Colonel Tom Parker was reportedly in the process of selling Elvis's contract. The rumor, which cited sources from Memphis, Los Angeles, and Nashville, suggested that Parker's mounting gambling debts were behind the decision. In his response, Parker vehemently denied the claims, stating, "I’m here, I’m...

It's April 30th, and on this day in 1964, Elvis met Larry Geller for the first time. Geller, who had replaced Elvis’s regular hairdresser, would go on to become one of Elvis’s closest friends and spiritual advisors. During their initial meeting, Elvis expressed his deep interest in spiritual matters, saying, “There’s got to be a reason why I was chosen to be Elvis Presley.” This conversation spark...

It's May first, and on this day in 1967, Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu in a private ceremony at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. The day began in the early hours, with Elvis and Priscilla obtaining their marriage license at 3:30 a.m. from the Clark County Courthouse for just fifteen dollars. Afterward, they were whisked away in limousines to the Aladdin Hotel, where the couple was seques...

It's May 3rd, and on this day in 1969, Elvis’s recording of “In The Ghetto” began climbing *Billboard’s* Hot 100 at number 79. The song would remain on the charts for thirteen weeks, ultimately peaking at number three. This marked Elvis's first Top 10 single since “Crying in the Chapel” in 1965. Written by Mac Davis, the song was originally offered to Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers and then...

It's May 4th, and on this day in 1973, Elvis began a 17-day engagement at the High Sierra Theater, Sahara Tahoe, in Stateline, Nevada. Linda Thompson accompanied him on this trip. The show was sold out, and while fans were eager to see the King of Rock and Roll, there were reports of near riots as some fans, despite having made reservations, were not allowed into the venue. *Variety* magazine note...

It's March ninth, and on this day in 1967... Elvis Presley suffered a serious fall in the bathroom of his Rocca Place home in Bel Air, California. While preparing for the start of filming *Clambake*, Elvis reportedly tripped over an electrical cord and struck his head on the edge of the bathtub, where he lay unconscious for several hours before being discovered. A doctor later determined he had a...

It's March eleventh, and on this day in 1964… Elvis Presley insisted on doing his own stunts while filming *Roustabout*—and it backfired. During a fight scene, Elvis was accidentally injured and required stitches above his eye. Fortunately, the production didn't miss a beat, since the movie had already shot a motorcycle crash sequence. The visible cut was simply chalked up to the scripted accident...