Today in Elvis History

It's February eleventh, and on this day in 1956, Elvis Presley made his third appearance on CBS’s *Stage Show*, hosted by the Dorsey Brothers. But this wasn't just another TV performance—this was the night America heard “Heartbreak Hotel” for the first time on national television. Elvis paired the haunting ballad with a blistering rendition of “Blue Suede Shoes,” giving audiences a double shot of...

It's February twelfth, and on this day in 1977, Elvis Presley took the stage at the Sportatorium in Hollywood, Florida. But behind the scenes, tension was running high. Though Ginger Alden, now calling herself Elvis’s fiancée, was at his side on tour, echoes of Linda Thompson’s recent departure lingered. Linda had lived with Elvis at Graceland for four years before walking away in 1976, saying she...

It's February thirteenth, and on this day in 1967… Elvis Presley was spending so much time on horseback at his beloved Circle G Ranch in Mississippi that he developed painful saddle sores. With his regular doctor unavailable, Elvis turned to an old friend for help—George Klein, his buddy since high school. Klein’s girlfriend, Barbara Little, worked at a Memphis medical office and arranged for Dr....

It's February 14, and on this day in 1964, Elvis Presley made a grand philanthropic gesture by donating the retired presidential yacht, the USS *Potomac*, to entertainer Danny Thomas for use by St. Jude's Hospital. Known as the “Floating White House” during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, the vessel became a symbol of Elvis’s growing commitment to charity and public service. The high-profile d...

It's February fifteenth, and on this day in 1973, during his eighth engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton, Elvis abruptly walked off stage in the middle of the dinner show. He returned a short time later, apologizing to the audience and explaining, “I’m sorry, ladies and gentlemen, but I have a touch of the flu, and my voice suddenly disappeared.” He managed to finish the performance, but the midnigh...

It's February sixteenth, and on this day in 1955… Elvis Presley performed two back-to-back shows at the Odessa Senior High School Field House in Texas, drawing over four thousand fans. Among the crowd was a young Roy Orbison, who later recalled being blown away by Elvis's raw power onstage, saying, “His energy was incredible, his instinct was just amazing.” It was a night that left a future rock l...

It's February seventeenth, and on this day in 1960, Elvis Presley was awarded a Gold record for his self-titled debut album, *Elvis Presley*. Originally released in 1956, the album made history as the first Rock 'n' Roll LP to top the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, holding the number one spot for an astonishing ten weeks. This milestone not only cemented Elvis’s status as the new king of popular...

It's February eighteenth, and on this day in 1973, during a midnight show at the Las Vegas Hilton, Elvis Presley was interrupted by four men who jumped onstage in an apparent attempt to reach him. With lightning reflexes and a karate move, Elvis knocked one of them back into the audience. The others were subdued by members of his entourage, including Red and Sonny West, Jerry Schilling, and even E...

It's February nineteenth, and on this day in 1977, Elvis Presley performed at the Freedom Hall Civic Center in Johnson City, Tennessee. Concerned that his girlfriend Ginger Alden was homesick for her family, Elvis had them flown in to join the tour for its final days—a gesture that reflected his generosity and emotional sensitivity even during the grueling final year of his performing life.

It's February twentieth, and on this day in 1969... Elvis Presley was back at American Sound Studio in Memphis, deep into a career-reviving stretch of recording sessions. On this particular day, he recorded two emotionally rich ballads: *It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’* and *Any Day Now*—both showcasing the raw, soulful sound that defined his legendary '69 comeback. But Elvis didn’t just spend the day...

It's February twenty-first, and on this day in 1966… Elvis Presley began filming *Spinout* and sat down for a rare interview with syndicated Hollywood columnist and former Miss Utah, May Mann. During their conversation, Elvis opened up about his deep connection to Graceland, saying he would always keep it as his home because of his mother. He also revealed he was working on a new religious album—h...

It's February twenty-third, and on this day in 1967… Elvis Presley became the legal owner of a 163-acre ranch in Mississippi, just south of Memphis, near the town of Walls. He named it the *Flying Circle G Ranch*. More than just a getaway, Elvis turned the property into a personal refuge and cowboy-style retreat, complete with horses, saddles, and a growing entourage of friends and family who move...

It's February 24, and on this day in 1965… Elvis Presley returned to the recording studio for the first time in eight months, but it wasn’t exactly a triumphant comeback. A last-minute soundtrack session was arranged for his upcoming film *Harum Scarum*, but with his usual musicians unavailable, Elvis found himself backed by a fill-in group that included Charlie McCoy on guitar, Henry Strzelecki o...

It's February 25, and on this day in 1961… Tennessee Governor Buford Ellington and Memphis Mayor Henry Loeb declared it officially “Elvis Presley Day.” At a hundred-dollar-a-plate charity luncheon at the Claridge Hotel, Elvis was honored by RCA with a diamond-studded watch and a commemorative plaque for surpassing 75 million records sold. He also received international awards from over a dozen cou...

It's February twenty-sixth, and on this day in 1967… Elvis Presley delayed his trip to Los Angeles due to painful saddle sores, prompting a house call from Dr. George Nichopoulos at the ranch. The doctor not only treated Elvis and relayed the situation to Colonel Parker, but this visit also marked the beginning of a significant and long-lasting relationship. Dr. Nick would go on to become Elvis’s...

It's February 27, and on this day in 1970... Elvis Presley held a midday press conference at the Astroworld Hotel in Houston, where he reflected on his early career, laughing that his Sun recordings now sounded “funny” to him. Later that day, he took the stage not once, but twice at the Houston Astrodome as part of the Annual Texas Livestock Show. For his grand entrance, Elvis rode in on an open j...

It's February 28, and on this day in 1970… Elvis Presley performed not one, but two shows at the Houston Astrodome as part of the Annual Texas Livestock Show. The evening performance drew a staggering 43,614 people—setting a new record for indoor rodeo attendance. The crowd’s enthusiasm echoed through the massive dome as the King brought rock and roll swagger to cowboy country. Meanwhile, Priscill...

It's February twenty-ninth, and on this day in 1968... Elvis Presley won his very first Grammy Award. But it wasn’t for rock and roll, or even one of his chart-topping hits. Instead, the honor came in the category of “Best Sacred Performance” for his 1967 gospel album *How Great Thou Art*. The award was announced during simultaneous Grammy dinners held in New York, Los Angeles, and other cities. E...

It's March first, and on this day in 1960… the U.S. Army held a press conference in Friedberg, Germany, just before Elvis Presley’s discharge. Over a hundred reporters and photographers crowded into the enlisted men’s club to witness the moment. Elvis's commanding officer presented him with a certificate of merit for his “cheerfulness and drive and continually outstanding leadership ability.” But...

It's March second, and on this day in 1960… at the Rhine-Main Air Base in Germany, a teenage Priscilla Beaulieu was blocked by military police from saying a final goodbye to Elvis Presley as he departed for the United States. A photograph of the moment was later titled *The Girl He Left Behind*, capturing the bittersweet farewell between the future King and the young woman who would one day become...

It's March third, and on this day in 1959… Elvis Presley, while stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army, took a break from military life and traveled to Munich with his buddies Red West and Lamar Fike. Their destination? A visit with 18-year-old German actress Vera Tschechowa, whom Elvis had met earlier that year during a publicity shoot for the March of Dimes. In a classic Elvis move, he bought o...

It's March fourth, and on this day in 1956... *Billboard* magazine declared that “Presley \[is] Hot as a Pistol on Victor.” The article spotlighted Elvis as the RCA label’s hottest artist of the week, with a staggering six singles in the company’s top twenty-five sellers. At the top of the list: “Heartbreak Hotel” at number one, followed by “I Was the One,” “Mystery Train,” and “I Forgot to Rememb...

It's March fifth, and on this day in 1960… Elvis Presley was officially discharged from the United States Army. At 9:15 a.m., he received his mustering-out check for \$109.54 and an honorable discharge, concluding two years of military service that had taken him from Fort Hood to Friedberg, Germany. From there, Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker traveled by limousine to New Jersey, where they were joine...

It’s March sixth, and on this day in 1964… Elvis Presley added a new crown jewel to his growing fleet of cars—a Rolls Royce Phantom V Touring Limousine. Painted midnight blue and outfitted with a gray cloth interior, the luxurious British-made ride was customized to Elvis’s specifications before being shipped to the U.S. It came complete with a 6.2-liter V-8 engine, automatic transmission, two cut...

It's March seventh, and on this day in 1960... Elvis Presley returned to Memphis after completing his service in the U.S. Army. He arrived by train at 7:45 a.m. in the middle of a snowstorm, where fans greeted him with excitement and cheers. After heading home to Graceland, Elvis held a press conference in his father Vernon's office, telling reporters he was glad to be back. That evening, he was j...