Today in Elvis History

It's August third, and on this day in 1975... Elvis Presley leased an aircraft for one year, putting down a \$26,000 deposit against a \$13,000 monthly rental. This high-flying move reflected not just Elvis’s immense wealth and superstar status, but also his increasingly extravagant lifestyle during the mid-1970s. From Cadillacs to custom jets, the King didn’t just travel—he traveled in style.

It's August second, and on this day in 1971... Elvis Presley concluded yet another record-breaking engagement in Las Vegas. Known for drawing massive crowds, Elvis once again shattered attendance records at the Hilton showroom. His reign in Vegas was not just a comeback—it was a phenomenon, reaffirming his unmatched draw and iconic status during an era when few artists could rival his live appeal.

It's August first, and on this day in 1969... Elvis Presley held a post-show press conference at 12:30 a.m., following his return to live performance at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. Speaking candidly, Elvis admitted he was “a little nervous for the first three songs,” but then told himself, “what the heck, get with it man, or you might be out of a job tomorrow.” That night, he continued t...

It's July thirty-first, and on this day in 1969... Elvis Presley made his triumphant return to live performance with his first official show at the brand-new Showroom of the International Hotel in Las Vegas. But before he could take the stage, Elvis was hit with a panic attack brought on by stage fright, delaying his entrance by nearly two hours. The Sweet Inspirations opened the show at 8:15 p.m....

It's July 30, and on this day in 1954, Elvis Presley made his professional debut concert in Memphis at the Overton Park Shell. Though he was so nervous his legs shook, the crowd went wild as he performed his two songs, with Sun Records' Sam Phillips, Dixie, and his parents all in attendance. In 1955, Elvis took the stage at the Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach, Florida, performing two shows at...

It's July 29, and on this day in 1955, Elvis performed at the new baseball stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, continuing to build his reputation as a dynamic live performer across the South. In 1956, Elvis returned to Biloxi, Mississippi, where his parents came to visit him, marking a moment of family connection amid his rapidly rising fame. By 1970, Elvis was back at MGM Studios in Culver City, re...

It's July 28, and on this day in 1955, Elvis performed at the new baseball stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, showcasing his rising popularity across the South. In 1970, Elvis was deep into rehearsals at RCA as he prepared for upcoming performances, maintaining his focus on his music career. By 1976, Elvis performed at the Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. Following the show, his manager, Colo...

It's July 27, and on this day in 1954, Elvis had lunch with Marion Keisker and Edwin Howard at the *Memphis Press-Scimitar* to promote his new record. This early publicity helped build momentum for his breakthrough in the music industry. In 1956, Elvis attended a Blackwood Brothers All-Night Singing event, where he joined the group in singing gospel favorites "Jesus Filled My Every Need" and "You'...

It's July 26, and on this day in 1954, Elvis Presley signed a formal contract with Sun Records, a milestone in his early career that had to be countersigned by his parents. This official agreement helped set the stage for his rise to fame. On July 26, 1963, filming wrapped on *Viva Las Vegas*, marking the last day of location shooting for what would become one of Elvis’s most iconic films. In 1972...

It's July 25, and on this day in 1975, Elvis was wrapping up a three-day run of performances at the Civic Center in Asheville, North Carolina. His behavior during this period was increasingly erratic. Frustrated by what he perceived as a lack of response from the audience, Elvis lost his temper on stage, soliciting requests directly from the crowd, giving away a \$500 ring to a fan, and famously t...

It's July 24, and on this day in 1973, Elvis faced frustration during recording sessions at Stax Studio in Memphis. Dissatisfied with the sound of the tracks from the previous days and upon learning that his personal microphone had been stolen, Elvis walked out of the studio. This incident highlighted the growing tensions and difficulties he was experiencing during this period. Additionally, in 19...

It's July twenty-third, and on this day in 1955, a pivotal conference call took place involving Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis's then-manager Bob Neal, Parker's partner Hank Snow, and assistant Tom Diskin. They discussed transitioning Elvis from Sun Records to a major label and arranging bookings for Elvis on a proposed Hank Snow weekly television show. At this meeting, Parker and Snow agreed to invest...

It's July twenty-second, and on this day in 1968, principal photography began for the film *Charro* at Apacheland Movie Ranch in Apache Junction, Arizona. In 1970, Elvis returned to Los Angeles. By July twenty-first, 1973, after completing tour dates, Elvis was back in Memphis for recording sessions at Stax Studio near Graceland. However, Elvis was late to the sessions, and the musicians were take...

It's July twenty-first, and on this day in 1955, Elvis performed at the Silver Moon Club in Newport, Arkansas. Fast forward to 1960, Elvis earned his first-degree black belt in karate, marking the beginning of his serious commitment to martial arts. In 1971, Elvis opened his first engagement at the High Sierra Room in the Sahara Tahoe Hotel in Stateline, Nevada. The shows, held twice nightly at 8...

It's July twentieth, and on this day in 1955, Elvis performed at the Cape Arena Building in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Just a year earlier, on July nineteenth, 1954, Elvis’s first professional single 45, “That’s All Right” backed with “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” was released. The record quickly gained traction, with one of the earliest known sales to fifteen-year-old Eldene Beard at Charlie’s Blues Re...

It's July nineteenth, and on this day in 1954, Elvis's debut single "That's All Right," backed with "Blue Moon of Kentucky," was officially released by Sun Records. The record quickly gained popularity, selling about 20,000 copies and marking the true beginning of Elvis's recording career. Looking back a day earlier to July eighteenth, 1953, a young Elvis dropped by the Memphis Recording Service,...

It's July eighteenth, and on this day in 1969, Elvis began rehearsals for his upcoming opening night in Las Vegas, marking a key moment as he prepared to return to live performance after years away from the stage. Looking back to July seventeenth, 1958, Elvis was in army training at Fort Hood, Texas. During a weekend visit to Dallas with his friend Eddie Fadal, a local disc jockey, Elvis and his g...

It's July seventeenth, and on this day in 1954, Elvis performed at the Bon Air Club in Memphis with Scotty Moore and Bill Black, playing the two songs they knew well enough to perform live. Fast forward to 1970, Elvis took a five-day break, flying to Palm Springs for some rest. In 1975, he gave a performance at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New Haven, Connecticut. Meanwhile, on July sixteenth,...

It’s July sixteenth, and on this day in 1966… Production began on Elvis Presley’s twenty-fourth film, *Double Trouble*, at MGM Studios in Culver City. Although the movie is set in England and Belgium, all of Elvis’s scenes were filmed on sound stages using backdrops and rear projections, with one scene shot in Long Beach Harbor standing in for Antwerp’s docks. The film is known for its continuity...

It’s July fifteenth, and on this day in 1969… Elvis Presley assembled a new band in preparation for his upcoming Las Vegas engagement. He hired blues guitarist James Burton as band leader—a seasoned musician known for his role on *Ozzie and Harriet*. Burton brought in pianist Larry Muhoberac, drummer Ronnie Tutt, bassist Jerry Scheff, and rhythm guitarist John Wilkinson. Elvis also enlisted vocal...

It’s July fourteenth, and on this day in 1976… Elvis Presley flew to Las Vegas with Linda Thompson and resumed medical care under Dr. Ghanem, marking a period of increased health concerns for the King. Just the day before, on July thirteenth, Vernon Presley made the difficult decision to fire three longtime members of Elvis’s entourage—Sonny West, Red West, and karate expert Dave Hebler—citing fin...

It's July thirteenth, and on this day in 1977… Elvis gave his girlfriend, Ginger Alden, a Triumph sports car. Just weeks before his passing, this extravagant gift reflected Elvis’s ongoing generosity and flair for romantic gestures—even as his health declined. The gesture stood out among many he had made over the years, offering a glimpse into the private world of the King during his final summer.

It's July twelvth in Elvis history!

It’s July eleventh, and on this day in 1954… Elvis Presley, along with Scotty Moore and Bill Black, recorded the iconic song “Mystery Train” at Sun Records. This session followed closely on the heels of his breakthrough recordings and helped further establish the raw, electrifying sound that would soon captivate the nation. Just the night before, DJs Uncle Richard on KWEM and Dewey Phillips on WHB...

It’s July tenth, and on this day in 1956… Elvis Presley and his girlfriend June Juanico took a day trip to New Orleans with friends, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation amid Elvis’s rapidly rising fame. Just a year later, on this day in 1957, Elvis arranged a private midnight screening of his film *Loving You* exclusively for his parents and Anita Wood, sharing an intimate moment away from the sp...