Today in Elvis History

It’s June tenth, and on this day in 1965… *The New York Times* reported that Elvis Presley’s gospel single “Crying in the Chapel” had reached number one on the British Hit Parade. The achievement marked the first time Elvis topped the Beatles in the U.K., and it was his first British number one hit in […]

It's May 2nd, and on this day in 1960, Elvis Presley began principal photography for his fifth film, *G.I. Blues*, at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. The movie, set in post-World War II Germany, featured Elvis alongside South African actress Juliet Prowse, who became his love interest both on and off the screen. During production, Elvis […]

It's March fifteenth, and on this day in 1965, Elvis Presley began filming *Harum Scarum* and, during this period, became deeply involved with the Self-Realization Fellowship—an interfaith spiritual organization founded by Indian yogi Paramahansa Yogananda. Elvis frequently visited the Fellowship’s Lake Shrine Retreat in Pacific Palisades and formed a lasting spiritual connection with Sri Daya...

It’s June ninth, and on this day in 1972… Elvis Presley held a press conference at the New York Hilton, kicking off one of the most iconic moments of his career. Just hours later, he took the stage at Madison Square Garden, becoming the first performer to sell out the legendary venue for four consecutive […]

It’s June eighth, and on this day in 1971… Elvis Presley was honored by his hometown in a lasting way. The Memphis County Commission, with support from Mayor Henry Loeb, officially renamed a portion of Highway 51 South as “Elvis Presley Boulevard.” This stretch of road, which runs from South Parkway to the Mississippi state […]

It’s June seventh, and on this day in 1957… Elvis Presley was making his way home to Memphis by train after filming in Hollywood when he tried to contact his former girlfriend June Juanico—only to find out she had married someone else just days earlier. Distraught, Elvis got off the train in Lafayette, Louisiana, and […]

It’s June sixth, and on this day in 1968… Elvis Presley was in Los Angeles, deep in rehearsals for his upcoming television special at the offices of Binder-Howe Productions, when the news came that Senator Robert F. Kennedy had died from an assassination attempt the day before. The tragedy deeply affected Elvis, and director Steve […]

It’s June fifth, and on this day in 1956… Elvis Presley shocked the nation with his appearance on *The Milton Berle Show*, broadcast live from NBC Studios in Los Angeles. After being introduced by Berle and receiving a special Billboard award for “Heartbreak Hotel,” Elvis performed “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” […]

It’s June fourth, and on this day in 1960, Elvis Presley was visited on the set of *G.I. Blues* by three Scandinavian princesses. The royal encounter was a highlight during filming, and that evening, Elvis and his entourage continued the glamour by hitting several nightclubs. The visit added a touch of international royalty to the […]

It’s June third, and on this day in 1953, Elvis Presley received his high school diploma at Ellis Auditorium in Memphis. Dressed in a dark suit and tie, the future King of Rock and Roll graduated from Humes High School, less than a year before he would walk into the Memphis Recording Service to make […]