ELVIS  THE KING 1956
Walking to Heaven...

1956 

January 1956. The year begins with the contract signed for RCA and again with the concert tour that continues with the commitments already signed.
Elvis alternates in this month the concerts, with the recordings that he is going to make at RCA, on the 10th and 11th and ends the month with the first appearance of Elvis Presley on TV. A very hectic month with great hopes and new perspectives.
El Camino takes a different course with the support of the record company. The concert tour, about 2300 miles, which takes place in 8 days, then fly to New York for the TV show. In February they would follow the same pattern, play two or three shows and drive to another city. There were hysterical crowds who would scream when Elvis appeared on the scene, this would create jealousy in the other musicians on the tours, because they saw that the boy from Tupelo was getting much more successful.
It would be an exhausting few days, then they would fly! back to New York to make another program. Elvis Presley's artistic life was taking a leap into the void and success was just around the corner.
"Following the Path of the King..."

RCA Studios McGavock. Nashville.

It was the first time that Elvis Presley was going to record at RCA Studios. January 10, 1956.
The studio at 1525 McGavock St. was RCA's first permanent recording facility in Nashville. It was a studio in a building shared with a Methodist television studio, radio and film branch. It had a large room, with a high ceiling and an arched roof. The acoustics were complex because of this and created problems due to the reverberation of the sound, an attempt was made to dampen this by placing curtains around the room.
To make the recordings Steve Sholes, the producer of these sessions, was in charge of organizing it, he wanted the same effect achieved by Sam Phillips in the Elvis recordings, it was the echo or slapback effect. Sam did it after the recording, but Sholes decided to increase the sound and for this, the effects that were tried to be achieved in this room would be live, not after.
A microphone was placed at the end of the corridor and a loudspeaker at the other end, to create a live echo in the recording. In the way of recording these sessions, many recording takes would be used. But nobody gave them any instructions on how to make the takes, etc. Steve Sholes put Chet in charge of the session while he was in the sound booth.
Actually the production was in charge of themselves, because Chet told them to do the same thing they did on stage. Over time, this would be the dynamic to follow.
"Following the Path of the King..."

Steve Sholes . RCA Producer

The Freedom of Expression




Steve Sholes was more than just a producer at RCA. He was director of A&R and also played his role as the top executive of the Nashville record company's label.
He would make a lot of decisions, apart from betting on Elvis, he hired Scotty Moore, Bill Black, D.J Fontanta and also Floyd Cramer and Chet Atkins.
As a producer he was one of the most influential after 1950. He would be responsible for the birth of the Nashville Sound. He started out as a sales worker for RCA-Victor Records and later joined the jazz and repertory artist department. After the war in 1945, he became manager of the Country & Western & Rhythm & Blues A&R company. In 1949 he hired guitarist Chet Atkins to promote him at RCA. Atkins would also be an arranger and production trainee, for which, over time, he also worked in production. By the late 1950s, RCA was considered a powerhouse in country music, thanks to the work of Steve Sholes.
Artists like Elton Britt, Eddie Arnold, Hank Snow, Jim Reeves and finally the new signing with Elvis Presley in November 1955, which would be the greatest success of the decade. In 1957, Sholes offered the production to Chet Atkins, arriving to also be another successful producer.
With Elvis Presley he would obtain the expected success, and also in the 60's, RCA would have its best moment with the so-called "Nashville Sound". Sholes was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967, a year before his death. From 1966 the production work was offered to Felton Jarvis, although Steve continued with the direction and other functions.
When Steve Sholes disappeared, RCA changed its dynamics, its way of doing things, starting in 1968. When Elvis arrived at RCA, in the first recordings of January 1956, Sholes did not know him and had a certain reservation, afraid of that this boy did not know how to face the recordings. But his surprise was seeing him perform and eventually dominate the recording room. I would bet on him against the rest of the record company.

At RCA time was paramount, in the studio the faster you recorded, the more money you invested. But when Elvis arrived, this changed. Elvis approached his work in the studio with such interest and maturity, despite his youth, that as many takes as were needed to complete a song to perfection were done. From the first day to the last that Steve Sholes worked with Elvis, he gave him the opportunity to experiment, to perform the songs as he felt them. Sholes would mean for Elvis, his freedom of expression in the studio, searching in his voice, in its rhythm, with its musicians... perfection.

"Following the Path of the King..."

Sessions January 10 and 11, 1956. 













RCA. Nashville. 1525 McGavock.

This would be the first session at RCA, in charge of Steve Sholes, their new producer. Initially a lot of care and doubt was taken at the beginning of it, due to the belief in the inexperience of a young singer like Elvis. But the surprise was the command and concentration that Elvis had, from the first moment he was told to do what he did on stage.
He, Scotty, Bill and D.J, who would record for the first time with Elvis, were accompanied by the pianist Floyd Cramer, with Chet Atkins on guitar and commissioned by Sholes to lead the direction in the room. But in reality, Elvis would take it from the beginning, because he saw that Atkins let him do it his way.
They would start with the Ray Charles song "I Got a Woman", which they had already performed on stage and on SUN Records. Since no one told him what to do, Elvis followed his own instinct and direction and recorded how Elvis felt. Axton and Durden's second song "Heartbreak Hotel" was performed in a few takes, only a snippet of lyrics was changed.
And they would end the session with a song that Elvis really liked, Jesse Stone's "Money Honey," the song had been a Drifters hit in 1953. Very inspired and focused performances, with full experience, were at least two of the three, almost perfect. The group got along well and it wouldn't cost much to make these recordings.L
he sessions came to a close late the next afternoon, with Elvis recording the two ballads he had selected from Sholes' list. Both were basically R&B, but Don Robertson's "I'm Counting On You" was more of a country ballad, while Aaron Schroeder, Bill Peppers, Claude Demetrius and Hal Blair Schroeder's "I Was The One" had an element of doo-wop in its structure. But when they were recorded they still sounded different, the same style that Elvis, Scotty and Bill had created. Although this second day Atkins collaborated suggesting some arrangement to give more solidity to the recording.
Elvis was happy because they had let him do it and he played vocally, experimenting, something that he would do again in the future. He was also able to record a ballad and was very confident in the song "Heartbreak Hotel". The sound that was achieved was not quite as expected, a bit muddy and Steve Sholes still had doubts about what they would achieve with these sessions. Atkins, who thought that Elvis was an occasional product, also had doubts. The circumstances were really the surprise that would come in a very short time for everyone.

"Following the Path of the King..."




"Heartbreak Hotel"
The chilling sound of loneliness

Elvis Presley 




HEARTBREAK HOTEL  
by Mae Axton and Tommy DurdenJanuary 10, 1956.  RCA Studios. Nashville. 

Producer: Steve Sholes
Sound Engineer: Bob Ferris ELVIS PRESLEY voice and guitar.
Guitar: Scotty Moore
Bass: Bill Black
Drums; D.J Fontana
Guitar; Chet Atkins 
Piano: Floyd Cramer
Vocals: Gordon StokerBen and Brock Speer.


At first RCA did not agree to accept this song and neither did the Colonel. But such was Elvis's insistence on the song and the copyright deal they offered him, that they finally agreed to publish it. It is the first time that D.J Fontana plays drums for Elvis.
In the control room was Steve Sholes, the producer; Colonel Parker and composer Mae Axton. But Elvis didn't get any direction...since the song had already been played in concert, it was clear how he wanted to do it on record and that's how it was done.

Elvis begins the score with a Chilling rendition. The melody penetrates deeply into the listener, due to its powerful performance that leaves everyone with a sad emotion. The sound of loneliness, the bitterness of unanswered silence remains in the air. A disturbing melody that penetrates the voice of Elvis and deepens our spirits. His warm voice transports us to that lonely street where hope and reality are lost. A song that is impossible to forget, its first notes are a reflection of the most disturbing moment for a young artist to whom everything was about to happen. His perfect interpretation would make this score absolute magic and essence of the artist.

Elvis gave us a masterpiece difficult to match.
The single "Heartbreak Hotel" would be published on January 27, 1956, with "I Was The One" on the B side. The impact on the market was what would give the key to success for Elvis. Billboard described the single as "a strong bluesy element wrapped in his usual powerhouse style and big groove." Although it did not appear on the charts until March 3, it subsequently began a slow but steady climb to number 1, where it stayed for eight weeks, staying up to seventeen weeks. It would also reach number 5 on the R'n B' chart. It would be the main song that was published on the EP released in April 1956.
It is clear that the influence of TV did a lot for sales in this case, since as of February 11, Elvis would appear on CBS's "Stage Show". From there, everything would change, even when Elvis sang at the Louisiana Hayride on February 25, 1956, the public went even more crazy.
The single "Heartbreak Hotel" sold a million copies in the following two months, for which he received a gold record. The truth is that his interpretation of this song was shocking, the story, the interpretation, his voice, the music... Everything was a perfect ensemble in the voice of a young man who left his audience speechless and who continues to leave a mark on listen this song...

"Following the Path of the King...

"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKaofVys7bU









"Heartbreak Hotel"
A song with history...

"Heartbreak Hotel" is included in so many editions, that the list does not end... "Golden Records Vol. 1", "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits Vol.1", "The Top Ten Hits", "Elvis: A Legendary Performer Vol.1", "This Is Elvis", "The Great Performances", "The King of Rock and Roll", "Elvis '56", "Artist of the Century", "ELVIS 30 #1 Hits", "Hitstory" , "Elvis By The Presley", "Elvis Rock", and "The Essential Elvis Presley". This song has been sung in countless concerts and there are reproductions recorded live, from 1956 to 1977. A historical song in its repertoire and unrepeatable....
In addition to several Hayride standalone releases, live performances from the first few seasons can be found at "A Golden Celebration" (which has six pre-Army live performances, including television tapings of "Stage Show," "The Milton Berle Show" and "The Ed Sullivan Show", and from "The Mississippi/Alabama Fair And Dairy Show", which was released on "Memphis Recording". "The King of Rock 'n' Roll", "Elvis Aron Presley", " Live In Las Vegas" and "Today, Tomorrow & Forever. The "Stage Show" performance was released on the "Elvis #1 Hit Performances" DVD.

His performances on NBC's "Elvis" were released on "Memories: The '68 Comeback Special," "Tiger Man," the original release of "Elvis NBC TV Special," its subsequent deluxe reissue, and the FTD "Burbank 68" launch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP6qK589_Bo

Elvis regularly performed the song at live shows from 1969 to 1973. Live performances are found on "Viva Las Vegas" (the 2007 release), "Collectors Gold", "Live in Las Vegas", "The live Greatest hits ", on the documentaries "That's The Way It Is" and "Elvis On Tour", and their associated albums. Also on "Walk A Mile In My Shoes", "Elvis: Close up", "An Afternoon In the Garden", "Elvis At Recorded at Madison Square Garden" and at the FTD's "Elvis at The International", "Writing For The King", "All Shook Up", "The Way It Was", "Summer Festival", "Dragonheart", "Southern Nights", and "Spring Tours '77".
Alternate takes from the original recording session have made it to "Platinum : A Life In Music", "Elvis '56" and FTD numbers, "Flashback" and "Elvis Presley", etc, etc...A song that it evolved over time and was interpreted differently in later shows in the 70's... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOivfQoFcRM

"Following the Path of the King...

Mae Axton and Tommy Durden.    
"Heartbreak Hotel"

The Song Composers.
What Mae Axton would tell is that Tommy Durden showed her the newspaper clipping where it was written about a suicide, a story about a middle-aged man who had ripped all identification from his clothes, documents, etc so that no one could identify him. and had written in a note before taking his own life: "I walk down a lonely street"
That shocked her and she thought that she would be right to write about a hotel with the anguish of a broken heart, at the end of a lonely street. She had promised him the million-dollar song for Elvis and she believed this would be the one for him...and she was not wrong.
Glenn Reeves recorded it but she didn't think it was suitable or understood it, they offered him part of the benefits for her collaboration and he rejected them thinking that they would never get anything out of it. Obviously he would eventually hit his head on the wall for having refused those benefits.

When Elvis first heard it, his eyes lit up and he was captivated by the music and the lyrics. According to Mae Axton, it was she who offered him a third of future benefits and it would never be the Colonel who demanded them. She would be friends with Elvis until he passed away, sometimes he called her, when something bothered him. She would describe him as kind, sweet, very shy, talented, and wonderful. She knew the whole family and always trusted him.

Tommy Durden when he first heard the song, he was a bit disappointed, because he wasn't expecting that sound. He did not recognize the song, it is true that regardless of the interpretation, as a whole, the sound was different and some fit it and others did not. The composer when he writes a score always has a clear idea of ​​what he wants to hear and in this case, it was not for him.
But his name lives on in history thanks to Elvis and vice versa. Tommy met him in person, but hardly dealt with him.
This would be the only song they composed for Elvis. The song would be recorded on January 10, 1956 at RCA Studios. Nashville. It would be the first song published by RCA, as Elvis Presley would promise.

"Following the Path of the King..."

"Money Honey"

This song would be chosen by Elvis, he really liked Clyde McPhatter, one of his favorite singers, and it was already included in the repertoire he had been singing since January 1955."
Money Honey" is a song written by Jesse Stone that was released in September 1953 as the first single from Clyde McPhatter first backed by the newly formed Drifters. The song was an immediate hit and remained on the rhythm and blues chart for 23 weeks, reaching number one. Jesse Albert Stone would be his author, musician and composer of rhythm and blues whose influence spanned a wide range of genres. To avoid problems with record companies he used the pseudonyms Charles Calhoun and Chuck Calhoun. His best known composition like Calhoun was "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and Flip, Flop and Fly". He would be one of the key composers of the sound and genre that was born in these times, Rock 'n' Roll.

Recorded on January 10, 1956 at the first RCA session, it would be chosen for convenience by Elvis and because he knew it was one of the songs that his audience might prefer because of the rhythm. It would be recorded first on Sun Records, but like any other song there is no record. It was a song that Elvis sang and enjoyed with full rhythm and he felt comfortable enough with the song to perform it in one of his first televised appearances, " StageShow".
It was included years later in "A Golden Celebration". The song first appeared on Elvis' first LP, "Elvis Presley." in March 1956, closely followed by its inclusion on the "Heartbreak Hotel" EP. "Money Honey" reached number 76 on the charts on the strength of this EP, as a single it would not have much success when it was released on August 28, 1956, with the song "One-Sided Love Affair". It was included on "The Complete Sun Sessions", "Elvis '56", and "For LP Fans Only". Compilations of "Sunrise and Hayride", a 1956 Las Vegas live concert at "Elvis Aron Presley", appeared 1955 live performances. "Elvis Aron Presley", "The King Of Rock 'n' Roll", "Live in Las Vegas" and "Today Tomorrow & Forever". Before his engagement in Las Vegas in the summer of 1970. Also on "That's The Way It Is" and on the album "Platinum: A Life In Music." FTD releases with alternate takes "Flashback" and "Elvis Presley", etc.
Elvis Presley - Money Honey - YouTube

"I'm counting on you"

Elvis recorded this country ballad by Don Robertson at his first session for the new RCA label, on January 11, 1956, for release on his double EP and LP titled "Elvis Presley."
The song was later chosen as the B-side of "I Got A Woman" in late August 1956. Posthumous releases include "The King Of Rock And Roll", "The Country Side of Elvis", and "Flashback" FTD. Features an Alternate Take on Platinum: "A Life In Music," Half a dozen alternates appeared on 2006 FTD's "Elvis Presley."

Steve Sholes was the one who made him the proposal to sing a ballad and Elvis would gladly accept, because he liked the song. The truth is that Sam Phillips was not very much in favor of ballads and for this reason, Elvis, if he liked them, would be willing to do ballads. He would finally find himself very satisfied by this ballad and by being able to have a suitable vocal accompaniment. It is true that his voice is also more confident, more focused than when he previously performed ballads...
Elvis was finding his place in this style just like he did in Sun Records.
His songwriter Don Robertson was a bit averse to a young Elvis Presley whom he hardly knew, because he had been promised a great artist, but in time his opinion of him would change. Robertson met Elvis later in 1961, one of his assistants called him because he wanted to meet him in person and heard him sing one of his songs and joke around, they sympathized. Elvis invited him to his home in Bel Air on many occasions to share his musical moments with him, sing and wanted to have him record more songs. De Robertson was a magnificent songwriter, a great balladeer and Elvis would record a total of 14 songs: "Anything That's Part Of You", "I'm Counting On You", "I'm Falling In Love Tonight", "I'm Yours", "I Met Her Today", "I Really Don't Want To Know", "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here", "Love Me Tonight", "Marguerita", "No More", "Starting Today", "There's Always Me", "They Remind Me Too Much Of You" and "What Now, What Next, Where To"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yeih8al8eyk

"I was the one"

EThis song was recorded on January 11, 1956 in Nashville with a three-part doo-wap accompaniment.
A wonderful romantic ballad, of lost love.
The score was written by Aaron Schroeder, Claude Demetrius, Hal Blair and Bill Peppers. It would be released as a single as the B-side of "Heartbreak Hotel" on January 27, 1956 and the first for RCA. The single entered the charts reaching number 23 and "Heartbreak hotel" would reach number 1.
For Elvis it would be the definitive step... the great leap for him as an artist. The most interesting thing about this song would be that Elvis was very proud of his interpretation. His way of singing, his special and unique style would make it unrepeatable...
Later, Elvis acknowledged that when he recorded this song he felt safe and therefore he said that he was proud of his vocal performance in this song. "I Was The One" first appeared in album form on "For LP Fans Only". During Elvis's lifetime, he also appeared on "Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol. 1" and has since appeared on "A Valentine Gift For You" and the CD edition of "Elvis Golden Reconds Vol I", among others.
He performed the song on Stage Show" in 1956 and live that year, it was also included in "A Golden Celebration" features the performance on television and the song performed at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show. A live version from May 1956 would be released in "Today, Tomorrow & Forever" in 2002. He also included the tune in his last Hayride performance (on various Louisiana Hayride collections) in late 1956. There are many performances in the 1970s, Elvis repeats the song during rehearsals for the 1970 documentary "That's The Way It Is," also first published on "Platinum: A Life In Music" in 1997, Also on "Walk A Mile In My Shoes" and on the 2000 release, " That's the Way It Is". An alternate studio version of the song appeared on the 1996 anniversary CD single "Heartbreak Hotel", on FTD's 2004 Flashback and 2006's "Elvis Presley" on FTD. The original studio recording in "Elvis '56" and "The Essential E lvis Presley". The song came out as a posthumous single in 1983, with "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck" on the B side. A song that remains in the memory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctWMITcNQD0

Elvis Presley's first appearance on TV


"The road to success"

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show. January 28, 1956. CBS Studio 50 in New York.
 One of the keys to the future success that Elvis was going to have was on TV, it was the point that could broaden the advertising scope and make the young artist known throughout the country , so far on the rise. But the TV would be the fuse that would set off the fireworks in their path. 
The Dorsey brothers were concerned about the audience of their program and looked for the novelty of the moment: Elvis Presley. It was always said that Colonel Parker would look for this opportunity, but one of the Dorsey brothers explained how they went in search of the artist that RCA had contracted, in order to revive his TV program. The program "The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show" had been formed by the brothers Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, they had been broadcasting their TV program since July 1954.
 It was an original variety program that was produced by Jackie Gleason for the CBS TV Network and they had a certain audience success so far. As time passed, the ratings had dropped a lot and they needed an incentive for their audience. They needed something or someone different to turn it around or at least to change their situation. 
Once the contract with RCA was signed, from November 1955 the figure of Elvis would attract the attention of all the television networks, for being the new star hired by the record company, but The Dorseys would be the first to cheer up. This was the reason to contact his manager and reach an agreement to bring Elvis to TV. From November they would contact to arrange the first performance at the end of January 1956. 


Elvis Presley with Scotty Moore, Bill Black and DJ Fontana rehearsed at Nola Studios in New York on Saturday morning, January 28. Nola Studios was on Broadway between 51st and 52nd streets, very close to the Warwick Hotel where they stayed with the Colonel. Elvis was respectful to Tommy Dorsey whom he met in rehearsals, he would also meet Jackie Gleason, who was not very happy about this hiring, because he did not like him. 
Dorsey knew that Elvis had a future and he didn't agree with Gleason and told him so. And besides, most of Dorsey's band members felt uncomfortable with Elvis, because they didn't accept him as he was. One of the musicians later confessed that during rehearsal some kids fell off the stage laughing at Elvis. 
The reason was the great impact that would result from a music, a performance that had nothing to do with what they did in these shows and they did not know how to understand it... Another of the musicians described it as unpleasant because it seemed dirty and because of the cut of the hair... in short, because it was not the normal thing that the rest did in terms of clothing and hairstyle, which clashed with the customs of the time. 
However, when the rehearsal ended, Tommy Dorsey predicted: "You see that guy, Elvis Presley is going to be one of the biggest names in show business in no time." That night the program aired from CBS Studio 50. On January 28, 1956, Tommy Dorsey introduced Cleveland disc jockey Bill Randle (who had already tried to introduce Elvis on TV 10 months earlier) who, in turn, introduced Elvis before the cameras saying: "At this time we would like to introduce you to a young man who, like many artists, including Johnnie Ray, came from nowhere to be a big star overnight."
 In the first performance there were a bit of confusion due to the arrangements in the performance with Dorsey's orchestra, who tried to fit the song with a full band arrangement, but only achieved confusion. The problem was that by following the rhythms of the singer, they performed the entire last verse off the beat... Dorsey's fault, since the boys were already used to his singing and his rhythm. It was the first performance and Elvis still a unknown, it did not attract a large audience, but it did leave a lot of impact on the public. 
This day he shared a cast with singer Sarah Vaughan and comedian Gene Sheldon. 


Elvis wore a black shirt, white tie, dress pants with a bright stripe and a tweed jacket. With his songs "Shake, Rattle & Roll with Flip, Flop & Fly" and "I Got a Woman", the audience reacted with both surprise and interest. When Elvis Presley sang this first show on January 28, 1956, he would break all the schemes of the public, his music would shake the world. The moment was surprising for a conservative society like the United States, since nobody believed in this young man who sang in such a different way. His rhythm, his energy and his voice would leave everyone excited and surprised. The show received an audience share of 18.4%. If we compare it to other shows in the same genre it wouldn't be much of a stretch, it might be a little low, but for the Dorseys it was a hit and they decided he would appear on five more shows. Elvis would get $1,250 for each of the six "Stage Shows" in which he performed. It was a good business and obviously, the best advertising apart from Radio, TV, would be a total success. 

"Following the Path of the King..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXiX3cl03DE






The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show . First appearance on TV

Elvis would choose during rehearsal the songs he was going to sing on the TV show. He decided on "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and "I Got a Woman", curiously he would leave the song that had been published the day before, "Heartbreak Hotel", his first single with RCA.
A bit absurd that no one advised him, neither the Colonel nor RCA, precisely to promote the album. It was clear that the decision would further delay his popularity and success, although it was already clear that the doors would be open to the public, there was still much to be done.
DJ Fontana would say that at this time Elvis did not like rehearsing very much, what he liked was directly playing and singing the improvised song, although it seems that he had already decided what he wanted to do when they arrived in New York. The program was broadcast on alive so any mistake would have been detrimental to him, so it is very likely that Elvis did not want to risk and sing the song that he had not been able to rehearse.
Elvis was very nervous and he was behind the scenes, but not more than he used to be, his colleagues always told of him that he was like a small mine about to explode. Scotty sometimes described him as if he were a caged lion, because of the way he moved, his restless and at the same time fierce mood... But that nervousness worked in his favor, because Elvis turned it into a joke, into improvisation and although sometimes he could forgetting some fragment of the lyrics, he transformed it into pure energy and his interpretation went crazy before his audience. Although he was still in the early beginnings of his stage, Elvis had already begun to dominate with his performance to the viewers.

SECOND RECORDING SESSION AT RCA.
AT RCA.30,31 January, 3 February 1956

Producer: Steve Sholes.Sound Engineer: Ernie Oehlrich.


Elvis Presley: Voice and guitar
Guitar: Scotty Moore. 
Bass: Bill Black. 
Battery: Dj Fontana. 
Piano. Shorty Long

The week after the Dorseys' first "Stage Show", they would record again at RCA in New York studios, they met at RCA studios on East 24th Street. For these new recordings, Steve Sholes hired a pianist Shorty Long, who was actually a Broadway musical stuntman, to sit in with the band. He brought her a list of songs that Elvis would review and only chose one.
There was still no great rapport, but Elvis would overcome these obstacles interpreting the songs that were going to be recorded to his liking. Elvis was excited about the Jordanaires' participation, but was greatly disappointed that they were not booked for the session. He still didn't connect well with his producer Steve Sholes, although he was polite, but he still wasn't comfortable.
For his first song, Sholes chose Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes," the last single that had recently been released on Sun Records. It was a good song and as a result it went up the charts. Sholes was somewhat pressured by the rest of the RCA members for these new recordings and wanted to do things right, for this reason he called Sam Phillips and told him that they were recording the song. He promised Sam that it would not be released as a single. But he couldn't keep his promise, since Elvis would sing it on the Dorsey's TV show and RCA decided to release it later.
The song would be recorded in more than a dozen takes, the truth is that Elvis believed that he could not improve Perkins' original. Elvis wanted to record "My Baby Left Me", he was more comfortable with this blues song by Arthur Crudup, who had written his first hit, "That's All Right, Mama". Although the song would be recorded without any difficulty, because everyone was very motivated, producer Steve still doubted that this style of song would be the most appropriate and that the rest of the band would like it. RCA executives. But Elvis was governed by his instinct, not by the expectations that the record company might have, and Sholes had not yet adapted to his vision.
In these sessions another song composed by Crudup "So Glad You're Mine" and the song "One Sided love" were recorded which Sholes managed to persuade Elvis to finally record. Steve Sholes' intention was to get enough songs to that RCA could release an album. I would try to do it this way.

They stayed at the Warwick Hotel and Elvis went sightseeing, while the rest stayed near the Hotel. They had no idea what was already going on. For the next few weeks, they stayed on the road, returning to New York every weekend to appear on "Stage Show".
The original four performances were expanded to six, with the last performance scheduled for March 24. After four consecutive performances, they took some time off to fulfill their Saturday night Hayride duties. As March began, "Heartbreak Hotel" reached number 14 on the pop charts. It was the first time Elvis broke the Top 20 on the pop charts. Little by little he would go up the positions and there was also another factor that happened at this time. The designs of destiny made Carl Perkins have a car accident, when he had to receive a gold record for "Blue Suede Shoes" on the "Perry Como Show" (TV), which was going to be broadcast together with the "Stage Show". "from Elvis. Perkins missed the show due to the serious accident. Unfortunately for him, his song stalled at number 3, while Elvis's would reach number 1. 

"Following the Path of the King..."

February 4, 1956.
The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show
Second performance of Elvis on Tv.



SONGS: "Baby, Let´s play House" y "Tutti Frutti".


The Dorseys' shows were very varied, if somewhat old-fashioned, so someone with a fresh image and a different sound, a new style, Rock and Roll, would be beneficial for them. They say that Elvis was not very comfortable With these artists, it would be logical to think that they had nothing to do with him and he was not very comfortable.
The Dorseys enthusiastically reintroduced him, although they were concerned about the contrast of something so new to their audience. His attire and lighting had changed radically, much more light, from jacket to light satin-striped trousers, white shirt and tie.
His hair more combed than the first time, his performance even more animated, with the most shocking movements if possible, fast, sexual... his legs trembling uncontrollably, while screaming... "let ´s rock".
Elvis would sing the song "Baby, Let's play House" first, Elvis' live performance of Arthur Gunter's song was incredible and the response from the audience was screaming and enthusiastic. Later he would sing the song "Tutti Frutti" by Little Richard, provoking immediate and prolonged screams, Elvis would again respond with his performance corresponding to his audience, his body seemingly out of control, his hair tousled.
The screaming was again the same as it caused on stage, the audience went crazy. Elvis was dominating the situation, despite his nerves and he would recognize his new audience, he even smiled without holding back, while he sang, he would begin to savor that sensation that the spotlights give in television studios, that feeling of having power in your fist.

At the end of the show The Dorsey Brothers reintroduced him for a week later and continued to be gracious hosts and even escorted Elvis to Roseland that night because he had a three-week concert tour due to start the next day. difference of generation and styles was in between and weighed between them. But luckily they never made Elvis feel that way, they were very kind. Harry Kalcheim was an agent for the William Morris Agency office in New York, and was hired by the Colonel to attend one of Elvis's shows. Kalcheim, who had worked with Parker for years, was impressed by the emotional impact Elvis had on audiences. A curiosity of the show was that at the end of the program Elvis played a joke on Joe E. Brown, one of the most famous comedians of the moment, when they greeted the public, he stood in front and Joe Brown followed the joke. Harry Kalheim then told him not to clown around on stage again. Kalheim knew that Elvis was a fresh, new potential and wanted to find solutions so that he could better market himself to new talent. He and Colonel Parker discussed the best strategy for this. Kalcheim wanted the singer to play live in New York and increase his tours outside the South, but the Colonel believed that television offered the greatest benefits for his protégé and grew impatient with Kalcheim, as always, he wanted no one to step on his ground.
In any case, Elvis would again have the door open with TV and although he did not sing the song "Heartbreak Hotel", published a few days before, the Single was climbing the charts when, on February 4, 1956, Elvis made his second appearance on Stage Show. Elvis would follow his intuition and would not sing it yet on the Dorsey show. The Path was mapped out and little by little the song would rise on the charts, but it is clear that if it had been televised the rise would have been faster.

Elvis genius and figure...
"Following the Path of the King..."

The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show 2

February 4, 1956. The Dorsey Brothers Stage ShowSecond performance of Elvis on Tv.

Elvis Presley in Concert. February to April 1956

Concert Season from February 1956
Elvis traveled to do concerts, live shows beginning in February 1955. Things were not only busy, they were frenetic. Elvis, Scotty and Bill performed nearly 50 shows in just over two months from February 19 through the end of April, visiting various cities from Cleveland, Ohio, to Odessa, Texas. They also had the TV shows in New York. They would also release the single "Baby Let Play House" with "I'm Left You're Right, Ella She Ella's Gone".Most of his performances were in Texas, where Elvis was already well known and making enough of an impression that he was already famous in some big places. The television had not yet created the desired effect, the process was slower. He needed to expand into other territories and grow.Everything followed a process that would be done step by step, just like the records. Although the shows were successful, there were still many barriers to cross. It was a big step compared to the early days of 1955.

Live shows, from 19 to 30, 1955
Arkansas to Louisiana Week Tour:
February 20, Little Rock, to February 25, Texarkana.
"WSM Grand Ole Opry Show".
Elvis is third in acting after the Duke of Paducah and Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters.
Colonel Parker co-promoted the shows.

Local Memphis and Shreveport Performances:
Local performances from March 2 to 12.
Variety of supporting acts including Jimmy Work and Betty Amos.

  Memphis to Houston via College Station"Grand Prix Jamboree", broadcast on KPRC Radio: March 19, 20.
  Fourth Louisiana Hayride in College Station.
Houston Jamboree.
Arkansas and Texas ShowsFrom March 29 to April 2, Houston. The support was Onie Wheeler. the City Auditorium.
Weekend from 7 to 9 April.
Corinth to Shreveport. Texas Concert Week: April 10, Houston, to April 16, Dallas.
  Elvis headlined with Onie Wheeler. Mississippi to West Texas: April 20 at Grenada to April 30 at Gladewater.
From April 23, Elvis appeared with Dub Dickerson, Chuck Lee and Gene Kay and Walking A Ranch Hands.
The highlight was the remote broadcast of the Louisiane Hayride from Gladewater.
  Slim Whitman and Jim Reeves headlined in front of 3,000 spectators

The Dorsey Stage Show  Elvis Presley 3
11 February 1956


Third appearance of Elvis on TV
Again Elvis would act once again on TV, on the Dorsey Brothers Show. It was February 11, 1956, his popularity on the rise, already drawing the attention of the public. Above all, he attracted the curiosity of the people, because of his way of dressing, his hairstyle and of course his voice and his acting was what would most surprise this new audience. It was the novelty of the moment, it drove women crazy, but it attracted another type of attention that could attract problems, simply because of the novelty before others.
Although this would not be important at the moment, over time it would be a reason for changes.
After a few days of concerts, Elvis would perform again for the Dorsey brothers. The most interesting thing apart from Elvis's performance, would be that he no longer only attracted the attention of young women, but also more mature women. They wondered who was that impressive young man who made them vibrate with a different performance and not at all demure, as it was in the young people of the time.
Elvis was a bit uncomfortable, because the show was very old-fashioned, they even included two monkeys on stage. Although they had good musicians and Charlie Shavers' trumpet solos were impressive, the orchestra played classic numbers, nothing to do with what they were going to hear next.
Elvis wore a white jacket and shirt, a dark tie, and dark satin pinstripe pants. The song he opens his performance with is "Blue Suede Shoes" by Carl Perkins. He is much more confident in his performance on camera. Head bobbing in all directions, his performance was energetic and electrifying, punctuated by screams and applause from the audience, though these are more subdued than those from the crowd the week before. As for the making of the program, they would try to focus on Elvis from different angles, his profile is captured with another camera that keeps filming.
The audience's enthusiasm is greatest at the end, when he closes the song and Elvis stops to take a bow. What surprises him is that he wipes his mouth with the sleeve of his jacket. Steve Sholes had promised Sam Philips that he would not release the Perkins song, but due to the success of the broadcast, he would eventually release it.
The lights dim behind Elvis leaving only the figure of him to sing the next song. It was time to include his new album, Elvis sang the song "Heartbreak Hotel", which was already rising like foam on the billboard charts. Dorsey's band supported him on this song and Charley Shavers took the instrumental break on trumpet. But the Dorseys would come up with an orchestral arrangement to accompany him on the song, with such a blunder of the group that it would leave even Elvis clueless. The clash of styles was evident and the bewilderment would make Elvis try to rise above the accompaniment, difficult since his group was obscured by the orchestra.
Despite this, the experiment would be a precedent and the mixture of styles, although it would not go well, the public liked it, applauded and enjoyed the show. The curiosity before the show would be that there was a big snowstorm that day and this made Elvis and his partners, Bill, Scotty and Dj, arrived just in time to make the program that would take place in studio 50 of CBS. With hardly any rehearsal so it would be logical to think that this would be the reason why the orchestra would not fit the performance well with Elvis. Other guests on that night's program would be Ella Fitzgerald and Jackie Miles. Despite these shows, Elvis's appearances did not cause a stir throughout the United States, it would be only the slow progress towards success.
"Following the Path of the King..."


Cuarta aparición de Elvis Presley en Tv.
The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show
18 Febrero 1956

CBS Studio. 

Only a week had passed since the previous show and it was clear that he did not want to have the same result as in the previous one, the orchestral experiment could be again an option but Elvis would not risk again to sing the song "Heartbreak Hotel", which was climbing in the charts.
For this program Elvis would dress in a dark suit, tie and white shirt. This time he would bet on two songs that would also be to the public's liking. The program began to rise moderately in audience, due to the presence of this young artist who still promised many surprises. The Dorsey brothers were happy with his presence and benefit, even though they did not understand his music. But the program was not successful enough to last long despite the help and presence of Elvis.
On this occasion he will perform the song "Tutti Frutti", by Little Richard, with an energetic performance, which will already be a classic in his future shows. A song that the spectators live with enthusiasm, because Elvis makes them vibrate with his interpretation. The audience is ecstatic, Elvis plays and jokes with his voice in a childish way and they start clapping their hands to the song. He dominates the stage and the cameras as if he had been born on a TV set, security is already the keynote in his shows.
Elvis announces a new song he has recorded, the song "I was the One", the b-side of the recently released single. A composition that Elvis liked very much, that he sang with sensitivity, a ballad that he likes with his slow movements, but observing his audience, he holds his hands to control his movement. His warm and close voice coaxes the audience again with his performance. The accompaniment of the choir in the dark were part of The Dorsey's band, they complement the vocal embellishment well.
A song composed by Aaron Schroeder, Bill Peppers, Claude Demetrius and Hal Blair. Due to his commitment to Louisiana Hayride, Elvis would not be able to return to the Stage Show until a month later, a new opportunity to perform for a TV audience on "The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show". For this occasion Elvis would sing the songs "Tutti frutti" by Litle Richard and "I was the one", one of his favorite songs. For each of the Stage Show appearances the band rented their equipment in New York, while Red West his friend and Gene Smith, his cousin, transported the instruments so they could get to the next live gig.
He went from gig to gig and would be booked for two more TV appearances, Elvis would be paid $1500 for each performance. It would be a month until the next performance on this Show.

"Following the Path of the King..."




Advancement to Fame

At this time, Colonel Parker wanted to break the agreement signed by Elvis and Bob Neal to continue performing at the Louisiana Hayride, which had been signed a year earlier. What he decided to do was to buy that obligation with ten thousand dollars and untie the agreement. He had another angle for Elvis' future and his future performances. The vision was to expand in territory and reach more audiences that were previously unattainable.
These television performances were bringing popularity, but it still wasn't enough, there were high expectations and the Colonel wanted to look for more options, to reach higher. The option was to look to Hollywood and seek other opportunities for Elvis Presley fame. Parker had forged a long-term relationship with William Morris agency head Abe Lastfogel and New York office manager Harry Kalcheim; Parker had first collaborated with them and the Elvis TV show, but it took a while for the agency to take the young star seriously, and Parker had given the job to a young independent agent, Steve Yates.
Now Morris' agents were moving fast, trying to make up for their loss of exclusivity on Elvis Presley. Elvis' dream was to act in movies, and when he told the Colonel about it, the Colonel saw a special light go on. He also wanted to project his career and present him in Las Vegas, everything was still very green, but the road was beginning to change course little by little. He had already made 4 shows on TV, but the response was still very modest until the end of February 1956, and then there were the projects of RCA, Steve Sholes, his producer, wanted Elvis to return to the studio to continue recording for more publications.
It was being projected to be able to elaborate the first LP, called "Elvis Presley". They wanted to expand throughout the territory and needed Elvis appearances in New York, the Midwest, Los Angeles, places where he had not yet proven himself. Another important factor would be the presence of Rock 'n' Roll on Southern radio and moving forward with the rise of "Heartbreak Hotel" with Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes" on the Billboard charts. The two singles were challenging each other day in and day out on the charts.
Once again Steve Sholes suffered a crisis of confidence, because Perkins' song was ahead of "Heartbreak Hotel", but all this would change after Elvis' next TV performance on March 17th. Elvis sang both songs at the request of his audience. The battle was over; "Heartbreak Hotel" passed once and for all to Perkins' success. Unfortunately Perkins had a car accident and was seriously injured, his engagements postponed and this would affect his performances, precisely when he was going to make his debut on National TV. It is very possible that if he had been able to perform on the "Perry Como Show" that was broadcast a day before the one Elvis was going to perform on March 24 at the Dorsey Stage Show, we will never know if things would have changed... The designs of fate...The rest is history.

"Following the Path of the King..."

 

5th TV Appearance.
17 March 1956,
THE DORSEY BROTHERS STAGE SHOW.

5th TV Appearance.
March 17, 1956, THE DORSEY BROTHERS STAGE SHOW.


March 17, 1956. Again in the Dorsey Brothers TV Show, with all the naturalness and security that gives him to be a character of the program and the applause and shouting of the public. Elvis chooses for this occasion two sure hits. Elvis in this occasion dresses with a black shirt, white tie and dark suit. Elegant and confident in front of the audience. Curiously the program dedicated or set in the St. Patrick's Day holiday with fake Irish names in the opening credits, evidently it was something comical, they included "Elvis O'Presley".
They also added white shamrocks painted on the stage in the decorations, adding to the corps de ballet some letters on the costumes, the words "Good luck". Elvis is already the guest artist of honor whom Tommy Dorsey defines as: "an artist whose provocative style has caused a storm all over the country". And he introduces him with enthusiasm: "For his fifth appearance on Stage Show is the singing star of Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, Louisiana, the one and only, Elvis Presley! "The screams follow the performance, the audience is already loyal to the Artist. Elvis, more confident than ever, controls the camera and the audience's reaction.
He comes on stage again with his accompanists Scotty Moore, guitar, Bill Black on bass and DJ Fontana on drums. He sings the song "Blue Suede Shoes" by Carl Perkins. He shouts and encourages his companions Scotty, Bill and DJ, who as always follow him. The shouting of the audience reinforces even more the performance and the attitude of Elvis. Bill Black who sometimes juggled with his instrument, drops his bass, straddles it and would run his hands over his head, as he used to do during Elvis' shows. This was not to the taste of Colonel Parker, who had already scolded him.
https://youtu.be/vd9I0yu_BjY

Then Elvis would present his new song: "We've got another song here, folks, that we hope you like, it's called "Heartbreak Hotel".
The song, released as a single and composed by Axton and Arden, had been climbing the charts since January 1956. His interpretation more insinuating each time. Elvis sways with his body... screams again, they respond to every gesture, every movement. This time the performance was done without orchestra, only with his band. He drops his left arm and swivels his legs in a rhythmic, slamming motion, which mixes with the slow, bluesy rhythm of the song, and the audience literally goes crazy. Even his movements are very slight but they have an effect. Elvis already had his touch on stage and with time he will also evolve in his performance....
https://youtu.be/MzRnKQrm61w

It is true that the audience of this show was of another generation , another middle age that could hardly understand or accept the music of this young artist. But he was applauded and recognized all the same, adding to the young audience that already loved him and asked for this song. It is confirmation of his still growing popularity.

"Following El Camino de el Rey..."

LP "Elvis Presley", EP, Double EP










PUBLICATIONS OF THE FIRST LP, EP and DOUBLE EP, OF ELVIS PRESLEY
On March 22, 1956, RCA, made several publications at the same time. It was a big gamble for an artist who was still growing, but gradually becoming known in a progressive way. His recent TV appearances and the rise in the charts of the single "Heartbreak Hotel", encouraged this triple release with risk and great investment of the label.

EP "Elvis Presley"
Songs:
"Tutti Frutti", "Just Because", "I Got a woman" y "Blue Suede Shoes".

His first EP (extended play). It was necessary to commercialize his songs, due to the growing success that Elvis Presley had and to be able to profit with his contract evidently, the publication was very successful commercially, since it would sell around 400,000 copies. As for the charts it would reach the 24th position in the Billboard. Curiously in its commercial strategy was included at the same time the launching of the first LP of Elvis, titled "Elvis Presley". It was clear that RCA had in mind to be able to compensate the expenses and the investment made in their artist.

LP "Elvis Presley "Songs: 
"Blue Moon", "Money Honey", "Just Because", "Tutti Frutti", "I got a woman", "Blue Suede Shoes", " I love you because", "I'm counting on you", "One Sided love affair", "I'll never let you go" and "I'm gonna sit right down and cry (over you)".
RCA took advantage of the recordings made at Sun Records and the recordings that had been made in the studios themselves later, to publish this great LP. This record has been catalogued as a Platinum Record by the RIAA. The cover was made with the photograph taken at a concert the previous year in Tampa, on July 31, 1954, highlighting a close-up.

"Elvis Presley". Composed by 12 songs. It would reach number 1 in the US charts, obtaining a Gold certificate as a result. An absolutely innovative album for the moment, the sound, the interpretation, musically it was the sample of the new style that would change history and above all the interpretation of an artist with a powerful and distinct voice. It was clear that RCA was betting on his new signing, but the logic was somewhat particular, since a DOUBLE EP was also published, which did not bring anything new, since 8 songs were repeated, of those already published on the other LP.

DOUBLE EP "Elvis Presley""Tutti Frutti", "I Got a woman", "Blue Suede Shoes", "I'm counting on you", "One sided love affair", "I'll never let you (little darlin')" and "I'm gonna sit right down and cry (over you)".it is true that it would only sell around 150.000 copies, logically because of the other releases. 
This Double EP wouldn't even make the charts. It also didn't help that the album cover was the same on all 3 releases. Although it was an innovative cover, it would have helped to have differentiated with another photograph or to have varied the content... In any case it would be in general a great success for Elvis Presley, who was already on his way to success. 


"Following the Path of the King...".





The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show

Sixth Elvis Presley appearance

24 March 1956





On this occasion he will perform "Money Honey" and again "Heartbreak Hotel". It would be the last appearance in the Dorsey Brothers Stage Show for TV, from here the world opens for Elvis Presley during the following months of 1956.Elvis returns to headline the program, presented by Jimmy Dorsey, who announces the tests that Elvis will perform in Hollywood, for this he would travel the next day. This time his clothes are very similar to those of the previous program, his hair is less greasy and his way of moving is even more comfortable, more confident. The public already sees in these movements familiarity, everything seems more calculated and controlled by Elvis, but for the viewers they would be frantic.
The choice of these two songs did not seem entirely appropriate, at least in the first song, because the audience was somewhat subdued during the interpretation of "Money Honey". Applause could be heard but the screams were subdued and only during instrumental breaks, it seemed as if they were waiting for something else.
This more conservative audience still didn't really understand him, the song was not fully appreciated, the style was not the style of the show. But when Elvis sang "Heartbreak Hotel" they saw in Elvis a more varied, different and unusual performer.
The broadcasting of all these programs on TV, was not fully understood by the audience, mostly middle-aged, despite the success he could have had with the youth. In any case, her image was already known and much of this had to do with the programs. The sales of the records were boosted by the success of the song "Heartbreak Hotel", so Elvis ascends towards his success. Whether it was the record sales or his early appearances, the Road was on the move.... The truth is that the ratings for the Dorseys' show didn't go up, because the show was already out of date. But the song was already at an unstoppable point, reaching number one, seven weeks later and staying up to eight weeks in the charts.
By April it had sold a million copies. The most valuable thing about these broadcasts would be the experience Elvis Presley gained on TV, to bridge to other programs to follow. His control and management of the audience would henceforth be the keynote of his future performances.
The Dorseys' show was finally cancelled at the end of the season because of competition, as the other show on the air at the time was beating it in ratings. Unfortunately for the Dorsey brothers it would also come to an end, both died within a year of each other... eight months later Tommy Dorsey passed away after passing out drunk, choking on his own vomit. His brother Jimmy, passed away from cancer, unfortunately just after his last album "So Rare", reached number two on Billboard. Elvis would continue to rise...

The designs of Destiny

Interview with Robert Carlton Brown, The sweet face of youth

On March 24, 1956, Robert Carlton Brown interviewed Elvis at the Warwick Hotel, New York. It was conducted before Elvis was to make his last appearance on the Dorsey Brothers TV show. The interview was recorded and was also released as an album so that Elvis fans could listen to him talk about all kinds of topics, including his love life, his hobbies, etc.  In a natural and close way, the journalist Bob Brown, will ask him in general many of the curiosities that his fans may have. Although he was not yet well known, it was important to have already a vision of the star and the interest of this interview was to show much more about Elvis Presley. 
The answers will be fresh, natural and in many cases humorous or unpretentious. As Elvis Presley was as he always showed, sincere and humble, Bob Brown began by asking him about his spontaneous start at Sun Records. About his first recording dedicated to his mother Gladys, for her birthday. About his guitar he recorded with, Elvis said, " Yeah, I had an old twenty dollar guitar, it sounded like somebody hit a bucket, maybe, or something."... 
He was asked about his start, his jobs as an electrician, the truck he drove...About his hobbies, motorcycles...his musical tastes, to which Elvis said, I admire anybody that's good, no matter what kind of singer they are. Whether it's religious rhythms and rhythm and blues, hill-billy, etc. What kind of music he listened to... Pop music. Elvis said he admired Frank Sinatra. Mario Lanza: Of his songs Elvis confessed as his favorite "I was the one", a song he liked to sing.  
And a sample of Elvis' humor and natural way of being in the following question: "What do you think of the album?" " I like the way it sells ... "He also said that he liked to listen to some ballad sung by others, like Pat Boone, but he could not sing like that in that way. The interviewer told him that fans seemed to like the fast tunes better. Elvis told him that he usually sang two or three fast songs and made his audience jump, then he would stop and sing a slow one and lose them for a while, they go to sleep ... he always answers with a lot of humor.The interviewer asked him about his audience, young? Elvis told him that he wanted all the people in the audience to like his music, that he felt bad for not reaching all ages. 
He felt he was embraced by the people he knew...he talked about his first album, etc.The interview was very natural because he was asked all kinds of questions about his education, whether he studied theater or was self-taught, etc.  About his mother, about whom Elvis said he worried a lot, especially in case they had an accident, in case she got sick or something like that. Elvis had bought a new house in Memphis and they asked him about it, he was moving into 1034 Audubon Drive, a seven room ranch type house, three bedrooms, a den and a playroom.  Elvis told him the place was very nice, with new furnishings.About the question Do you save money? Elvis replied. "Yes, sir." 
It's funny how things would change over time, but in this beginning he did have a way of being more cautious. Elvis said he would save , although he had a lot of overhead, but he didn't do unnecessary things.About Colonel Parker he said he believed that without him he wouldn't be getting so big, that he was a very smart man. 
Asked about clothes, Elvis laughed and said that in the last year he had outgrown most of the things he had wrong with him. Of his weight of if he had changed, of his favorite food to which Elvis said he liked pork chops and country ham, creamed potatoes, things like that, red jello, etc. 
Clothing he said off stage he liked more conservative clothing and on stage he did like flashy. But it is true that his way of dressing was always different, since he was young. What Elvis called more conservative, was modern for the time and flashy, precisely because he was different from the rest of the young people. As for his family and his past years, Elvis said that although they could not afford luxuries, they never went hungry. 
He asked him about the TV or the crowded auditorium, if it made any difference to him how he felt there. Elvis said, "Well, the audience is fun. Sometimes you play to an audience that is packed with five or six thousand people and they don't respond as much as a really smaller audience. "The interviewer asked him again how he felt, the difference between a big audience or a small one and Elvis laughingly said, "it depends if we work with a percentage of the program..." .He also said he had to warm up before he started singing, feel like he's doing it, he couldn't stand still... He asked him if he was going to get married thought about it, what kind of girl did he want, to which Elvis replied " Well, what kind? That's a question I've never been able to answer. A blonde, or a brunette, or a redhead, or a technicolor. I don't have a dream girl in my mind right now." I don't want anyone who is more or less snobbish or fake, I'd like someone who is real. "He was also asked if he had ever had any serious girlfriends and Elvis said " The longest I was with a girl was about a year and a half. In fact, I only stopped seeing her when I started singing. I was so far away from her. The truth is that Elvis had already moved on and was dating other girls by then.His favorite actresses were Eva Marie Saint and Kim Novak.When asked if he could study acting somewhere like Marlon Brando did, Elvis replied that he would like to. He was due to audition for Hall Wallis two days later. Elvis confessed that he only slept three to four hours a day, to which the reporter asked him if he could get by on that? Elvis laughed. "What do you do, about six shows a week? We do seven shows a week. Actually, we do a little more than that, because as a rule, we do two or three a day. Two or three shows a day and we've done as many as four, starting at two o'clock and ending at ten o'clock. "They also talked about youth, crime...but Elvis didn't think much about it.Elvis said he wanted to keep his head level-headed, keep up with the times. He wanted as a goal to learn how to act in movies and he would.They asked him about happiness, being successful, what made him happiest? Elvis said that besides money and success, what he really wanted was to know that the people he could turn to were his friends, he didn't mean fans, he meant having real friends. Elvis already considered he had good friends in his work, but said he didn't want to name them lest he leave someone out.He was asked if he heard anything about what they thought of him, in the media, in the newspapers? Elvis laughed it off and said that when he was driving he got his tickets in the headlines... 
He liked movies and watching movies was one of the things he did when he had some free time. The last movies he had liked were "The Man with the Golden Arm" and "Picnic". Finally the reporter asked him if he had anything he wanted to say? "No, I guess that's all." An interview that gives a general idea of what Elvis was like, a simple, cheerful and joking 21 year old, with an ideal in terms of his aspirations to make movies. Attached to his family and wanting people who approached him to be sincere and to have real friends.The next thing was to go out on stage and sing...You can listen to the interview done at the following link;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJYjBUWnwmY
 


"Following the Path of the King..."


ELVIS PRESLEY.
THE MILTON BERLE SHOW

Hancock, San Diego, California.
April 3, 1956Songs:
"Shake Rattle And Roll"
"Heartbreak Hotel"
"Blue Suede Shoes"

Broadcast: Tuesday, April 3, 1956 aboard the USS Hancock for NBC-TV.Starring: Milton Berle, Esther Williams, Elvis Presley, Harry James, Buddy Rich, Arnold Stang.
Executive producer: Irving Gray.
Produced and directed by: Milton Berle.
Music director: Victor Young.

This time it was Elvis' popularity that prompted the producers of this program to make a deal with Colonel Parker, Milton Berle's show was popular, but it was already aging, so a revival was needed to boost the audience it so desperately needed. As for Elvis, these television appearances further benefited his popularity, as it made him a cache artist, with the company of big name guest stars. It was a renowned program even if it was at a time of lower ratings and RCA also sponsored the broadcast of it.Milton Berle was known by the unofficial title of "Mister Television" and often jokingly, because he was aware of his popularity, called himself as "America's Uncle". It was also said of his show that it had spurred the purchase of more television sets.He had a contract since 1951, with NBC, which paid him $100,000 a year, whether he had a show on the air or not. He was a sure value, but his TV variety shows were already outdated.
 His shows with comedians, singers, dancers and ventriloquists, even acrobats, was at a delicate moment and over time he made changes in order to renew himself.Milton Berle would tell that Colonel Parker was a controlling person and would not let you show the contract to Elvis. This is what he remembered, Colonel Parker grabbed him and said, "Don't show that kid that contract!" So it was clear, Elvis didn't know what he was getting. Elvis trusted blindly, so he could be in for a lot of surprises in the future, on this or any other contract.Rehearsals were given for three days aboard the Hancock. And Milton Berle would get very close to Elvis who he took a liking to, It would be mutual because Elvis saw in him a cordial and sincere treatment, so there was mutual respect.Although during the rehearsals Elvis and his band were impressed because they would meet Harry James, the trumpet player and Buddy Rich, drummer; but sadly they were scorned, confessed D.J. Fontana. In addition to the comments he heard while they were rehearsing "Blue Suede Shoes," in which they were defined as "horror"... 
Berle would be the only emcee who treated Elvis as he deserved without controlling what he did. Berle always said that Elvis was a great guy and was very easy to work with.From the rehearsals would come out a much more polished performance than the Dorsey Brothers, the sound was more authentic, more real and clear. It was televised live and the curiosity of doing the show outdoors on a ship with sailors as spectators would result in audience enthusiasm.NBC was already experimenting with colorcast, but by and large everyone had black and white TV.At the beginning of the Show, he is introduced alone, singing a solo snippet of "Shake, Rattle and Roll", as a sample in his introduction and Berle wears a comic admiral's uniform. As he introduces swimmer, actress, Esther Williams


Berle introduces him as a young man who in a few short months has gained tremendous popularity in the music business. Introducing him as the new RCA artist.Elvis wears a tight black shirt and black pants with a white belt, tie and buck shoes. His image is confident and serious as he walks to the microphone. And when the music starts, the audience begins to shout and clap because they already recognize him. The audience is military and quite enthusiastic, they like the music Elvis sings and his rendition of "Heartbreak Hotel" gets a lot of applause. Although in these performances, Elvis is a bit more subdued compared to the Stage Show performances. But the tone is the same, his performance is brilliant and accompanied with Scotty, D.J and Billy who are also enthusiastic and in this performance we can see them in full illumination, without being in twilight.In the performance of the next song, "Blue Suede Shoes", Elvis is more animated, a number that clearly he has already studied it, because at the moment of more impact, he threw his hands , shouting "Go, cat, go!" just as he had done during his Hollywood screen test. Screaming from the audience, the military are very animated too , because they like what they are listening to. 
Elvis sings as usual and Scotty with his guitar solo and with a clearer sound, which we can appreciate in a natural performance with Billy cheering as usual and riding his double bass... quite a show.At the beginning of the number, Elvis breaks a guitar string and struggles to remove it, finally tearing it off completely. 
The song is also a crowd pleaser.After this performance, Elvis introduces his twin brother Milton Presley, he says his long-lost brother. Berle's outfit is identical to Elvis', but includes oversized comic shoes, an Elvis wig and a prop guitar, which ends up broken. A few jokes, to which Elvis replies in a matter-of-fact way in which he parodies the career and music he makes. Elvis enjoys or seems at ease with Berle the parody of the song he repeats but with him, dancing in his own way and copied by the comedian.Milton Berle treated Elvis very well and made him feel that his worth was authentic, not at all false he took a great affection for him that became mutual admiration.Although Elvis' performance on the Milton Berle Show would be a success, it would not be until two months later that he would perform again, but this time with an increase in cache, since his price was $5,000. The increase in audience would be the benefit obtained by the intervention of Elvis Presley.


 "Following the Path of the King..."


  https://youtu.be/jxgN86R1724


Recording Sessions. RCA Studios, Nashville.
McGavock St.


14 April 1956

"I Want You, I Need You, I love You"
Maurice Mysels &  Ira Kosloff.

A recording session was scheduled to be held on this day, April 14, 1956, but on this occasion, Elvis was fatigued by his constant touring, flight delays... and this session would be a bit complicated for everyone. Only one song would be recorded in three hours. Actually the flight of the day that they had done, was catastrophic because the pilot got lost and would almost run out of fuel, so it had given them so much trouble that they were all tired . Actually when they arrived at the studio, no one was in the mood to record, there was a photographer from LIFE magazine who was going to photograph him for the Golden Record award that Steve Sholes, his producer, was going to present to him. 
The photographer wanted to do a photo shoot for an article that would reflect the artistic rise of Elvis Presley. 
The album was finally the result of all his effort, the sales obtained from the single "Heartbreak Hotel, but it was also for him his effort in his tours, the days traveling from one place to another, the TV... 
For every artist the recognition was important and this would be the first step of an unstoppable career.They would start the recording session and the first thing Elvis did, would be to take off his jacket and shoes because he wanted to be more comfortable, but it was too early for everyone and they were not used to it. The initial song they wanted to record was a ballad with rhythm, but for some reason it became clumsy in the recording and it was difficult to channel the score to get the result. Another detail was the vocal accompaniment that had already accompanied Elvis in January, they were not happy either, because they said they didn't sound like a quartet. 
Something was missing, so Elvis told Gordon Stoker that next time he wanted to have the Jordanaires, which was Stoker's vocal group.The ballad that was being performed, "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You", became the A-side of the second single that was to be released for RCA. But Steve Sholes, Elvis' producer, was upset and frustrated, because they had spent a lot of money to put together the musical team and also needed material to make a second album, so he complained to Colonel Parker. 


He also realized that Elvis and Chet Atkins did not get along at all, so the situation was strange. Elvis had not chosen any other song and no other material was to be had, but also the effort put into this song would already be enough for them to desist from recording anything else.Photographer Don Cravens was witnessing the session and took several photographs at this unfortunate session and the moment when Steve Sholes handed him the Gold Record, which would show smiling his band, Scotty Moore, Bill Black and DJ Fontana.Cravens had met Presley's manager, Colonel Thomas A. Parker, in Nashville and had been asked to do this job as well. He photographed Elvis on many more occasions, including when he would do military service in Germany , he photographed him for a month, Elvis would invite him every day for breakfast with his family and on more occasions after his return home. "I want you, I need you, I love you" would eventually be recorded despite the lack of concentration and general circumstances.Although it seemed a somewhat stiff recording, the score would turn out to be wonderful in Elvis Presley's voice. A ballad that would reach the fans, when he sang it in concert it was very applauded and evidently in spite of the recording cost, the result would be the expected. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIwHunwe4EQL


A song was composed by Maurice Mysels and Ira Kosloff, it was released in early May 1956 as a single, with the song "My Baby Left me" by Arthur Crudup. It reached #3 on the charts. Although the RCA executives doubted which song would be the one that had to be the A-side. But it was clear that it was a special track as well so it would receive the expected success. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmy8UoUbdF8L
A song appeared on an EP, "The Real Elvis" and on the album "Golden Records, Vol 1. Live TV recordings on "Milton Berle Show" and "The Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show". On " A Golden Celebration", "The Steve Allen Show", "Worlwide 50 Gold FTD Award Hits Vol 1. "The Top Ten Hits", "Elvis '56", "Elvis 2nd to None", "Hitstory", "Elvis by the Presleys", "Love Elvis", etc. Alternative studio takes on "A legendary Performer Vol.2", "The King of Rock And Roll", "Platinum A life in Music", "Today tomorrow and Forever", etc.If we listen to the song performed in the studio this day, the speed was a little slower than what would eventually result in the single, it is true that the chorus doesn't quite sound like a quartet and Elvis molds to it, as he goes along. 


He would get confused in the lyrics, but finally he would master the song, although it is evident that when he got to perform it live, it had nothing to do with this strange day, a wonderful song that in concert would make the audience shudder, Elvis would sing it on many occasions. The score is simple, easy to read and not of risky tessitura. In this artistic period from 1954 to 1958, the type of music he made at that time would innovate musically and change the course of many young people, who considered him a symbol of rebellion. Although this song was a ballad, it would also boost his popularity, because he also sang it on TV broadcasts. In the following program for NBC, on June 5, 1956 on the Milton Berle Show, with the song "Hound Dog", would be the beginning of the scandal in the media. 


"Following the Path of the King.."


The Nation's First & Largest Elvis Presley Fan Club

In 1956, Kay Wheeler was a 16-year-old girl, who like all teenagers of the time was influenced by the songs of Elvis Presley. The first time she heard him sing "Mystery Train", she was blown away by his music and it was as if an atomic bomb had been dropped on her, she was a true fan and she was only 16 years old. This would be during a radio broadcast from the "Big D Jamboree" in Dallas.
Everything would change from the night she went to visit her aunt who worked at the KLIF Radio station in Dallas. It was a Saturday and he went to collaborate with her, when he was there, a disc jockey from the Radio station passed by where the two were, he told them : " Hey , you won't believe this crazy record I just got, with a corny name called Elvis Presley!".... Kay was surprised that he would defend his idol and said, "What do you mean by that? All the girls are crazy about him ... I've even thought of having a fan club for him!..."..."

All this was very funny to the DJ so later, he would play a joke on the Radio and while playing an Elvis record, he announced Kay Wheeler's name and address as president of the Elvis Presley Fan Club... What started as a joke, resulted in 3 big boxes of mail arriving at his house after two days from girls who wanted to join the Club. This prompted Kay to want to make the idea of forming this Club a reality and write to Bob Neal, Elvis' former manager. He sent it to Tom Parker, his current manager, and it found its way into the hands of Carolyn Asmus who was the Colonel's assistant. She replied that they currently had no official Elvis Club and authorized him to form one. It would be then when Kay would form the Nation's First & Largest Elvis Presley Fan Club. It should be noted that Kay's work was so great, that the Club was growing to the point that The Colonel would want to control it, as always for his benefit.
In any case Carolyn would tell Kay that Elvis would be performing in San Antonio, Texas, on April 15 and that she could meet him in person. The meeting took place that day before the concert he was to perform in San Antonio and Kay's impression in the dressing room with Elvis was that he was a young "rockabilly rebel".
Elvis as always was charming, he introduced himself and approached her, put his hands around her and kissed her. Kay fell more in love with Elvis, it was logical because she was a Fan in the first place, but also the personality of Elvis always left a kind of spell or impact to the one who met him for the first time. During the performance Kay stood dancing in a corner of the stage, enjoying the show. Elvis noticed her and her dancing caught his attention so after the show was over, he asked her to teach him her special steps which she called "Rock & Bop".
During the Texas tour she traveled with the group, continued to share with him and for the next two years....  Although their relationship went no further, she did visit his home on occasion and it is true that Elvis' mother, Gladys told her son that Kay reminded him a lot of her as a youngster , encouraging and supportive in her approach. But Elvis was very scattered then because of all that was going on, his rise as an artist was already growing and he had too many options to choose from.
Kay has even confessed that she fell in love with this Elvis she considered wild and free... but when he started making films, she suffered a major disappointment because she saw him change under the influence of Colonel Parker, losing the roots she had seen so deeply rooted in him.
Kay Wheeler liked to dance, developing her own style of dancing which she called "Rock & Bob" and during a concert she would be caught by the director of a film that was being shown about Rock. She would be the first white woman to be named Queen of Rock & Roll, for her performance in the 1957 film, "Rock baby Rock it". In these images we can appreciate her way of dancing and the steps she made Elvis learn.
It is true that if we look at the way Elvis interpreted his songs before mid-April 1956, although his swagger and his movement was frenetic and was already returning to the enthusiastic youth, his dancing and his steps, evolved radically changing to sweep with his interpretations. His voice, his interpretation and his insinuating, magnetic movements would do the rest, but regardless of Kay's help, Elvis would come to have his own unmistakable style forever.
Kay would always defend Rock and supported Elvis during these difficult years when this style was persecuted by the incomprehension of the youth. At the age of 17, she was also recruited to do some other films for American International and the Hollywood publisher of "West Coast", "Cool" and "Hep kats magazine", etc.


But most importantly, thanks to Kay Wheeler, the fans had the opportunity to get a little closer to their idol Elvis Presley and from this first Club, many others would be born around the world that followed her work. The fans would always be for Elvis a reason for respect, care and attention. Since he started to be famous, he always treated them with affection, with generosity and always looking for the satisfaction of his audience. Elvis used to say that without his fans he would be nobody...

"Following the Path of the King..."






April 1956

The designs of destiny

The Signature of the Devil


Elvis continued with his already scheduled concert schedule and on April 1, Gene Smith and the band flew from Shreveport to San Diego, where Elvis was to appear again on a TV show, this time on Milton Berle's popular TV variety show. This time on Milton Berle's popular TV variety show.On April 2, the release of the contract with Louisiana Hayride takes place. The Colonel sends a check for $ 10,000 to Louisiana Hayride to finalize the contract.Elvis could now do his concerts and TV appearances freely.They had an agreement that Elvis would appear on a special Hayride benefit show in December. And the entrance into the world of movies... the proposal of Hal Wallis, in Hollywood, who offers him a contract for one movie and the option to make six more.
The negotiations of the same will be finalized on April 25. Elvis will sign an agreement whereby he will receive $15,000 for his first film, $20,000 for the second, $25,000 for the third, and so on up to $100,000 for the seventh film.  For a young singer with no acting experience, it was an opportunity to realize his dreams as an actor. But Elvis did not know what obligations, ties and sacrifices this would mean for him in the future.
Hal Wallis was a producer in Hollywood.He worked for Warner Bross until 1942, for Paramount, and in 1947 he would establish his own production company.Many of his titles were hits, Oscar for "Casablanca", well-known films like "The Maltese Falcon", "Bitter Victory", "Duel of the Titans, etc. Dean Martin's successful comedies with Jerry Lee Lewis would be Elvis' producer in 10 films; "Loving You" 1957, "King Creole" 1958, "GI Blues" 1960, "Blue Hawaii" 1961, "Girls,Girls,girls! "1962, "Fun In Acapulco" 1963, "Viva Las Vegas" 1964, "Roustabout" 1964, "Paradise Hawaiian Style" 1966 and the last one, "Easy Come, Easy Go" in 1967.
Colonel Parker reserves the right and the freedom to make a film every year with another studio, if he likes. 
Finally the proposal resulted in two films to be made: "Loving You" and "King Creole", and in October 1958 the contract was completely rewritten.sometimes we do not know where destiny takes us and when we open a new door, with hope and enthusiasm, we look forward thinking that everything we are going to find, is what we wanted to do. We search with our desires, our dreams, without stepping hard and looking down... sometimes flying on a cloud, without thinking of all that lies beyond that Path. Elvis was young, naive, but above all a hopeful dreamer.
 In his quest and longings to be an actor, he let everyone decide for him and this led him to meet a destiny that although he believed to be the best for him, would lead him to loathe over the years his film career.And this was the beginning when he decided to sign the contract as an actor, supervised by Colonel Parker. 
The Devil's Signature. 


"Following the Path of the King..."




EP "HEARTBREAK HOTEL"
19 April 1956. RCA



"Money Honey"
"I Was The One"
"Heartbreak Hotel"
"I Forgot To Remember to Forget"

Ep released in April 1956, sold 300.000 copies and reached the 76th position in the Billboard Charts. It would be an attempt to follow the success of the moment "Heartbreak Hotel"... but evidently the release of the Single and the Lp had already taken place.

NEW * Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel,
FULL EP, ORIGINAL VINYL .

20 April 1956.
 REMASTERED..ELVIS ♛ - YouTube

NEW * Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel, FULL EP, ORIGINAL VINYL .20 April 1956. REMASTERED..ELVIS ♛ - YouTube




The genius of the camera .
Photographs of the soul.
Alfred Wertheimer




Alfred Wertheimer was a young immigrant photographer from Germany. He still didn't know who Elvis was when he was asked to do a photo shoot that would eventually be the proof of the myth's success and rise.
Ann Fulcino, RCA's record publicist, called a photographer named Alfred Wertheimer to take pictures on March 17, 1956. It was at CBS Studio 50, where the TV broadcast for the Dorsey Brothers show was to take place. Ann introduced him to Elvis and told him that Wertheimer was going to take pictures of him for Rca. Elvis, who was in his dressing room buying from a traveling salesman, was looking at his ring with satisfaction.
Alfred pulled out the camera and started shooting pictures of him as Elvis was inspecting the diamond encrusted horseshoe ring with his head.
Alfred would stick with him, at all times, taking pictures of his most intimate self, lying on a couch with fan mail, even in the bathroom.   After leaving the Warwick Hotel, for the stage and the performance. It would be the first day for a photographer who would leave his mark, for his excellent work for Elvis. He would take the most famous photos for the fans. And with them we would know a little more about the life and personality of the myth.
Elvis accepted him without hesitation and with all the naturalness of the world. Although at certain moments he looks uncomfortable, due to the extreme closeness...
Wertheimer captured unique, wonderful moments, images so spontaneous and natural in Elvis' life. Examples were Elvis' flirtations with fans, at home, train rides from one place to another, rehearsals in front of the piano, in the intimacy of a hotel room, shopping for clothes in stores, recordings, during concerts... During 1956, the photographer took about three thousand snapshots, the sign of success and history.
With Elvis he would also become a master of photography and his photos became legendary.
"Following the King's Path..."

prev next

THE BEGINNING OF THE MADNESS APRIL 1956.
Elvis Presley in Concert.



After performing the Milton Berle Show, there was an outburst of people during the show held in San Diego, on April 4, 1956.  It was a two-day performance at the San Diego Arena and Elvis also went to a record store to promote himself. Elvis was introduced in concert by a local KCBQ DJ by the name of Harry Martin, known as "Happy Hare". Everything seemed normal at first, but during the concerts he was to perform, such was the enthusiasm and hysteria of the audience, that Elvis was forced to warn the audience to calm down and stay in their seats or he would be forced to end the performance. They were already playing in large venues, usually municipal auditoriums with capacity for several thousand people, sometimes it was very complicated to control these people, plus Elvis with Scotty Moore, Bill Black and DJ Fontana, was already headlining the concert. Elvis was the star and with his new RCA releases rising up the charts, his popularity through television shows, national publications like Time and Newsweek of these concerts, they drew huge crowds and inspired a very big change. The audience was losing control and would seem hysterical at performances, so the situation began to get a little peculiar. The crowd was making too much noise when they played the show, screaming, talking and the behavior was too wild, everything seemed chaotic and the band members, both Scotty, Billy, and DJ, had trouble hearing and following Elvis. At most of the concerts, the screaming was so loud that the musicians couldn't hear themselves play, they had to look at Elvis' body movement to try to follow him during the performance. DJ Fontana said that he was looking at Elvis' backside because he could not hear anything... 
This started to be a routine at this time and they had to make great efforts to listen to each other and to be able to compenetrate the performance, it was very complicated and not at all grateful, in spite of the screams and applauses. The situation was as if the crowds had suddenly become even more frenzied due to the popularity Elvis was achieving, whether it was through TV or touring, word of mouth... he was becoming so popular that it was difficult to stay safe from this situation. 
There were even fears for the safety of Elvis himself, who was being harassed by fans at every turn. It all got to a level that they couldn't hear a word Elvis said on stage. They were hoping at least that his music sounded good with his voice and they could put on a decent show. Elvis was very nervous about all this, his jacket was soaked with sweat, but he would keep as always a friendly attitude with the people who came to see him after the show, musicians like him, Rockabilly singer Glen Glen who would say that the girls kept screaming during the performance. 
As the fans besieged Elvis at the end of the show, they had to ask the Coast Patrol to escort him to the Cortez Hotel, where he was going to stay, because it was impossible to do otherwise.  All this would not go unnoticed by the press and Colonel Parker modified Elvis' performance, so that he would not fall prey to criticism. From now on the programs he was going to do for TV, would be in a specific type of programs, comic, with performances, dancers, acrobats and singers that had nothing to do with his style so that no one could overshadow his performance and stand out among the others. 
This was a double-edged sword, because it really seemed that he was afraid to compare himself with the artists of stature of the moment and also the quality of the programs, but fortunately this strategy would work out well and Elvis would stand out at all times, in front of the rest. Although the Colonel's intention was also to distance his image from Rock, which was already a fact, he could not prevent his name from being associated with this new style as the main responsible. 
The reason was that rock and roll began to be associated with juvenile delinquency. It is true that society was too conventional, somewhat old-fashioned and retrograde and this made the youth feel tied down and look for fresh air and an idol to follow. Elvis would be representing something so new and different that it broke with this society that had so limited its children.Elvis was interviewed about this and would defend the music as a style, he would say that "it was just music", not understanding what it had to do with rebellion and riots. But really what was happening had a lot to do with the wildness of his performances, was the exaltation of young people, although without malice, without having a bad intention, they stood up to dance, to scream ....  But it was already difficult to control what was happening at their concerts and it was still only the beginning of what was to be witnessed.   
"Following the Way of the King..."

Elvis onstage at the San Diego Arena - April 5, 1956 - YouTube

April 19, 1956

Elvis Presley - Blue Suede Shoes (Live, April 19, 1956) - YouTube







Press  release April 1956



Fans begin to make trouble in front of Elvis Presley's performance .... In a press release, Gerald Ashford reports that "a crowd of more than 3,000 people, including his fans, besieged the stage door of the Municipal Auditorium on Sunday afternoon, following a morning session by Presley, The total audience for the afternoon performance was about 6,000. Elvis Presley, the 21-year-old Memphis boy who has become the fuse that lights the fire in show business since the best days of Frank Sinatra, noisily escaped being trashed, unintentionally, of course." There was an uproar that began when the organizers of his concert, set up a table on the other side of the stage door and asked the young people in the crowd to line up for autographs. But the entire crowd pressed against the door and the attempt had to be abandoned. Others swarmed all over the Auditorium in a fruitless search for their idol. It was like an obsession to get to Elvis, so when he made an appearance at a mezzanine window above the stage door, a young man climbed over the wall and managed to get his autograph.  A few other autographs were handed out through a small barred window in the dressing room. All this was for him a sign of what might happen and unable to leave the Auditorium, Elvis retreated to the room that had a large pipe organ and fiddled with it, confessing that he was fascinated by playing there, remembering the church choir in his hometown of Tupelo.The reporter asked him "Do you get this everywhere? Do you go?" and Elvis replied thoughtfully.... "Well," if I said yes, I'd be bragging, but if I said no, I'd be lying." The screams could be heard outside.... "We love you Elvis"... The press highlighted the whole situation and the attitude of more than 6000 people at Sunday night's show, as some managed to get to the stage after the show to get autographs from their idol, with many staying outside the dressing room. It highlighted the young figure of an artist who until recently was unknown and his first album was making his popularity crescendo. The description of his music to an adult ear would be that his songs sounded very much alike, but he coats them with tremendous verve and vitality, keeping the audience on their toes for an hour with no visible sign of fatigue, even as he left the stage.








The beginning of an unexpected love, Las Vegas.
Sin City.


Colonel Parker was very clear about the change of direction that Elvis had to have as an artist and his attempt to be accepted by all the public, not only the youth, but to try with a mature and more conservative public. The first attempt at change to conform to a different, more mature audience would take place in the city of Las Vegas. Elvis was dubbed as "the only atomic energy singer in the country", before performing in Nevada, the reason had to do with the place of the atomic tests, because they were made in this area. 
There he would perform at the New Frontier Hotel. The idea that Elvis Presley would give a turnaround to the path already started in his performances, would be one of the reasons why his manager Colonel Parker tried to change and try new places with error for the mood of his artist. The contract was from April 23rd, for two weeks of performance in the Venus Room of the New Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas, announcing Elvis as "The singer of atomic energy". Colonel Parker was very interested in seeing the result of these performances because the audience was older and wealthy, but all this would cause nervousness, not only in Elvis, but also in Scotty, Bill and DJ, especially in the realization of the first shows. The venue was a bit of a conflict, since apart from the performance there was a game room next door and most of the customers were more interested in the game than in the noise they were making next to the performance, but the change was radical in terms of the type of audience 
Elvis would have to sing for, it was for a middle-aged audience that had nothing to do with his style, nor were they familiar with his music. They would perform twice a night with little understanding and acceptance from the public, it was clear that although Elvis was already a rising artist, in this city and at the New Frontier Hotel, it would not be very suitable for his aspirations.His first performance in Las Vegas, would be for Elvis Presley a small failure that would remain in his memory for years. For a young man like him, it was still an opportunity to try to be accepted by another generation or another style of audience, but at this time Elvis Presley would not want something like that, but it was another commitment and he had to sing. Although for him, it was a warning and a step back in his ascent, fortunately he tried to play down the situation and when asked by a journalist about his performances.... Elvis said, "It was strictly an adult audience, and mostly older people. I was absolutely scared. Then I relaxed a little bit more and.... I worked a little harder and finally I got them. . . . ".
 Despite this situation, on April 28th, his song "Heartbreak Hotel" had reached number one on the Billboard, this made Elvis forget what was happening there and he was featured in "Time" and "Newsweek", but for him these days were the beginning of his love for this city of gambling, music and sin, Las Vegas. The city that never sleeps... 
was special like him and for two weeks he would visit all the shows in town. He heard Freddie Bell, sing a version of the song "Hound Dog", written by two great composers of the moment, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. A song that had already been a rhythm and blues hit for Big Mama Thornton, he learned it and later incorporated it into his show. He also met the singer Johnnie Ray and the flamboyant pianist Liberace, one of his mother's favorite artists, with whom he sang, took pictures.... 
He liked this city for all the fun, the girls, the shows and above all because it was a radical change of life from what he knew. Elvis told a journalist that he really liked the city and that he would go back there the first time he had the chance. In any case, this would be the beginning of his great lifelong love for this city that in the future would become his "Home", Las Vegas. 

"Following the Path of the King..."

Elvis Presley - New Frontier Hotel - Las Vegas 1956 - Vinyl - YouTube



When Elvis and Liberace met in Las Vegas (1956) - YouTube



Elvis Presley Live-Money Honey (6 May 1956)-Vegas - YouTube





May 1956.
One step away from the summit.















April 28th "Heartbreak Hotel" reaches number 1 in the hits. May 5th his Lp "Elvis Presley", reaches number 1 in the Billboard albums charts, where it remained in the same time 10 weeks, out of 40 in the charts. Young people already adored him and the purchase of his records was a further proof that his popularity was on the rise. It is curious and contradictory that RCA and Colonel Parker did not consider that publicity photographs of Elvis at this time should not be done in color.
When Werthheimer was commissioned for the photo story, he would say that he shot in black and white because RCA, Elvis' label, refused to pay for high-priced color film and processing, not knowing if Elvis would be worth it. Although they were betting on their artist, deep down they didn't trust his success and the photographer would take some pictures on color film that he paid for himself. The single " I want you, I need you, I Love you " reaches the number 3 position and " My Baby Left Me " the 31st, they had been published on May 4. From May 13, " he would perform in ten states in two weeks and would return to Memphis on May 15, to perform at Ellis Auditorium, for a large crowd. Elvis was headlining and Bob Neal would announce that he would again return on July 4, to play there to benefit local charities.
To which the audience screamed with enormous enthusiasm. The Memphis "Press Scimitar" would echo the performance and announcement, recounting the reception Elvis got when he appeared on stage. He wore black pants, a white shirt and a Kelly green jacket, singing "Heartbreak Hotel" and introducing Little Richard's "Long Tall Sally" as a beautiful song "recorded by a friend of mine he never knew. The show closed by singing the song "Hound Dog" to outstanding success.
There are many writings about what was happening when Elvis Presley sang in public in the early years. They all agree on the euphoria and screaming that accompanied his performances. The enthusiasm was unbridled and when Elvis would take the stage to perform, an animal roar would be heard to the sound of his footsteps as he began to sing with his guitar around his neck. His dancing, that sensual swaying, his way of moving drove the audience crazier, the girls collapsed one on top of the other, moaning with their eyes closed. They screamed, they cried, others raised their arms to the sky. At first they were content with this, they wanted autographs, kisses, to see him up close... but there were too many and in many moments it was impossible to deal with the audience.
When Elvis starts singing it was more than you could expect, the screams continued, the chants of "We Want Elvis", we want Elvis, were the continuous resounding. The young people paid $2.00 for the performance or. When it was over, the police could barely contain the crowd that they had already tried to control during the performances. On May 16, 1956, Elvis arrived in Little Rock for his performance at Robinson Auditorium. By now, Elvis Presley, the entertainer was becoming an event, not just a regional singer that no one recognized. He was already very big, with sales results in his concerts, purchases of his records.
In Little Rock Elvis arrived thirty minutes late and when the show started the chants of the audience drowned out the artists on stage. The curtain closed for an intermission before Elvis' own concert in the main act. When the time came, Elvis took the stage, dressed in a purple jacket and black silk pants, guitar slung over his shoulder. The hysteria became full in the audience that could not be controlled and the police by orders of the Colonel had to maintain and provide security. Some of the young people had to be grabbed and sent back to their seats.

Elvis Presley Live-Heartbreak Hotel (16 May 1956)-Little Rock - YouTube

Again an incredulous Colonel Parker, saw the growing interest in his artist and so quickly decided to double the price of tickets. In addition to Elvis, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, D.J. Fontana and the addition of the Jordanaires, who now sang backup for Elvis, the show included Rick and Emil Flaim and their orchestra, singers Frankie Conners and Jackie Little and magician Phil Maraquin.
Concerts were sold out in advance or huge lines of teenagers would line up hours in advance to catch his show. He had not yet performed his second show at the Milton Berne Show, but the youth, already following Elvis Presley, was their idol and "the only singer with atomic energy in the country" was blasting his bomb.... in many venues across the country.

"Following the Path of the King..."









The scarecrows at the Concerts. 1956
End of May.

Elvis' performances were already causing real riots that the newspapers reported in great detail. Elvis had not yet reached national fame, he had not even appeared on Milton Berle's TV program where the scandal was born, but it was not necessary because he was already so popular in the places where he performed, that the unforeseen events were part of the daily life of these concerts. His voice, his image, the music and the movements, everything was a perfect combination that caused a click in the audience and made people want to touch him, kiss him, go on stage, sweeping everything in front of them, even Elvis, it was a general madness.T
he national press through "Look" magazine was scheduled to meet Elvis in Detroit, Michigan, to document his concerts at the Fox Theatre on Friday, May 25, 1956. The night before Elvis had performed at the Municipal Auditorium Arena in Kansas and had caused a small riot. The mess had formed because of fans, during the performance that Elvis had started.According to the Kansas City Star, Elvis had to flee after only twenty minutes into the concert, because a group of overexcited girls rushed the stage and set off a chain reaction of hysteria.Reporter Bob Moore recounted the situation that may have caused the explosion....
Elvis had been introduced as "the nation's only atomic-powered singer." Elvis tried to extricate himself from the outburst of the girls, who had broken the police line, so he had to jump in fright into a car that was parked behind the stage.In Memphis , Robert Johnson completed the chronicle with some details about the Kansas City escapade in his Press-Scimitar column: "As hundreds of teenage girls took the stage, drummer D. J. Fontana was thrown into the orchestra pit.
Elvis' red coat was ripped off and his musical instruments were damaged. No one was seriously hurt, but there was a lot of banging." Robert Johnson added, "Always before, they let us finish the last song before they tore the house down." In the next city measures were taken to avoid these problems and with more police, it would be necessary to have an escape plan, so that the artists and mainly Elvis would not have this kind of problems.At that time Elvis did three performances, something that no other artist did.
And in Detroit Elvis could only sing for thirty minutes. There was no way Elvis could do three shows if his shows were longer. To make up the difference, Colonel Parker had more performers. On the weekend Elvis and Billie Holiday were singing in Detroit, it was May 25 and the situation promised to be similar to the previous one.... The lights were dimming and the spotlight was on Hugh Jarrett of Jordanaires, who tried to introduce: "Ladies and gentlemen, the star of our show, El . . . and that's all he could say because next all hell would break loose again .

"Following the Path of the King ."

Elvis and his fans. May 1956









In May 1956, the success and rise of Elvis was slow, it was not as fast as you think. Elvis was becoming more and more popular and many times he was signing autographs at the door of his house. He had bought a house in the month of March 1956, in a residential area of Memphis and fans would stand at the garage door, where they would stand in long lines to see him. Sometimes he would stand for hours, even his mother would have to call him two or three times before he finally entered his house.
Elvis always respected his fans, he once said that the fans were "his life's blood". 
 For this reason he wanted to take care of them and not disappoint any of them... he never did. Always with a smile on his lips he would sign one and hundreds of autographs, forgetting the time, the place and everything else.
It is true that he was sometimes put in embarrassing situations, especially when he came out of playing gigs, but through it all, Elvis always thanked his audience for their loyalty.

The house purchased at 1034 Audubon Drive was built in 1954, had four bedrooms and two bathrooms. It didn't have a fence at first, but as Elvis' popularity grew, one was added. The fence even included some musical notes and he also installed a swimming pool.
He lived in it until March 1957, by which time he had already driven the country crazy with his success.
"Following the Path of the King..."

The Elvis Presley ScandalThe Milton Berle Show.
June 5, 1956






Second TV performance. The Milton Berle Show.
NBC STUDIO, HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA
Songs: "Hound Dog" by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller "I Want You, I Need You I Love You" by Maurice Mysels and Ira Kosloff
Broadcast: Tuesday, June 5, 1956 (NBC-TV, 8: 00-9: 00 pm) Starring: Milton Berle, Elvis Presley, Debra Paget, Irish McCalla, Barry Gordon, Les Baxter, Arnold Stang..

After his first performance on the Milton Berle Show, Milton Berle would have liked to have hired him before the date to perform again on his show, but it would not be possible because of the performances he was doing in Las Vegas, so the date was set for June 5th. The show had not very good ratings and these had increased during the first appearance of Elvis Presley, for this reason Milton was very interested in including Elvis Presley again to favor his program. Rehearsals were held for three days, during which Elvis met a young 21-year-old actress named Debra Paget. There wasn't much time for intimacy at this time, but Elvis would see her again in the film they worked on together, "Love Me Tender." By this time Elvis was infatuated with her and even went so far as to ask her to marry him, but they never really dated.... Rehearsals were fun again, Elvis enjoyed doing this show, but Berle found that it was difficult to adapt Elvis's style of performance from the usual, due to the restrictions that were customary on television. He really let him do what Elvis felt, it was a risk he consciously passed up, since his show was for mature people or more demure young people, but it is true that he wanted to introduce another type of audience and with young artists he could change things. Elvis was sometimes off camera, but Milton, the producer and director, kept telling him to stay in line for the show, he was too nervous on stage... but you could see on stage that he had a great time, Milton Berle also proved to be an excellent professional, you could feel a special connection with him. Irish McCalla actress then known for being the protagonist of a TV series, "Sheena, Queen of the jungle", was fascinated and intrigued by the natural form of Elvis, because she saw him primitive, her movements she found similar to the native dances of Tahiti, which she knew and showed it to Elvis himself, who was delighted because he knew his TV series. On the broadcast night, Berle would first introduce Elvis Presley as the new singing sensation, followed by screams from the audience. But the next thing was to give way to an announcement from the sponsors before Elvis' exit, which would elicit an "Ohhhh," although he told them, quiet, please...A few seconds later, out would come Elvis Presley to sing the song "Hound Dog." His way of dressing in a more modern way, dressed in a white sports jacket and an open neck shirt with a colored stripe.In the performance this time, without his guitar, Elvis could move loose, free and feeling the music with his whole body Elvis would take the microphone in a symbolic way, wiggling it from side to side, he would play with it to the sound of the music, it was all innuendo. At all times his movement was constant, of his body, his legs, with a rhythm and a movement that was enrapturing. At a certain point he stood on his tiptoes to stand up. Elvis was moving, swinging his body, turning and driving the audience crazy. Everything was accompanied by his arms, his hands, Elvis abandons himself during the song letting himself go until the end, during the instrumental part, while his partners play, Scotty Moore, Bill Black and DJ Fontana.

The rhythm of the song, floods the scene in such a way that exalts the audience. Suddenly the music stops because Elvis points to the audience defiantly and Elvis attacks the music mid tempo, goes back to the movements again, half on his knees, shaking his hips, ending with a total and absolute success and shouting from the audience. It was a mixture of laughter, thrill and excitement that can be seen from the spectators, with screams and applause. They said of his performance that it was very exaggerated, but really what we can see is that Elvis was into his interpretation letting out all his feeling through his body, this is why his movements had that strength, that insinuation and that explosive and wild performance. It is true that for the time it could be described as such, but if we interpret it today, his way of acting we would not think the same .The l public could not believe what he had seen and Elvis was enjoying seeing and hearing the reaction he provoked in the audience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAEruhuQENMMilton Berle who saw nothing wrong with his performance, because he had already seen him rehearsing, approached him, with approval bowing said, "What's up son, I love it!". When he comes out he does a little parody of his dancing, it is clear that Milton saw in him a natural way of being on stage and did not identify him as the devil.... Elvis was also enjoying the great comedian next to him. Throughout the program he treated him in a brotherly and affectionate manner. In his performance of the song, "I want you, I need you, I love you", Milton Berle performs a sketch with Elvis and some girls looking for him on stage, when he tells him that he is Elvis Presley and introduces him, the girls surround Berle and tear off his clothes...Elvis sings the ballad accompanied by The Jordanaires, while the girls are sitting watching the performance. Elvis is confident, this time he sings the song with charm and captivates the audience. At the end of the performance Milton has to rescue him from the young girls and presents Elvis with a Billboard award for reaching number one on the retail, disc jockey and jukebox charts on the pop and country and western charts with "Heartbreak Hotel".At all times it is apparent that between the two there is a pleasant, unfeigned rapport. Actress Debra Paget comes out to say hello and when he is introduced shouts and kisses him, Elvis does a little wiggle to the audience's amusement, but Milton tells her she wouldn't be for him.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZSr30yQ8TsLa press savaged his performance the next day, mocking him, saying: Elvis played "Hound Dog" like a man possessed, calling a generation to arms...and provoking a public relations firestorm. The outrage of adults and the morality of the Eisenhower era that established morality at all times was an unparalleled attack on a new artist who was really gaining the success and approval of youth, but in doing so was challenging morality and the establishment. Elvis' appearance on the show earned him a national audience of captivated teenagers, it was a huge following and success for the youth, but it would also be the beginning of a persecution and critical reaction from the press. The New York papers competed with each other to be the most vicious, scathing, so critical of the performance, to the point of ridiculing his talent as a singer, not just the dance moves he made. In such a way that caused the popular complaint and more than 800,000 letters were sent to the TV station, although it is true that there were also those supporting Elvis. In short, the scandal that this performance entailed, was excessive at the time in 1956, where young people lived demurely, with a false face. It is true that Elvis was too much for a public that was not ready for change and refused to evolve and give more freedom to their children, a young generation that screamed for the strict morality of the time and wanted more freedom. All this was focused in such a way that they saw in Elvis Presley a revolutionary and corruptor at the time, when Elvis simply wanted to perform with freedom in front of his public. It would be the Elvis Scandal and with this the popular image that would break the schemes in the youth of the moment

"Following the Path of the King...".


The Milton Berle Show. Elvis Presley's second performance

JUNE 5, 1956 AT NBC STUDIOS. HOLLYWOOD.

The song that awakened the youth Leiber and Stoller, the songwriters of the moment













"Hound Dog" was the song that scandalized the audience and dazzled the youth, during the TV program "The Milton Berle Show", on June 5, 1956, which was really the turning point of all this controversy, the contradiction between two different worlds ... the new and the old. The youth that clamored for its own freedom and the maturity that wanted to preserve the customs and defend what was already established. The youth would take as a symbol the figure of Elvis Presley, who in a natural and improvised way danced to a song that he simply wanted to interpret, it is true that it was a new style, with strength and soul that made people jump out of their seats. But Elvis would always defend his music as something he wanted to sing, without dragging anyone in a rebellious way, even with all this, the youth woke up to shout to the world their discontent and their desire to change the customs. The song had been composed by two authors who up to that moment had already had a great success , Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller had already had it with the song "Hard Times", recorded by Charles Brown in 1952 and with the song "Kansas City", but with Elvis Presley they would reach fame and their best period of successes starting with Hound Dog.They were not really Elvis fans at the beginning, in fact when they were named, they said.... "Elvis who?" and also started singing , they didn't like the way he interpreted in this song. They said it had nothing to do with the origin of the song, which was about a woman who wants to throw a freeloader out of her house.... This would confess Leiber years later, at the time they said nothing evidently, because they were musicians and wanted to live from their music. Although over time they began to appreciate his singing, especially when they met him personally.  But from "Jailhouse Rock", if they enjoyed all his interpretations. and especially the benefits.Jerry and Mike were two children of Jewish origin, during the second world war, his family migrated to California, where they grew up in environments related to black culture and its influence was clear in his compositions. They met in Los Angeles in 1950, Stoller played piano in a jazz band and Leiber worked in a record store. They were both united by their taste for black music, so they decided to compose together. Although they founded their own label in 1953, they became independent songwriters so they could perform their work freely and for whomever they wanted, they collaborated closely with Atlantic Records.When Elvis performed their song "Hound Dog," Leiber and Stoller were not entirely happy about the performance, but they were pleased, however, about the royalties they received from their version and its success would change the course of their careers. Suddenly they were responsible for music that commercially revolutionized the American market and was labeled Rock and Roll. Rock became a new vein in the music industry, turning Leiber and Stoller overnight into the great songwriters of Rock and Elvis into its leading figure. The curiosity of the moment was that Mike Stoller was traveling on an ocean liner, when "Hound Dog" hit number one ...  Mike Stoller was sure he would die when the liner Andrea Doria and the Swedish Stockholm collided in fog off the coast of Massachusetts at 11:10 pm on July 25, 1956 and sank 11 hours later on July 26. Unfortunately 51 people died, but fortunately he was saved and when he reached land he was telephoned by Jerry Leiber who announced that they had reached number one, thanks to a young white man named Elvis Presley. Their songs were famous and Elvis would interpret several composed by them, such as "Love me", "Don't", "King Creole", "Jailhouse Rock", "Loving You", with time due to the copyright they stopped their collaboration for economic reasons. Elvis came to appreciate their songs, their company and demanded that they were in the recordings, in the filming, he had them as his lucky charm.  But Colonel Parker made the mistake of wanting to hire them with a blank contract, asking them to sign it without reading the conditions, offending the two musicians, who promised not to work with him again. Elvis always wanted to collaborate with them again, but could not because of the monetary demands imposed by Colonel Parker to which they never again submitted.As songwriters they would go on to write more than 70 chart hits and would be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1087.Two greats of music...

 "Following the Path of the King..."



The criticism and morality of the time.
The price of success



















On June 6, Elvis Presley continues his concert tour and performs at Arena, San Diego, California. He continues with his planned portfolio, after the performance on TV, the Milton Berle Show. His success continues to crescendo and the public's reaction is the same, but the press publishes articles full of criticism and newspapers across the country catch an outraged reaction to his moves and what they consider an obscene performance. Reacting to the previous day's TV broadcast, New York Times critic Jack Gould writes "Mr. Presley has no discernible singing ability". No mention at all of the audience applauding and shouting his performance, nor the success he is having all over the place, everything was divided in opinion. But unfortunately what was clear was that they wanted to ruin her reputation, there was an intemperate attitude against her.In the Jounal American, Jack O'Brien writes "a demonstration of primitive physical movement difficult to describe in terms suitable for a family newspaper". In general all the newspapers showed an exaggerated dislike of his performance, even criticizing his music and singing. True, the morality was strict, but it really seemed like an envious attack by characters anchored in the past.... Sometimes the new, the different, is annoying because it does not know how to evolve...In the Daily News, Ben Gross writes: "popular music has reached its lowest depths in the grunting, crotch-grunting antics of an Elvis Presley". It was something contagious unfortunately and general so evidently, Colonel Parker was very concerned about this, while poor Elvis did not understand how they could say these things about him.Elvis was a poor humble boy, who craved success, who had the talent, the gift and the courage to show it, because he just wanted to sing and he was born for it, for this reason he followed his Path defending his music. It is true that his performance on TV, would mark a crucial change in the youth of the time, the American culture, but especially the musical around the world.the reaction of the youth was of total support, while the other indignant part sent letters, protests and some even made promises that later had to break. Ed Sullivan, for example, swore that he would never take this artist to his program, but Elvis had already opened doors and had already planned in contract, appearances on TV, in the "Steve Allen Show". In which they promised that his performance would be controlled and moderated and so it was, in such a way that Elvis had to dress in a tuxedo and lower his head by obligation or really because he did not want to lose the opportunity to continue appearing on TV.Everything would follow its course although paying high in the self-esteem of Elvis Presley, who had to moderate his performance, a mistake for him, but that opened the way back to success to more television broadcasts.The high price of Fame...

"Following The King's Path..."


Elvis on TV again "Teenage Dance Party".
16 June 1956
WHBQ TV Memphis Tv Local.


Days after doing the program for Milton Berle on TV, the scandal had already given the first notes and many were curious to meet and listen to this new star who defied everything conventional, Elvis Presley. Elvis was upset with everything that was happening, he would be offended by what they called obscene, he said he was moving his legs and nothing else, he defended his music without understanding what was happening. The news came to his house, they described him as vulgar, as if he had no talent for singing, they only described what they called vulgar and provocative movements. His mother read them, in spite of the success, the disgust for the adjectives given to her son was great. In the news there was no mention of the success he was obtaining, the sales of his records, his concerts and neither the music, only what seemed to be a confrontation with the conventional.Elvis was ascending with his music, but unfortunately he could not assimilate this type of criticism, it hurt him, because he could not assimilate yet what was happening, everything was very fast, although with time he was accepting that he would have to be above all this. On June 16, 1956, Elvis would return to TV, but this time it was a local program, very modest in Memphis, which would only be rebroadcast in the area. 
 The show was hosted by Wink Martindale who was a DJ at WHBQ in Memphis, he was known for such classic shows as "Gambit", "Tic Tac dough", "High Rollers" and "Debt".Martindale's first foray into TV was at WHBQ-TV in Memphis, as host of "Mars Patrol", a science fiction themed children's TV show. In his tenure at WHBQ, Martindale became the host of the television show "Teenage Dance Party," where he would invite Elvis Presley. He would have an interview on the show with Wink and would also be accompanied by his friend Dewey Phillips, the DJ. On the show Elvis would promote the benefit show he was going to perform on July 4th at Russwood Park in Memphis. The curiosity was to see Elvis talking, not singing, chewing gum and in a defiant pose, a curious attitude that we would not see anymore, they said he was off, but it is very possible that he was simply reluctant because of all the comments, because of the press, because of everything that was going on. 
Dewey was also interviewed and joked with Elvis, he was asked about the beginning and his radio broadcasts.Wink asked Elvis when he started singing, for his first guitar, interestingly Elvis said he started singing when he recorded his first record, about his guitar he said it cost $12 he believed. He was also asked if he had hopes of singing when he graduated from Humes High School , to which Elvis would reply that he never thought of singing in front of anyone but his parents, because he was embarrassed to sing in public. He asked him about the cars he had bought and Elvis said that if he ever went broke, he could sell them. 
About his popularity, about selling records, Elvis said that he had not been able to think about this yet, that he had not had time, everything was going so fast and he was afraid that he would wake up and it would all be over. He also asked him about his movements when singing, Elvis said that he could not conceive of singing without being able to express himself with his body, that there was no logic in singing Rock, standing and standing... he knew that for the moment it was fashionable, but he was aware that anything could happen. His favorite song so far, "I was the one", a ballad... he also said that he liked concert appearances better than on TV, because he was not limited by anyone and could sing his own way. 
They commented about a performance where the audience went crazy and about the ring that Judy Spreckles, a friend who was soon to be married, had given him, to deny rumors. Finally Elvis talked about the Benefit concert to be held on July 4th and announced that his diamond ring would be the door prize at the concert event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XieaQc6jQ8En 
this program Elvis did not sing, for this reason it was unclear how he would perform thereafter on Tv. But it is clear that Elvis was being very cautious with everything that was going on, at least on TV, as for his concerts, he was still singing and moving as he felt without having to hold back in front of his audience. 
His success continued to be the keynote of the moment and his followers were becoming more and more enthusiastic and faithful... The next step to follow, independently of the concerts he was committed to, would be the Steve Allen show scheduled for July 1, 1956... 

"Following the Path of the King... 


"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QaCCR4hS4g&t=605s



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  • "Teenage Dance Party". WHBQ TV Memphis Tv Local.

Elvis Presley on TV "The Steve Allen Show "July 1, 1956.
The Hudson Theatre. New York.

Elvis would return to TV after Milton Berle's scandalous program, after the criticism of the press and with everything against him. Although he continued with his successful concerts, it seemed unthinkable that he would return to appear on a TV program. But there were many economic interests involved and Steve Allen was not intimidated by the newspapers or by the competition.much has been said about this TV program, where he wanted to tame the recent musical beast, Elvis Presley and this new roaring style, Rock and Roll.over time Steve Allen denied many of the claims that had been made about his intentions of wanting to humiliate this young artist who was shocking the audience.his program wanted to climb in audience and it was clear that they would not reject some performances that could improve their profits.
It is true that since the appearances on the Dorsey brothers' show, Steve Allen was already interested in hiring Elvis and the proposal was already underway. When the scandal arose on the Milton Berle show, it was finally decided that they were not going to oppose his performance. Allen was asked not to let Elvis on his show, because they said he had no talent, but on June 20, NBC announced with assurances that the show would be moderated by Steve Allen, that Elvis Presley would be on his show.
The potential he had in terms of audience was a promise of success, regardless of what they thought of him as an artist.However, Steve Allen promised that Elvis' performance would be under control on his show, assuring that he would behave in a gentlemanly manner and that this was his intention. He said that Elvis knew he had made a mistake on Berle's show, but evidently neither had he spoken to him, nor had Elvis acknowledged any of this.Elvis stated "I'm on top of everything I do, all the time. That's how I feel. "On July 1, 1956, the TV show "The Steve Allen Show" was to take place, where Elvis was to sing two songs.
Steve Allen had planned his show and so that the image of Elvis would not scandalize, he made him sing dressed in tails, with a set of Greek columns, chiffon curtains and a Basset dog to which he had to sing his song "Hound Dog". Everything was in appearance very dignified, but Elvis felt humiliated by these conditions that he had to accept, although nobody was really pressuring him, but he was told that he would have to go out like this, it was a TV program and in a way the performances were comedy type, it is what Colonel Parker had chosen and Elvis accepted.
But this was always marked in his mind, because he took it as a reduction in his stature as an artist and years later he would recognize it in an interview he did for the film "Elvis On Tour".Elvis had the press against him, journalists were eager to damage his image, among them Mercer, who was the one who asked Steve Allen why he wanted to hire Elvis if he had no talent. Also columnist Nick kenny, who asked these questions about the possible performance... "And will he move his torso like a retching trot? Will Presley fans all flock to the nearest TV set? While mom and dad retreat as far as they can go? Will the maidens swoon and the boys faint when Elvis starts screeching?"
"This is the question of the hour...in a nutshell...Is good taste just a tease ??? Is talent for the birds ???? Some guys don't care what they broadcast when the ratings are too low .... But I am convinced that Presley should be listened to and never seen ".... And so many more comments that hoped to tear down his image as an artist.Everything was designed to give an unreal image of the artist, his clothes, his performance...even the studio had been enlarged to accommodate the sets as well as the TV cameras, including the seating space to leave only a dozen rows.The Elvis group, including Scotty, Bill, D.J. and the Jordanaires, sat halfway in the back. Included were appearances by Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence and Milton Berle, plus Andy Griffith, Imogene Coca and finally Elvis .
Elvis came out dressed in a tailcoat and wearing a bow tie, plus gloves that he had trouble taking off as Steve introduced him.He came out with his guitar in hand. It was a bit uncomfortable for him, this can be appreciated when he takes off his gloves and when he starts to sing.The first song Elvis sang, "I want you, I need you, I love you" but he did it without much passion , nor body movement, but it was a ballad, he didn't really used to move much in slow songs either.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdUocSsz9KM

 Steve   Allen congratulated him, Elvis thanked him and then a trainer brought a basset hound to the set to sing "Hound Dog" for him. The dog didn't really pay much attention to him, so he had to also be trying to befriend him when he sings for him. The maneuver was clear, the focus would be on the dog, not Elvis. Although he sang to him and Elvis moved, but it was clear that he couldn't do it freely and also the camera was focused on him with the dog in front of him, all very calculated. Elvis was manipulated and his performance was really not natural or funny at all. Elvis was not happy with this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oim51kUg748Es
Very possible that psychologically Elvis himself could not even move because of the criticism and all the conditions that supposed to go out again on television. This type of program also had a comedy part where the participants would get together and perform a skit with Steve, Elvis, Andy and Imogene. At first, unsure of himself, then Elvis relaxed and became the natural partner, with the support of his co-stars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SmoHU4_eY8

Steve
Allen got what he was looking for, the level of audience surpassed the Ed Sullivan show, but despite all that happened, critics spoke of domestication, but with contempt. They defined him as a cowed child on the previous day's show? they said that Presley's emotion was not his voice but his erotic presentation... although some journalist defended him alleging that he had been dressed as a corpse and being framed.
Elvis said "Those people in New York will not change me", but the truth is that for many years he would not return to New York, until 1972 when his return caused a furor and a great recognition, although his humiliation did not last more than a few hours, because as soon as he returned to the stage, to his city in Memphis, Elvis would return to his hometown, Memphis.
Elvis was back to being himself and moving in his own way, telling the audience "I'm going to show you what the real Elvis looks like tonight".the truth is that despite the maneuver to try to give a classic image to an artist who was brimming with energy and magnetism, it was clear that it was another step in his career, which he had to skip to move forward and it worked because Ed Sullivan who had sworn not to hire him, called him backstage to offer him a contract for several programs. When asked by reporters about the show he was going to do, Elvis said it was like a comedy and was very nice to them, he really was always a gentleman despite all the things they said about him, but they never asked him about his music, in fact it was all absurd, they had taken him as an object of criticism and he was already being called Elvis "The Pelvis".
But far from all this, at this moment Elvis was eating inside all that he really thought about this Show and what they were saying about him. It is true that Elvis could have refused to do the show that way, Scotty Moore asked him why he didn't complain if they made him dress or sing differently and Elvis told him he couldn't refuse because they would get fired.
He was afraid for himself and his group and his great insecurity at all times made him accept these things. There was a big difference from Elvis on TV, to what he did in the concerts, with his performances in which he had no brakes and his wild magnetism, his performance controlled and made the public go crazy.The conditions of success, the submission of the artist to achieve fame, sometimes entail the frustration of man and humiliation is sometimes a difficult drink to accept that leaves a mark on the spirit.

"Following the path of the King...".

The Steve Allen Show . Elvis Presley

July 1, 1956.

"Hy Gardener Calling" WRCA CH.
INTERVIEW JULY 1, 1956


The same day July 1st at 11.30 p.m. Elvis is also interviewed on TV in the program "Hy Gardener Calling", a few hours after the Steve Allen Show on TV, it was a special program where Hy Gardner, entertainment reporter and columnist of the New Herald Tribune, interviewed live various characters, in their homes, or wherever they could be. It was a very famous program at the time and in this case the interviewee was Elvis Presley who was in the room of the Warwick Hotel in New York, after having also appeared on TV, on the Steve Allen show, a few hours before.a live interview was conducted, where Elvis was in his hotel room, where he was asked about his concerts, TV, his records .... 'Hy Gardner Calling!" was a famous talk show in New York. Using a spilled screen of at Gardner called his interviewees to their homes. Here, Elvis is speaking from his hotel room in New York, July 1, 1956.He was asked several questions one of which was, if he had learned anything from the critics, Elvis replies, " No, I haven't. I don't feel I'm doing anything wrong." Commenting on the effect it had on youth, Elvis says he doesn't see how any kind of music can have a bad influence on teenagers, on people in general, since it's just music.... In a telephone interview in his Warwick Hotel room a couple of hours after the show, Herald-Tribune columnist Hy Gardner asked Elvis if he had "fun" on the Steve Allen show. Elvis replied, "Yes, sir, I really did. I really enjoyed it." Of course, at the time Elvis was smart enough to know when dishonesty was more appropriate than telling the truth. Because Elvis really felt humiliated and compelled to do the show that way, but he was never going to admit it to a camera, since it would have hurt his image.
On his face you can see fatigue, a long day of performing and taking in something he didn't want to do and again questions about something he doesn't understand. Elvis is still a young singer, who only wants to please his audience and the questions leave him a bit bittersweet image, although he smiles at some point, you can see that the general opinion of the people, affects him a lot. Although he was tired 3 days later in his performances, he would return to perform normally in front of his audience, without thinking about these television experiences Elvis was still an insecure young man and the lack of experience made him take into account all the comments, but fortunately he went ahead with his artistic life because he was already about to touch the sky.


 "Following the Path of the King... "


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1f_V32Ojb0

The relationships that influenced his beginning.
Young Elvis and women

Elvis had many relationships in his early days but there were very special girls who shared his rise. Elvis always wanted to have a girl who could understand his reasons, his desires, his amusements and he was also a boy who was always successful in spite of his initial shyness.  Apart from his mother in whom he always placed his trust and was a partner in his dreams, since he started in 1954 and throughout his rise he had relationships with women who would be of great importance in his rise to fame. The previous girlfriend Elvis had was Dixie Locke whom he had known since he was very young. The relationship was going on at the time when he was starting out at Sun Records, Elvis loved her but his music as always was the most important thing. As he started singing in shows, recording records, although he was not yet known, he was getting further and further away from Dixie and finally the relationship ended due to lack of time and because
 Elvis was not really committed to anything with her. Dixie was his support in the beginning, she really believed in him, she encouraged him to make himself known, to trust Sam Phillips . Not only was she his great friend , she was the person who believed in him and understood him , she also loved her , but in her own way , the problem is that Dixie would not see any future in this relationship , she did not see in him a possible husband. 
Elvis had many distractions and began to have relationships between concerts, but in his hometown in early 1956, he began dating a friend of Dixie, named Barbara Hearn Smith. After Dixie severed the relationship, Elvis asked if he could date her.Barbara said she was actually aware that Elvis would not stand firm in this relationship, although she would date him for a year, right around the time Elvis started to become famous. 
But Elvis also began dating others and also met June Johnny with whom he would also have a relationship starting in June 1956. Barbara stopped being his girlfriend at the end of the year, because she went to work in Washington where she would meet her future husband. By then Elvis was also dating Natalie Wood whom he met in Hollywood.Elvis was always attentive to his girls, the ones he considered his girlfriends... he called daily, was all attention in the relationship, was funny and always took care that they continued to keep him in their thoughts. But really his way of loving wasn't enough for a serious relationship.
 When Elvis was in Memphis he was devoted to them but on tour there were too many girls, too many interests and also from the middle of the year, he already had his contract in Hollywood. Then he started making movies so he had a more serious interest in his life, a stable relationship would be at this time impossible.To Barbara he gave her a car, he was very generous and also knew her mother went to her house, he also shared many moments of his rise. At the time he was an unpredictable person, but with a lot of humor, he loved to listen to music all day long and the dream he always talked about was to be an actor, although he loved to act and sing on stage. He was fascinated by Gospel and there's a phrase he used to use.... "You have to make God laugh by telling him your plans." June Johnny had met him a year earlier in Biloxi, her hometown, it was at a concert, but she actually started dating Elvis in June 1956, albeit spaced out, since she didn't live in the same place and depended on seeing him when she could. 
She was an outgoing girl, funny and also liked to sing so Elvis was very impressed with her, but despite sharing good times, it would not be a serious relationship ... Elvis complained that he could never reach her when he called her, possibly because of this he would maintain an even more special interest, but in any case it was impossible to maintain this situation as well.Elvis was a young man too restless, with big dreams, with an unpredictable way of being and love, serious relationships despite wanting to have someone in his life, he did not really consider anything else, but it is logical since he was too young and his life was taking a radical change of course. But for a girl, even if she was young, the concept of a relationship would be more serious and logically they intended to get married eventually...


 "Following the King's Path..."

Recording sessions at RCA. July 2, 1956.
The natural face of genius.







The recording sessions of July 2, 1956, would be memorable for several reasons, first of all because of the great photographs taken by Al Wertheimer, who was in charge of recording a young Elvis Presley in all his artistic expressions. It was just at the moment when the euphoria of his fans was exploding, although the press was trying to boycott his TV performance, it was already evident that Elvis was a product of maximum musical interest, since every time he performed the public went crazy with his applause, his screams and he was already being known in a great part of the USA, although his popularity was growing day by day. Another reason this session was memorable was that everyone who was in this studio witnessed Elvis' power as an artist and the direction of the production by Elvis himself, who was perfecting the recording of his songs and until he was not happy, the recording could not be finalized. Steve Sholes gave him the freedom to do what he wanted in these sessions and this helped Elvis to be in control of what he was doing at all times. It was also the first time that Freddy Bienstock offered him songs, representing Hill And Range, from this day on he would be designated as the song editor, with his cousins Jean and Julian Aberbach. 
This is the first time that Elvis assumes total leadership of a session, as if he were a master director and insists on completing each song, in a perfect way, repeating to his own satisfaction. When they started recording "Hound Dog", this song in particular, they had a hard time getting it on the record, because despite being a hit on stage, they couldn't quite fit it into the session. It was also the first time that the backing band, the Jordanaires, sang in full with Elvis. Although the musicians, singers and crew were generally nervous and Steve Sholes particularly desperate, Elvis was the only one who would remain calm and absolutely focused. 
After 31 takes, Elvis finally chose the take he felt was the best. 
the song "Don't Be Cruel", they would record 21 takes, Elvis suggested changes both to Scotty Moore who recorded with his guitar at the beginning and end of the song, and to DJ Fontana the drummer, who was asked to use his leather-covered guitar, taken on the back and hit with a mallet which gave it a vibrant percussion. The effect was different. It all turned out amazing and when Elvis heard it he gave the go-ahead and finally the result was satisfactory to everyone.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViMF510wqWAEra a good m because "Hearbreak Hotel" and "I want you, I need you, I love you" were in the top ten and RCA wanted to release a new single to capitalize on the momentum. Among the songs he was offered from the demo records, Elvis noticed a song "Any Way You Want Me (That's How I Will Be)," a ballad by Aaron Schroeder, the co-writer of "I Was The One." Schroeder had written the song with Elvis in mind, within an hour they had the song finished, and Steve Sholes felt that this song would be perfect for Elvis' style. The last song they recorded, "Anyway You Want Me," sung with a feeling that reached the most incredulous, like Gordon Stoker who confessed that it made his hair stand on end when he sang this song.
También Elvis chose four other songs to take to Memphis: "Anyplace Is Paradise," "I Ain't Studying You, Baby," "Naughty Mama," and "Too Much". Another curiosity is that while he is singing outside the studio there are his fans with banners on which they write "The Real Elvis", since they had seen the previous day's program where Elvis could be seen performing in a costume that had nothing to do with him and in a performance faked in movements. They were claiming the real artist and protesting what they had seen. When Colonel Parker spoke to Larry Kanaga of RCA when they made the recording of "Hound Dog", he told him that the song could become such a big hit that RCA would have to change their corporate symbol from "Victor Dog" to "Hound Dog". It would be the last time Elvis recorded in New York City. 
They would return by train to Memphis, where Elvis met Gene Vincent , whom he complimented on his song "Be Bop A Lu La" and also apologized for singing it , he told him that it was not his intention to sound like him. 
Vincent told him it was his natural style, he didn't have to apologize. Photographer Wertheimer saw an opportunity to photograph Elvis during this trip and made the trip on his own, taking some photographs that would become historic, in which we could see Elvis laughing, sleeping, listening to music, flirting, etc. It would be an unforgettable two days to remember.... 


"Following the Road


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"HOUND DOG" a song composed by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
The awakening of youth









Elvis first heard it in Las Vegas, by the Belboys, although the song had already been an R&B hit for Big Mama Thornton
in 1953. Beginning in May 1956 Elvis included it in his own Vegas performances and would continue to sing it in concert.
The song was recorded on July 2, 1956, at RCA in New York, after shocking everyone at his performance on the Milton Berle show. When it was released on July 12 as a B-side single, with the theme "Don't be Cruel". It reached number 2 in the charts, while "Don't be..." was number 1, staying up to 28 weeks in the Billboard charts, although "Hound Dog" reached number 1 in the R&B and country charts. He used this song in his concert repertoire to close the finale with full force to move his audience.
This song would be a point of rebellion for young people in 1956, with it Elvis wanted to interpret only one song, but his way of moving and expressing his music broke with everything established at the time. His strength, his singing and his vision in this interpretation awakened the public from a long lethargy and offered hope to the youth.
Elvis's interpretation of this song was vibrant, energetic, with which he pulled the audience out of their seats. This single is currently a multi-platinum album. He performed his last show at the Louisiana Hayride with "Hound Dog" in December 1956, and sang it every chance he got on television that year. Live recordings of the original year of Hound Dog have appeared on several Hayride recordings, "A Golden Celebration", "This Is Elvis", "Today Tomorrow & Forever", and "Elvis Aron Presley". Also on "Elvis #1 Hit Performances". He eventually performed it also on his TV comeback, NBC TV Special in 1968, being included on the original NBC TV special album, also on "Memories:The '68 Comeback Special" and "Burbank '68".It was a song that always made his audience vibrate so he always had it present whenever he sang it live. He would go on for years singing it with strength, grit and hooking the listener.

Elvis Presley - Hound Dog / HQ 1953 - YouTube

When Elvis performed again in concerts in Las Vegas in August 1969, he would perform this song again and leave it in repertoire for years. It was included in several Lps , " From Memphis To Vegas", "Elvis as recorded at Madison Square Garden", "Aloha de Hawaii Via Satellite", "Elvis:As Recorded Live On Stage in Memphis, "Elvis in Concert", "Viva Las Vegas" (2CD version), "Live In Las Vegas", "Burning Love", "Elvis: Close Up" and "The Live Greatest Hits". Also included on FTD is "The Way it Was", as well as "Elvis On Tour". and also "Elvis On Tour-The Rehearsals". FTD live releases: "Elvis at the International," "Writing For The King," "All Shook Up," "Polk Salad Annie," "The Impossible Dream," "An American Trilogy," "Summer Festival," "Takin' Tahoe Tonight." "Closing Night," "Live In LA," "It's Midnight," "I Found My Thrill," "Dragonheart," "Big Boss Man," "Tucson '76," "New Year's Eve," "Spring Tours '77" and "Unchained Melody." On stage he made many changes, like introducing and cutting before singing, so that the audience would burst, he would also play with the words changing the dog for another animal.... It was a song he liked to experiment with because he knew the audience would follow him with his changes and applaud anyway.The original studio version on "Elvis best of", "Elvis Golden Records". Later releases include "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits, Vol.1", "Elvis: A Legendary Performer, Vol 3", "Elvis Sings Leiber & Stoller", "The Top 10 Hits", "The King Of Rock And Roll", "Elvis '56", "Platinum: A Life In Music", "Artist Of The Century", "ELVIS 30 #1 Hits", "Hitstory", "Elvis Rock" and "The Essential Elvis Presley". In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine placed the song at no. 19 in the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.


"Don´t be Cruel"
The key to success

A song composed by Otis Blackwell. It was recorded on July 2, 1956, at RCA in New York. Up to 28 takes were done until Elvis was finally happy with the recording. On take 21, Steve Sholes wanted to stop, but Elvis insisted on perfecting the recording until the end. In the same Elvis contributed his direction both in his interpretation, as in that of the musicians, to whom he had proposed to begin and end with the guitar, and the novelty of playing with the back of the guitar covered in leather as a reinforcement to the drums. Innovative ideas that would give his song a different and special touch.like good musicians and geniuses, Elvis had listened in his head to what he wanted to obtain and made proposals that would later give results. In this session his direction was particularly effective. The result of his interpretation would lead to a total success.

Elvis Presley - The deal his songwriter Blackwell agreed to whereby he would give up 50% of the royalties would pay off because it is one of the best selling singles of all time. The single was released as an A-side, along with "Hound Dog", on July 14, 1956.It reached #1 on the Billboard Top 100, where it remained for seven weeks (as well as topping the country and R'n'B charts).Within six months, the record had sold nearly 4 million copies.Elvis admired Jackie Wilson's version of this song and even incorporated some of Wilson's vocal gestures in performances he would make subsequent to this recording. He saw him sing it several times in Las Vegas and for this reason it would remain in him an influence for his future performances, his admiration was so great that he even incorporated some of Wilson's vocal gestures in his later interpretations of the song. Regardless of this tribute, Elvis' version was unique, powerful with that special magnetism with which it would reach every listener, becoming memorable.This song beat all industry records in the year 1956, in 1961 it had surpassed the sale of six million.Its author Otis Blacwell was considered one of the greatest R&B songwriters of all time, during the decade of the 50's and also contributed to the beginnings of Rock And Roll. He wrote such well-known songs as "Great Balls of Fire", "All Shook Up", "Fever", "Return to Sender", etc. Despite being a great songwriter, he would sell close to 200 million records, but he did not get rich from it, because he would sell his original rights to the big companies for a pittance. He was African-American and sometimes signed under the pseudonym John Davenport because he sounded whiter. He wrote close to a thousand songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViMF510wqWASe
It would  be included on EP "Elvis Presley and "The Real Elvis".The song has been released on several Lps, "Elvis #1 Hit Performances", on his second album, "Elvis". Elvis' 1950s performances from the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show in September 1956 and the "Ed Sullivan Show" were released on the 1984 album "A Golden Celebration". A live version of his 1961 benefit concert in Hawaii is on "Elvis Aron Presley". In 1968, Elvis sang the song in which he accompanied himself on trumpet and flute for the NBC TV special, but did not make the cut for the program; the version appeared on 1991, the Elvis NBC TV special, "Memories The '68 Comeback Special" and on the FTD "Burbank '68". The song also included on "Golden Records", "Elvis: A Legendary Performer Vol. 1", "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits Vol. I", "The King Of Rock & Roll", "Elvis '56", "Platinum: A Life in Music2, " Artist Of The Century", "ELVIS 30 #1 Hits", "Hitstory", "Elvis Rock" and "The Essential Elvis Presley" (2007 version). In August 1969, his return to the stage in Las Vegas, Elvis sang the song in a remix with "Jailhouse Rock". It can be heard on "Elvis as recorded at Madison Square Garden", "Elvis recorded Live On Stage In Memphis", "Elvis Aron Presley", "Collectors Gold", "An Aftemoon In The Garden", "Live In Las Vegas", "The Live Greatest Hits", "Elvis: Close Up" and on "Viva Las Vegas". FTD "All Shook Up", "Elvis At The International", both with "Jailhouse Rock", "Writing For The King", "The Way It Was", "An American Trilogy", "Summer Festival", "Live In LA", "It's Midnight", "Dragonheart", "Dixieland Rocks", "Dinner At Eight", "Tucson '76", "Unchained Melody", "Spring Tours '77", "Elvis 30 # 1 Hits", FTD 6363 Sunset,,, etc.  Elvis kept singing the song until the end of his performances. 


"Following the Way of the King..."














"Any way you want me"(That's How I Will be)
The sensitivity of the artist

Song composed by Aaron Schroeder and Cliff Owens. A wonderful ballad that Elvis interprets with absolute feeling, to the point of tears. This would explain Aaron Schroeder who witnessed these recordings and was very impressed by the artist who struggled to convey everything he felt inside and wanted to be able to capture it in these sessions. On this July 2, Elvis let himself go and felt, as on many occasions when he abandoned himself in his music, he was looking for perfection and in this song his voice transmits that feeling. The singer of the Jordanaires, Gordon Stoker, who had sung with him before, was also impressed to hear and see Elvis sing in this song, because he really felt him live the music. 
The ballads were always a sensitive point in Elvis, in spite of becoming famous for the Rock, its rhythm, its swagger... the ballads made him feel the music in a special way. Schroeder would go on to be the composer of 17 songs for Elvis, 5 of which were number 1, "A Big Hunk o'Love", "Good luck Charm", "I Got Stung", "It's Now or Never".Elvis put extra passion into this track when he laid it down for RCA in New York City on July 2, 1956, one day after appearing on the "Steve Allen Show". " Written by Aaron Schroeder and Cliff Owens, RCA released the song as the B-side to "Love Me Tender" on September 13, 1956; the Colonel tried, but failed, to include this song on the soundtrack of the film Love Me Tender. Also included on EP of the same title, in September 1956, and later appeared on "Elvis Golden Records Vol. 1", "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits Vol. 1", "Elvis '56", "Artist Of The Century", "The King Of Rock And Roll", and "Love Elvis".As a single it would reach #27 on the Billboard, despite being a good song, however the A-side "Love Me Tender" would reach #1. 

"Following The King's Way..."

Elvis Presley- Any Way You Want Me (That's How I Will Be) - YouTube






Recognition and success
JULY 4, 1956. Memphis.






This would be the only concert performed in July 1956, two days after the RCA recording sessions and 3 days after Elvis' performance on the Steve Allen Show on TV, where he had to accept to perform in a humiliating way for him, so he decided to perform his concert without any impositions and give his audience what was expected.The concert was held in Russwood Park, Memphis at the Memphis Chicks Stadium.
It was on July 4, 1956, and it was to be a benefit concert. This event was for the benefit of the Cynthia Milk Fund, the home for convalescent children. Performing with Elvis Presley were Scotty Moore, Bil Black and DJ Fontana, accompanied by the Jordanaires, who arrived as surprise guests.
The concert had a capacity of 14,000 fans, but it is believed that around 7,000 attended, many of whom had been waiting since morning to be close to their idol. There were many people in front of the doors half an hour before they opened for the concert.
With Elvis, more than 100 artists sang with the Aaron Bluestein and Bob Morris Bands, lasting more than three hours.
The master of ceremonies was DJ, Dewey Phillips, with his usual humor and introduced the last performance of the night. Security for the event had local police, firefighters and Coast Patrol on hand at all times to make sure nothing overtook the event.
Elvis was taken to the park in a patrol car during the first act of the show, when fans found out, they surrounded the vehicle so he was mobbed all the way to the back of the stage.
Elvis wore all black, except for the tie and matching red socks. Dewey introduced him and Elvis walked out on stage, waving to the audience and his family in the front rows.
Elvis felt inside him the strength, the security and the desire to offer a good show and he didn't want to disappoint his audience that was waiting to see him with no ties, with freedom, with his usual way of doing things, without anyone having to restrict his performance or his singing.

When he entered the stage, the audience got up from their seats and went to the stage shouting. Such was the commotion that Elvis politely asked them to return to their seats, because they were all obstructing the view of the rest of the audience, who were in the back. As the thunderous noise died down Elvis was ready to sing, the 4th of July had been proclaimed as Elvis Presley Day, so he would turn to his audience to say with confidence: "Listen to me! Those people in New York are not going to change me and tonight I'm going to show you what the real Elvis is like". And Elvis would once again be the artist that drove his fans crazy, with his strength, his free spirit on stage, his magnificent voice and his desire and dedication.
The performance proved it, Elvis would control the audience with his performance, put on a good show and thrilled, causing cheers and applause throughout. Moving as he had done in previous concerts, singing with his natural way and showing his best face as an artist and causing the joy of his fans.
The songs he performed "Heartbreak", "Mistery Train", "I Got a Woman", he would be accompanied by the Jordanaires in the song "I want You", I Need You, I Love You" and "I was the One", then the movement and the screaming would return with "Blue Suede Shoes", "Long Tall Sally" and he would end the concert with the song of the scandal, "Hound Dog".
His concert lasted about half an hour and he would leave in a fast way to be escorted to the car that again would be surrounded by the fans. Elvis smiled leaving the place, he had achieved the expected success and the most important thing, the recognition in his city, something that was always in his desires. It was his people, his fans, his family, the place where he had lived for years and finally his moment of triumph that he would always remember.
This concert raised about $13,500 for the charities.
This would be one of the glorious moments in his career, recognition and success.

"Following the Path of the King..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtvDH9_EmsY

Elvis "The Pelvis"
August 1956 Concerts



After a few days of vacation in July, they would all be back on the road for August performances. They would head to Florida the first week, where Elvis told reporters he was tired of being called "Pelvis." This nickname was given to him by a reporter from the Clarion-Ledger, a newspaper in Jackson, Mississippi. Elvis was very upset by this nickname. Everyone at the show was nervous, but it was worse when they went to a concert in Daytona. When they got to the hotel after driving all night, apparently they didn't have a room, everyone was in a bad mood. They tried two or three other places and there was no room for them. Everyone was tired and nervous, such was the bewilderment that Bill and Scotty got into such a fight that they got into a fist fight. It was all a bit complicated, a hard few days, although the concerts went well. In August 1956, Florida, the pressure towards Elvis and what they called his obscene movements was getting bigger and bigger, in some of the cities where he performed his concerts. In spite of the success that he was already obtaining in the same ones, he had against him quite a few characters that even winning at his expense, wanted to control his acts on the stage.
The atmosphere was too heavy on August 10 and 11, 1956, when Elvis sang in Jacksonville , in six performances and was again a success In Jacksonville they sang at the Florida Theater, when they arrived there, they were greeted with unsigned arrest warrants prepared by Juvenile Court Judge Marion Gooding. The warrants accused Elvis of harming the morals of minors. The reasons given by the judge had to do with what had happened at the last concert, where hysterical fans almost tore Elvis' clothes off. This was a scandal and he wanted it not to happen again, so if Elvis ever moved like that on stage again, they warned him that they would sign arrest warrants and Elvis would be jailed for this.
Evidently everything was exaggerated and malicious with other purposes, the consequence was to try that the youth did not follow the steps of the demoniac artist who wanted to hypnotize them with his lascivious movements, it was as if poor Elvis had the capacity to bewitch them or something similar. In the days leading up to the concerts, Gooding had used the threat of these concerts as if it were part of a political campaign. He wanted voters to know that he was against the evils of Rock and was photographed at the Optimist Club, holding a magazine with Elvis' picture on the cover.
Elvis' manager, Colonel Tom Parker, with few scruples about what was going on, hired a lawyer to sit in the audience at every show. Gooding also decided to observe the proceedings after having a conversation, one-on-one with Elvis about certain moves considered taboo. Side-to-side movement was acceptable, but back and forth movements were forbidden, all somewhat absurd. That actually happened. The cops were everywhere, every show was filmed and apparently Elvis complied with the judge's order. Poor Elvis, who wanted to sing and make his audience happy, seemed to be an evil to all youth, his image would be used as a detriment to society. When these concerts began, they were surrounded by armed police and also with film cameras. There was a maximum control of all movements both on and off the stage, where Elvis had to do the performance without being able to move normally because of these threats. In his situation and as he could not move naturally, he would use his little finger and his curved lip on stage, which also caused hysteria in the audience.
He didn't really need to do anything, his voice, his music and his little finger.... Although they were all afraid of being arrested for obscenity, fortunately, they were able to get out of this situation successfully and the story remained an unpleasant anecdote, since they all had the feeling that whatever they did would be to the detriment of their own freedom. When Elvis was interviewed he told the reporters that he was not happy with these accusations, he was only pretending to sing and said that he did not make dirty body movements. None of them really understood why there was so much criticism and why people might be upset. They were four well-dressed, clean musicians and with their music they were not hurting anyone, but it was the strict society of the time that was trying to stop what was finally going to change. The truth is that in the mid 50's, the United States was in a moment repressed by Eisenhower,  The strict and conservative society could not yet understand the attraction of this young singer, nor had it ever seen him possess such an exaggerated sexual magnetism as Elvis had.
There was no one like him and this was what was bothering so much a society that did not want changes in its young people.
Reporters acknowledged that the proceeds were the largest advance ticket sales ever at the venue, a success. Colonel Parker said he had turned down an invitation for Elvis to stay at the Fontainebleau Hotel, fearing the damage that might be caused by fans. He further added, "Don't expect him for a rehearsal," Parker assured theater management. "He simply doesn't need a rehearsal. He'll go on stage and shock them." It was evident that he already knew that whatever happened in any city, regardless of setbacks, oppositions and imposed rules, Elvis would handle the audience and blow them away.

"Following the Way of the King..."
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The Price of Fame
"Win a Date with Elvis"

Elvis Presley like many artists of that time, was willing to do publicity, interviews and in this case it would be through the magazine HIT PARADER, which would propose him to make a contest called "Win a Date with Elvis". The contest was held a month before the tour he was going to do in August in Florida and the lucky winner would accompany Elvis Presley during a designated day in Jacksonville. Seventeen-year-old Andrea June Stevens won the contest and would be introduced to Elvis, with whom she would enjoy his company, between performances, take her out for hamburgers and soft drinks, hang out with her at the Hotel and backstage at the Florida Theatre. Evidently, it couldn't be a romantic date, but Elvis as always was nice and played along with this "Date". All the time they were followed by photographers who kept an eye on them and followed them to take pictures. Although it would be a little peculiar, the truth is that the opportunity to meet her idol, would be a great illusion for June who would enjoy the company of Elvis. During this day, August 10, 1956, she would accompany him everywhere, when he sang backstage with his friends, she saw him on stage, at the hotel... Curiously Elvis let himself be handled for this, but it is very likely that he did not like to be chased all day by journalists, despite the respect and affection he had for his fans, but this time would be the only one in which Elvis would agree to be the prize of an Appointment. The situation although curious, was a bit forced, but Elvis as always kind, attentive, was charming with June, but it is true that the situation for him, was not very comfortable. In addition there was the rest of the fans that at all times was besieging the theater, the police at all times was pending that nothing dangerous happened, Elvis did not like much that anyone had to do with his private life and always tried that his things did not go out of his particular circle. Although he would go out with many girls during this time, it was clear that this would be a commercial strategy, to give him publicity, although it is true that by August 1956, he would no longer have to do anything like that to appear in the newspapers, since his music was on the rise, his concerts were a success and TV had given him the opportunity to reach more public.The Price of Fame. 

"Following the King's Path..."




EP "The Real Elvis". August 16, 1956.
RCA STUDIOS NASHVILLE

"Hound Dog"
"Don´t Be Cruel"
"My Baby Left Me"
"I Want you, I need You, I love you"


EP "The Real Elvis", released on August 16, 1956. RCA wanted to keep Elvis' hits in mind and release the songs that the public wanted to hear. It brought together the songs that were becoming known on TV, in concert and commercially it was the right time. It would sell around 400,000 copies. A success that seemed moderate compared to everything that was to follow.

Singles August 30, 1956

SINGLE August 30, 1956.
RCA STUDIOS NASHVILLE

"JUST BECAUSE"
"BLUE MOON"

 Of this single, side A, did not enter the charts, "Blue Moon" would only obtain the fifty-fifth position in the same.

SINGLE August 30, 1956.
RCA STUDIOS NASHVILLE

"BLUE SUEDE SHOES"
"TUTTI  FRUTTI"

Blue Suede Shoes" Only reached number twenty-four on the Billboard charts. "Tutti Frutti" Although it didn't make it onto the charts.

SINGLE August 30, 1956.
RCA STUDIOS NASHVILLE

"I GOT A WOMAN"
"I´M COUNTING ON YOU"

The single did not make the charts.


Singles August 1956

Single August 30, 1956


"I LOVE YOU BECAUSE"
"TRYING TO GET TO YOU"

It did not enter the Billboard Charts.

Single August 30, 1956


"MONEY HONEY "
"ONE SIDED LOVE AFFAIR "

It would not be included in lists.

Single August 30, 1956


"I'LL NEVER LET YOU GO"
"I'M GONNA SIT RIGHT DOWN AND CRY "(OVER YOU)

It would not be included in lists.

The journey to the new world and the madness!

The world was crazy about Elvis Presley, his appearances on TV, the release of his first albums, which had already brought him a gold record... his concerts and articles in the press had pushed him to the top. The euphoria was only at its beginning and there was still a long way to go. Elvis was already waiting to shoot his first movie "Love Me Tender", it was August 16, 1956. It was August 16, 1956, when he arrived aboard an American Airlines flight at Los Angeles International Airport, and the reception from his fans was defining at this moment, as their banners read "Elvis for president". The adoration and admiration for his style, his music, the crucial novelty in a time that was about to change... The youth wanted to rebel in the face of the customary and Elvis represented this and much more, unintentionally, only with his voice.Elvis was happy to receive his fans, although in the images you can see that he is with surprise, because his world was getting bigger and he had only stepped on a small Heaven of his fortune. "Following the Path of the King...!

Below: Los Angeles International Airport

The Artist's Dream
"LOVE ME TENDER" Film































































Elvis wanted to be an artist, to sing and his desire was already a fact, he was already well known and famous, everything was going on, but he also had a big dream, that of being an actor, when Elvis accepted Colonel Parker as his manager, he told him his dream and he promised him that he would act in the movies. Elvis pledged all his effort and talent, because he believed he could make great movies and show the world that he could learn and become unique. Elvis would arrive in Los Angeles with his two cousins Junior and Gene Smith, although Red West did not go with him because his father Vernon forbade him to travel to the studios because days before they had fought at a gas station and did not consider it appropriate for Red to go with Elvis, Red enlisted in the Marines and disappeared for a while from his Camino.On August 20, 1956 Elvis begins his first day as an actor, on the film set of the Twentieth Century-Fox. His first film was initially titled "The Reno Brothers". Elvis was contracted to make several films with Paramount, but Colonel Parker had included a clause so that he could work with other studios. 
During these days Elvis met the man who would become a great friend, Nick Adams, actor in the film Rebel Without a Cause. He was really excited about the new film, everything was on track, photography would begin two days later and work on the soundtrack. Scotty Moore, Bill Black and D.J. Fontana had arrived in Hollywood, because the idea was to accompany him on the film and also to do the session recording for RCA. But they were rejected by the musical director with the excuse that they did not give the type or style that was required for the film. But in fact it was all set to record with Richard Cornell, drums, Mike "Myer" Rubin, bass, Vito Mumolo on guitar and Rad Robinson, Jon Dodson with Charles Prescott on vocals, with Elvis on lead vocals. 
So Elvis would find himself working with strange studio musicians and in an awkward situation, although the Colonel arranged for him to receive co-writing credit. Although the recording would go well and Elvis was ultimately happy, he was disgruntled that they rejected his musicians for no real reason, he was disappointed to include a song. His idea was to get into character and perform, not to use this in any other way. He was so excited about acting, he learned all the dialogue for the film.The theme song "Love Me Tender" was based on a song by Aura Lee, a ballad about the Civil War, which Ken Darby adapted and rewrote. In the midst of making the film, Elvis would make his first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, on September 9, where he sang for the first time the song "Love me Tender".Also Steve Sholes , his producer, was being pressured to record more material to release a second album and studio sessions would be held September 1-3, at Radio Recorders, Hollywood. 
Elvis's role in the film was expanded , as he only had a few lines and became a bit bigger, although when he read the script of what was to be filmed he regretted it, because his character died at the end. His role was not entirely to his liking because he was an anti-hero and it was not his expected role, plus he fell in love with actress Debra Paget whom he already knew from the Steve Allen Show, but she ignored him because she was dating Howard Hughes. The film did not plan to add songs, until Elvis joined the project. But the Colonel was very clear about the promotion that the movies would give to his songs and at all costs he would include this condition so that it could benefit the profits of the records. Although Elvis was initially led to believe that he would not sing in the film, this was a real deception, because he thought it would be in the background.Finally four songs composed by Ken Darby were included, but he gave the rights to his wife Vera Matson, who would be the one listed as composer with Elvis who received co-writer credits and publishing royalties. Elvis was disgruntled and disappointed to be forced to sing four songs he didn't agree with , the only one he liked was the title ballad, which ultimately changed the filmThe film "Love Me Tender" was shot at Twentieth Century-Fox Ranc at Malibu Creek State Park and in the San Fernando Valley. It would be produced by "Rebel Without a Cause" producer David Weisbart and directed by veteran Robert Webb.Elvis would win the affection of all the cast members, actors, etc. on the set for his charm and humility. His image from the inside had nothing to do with what they said about him and this brought him closer to the whole crew. Elvis would get very nervous during the shooting, but he would get into his character, as much as he did into his music.The shooting would end for Elvis, on October 8,  even another ending was made that was not so melancholy, in which Elvis' character appears as a ghostly presence singing the title song. Elvis attended a private preview at the Loew's State Theatre in Memphis on November 20, 1956, accompanied by his parents and June Juanico. The film opened at the Paramount in Times Square in New York City on November 15, 1956. There was a line of 1,500 fans who were eager to buy their tickets, had been waiting in line since the night before, and there was a 50-foot tall Elvis figure in the theater. Impressive advertising, which would pay off as in its first week, the film grossed $540,000, second only to the movie "Giant". It ended the year as the 23rd highest grossing film. Although the press was not entirely kind, it was united in its scathing criticism of Elvis' performance, because at this time the moralistic protest about the effect Elvis was having on the Nation's youth was what was being criticized, no matter what the film's role.Elvis' dream had come true and he had already acted in his first film, although it still wasn't what he really hoped to do. 

"Following the Path of the King..."


Soundtrack Recording Session 20th Century Fox
LOVE ME TENDER . FILM.

August 24, September 4– 5. October 1, 1956: Fox Stage 1,

"WE´RE GONNA MOVE"
On August 24, 1956, Elvis recorded this song which was a blues and gospel fusion mix, credited to Elvis and Vera Matson, but actually composed by Ken Darby, on Radio Recorders. The song was inspired by a 1941 Southern Sons tune "There's A Leak In This Old Building", "We're Gonna Move" turned out to be Elvis' first film tune and earned a spot on the "Love Me Tender" EP. A debut album release (an alternate mix) followed on "A Date with Elvis", followed in time by "Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol 2" and Elvis Essential Elvis vol.1". Alternate takes have appeared on posthumous album releases "The King Of Rock 'N' Roll" , it also has the original studio version and on the 1997 reissue of "Jailhouse Rock". A very simplistic song composed for the film, Elvis performs it in a simple manner and as always with all his enthusiasm, though

"LET ME"
Elvis recorded this song on September 4, 1956 on Radio Recorders for his debut film Love Me Tender. It appeared on the soundtrack EP, not a difficult choice as there were only four songs in the film, before appearing on the interim Army years LP A Date With Elvis in 1959. Elvis gets a credit on this song, along with Vera Matson (a pseudo - nym used by composer Ken Darby). Subsequently, "Let Me" was released on Worldwide Gold Award Hits vol. 2, essential Elvis vol. 1, The King Of Rock And Roll and Jailhouse Rock (which includes an alternate version of Elvis singing solo).Made for the film, as all included another simple, straightforward song.

Elvis Presley - Let Me - YouTube


"POOR BOY"
Elvis recorded this Vera Matson/Elvis Presley-credited song on Radio Recorders on August 24, 1956, for release on the "Love Me Tender" EP in November of that year, and later, on the For LP album "Fans Only". The song was actually written by vocal arranger Ken Darby, who inserted this and other songs into the film. It achieved a singles chart placing of 35th on the back of his EP release "Poor Boy" and has since appeared on the compilation album "Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol. 2", and has appeared posthumously on "Essential Elvis Vol.1 "and on the "King Of Rock And Roll" box set. The 1997 CD "Jailhouse Rock" contains two versions.

Elvis Presley - Poor Boy - YouTube

 
"LOVE ME TENDER"

Elvis recorded the song for the soundtrack of his first movie, on August 24, 1956, the first version. On October 1, the version for the end of the film was recorded. Both recorded at Fox Studios in Hollywood.Ken Darby adapted the Civil War-era song called "Aura Lee," originally written by W. Fosdick and George Poultor from the 1860s. But he turned the publication over to his wife Vera Matson and shared the credit with Elvis Presley. The song premiered on the "Ed Sullivan Show," then was released as a single in October 1956, with the song "Any Way You Wan-Me" on the B-side. The single went gold before it was even in stores, because RCA received over a million pre-orders. It would manage to reach the No. 1 spot, staying there for four weeks. It was included on the "Love Me Tender" EP, coinciding with the film, when it was released. It would be released for the first time on LP, on Elvis "Golden Records", on "Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol.1" "Elvis: A legendary performer Vol.1" Pure Gold", "This is Elvis", "The King of Rock and Roll", "Platinum: A life in Music", "Artist of the Century", "Elvis: A legendary performer Vol.1", "ELVIS 30. ELVIS 30. #1 Hits", "Love Elvis", "Hitstory", "Elvis Movies", "The Essential Elvis Presley" and "Elvis at the Movies", this song would become symbolic in these times and also on his return to the stage in the 70's, because it was a way to get closer to his audience and remember good times. The song was also included in "A Golden Celebration", "From Nashville to Memphis", "Memories: The '68 Comeback Special" and FTD "Burbank '68". Early Las Vegas performances, were included on "Collectors Gold" and "Live In Las Vegas", and on FTD releases "Elvis At The International", "Writing For The King", "All Shook Up", "Polk Salad Annie", "One night in Vegas " and " The Impossible Dream". Performances of "Love Me Tender" appear on borh of the early seventies Elvis documentaries (That's the way it is and Elvis on Tour). He sang it at Madison Square Garden, "Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden", "An Afternoon In The Garden"; other live versions from 1972 are on "Elvis: Close-Up" and FTD "Summer Festival". Later performances were included on FTD's "Elvis Recorded Live On Stage in Memphis". Other live performances are on the "Elvis Aron Presley" box set and on FTD's "Closing Night", "I Found My Thrill", "It's Midnight", "Live in LA", "Dragonheart" and "Dixieland Rocks". Also on "Essential Elvis Vol.1", followed a decade later by Jailhouse Rock anniversary album releases, etc.

Elvis Presley - Love Me Tender (1956) - YouTube







RCA RECORDING SESSION
The Máster in Action
1 to September 3, 1956:Radio Recorders. Hollywood.
Santa Monica Boulevard.

These sessions were necessary because of the success and rise of Elvis Presley and because Steve Sholes was under pressure to record a second album. RCA had their own financial reasons and demanded that this session take place, so the Colonel was finally forced to accept a Labor Day weekend session at a Radio Recorders studio in Hollywood. The Jordanaires and the band would fly there and Sholes sent Elvis material to choose his songs and also received from the publisher Hill & Range, to do these sessions. He was suggested already known writers to match Elvis' tastes and also songs that were already hits, such as "Rock Around The Clock", Faye Adams' "Shake A Hand" and Ivory Joe Hunter's "I Almost Lost My Mind". with which Pat Boone had just had a big hit, were among the songs suggested to Elvis.
Two of them even came from Sun Records, the first was "Playing For Keeps," a new song by Stan Kesler from "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone" and "I Forgot To Remember To Forget," which Sun artist Barbara Pittman had recorded; the other was "Ooby Dooby," Roy Orbison.
By this time Steve Sholes Elvis' producer, had sent him many songs to choose the recordings to be made for the next album.Since RCA did not have a studio of its own in Hollywood, the session was held at Radio Recorders, an independent studio in Santa Monica.The sound engineer in charge of this session was Thorne Nogar, who had been hired by RCA, was very young and of a quiet character.
Nogar was a young man experienced in film productions, which made him an expert at setting up microphones in the large recording room at Radio Recorders. He was also a calm and patient person with the artists, which Elvis liked at the time. He was very different from Steve Sholes, who was more passive, but it is true that he always offered encouragement.Bill Bullock and Steve Sholes were present with the Colonel, as well as the West Coast sales and promotions manager, Robert Mosley.
Elvis liked him and at this time was also hired, a young man named Bones Howe who began working with Rca, who would be in a future recording engineer.From the first moment Elvis would dominate the direction of the songs, in his own way, he was very clear about what he wanted in each song and would ask and repeat it until it was heard as he had in his head, inside his head. The recordings began with the song "Playing for keeps" that Elvis had gotten from Stan Kesler, the same composer who had written "i'm left your Right, She's gone". Leiber and Stoller gave him an old song entitled "Love Me", which they had written as a kind of hillbilly satire, but with good lyrics.The first day Elvis responded favorably to "How Do You Think I Feel", he knew it through Jimmy Rodgers Snow's version.
He also really liked a beautiful Eddy Arnold ballad, "How's the World Treating You?". Elvis had a habit when listening to songs of touching his head as a sign of wanting to hear it again and when he didn't like it, what he did was to run his finger horizontally across his throat, he always did something similar.The first day of recording was a great moment of optimism and decisions made by Elvis who dominated everything that was being done.Although Steve Sholes the producer, shouted out take numbers, recorded all the session information meticulously and would ask for another take or admit suggestions, really the one responsible for the whole session would be Elvis.
He, and no one else, set the pace, the feel of the session, the way it was done, the improvements, suggestions and direction was ultimately his, for recording Elvis would stand in the center of everyone, he would put on a one way mic so he could be right in front of the Jordanaires, or sometimes a directional mic singing to each other. Always looking for a melody sometimes he would throw it away. It is true that Sholes was a great and experienced producer, but he surrendered to what seemed to be the soul and owner of his songs, Elvis.the influence of the Colonel and Freddy Bienstock, also made Elvis' role strong.Elvis would go over the material with the musicians, over and over again improving his interpretation, also suggesting to make the arrangements. To see the result and give him the go-ahead, he would ask Freddy Bienstock to play the recording over and over again. Listening carefully to the final mix with Thorne, whom he came to call "Stoney".

Each song was a careful goal to accomplish and meticulous work was done, but to Elvis the most important thing was that the resulting song moved his spirit, made him feel good.Bones Howe explained that Elvis wanted the music to ignite magic. If there were any mistakes, it was not important because what he was looking for was the expected ending. Everything was fun in these sessions, there was so much energy and Elvis was improvising and surprising with his innovations.Engineer Thorne gave him the freedom to do what he wanted and so did Sholes.The second day he would record the songs "Hound Dog", "Too Much" and "Anyplace Is Paradise", plus "Old Shep", which Elvis knew since he was a child.In this session Elvis played the piano himself, it was the first time he did it in an RCA session, his excitement would debord him at some point when he plays the piano. The song "Old Shep" would be perfect on a first take. On "Too Much" he had to use twelve takes, but there seemed to be a certain difficulty as Scotty Moore confessed in the guitar solo, because of the tonality that was for him, a hindrance, but finally it would sound good. The song "Anyplace Is Paradise", was an upbeat song with an accelerated blues rhythm, in this one he took twenty-two takes. He recorded songs by Little Richard, also a tune by Wiley Walker and Gene Sullivan entitled "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again". He also recorded a new song by Aaron Schroeder and Ben Weisman, two of Hill & Range's best young writers, from these Elvis would record several songs in the future. He fooled around with some gospel tunes along with the Jordanaires and sang for everyone "Love Me Tender" several times.As was his habit, Elvis would sing spirituals until he was tired, thus finding his inspiration to tackle the recordings and pursuing his creative process. This was something he had been doing since the time he worked for Sam Phillips in the studios at Sun Records. The album "Elvis" would be released as a result of these recordings, including 11 tracks from these recordings and also a previously recorded track "So Glad you're mine", in January of the same year. The LP was released on October 18, 1956 and would be an absolute success, remaining for 4 weeks in the first place in the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. It was certified Gold on February 17, 1960, by the RIAA.The important thing in short was the music, the magic, that they achieved in these sessions and that Elvis, with his good work, would look for and find the right result for his record.

"Following the Path of the King...".

MEETINGS SEPTEMBER 1956

Songs performed on September 1st

"PLAYING FOR KEEPS"

This song, written by Stanley Kesler, was recorded on September 1, 1956 on Radio Recorders for release as the B-side of "Too Much". which RCA released in January 1957. It climbed to No. 34 in the charts and later appeared on For LP Fans Only. It is also found on "Worldwide Gold Award Hits vol. 1", "A Valentine Gift For You and The King Of Rock and Roll".It was an ordinary song, but Elvis, accompanying himself on piano, gave it considerable passion, made it a special, endearing song to remember. His voice sounds totally devoted, Elvis worked magic with a score that initially had nothing special about it.

playing for keeps elvis - YouTub

"HOW DO YOU ​​THINK I FEEL"

A song composed by Webb Pierce and Wayne Walker, recorded on September 1, 1956 at Recorders in Los Angeles. Recorded by Red Sovine as Jimmie Rodgers in 1954. The Elvis version was released on the LP "Elvis" and on the EP "Strictly Elvis". Elvis tried to record it in the Sun Records period, but in the end it didn't happen. A rehearsal he did with Scotty and DJ, would be re-recorded on bootleg "Unsurpassed Masters" and on the independent release "Memphis Recording Service Vol.2".The song was re-released on "The King Of Rock " and "The Country Side of Elvis". A rehearsal of Sun with Scotty and Fontana appears on the bootleg.A simple song with a fresh interpretation like all the recordings he did these days, memorable.

ELVIS PRESLEY - How do you think i feel ( with English subtitles ) BEST SOUND - YouTube


"HOW´S THE WORLD TREATING YOU"

"How's The World Treating You"
A song written by Boudleaux Bryant and Chet Atkins. Originally recorded by Beaver Valley Sweethearts in 1952, although Eddy Arnold had a hit with this song in 1953.Elvis recorded it on September 1, 1956. The song was released to the public on the "Elvis" album that same year. It later appeared on the EP "Strictly Elvis" in 1957. Later on the album "The King Of Rock And Roll" and "The Country Side of Elvis". A song, slow, paused, a very nice ballad in the voice of a heartfelt and close Elvis. A sweet song for the viewer and a change of air, in this Elvis LP. Like most of these songs without any vocal difficulty in the score, an interpretation that comes through, with its magic.

ELVIS PRESLEY - How's the world treating you ( with English subtitles ) - YouTube



"Love me"
















The song composed by Leiber and Stoller, which originally had not been composed for Elvis, since it had already been recorded by other artists. Evidently this song that in appearance could be a simple song and vocally without any complication, in voice of Elvis Presley would be memorable, since in it he would extreme all his care in his interpretation.  Elvis made a magnificent interpretation of this song and in it we can observe in his voice, many vocal gestures that were characteristic of this time. His inspiration would give this score one of his best musical moments, full of emotion. It is a song that Elvis has sung on countless occasions, both in shows and concerts. Because he obviously loved to sing it and the audience loved to hear it too. It was an indispensable song in the early days and one that Elvis would keep good memories of to include in future performances.Elvis recorded the track on Radio Recorders on September 1, 1956. It was not released as a single, though. Elvis sang the song on the "Ed Sullivan Show" the same month he recorded it, it was released years later on "A Golden Celebration". This song had been a Willie and Ruth hit in 1954, although songwriters Leiber and Stoller Stoller would tell that they had actually composed it to make a parody of country songs . Although in Elvis' voice they recognized the real value of the result of their recording. "Love Me" appeared on Elvis' second album, "Elvis", eventually reissued on "Elvis' Golden Records". Years later it appeared on the anthologies "Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol. 2", "Elvis Sings Leiber & Stoller", "King of Rock and Roll", "Elvis '56", "Artist of the Century", "Elvis 2nd to None" and "History".Elvis sang it for the NBC TV special "Elvis" The Comebak Special in 1968 but due to time constraints, it could not be included in the program. Rehearsals and versions were later included in " A Legendary Performer Vol. 1", "A Golden Celebration", "Memories: The '68 Comeback Special", "Tiger Man", FTD "Burbank '68 ", "The NBC TV Comeback Special " and "Let Yourself Go". From the 70', Elvis would sing it in concerts because it was a song that gave a lot of play on stage, in many occasions it was the moment when Elvis gave scarves to his fans, moments in which he gave kisses and handshakes or approached the public. They were included on many albums such as "That's The Way It Is Special Edition". A rehearsal of "Love Me" was included on FTD's "The Way It Was". It is on many dozens of bootleg copies and official releases including "Elvis Aron Presley", "Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden", "An Afternoon In The Garden", "Aloha From Hawaii", "The Alternate Aloha", "Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis", "Elvis In Concert", "Live in Las Vegas" and "Elvis in Concert", " Live in Las Vegas" and " d "Elvis: Close up". "Elvis Recorded Live Concert". Then there are the FTD releases: "The Impossible Dream", "Writing For The King", "An American Trilogy", "Elvis on Tour" "The Rehearsals", "Summer Festival", "I Found My Thrill", "Live in LA", "Closing Night", "It's Midnight", "Dragonheart", "Big Boss Man" , "Dixieland Rocks", "Dinner At Eight", "Tucson '76", "New Year's Eve" and "Unchained Melody".

ELVIS PRESLEY - Love Me Tender ( with English subtitles ) BEST SOUND - YouTube


Sessions September 1956

Songs recorded day 2 .

WHEN MY MOON TURNS TO GOLD AGAIN

"When My Moon Turns To Gold Again "Elvis recorded this composition by Wiley Walker and Gene Sullivan on September 2, 1956 on Radio Recorders for his second album, "Elvis". The song was covered by, among others, Tex Ritter. Since then, the song has appeared on "Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits vol.2", "King of Rock and Roll" and "Great Country songs". Elvis sang it during the rebroadcast of the Ed Sullivan Show's last program. It was included in the album "A Golden Celebration". It would also be part of the repertoire during rehearsals and recordings for the NBC TV show, "Elvis" The Comeback Special, although it didn't make the show that aired.Rehearsals were included on bootlegs and on the FTD's "Burbank '68" and "Let Yourself Go". Also on "Platinum: A Life In Music", "Memories: The '68 Comeback Special" and "Tiger Man". Elvis sang it on stage in the seventies, of these performances there are some bootleg recordings.A rhythmic song accompanied by the voices of the Jordanaires, in the same vein of this varied repertoire that he recorded in September.

Elvis Presley ~ When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again - YouTube


"LONG TALL SALLY"

Canción compuesta por Little Richard, Enotris Johnson y Robert Blackwell.
Una canción que fue memorable en voz de su compositor Little Richard y que Elvis interpretó en muchas ocasiones en sus representaciones en vivo. En las grabaciones de este día 2 de Septiembre de 1956, supuso algún problema al grabarla, aunque en realidad Elvis siempre la interpretó a su modo, sin darle tanto ímpetu como su autor. Su voz necesitaba ya descanso en esta sesión, por lo que su interpretación fue menos estridente  que la de Richard, pero aun así brillante .
Una canción muy versionada que Elvis comenzó a cantar en Las Vegas en mayo de 1956. Después en el Auditorio Ellis, el 15 de mayo de 1956, que apareció en el álbum "Elvis Aron Presley", "The King Of Rock 'n' Roll", "Live in Las Vegas" y "Today, Tomorrow & Forever". Una versión en vivo de Tupelo en septiembre de ese año está en "A Golden Celebration". Por fín la grabó oficialmente en Radio Recorders el 2 de septiembre de 1956. Y esta saldría en su segundo LP "Elvis" y en el EP "Strictly Elvis". La canción fue su segundo millón de ventas, alcanzando el top 10 de la lista general de Billboard a principios de 1956.
"Long Tall Sally" fue el material perfecto cuando Elvis quería retomar el ritmo de sus shows en vivo en los años setenta. Las versiones están en "Live in Las Vegas" y los álbumes de FTD "Polk Salad Annie" y "Closing Night". Elvis combinó la canción con "Whole Lotta Shakin 'Goin' On" para su concierto "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite" de 1973. También la cantó en Memphis en 1974 quedó registrada, el popurrí abarcó la mayor parte de su carrera temprana, incluidos "Your Mama Don't Dance", "Flip, Flop And Fly", "Jailhouse Rock" y "Hound dog". El álbum de FTD "I Found My Thrill" presenta un popurrí alternativo de principios de 1974 "Long Tall Sally"
Long Tall Sally (Elvis Presley) - YouTube

"OLD SHEP"

"Old Shep "
Una canción compuesta por Red Foley y Willis Arthur. Una canción que Elvis eligió porque la conocía de niño y siempre le gustó cantarla , aunque no sería el tipo de canción que fuera esperado grabar en este momento. La canción sobre una mascota de la infancia, un pastor alemás llamado Hoover. Esta canción la cantó en la escuela tantes veces, que sus compañeros de escuela y maestros terminaron por cansarse de ella. Aunque su maestra la Sra Grimes, decía de Elvis que tenía tal sentimiento al cantarla que los niños lloraban con él cuando la escuchaban. Una forma de interpretarla natural abierta y como era parte de su historia implicándose en ella. Aunque se grabaron varias tomas, sería la primera la elegida como maestra.
Esta canción fue grabada el 2 de septiembre en Radio Recordes y en esta canción Elvis se acompañó al piano. Era todo un contraste en medio del resto de canciones animadas del momento.
"Old Shep" fue publicada en su segundo álbum "Elvis" y fue lanzada en el EP "Elvis" Vol. 2 en 1956, cuando ocupó el puesto 47 en las listas. Posteriormente en "Double Dynamite", "Separate Ways", "Elvis Sings For Children", "Great Country Songs", "The Country Side of Elvis" y "Elvis Sings for Kids". Una versión alternativa se incluyó en "The King Of Rock 'N' Roll", etc.


ELVIS PRESLEY - Old shep ( con subtitulos en español ) BEST SOUND - YouTube

"PARALYZED"

Composed by Otis Blackwell, African-American composer, singer and pianist, pioneer of Rock and Roll. Creator of more than a thousand songs, among his most famous compositions such as "Fever" for Little Willie John, "Great Balls of Fire" and "Breathless" for Jerry Lee Lewis, "Don't Be Cruel", "All Shook Up", "Return to Sender" for Elvis Presley, etc. The most curious thing about this great author, would be that in his time he was really a great unknown, since he signed his scores with a pseudonym, that of "John Davenport", he did it to sound white. Although he obtained with his songs worldwide sales of about 200 million records, the sad thing is that he never got rich with this, because he led a modest life since he always sold the original rights of his songs to the big companies for barely a pittance.Elvis recorded this composition by Otis Blackwell on September 2, 1956 on Radio Recorders, to release it on his second album, "Elvis". It was recorded at the meeting at Sun Records, on December 6 with Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash, which they called "Million Dollar Quartet", although this time a little slower. Since then, the original studio version has been released on "Worldwide Gold Auward Hits Vol. 2", "The King Of Rock And Roll", "Elvis '56" and the CD re-release of "Elvis' Gold Records", etc.A rhythmic and upbeat , danceable song like all the songs Elvis sang at this time, although with a gentle tone and no problem for his voice and with the accompaniment of the Jordanaires.

Paralyzed - YouTube


"TOO MUCH"

Song composed by Little Richard, Enotris Johnson and Robert Blackwell, a song that was memorable in the voice of its composer Little Richard and that Elvis interpreted in many occasions in his live performances. In the recordings of this day, September 2, 1956, there were some problems when recording it, although in reality Elvis always interpreted it in his own way, without giving it as much impetus as its author. His voice needed a rest in this session, so his interpretation was less strident than Richard's, but still brilliant. A much covered song that Elvis began singing in Las Vegas in May 1956. Then at Ellis Auditorium on May 15, 1956, which appeared on the album "Elvis Aron Presley", "The King Of Rock 'n' Roll", "Live in Las Vegas" and "Today, Tomorrow & Forever". A live version from Tupelo in September of that year is on "A Golden Celebration". He finally recorded it officially on Radio Recorders on September 2, 1956. And it would be released on his second LP "Elvis" and on the EP "Strictly Elvis". The song was his second million seller, reaching the top 10 on Billboard's overall chart in early 1956. "Long Tall Sally" was the perfect material when Elvis wanted to pick up the pace of his live shows in the 1970s. The versions are on "Live in Las Vegas" and the FTD albums "Polk Salad Annie" and "Closing Night". Elvis combined the song with "Whole Lotta Shakin' Shakin' Goin' On" for his 1973 "Aloha From Hawaii Via Satellite" concert. He also sang it in Memphis in 1974 was recorded, the medley covered most of his early career, including "Your Mama Don't Dance," "Flip, Flop And Fly," "Jailhouse Rock" and "Hound Dog." FTD's album "I Found My Thrill" features an early 1974 alternative medley "Long Tall Sally."

Long Tall Sally (Elvis Presley) - YouTube


"ANYPLACE IS PARADISE"

"Anyplace is Paradise"
"Anyplace is Paradise "A Joe Thomas composition that Elvis recorded on September 9, 1956 on Radio Recorders, adding a bluesy touch to his second album, "Elvis". It also appeared on EP Elvis vol. 2.Since then, it has been released on the albums The King Of Rock And Roll, Elvis '56 and Artist Of The Century.A song quite unlike anything Elvis had done before and on which he not only delivered an excellent, wonderfully relaxed but perfectly crafted yocal performance, but had a tasty and very well balanced instrumental backing from his band with, presumably, Gordon Stoker on piano this time.A different and original song in these recording sessions.... Elvis Presley Anyplace Is Paradise - YouTube




Sessions September 1956

Songs recorded on September 3

"READY TEDDY"

Composed by songwriters Robert Blackwell and John Marascalco, another well-known song by Little Richard that topped the R&B charts. Elvis was clearly impacted by their songs because he included it in this recording session as well. Recorded on September 3, 1956, Elvis sings it in his own way, with rhythm and grace and like all the rocks that made him famous, with his own particular and special contribution. Although the recording was not complicated, since lyrically it was quite easy, they did a dozen takes.he liked it so much that he included it in the first TV appearance, on the Ed Sullivan TV Show and on the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy ShowsElvis' version was released on his second LP, "Elvis", also on "A Golden Celebration", "The Great Performances", "The King Of Rock And Roll" and "Elvis 56", "Elvis on Tour", "Elvis on Documentary", "Elvis on Tour" and "Elvis on Tour". Elvis on Tour" documentary, etc.  
Ready Teddy - YouTube




FIRST IN LINE"

A song composed by Aaron Schroeder and Ben Weisman. Ben Weisman composer and pianist, from whom Elvis would take 57 songs in repertoire, was established as a composer for the publishing company, Hill and Range. So he would always be available to Elvis. He was initially commissioned to write a song for a young man named Elvis and Weisman doubted his talent, but he delivered. First in line was the beginning of an unusual friendship, because Elvis actually sympathized with Weisman and curiously called him "the mad professor". The song is a typical ballad of the time, in which Elvis would pour all his interest and give it his particular touch. A song to remember, although it would be one of Weisman's least known. Together with Aaron Schroeder or with Fred Wise with whom he collaborated in many of these songs, he would make songs for Elvis, for example, Fame and fortune, Got a lot o'livin' to do, Do the clam, Rock-a-hula baby, Crawfish, etc. Elvis recorded this echo-filled song by Aaron Schroeder and Ben Weisman on September 3, 1956 on Radio Recorders for imminent release on his second album, "Elvis", also included was the EP "Strictly Elvis", "The King Of Rock And Roll",etc.

Elvis Presley - First In Line - YouTube


"RIP IT UP"

Composed by Robert Blackwell and John Marascalco, it would become another hit of the incredible Little Richard. Although the curiosity in this score is that its authorRobert "Bumps" Blackwell originally wrote it as a country song and it would become a well-known Rock in Elvis' voice as well. At John Marascalco's suggestion, he reworked it for Little Richard, whose version became a million-selling R&B No. 1, and also climbed to No. 17 on the Hot 100. Elvis recorded it on Radio Recorders on September 3, 1956. Elvis' version was equally rhythmic but in his style, although it was a song that made the body move, the tranquility with which Elvis interpreted it gave a particular touch to his interpretation. Although it was a simple song in voice for Elvis it was performed in about twenty takes, the song was included in his second LP "Elvis", in the EP "Elvis" Vol. 2 in 1956. It was also recorded on December 4, 1956 , at his impromptu "Million Dollar Quartet" jam at Sun Studio. "Rip It Up" was released on "Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol.2", "I was the one", "King of Rock and Roll", "Elwis '56" and "Elvis Rock". A version consisting of four takes before the master was released on "Platinum: A Life In Music" in 1997. Another discarded take is on "Today Tomorrow & Forever", etc.

Rip It Up - YouTube

THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW
Presenter Ed Sullivan

The Ed Sullivan Show was a program made for Television, which was broadcasted every Sunday at 8:00 p.m. live and from New York City. From 1948 to 1971 it would bring together all genres of entertainment, where singers of all styles, comedians, dancers, etc. could sing. In its beginnings its name was "Toast of The Town" until 1955 when it was finally called "The Ed Sullivan Show". It was broadcast on CBS, accompanied by the CBS Orchestra and directed by Ray Bloch. It brought together the biggest celebrities of the time and was usually always the most watched program of the moment , gaining a regular audience so that all artists wanted to perform on it. Edward Vincent Sullivan was a sports and entertainment reporter, also a columnist for the New York Daily News, would be the creator of this program and host of the same. It is curious and contradictory, because of his image, since he became popular for his program, despite his rigidity with his air and conservative character. The interesting thing was that it was his program would give the opportunity to new artists and enhance those who were already performing on it. But to his artists he sometimes demanded particular changes, in the lyrics, in the performance... the image was paramount for him to follow the conservative but innovative pattern at the time.Colonel Parker wanted Ed Sullivan to hire Elvis for his programming, since he was the main and most watched by the public, evidently it was the most suitable means to be able to move up faster, but until June 1956 they had only received refusals. 

Ed Sullivan promised he would never take his show on TV, unfortunately he paid dearly for his mistake, because the audience demanded to see him on TV and when he was able to make the offer to Colonel Parker to hire him he had to pay a record fee of $50,000 for three appearances on his show. He had to back out of interest or because he changed his mind in front of the artist, but in return he asked for restraint or just skillfully handled the situation. The reason would be the Steve Allen Show where Elvis would reach record ratings leaving him aside from the public. For this reason he wanted to secure his appearances to be able to offer the public what they asked for, it is also the most surprising thing that Sullivan would never pay so much to anyone else, not even when the Beatles were later on his show. Although in comparison to The Beatles Ed Sullivan would have his two highest ratings. Elvis was offended by the comments Sullivan made before he hired him, as he was very sensitive to criticism, but it was really the show that gave him the most edge in front of the public and the victory would be the change in the host's attitude towards him. With Ed Sullivan Elvis Presley would come to give the largest audience on television and gave him already his chance as a star to get the place among the greatest artists of the moment. Elvis already had several successful records and was already making his first movie, "Love Me Tender". But the most interesting thing was that from the first TV show with Sullivan, the expectation was so great that the magazines and newspapers were full of news, the publicity was enormous. Without them having to do anything, Elvis was being talked about as the upstart teenager who was enveloping his fans and who was reaching the highest peak of television. He would be in all the magazines, on the covers and also in TV Guide, which published three articles about Elvis, the first one in the week he was to make his debut on the show on September 9, the event was to be witnessed by the highest family ratings, Elvis was to perform three times on this show with absolute success.

The Ed Sullivan Show 1. ELVIS PRESLEY
CBS STUDIOS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
The Artist's Dream




Elvis made his debut on the "Ed Sullivan Show Tv" on the show's season premiere on September 9, 1956. The show was normally done from New York, but Ed Sullivan had been in an automobile accident in August, so he was still recovering and Elvis was in Hollywood, still filming his first movie. For this reason the rehearsals and his performances would be done from the CBS studio in Los Angeles, California. Sullivan's co-producer, Marlo Lewis, flew to the West Coast to supervise the rehearsal sessions and direct the program, and the celebrated actor Charles Laughton was commissioned to host the show, doing the job for Sullivan and introducing his guest host by saying that he was broadcasting from Hollywood. With Elvis, the performances of more artists were broadcast, since it was a variety show. 

When Charles Laughton showed four gold records, each representing sales of a million copies, he finally told the audience that they had been earned by "the singer they were going to meet.... "you know very well who I'm talking about, Elvis Presley".The stage is simple, in shadows, only silhouettes of guitars can be seen in the background. Elvis enters from the shadows, alone, dressed in a light plaid sports jacket and an open collared shirt, always in his own style, accompanied by his guitar around his neck. The screams from the audience make him smile, because the audience recognizes him and feels a good reception, Elvis says "WoW" impressed. After thanking "Mr. Laughton", in a simple and sincere way he says: "This is probably the greatest honor I've ever had in my life. There's not much I can say except that it really makes us feel good and we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts." Elvis sings the song "Don't Be Cruel." which is already well known and received with a chorus of screams, although Elvis barely moved during this performance, as he used to do in his concerts. It is quite possible that he wanted to avoid offending Sullivan's confidence, although he had everything planned, since he would normally be filmed in medium and close-up shots so that it could not be seen whether he was moving or not. Although from this point on, Elvis would begin to play with his audience, because his eyes, his face, his hands, were a reason for the audience to shout and applaud more than a few times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N81IktPflsA

The second song that Elvis would sing would be his new song for the film of the same title "Love me Tender", he talks about the people at 20th Century Fox have been really wonderful with him, all the great stars of the cast, the director, the producer, this was his first movie and they helped him. He also talks about the wonderful Jordanaires, but it is true that he never mentioned Scotty Moore, his guitar and Bill Black, his bass, D.J Fontana, his drums, neither in this program nor in the rest. Unfortunately I would not acknowledge their help and loyalty despite all the circumstances. He begins to sing this ballad that would be an absolute hit with the audience that received it with enthusiasm, he hardly moves in his performance, it seems that he doesn't know what to do with his hands and puts them on his jacket, in any case his interpretation sounds close and sincere. But the screams and gasps from the audience are clear, Elvis takes a bow and gestures towards the Jordanaires, to a burst of applause.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQWeT46ugEk

With a loud snap of his arm, Elvis begins to sing "Ready Teddy" by Little Richard. This time an animated song that as a consequence brings with it the movement of his body, but curiously, the camera does not hide him. For the first time, the camera captures a full body shot of Presley, from the shoes up, albeit from behind, with much of Elvis' band between him and the camera. Although his movement is subdued it is more choppy and causes the audience to scream, with his hand gestures, then the camera returns to close-ups. But we can see the band and Elvis dancing to the music and doing his machine gun type move, a hit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ9q2hNDwHw

Elvis sings the last song of the night "Hound Dog", Elvis addresses Mr. Sullivan, thanking him and the audience, saying they will see each other again on October 28th in New York. He returns to sing the scandal song and dance to it again, not as vehemently as on the Milton Berle show in June. But her performance is still energetic and envelops the audience, who are delighted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lrn8nTMcv_k

Press critics were quick to comment that Elvis was focused closely, to avoid his vulgar movements. But the TV audience could see a lot, and, besides, the girls screamed when he grunted, wagged his tongue, crossed his mouth. eyes, or even stood completely still. With Elvis, censorship began to seem irrelevant and he began to laugh at it all with his gestures. Plus the title song of his new movie, 'Love Me Tender', which was presented as something different from what he had done, made waves . Nationally, disc jockeys recorded the performance and played the song, which had not yet been released, on their radio shows, increasing pre-release orders to nearly a million and pushing up the single's release date. The audience was not so offended as to change the channel, as Sullivan's program on this day would reach 82.6 of the television audience.The artist achieved the long awaited dream of TV, the most famous program he had ever hoped for and which opened the doors to absolute fame, although with criticism, also with a clear yes from the public. 

"Following the King's Path..."




Two Rebel Souls Without a Cause
Nick Adams and Elvis Presley



























Elvis met Nick Adams on the set of "Love Me Tender" in September 1956. Elvis was a fan of James Dean, he knew all the lines from his film, "Rebel Without a Cause" and when he met Nick, he would be happy to talk to him about his idol and get to know him better. Nick was a member of the group of guys acting with James Dean in the film, who would later hang out together as friends, with Natalie Wood, Dennis Hopper, Sal Mineo, etc. Nick and Elvis immediately connected in their world apart from the rest, by age, by tastes, because they both wanted to be big stars... and they became friends. Nick Adams would then get to know his artistic and personal side, his family, his habits and above all the man, Elvis, whom he would tell about that changed his life. Nick would write about Elvis and many anecdotes he experienced with him, but in his words there is true admiration, affection and understanding. "They say God works in strange ways. I guess he does. Because he sent Elvis into my life to get me back on the right path. And because of Elvis and his way of thinking and his friendship, I'm back on the right path. It is very rare that I take the Lord's name in vain since I met Elvis. I used to use profanity all the time, before I met him, but now I rarely use it. And when I do it's because from time to time I forget myself because of the bad habits I had gotten into. Gradually, because of Elvis' influence on me, I have eliminated all my old bad habits. 
I used to have a drink now and then, but because of Elvis' influence, I never taste alcoholic beverages and, besides, I have no desire to do so." This would be the answer Nick would give when asked about his friend Elvis. He saw him clean in thought and pure as a friend, he would even describe him as the best friend he had ever had, giving thanks for Elvis coming into his life. 
Elvis would meet Natalie Wood and date her, they liked each other, but Nick said that despite the rumors they never really had anything serious, because neither Natalie nor Elvis took those outings as going anywhere, they just had a good time. But their way of life was so different, it didn't go beyond a good friendship. Natalie gave him the blue and red velvet shirts, that Elvis would wear in concert and also in his personal life, they would be designed by his personal dressmaker. Once the three of them went to the cinema, during the movie, Elvis and Natalie had to sign autographs all the time, in spite of missing half of the film. As they were leaving the theater, a small group of envious people made some nasty comments, to which Elvis showed no anger, no attention, and wouldn't even turn around to look. But Nick was angry and said something to Elvis, who would turn to Nick and say, "Don't forget what I've been telling you, Nick. Forgive them because they don't know what they're doing." Then he realized he was right. They really weren't going to prove anything if they had a big fight. Nick Adams thought that someday he could be as strong as he was, in his thoughts, in his actions, in his faith. Elvis really showed him many times what a good person he was, how respectful he was to everyone and above all, how humble he was. On many occasions he told Natalie and Nick that he had many problems with people who wanted to fight with him, just because his name was Elvis Presley. Elvis said that every time it happened and he didn't know what to do in these types of cases, he simply asked God to guide him and this helped him not to show hatred and not to fight. 
For a while the three of them would go out together to the movies, to dinner, to listen to records, because they had a great time. They would also be joined by Gene Smith, Elvis' cousin who was a laugher and a fun person, but for a while he had to go back to Memphis, so they would hang out. Nick would talk about the generosity of Elvis, who showed him all the clothing stores, the record stores, the places he liked to frequent . When he bought clothes, shoes, he also bought from Nick, who despite telling him no, insisted so much, that he finally had to accept, he was the most generous person he ever knew. If you admired something he had, he would give it to you regardless of the value, he was more excited to give than to receive. But what I admired most in him was his patience, the calmness with which he attended to his fans, with autographs, kindness and courtesy. During this time Elvis was able to confirm that it was almost impossible to go out without being disturbed, harassed, attacked, etc. He was known everywhere and going out was an adventure, besides Red West did not protect him, because he was in the Navy. This frank friendship lasted for years, although .

Elvis always thought Nick was a lonely guy, their lives would take them down different paths, due to Elvis' commitments and distance, they would not see each other as much as they would have liked. It is true that also Elvis' group of friends became much larger and he was more isolated from the world of Hollywood and the rest of the actors. Although they were able to see each other at some point in the movie years, they would not have many opportunities over time. Nick Adams passed away on February 6, 1968, a drug suicide, after difficult years, in which he would continue to work as an actor. He even starred in a series "The Rebel", for ABC TV that was very successful, for two years. But although he had some important moments in his career, he would normally be a supporting actor. They always said about him, that he approached James Dean and Elvis Presley, to benefit from their fame. But it wasn't really like that, Nick wrote about James, after his death, some articles. But he would also write a lot about Elvis and all the time he would share with him, but for years these writings did not come to light, it would be his daughter who published a book many years after he passed away. Elvis would be sorry to hear of her passing because he truly cherished her and it was his contact with his youthful dream.

 "Following the Path of the King..."



La Bienvenida al Héroe, un día inolvidable en la Historia de la Música.
26 de Septiembre de 1956. Tupelo.

El ascenso de Elvis a la fama en 1956 dio motivo para que Tupelo, su ciudad de nacimiento, hiciera todo lo posible para publicitar y anunciar su regreso en septiembre como un acto destacado en la Feria y Espectáculo de Productos Lácteos de Mississippi-Alabama.

El día 26 de Septiembre de 1956, Elvis cantaría en su ciudad Natal, Tupelo, donde vivió sus primeros años. Cuando su familia de origen humilde tenía que luchar para vivir día a día, donde nació muerto su hermano gemelo, el lugar que vivió sus primeros pasos y su primer canto.

Toda la Ciudad estaba preparada para su recibimiento, las tiendas se adornaban con sus fotografías, motivos de Elvis Presley, por orden del director de la feria, James M. Savery y una gran pancarta donde se podía leer "Tupelo da la bienvenida a Elvis Presley". Se organizó un desfile en su honor, pero Elvis con sus padres, Barbara Hearn y Nick Adams, llegaron tarde en el Lincoln blanco. Las carrozas que salían con las bandas que participaron en el desfile por Main Street, tocaron algunas de sus más famosas canciones.

El día que iba a cantar , era allí el día de los niños, once años antes, Elvis había cantado en la feria siendo niño, "Old Shep". Era extraño volver allí, al lugar donde fueron tan pobres, siendo recibido como si de un héroe se tratara, pero estaba contento puesto que Elvis iba a realizar dos actuaciones en el recinto ferial.

El gobernador de Misisipi, JP Coleman, fue arrollado por el público cuando su coche apareció al llegar al lugar, porque le confundieron con su ídolo. Él fue a los camerinos para saludar a Elvis, se hicieron fotos comentando el evento y Elvis le dijo que sabían que toda la ciudad se estaba volcando en su recibimiento con su familia y con él.

Sería un evento de gran expectación para la prensa que había enviado periodistas de todo el país, el interés para la prensa era muy grande, Los operadores telefónicos locales se habían visto desbordados por las llamadas, preguntando por las dos actuaciones. Las cámaras de TV News, Fox Movietone iban a filmar el Concierto para así registrar con imágenes el regreso de Elvis. La expectación era máxima y se había cubierto un cordón alrededor de Elvis durante las actuaciones, la guardia nacional , la policía de la ciudad y la patrulla de carreteras estatal. Se había mantenido máximo secreto acerca de su llegada, el coche , la hora en la que llagaban, dónde iba a estar entre las actuaciones, todo era para su máxima protección.

Mientras Elvis estaba detrás del escenario siendo entrevistado por Charlie Watts, la banda de Poppa John Gordy estaba entreteniendo al público y luego Nick Adams que hizo unas imitaciones.

En el escenario, Elvis Presley iba a estar acompañado por Scotty Moore, guitarra, Bill Black, bajo y DJ Fontana, batería, con los Jordanaires y la figura de Niper, el perro que simbolizaba la RCA. Elvis salía a continuación vestido con su Camisa Azul terciopelo, rompiendo la calma del público en un estruendoso ruido. Cuando subió a ese escenario parecía que alguien acababa de lanzar una bomba atómica. Vitorearon tan fuerte que Nick, su amigo dijo que pensaba que iba a perder un tímpano. Aunque la población de Tupelo era de 12.000 habitantes, había cerca de 50,000 personas presentes, una locura.

Elvis estaba emocionado y les dijo que era así por muchas razones, una de ellas era porque de niño solía colarse en esa misma feria, ya que no tenía dinero para comprar la entrada. De nuevo su sinceridad, su humildad y además su forma de cantar, su seguridad con la que arrastraba al público al desenfreno, quedarían registradas para siempre en las imágenes que se tienen de este concierto.

Elvis Presley cantaría varias canciones en un concierto frenético que duraría alrededor de 35 minutos:

"Heartbreak Hotel","Long Tall Sally","I Was the One", "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You", "I've Got a Woman", "Don't Be Cruel", "Ready Teddy", "Love Me Tender" y "Hound Dog".

Elvis había aprendido a jugar con el público, se inclinaba para tocar con la punta de los dedos, luego cantaba, volvía a hacerlo, provocando al histerismo.

El público reaccionaba gritando "Elvis", la mayoría eran jóvenes que querían tocarle, y en una ocasión que se arriesgó demasiado terminaron arrancando los botones de su camisa. Cuarenta policías y patrulleros vigilaban el orden, pero no fue suficiente, porque los periodistas y fotógrafos tuvieron que amontonarse en el escenario para ponerse a salvo del público, que se había vuelto loco. Escribió el Journal "cuando Elvis abrió la boca una rugiente ola de chicas se abalanzó hacia el rey de la guitarra".

Al finalizar la canción "Long Tall Sally" sale al escenario el gobernador Coleman, Elvis calma a la multitud porque no se le podía escuchar. Coleman leyó un texto en el cual proclamaba al joven de Tupelo, como el "artista número uno de la música popular americana", nuestro hijo, diría. Después, el alcalde de Tupelo, James Ballard, le ofreció la llave de la ciudad en forma de guitarra esculpida en metal y declaró: "La gente de esta comunidad y de esta ciudad te admira y estamos realmente orgullosos de ti". Elvis contestaría: "Gracias, Sr. alcalde, y gracias, damas y caballeros, muchas gracias, y..." no pudo seguir la frase porque Los chillidos del público ahogaron cualquier otro comentario que fuera a decir. Elvis seguiría cantando cuando una adolescente rubia, llamada Judy Hopper, se coló entre los policías y subió al escenario en mitad de la canción "Don´t be Cruel", para abrazar a Elvis, diciendo "te necesito, te amo". Después de esto se quedaron en escena seis policías para que no volviera a pasar.

Finalizó el espectáculo con la canción que le había dado la fama de escándalo, "Hound Dog", estallando al máximo el histerismo. Aunque no se encontraba del todo bien, había disfrutado el concierto, después preguntó por la chica que había subido al escenario esa tarde y fueron a buscarla, haciéndose una foto con ella. Después se hicieron fotos después de la actuación y después fue escoltado al hotel por cuatro patrullas para asegurar que tuviera descanso hasta la noche que realizaría el último concierto. En la actuación nocturna el público sería aún más entusiasta por lo que Elvis tuvo que parar y regañar en tono amable al público, porque dijo que podían hacerse daño, que había niños y que no continuaría a menos que se sentasen. Aunque al final no sirvió mucho porque el pública ya estaba fuera de control. El comentario del "Journal" sería «mientras aullaba la sirena del coche patrulla que se llevaba a Elvis, el recinto rebosaba de chicas adolescentes que lloraban, luchando por echar un último vistazo al chico que había reinventado el negocio de lo burlesco». A pesar de esto, Elvis estaba feliz y satisfecho, se notaba en su forma de cantar, en su juego con su público, disfrutaba de cada grito, de cada momento y sería uno de sus grandes Conciertos, sobre todo por lo que suponía para él, volver al pasado, a su ciudad de origen, el reconocimiento de Tupelo.

Un día memorable para la historia de la música.

"Siguiendo el Camino de el Rey..."





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yFZkkBGbWw

The Hero's Welcome, an unforgettable day in the History of Music. September 26, 1956. Tupelo.

LP "ELVIS"

"ELVIS"
2 LP Released on 18 October 1956
Radio Recorders. Hollywood
RCA Studios

"Love Me"
"Old Shep"
"Rit it up"
"Paralyzed "
"Ready Teddy "
"First in Line"
"Long Tall Sally "
"So Glad You're Mine"
"Anyplace Is Paradise "
"How Do You Think I Feel "
How' s The World Treating You "
"When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again "

The album "Elvis" that would be published as a result of the recordings made in September 1956, of these recordings, including 11 songs of the same and also a song already recorded previously as "So Glad you're mine", in January of the same year. The LP was released on October 18, 1956 and would be an absolute success, remaining for 4 weeks in the first place in the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. It was certified Gold on February 17, 1960, by the RIAA.


EP ELVIS 2



Published October 18, 1956

"Old Shep "
"Ready Teddy "
"So Glad You’re Mine "
"Anyplace Is Paradise "

Reached number 47 on Billboard charts, sold 400,000 copies 

Listed as a gold record by RIAA





The yearnings of the soul











Unfulfilled dreams sometimes become a heavy burden on our spirits. Elvis always felt very fortunate because he would fulfill many of his dreams, he once confessed, and for this he would always give thanks and feel very lucky. But not all these desires are fulfilled and those that are pursued with more anxiety can leave a feeling of emptiness if they are not fulfilled... Elvis had two dreams since he was a child, he liked to sing since he could remember, his sense of rhythm, his gift and his sensitivity gave him that inner magic to be able to develop his singing. He also liked to act, but his shyness and his lack of sociability would make him not develop this desire in his childhood. He liked stories that could be interpreted and since he became known, his old yearning would come out again to be part of his intentions to be a successful singer and become a great actor. Like James Stewart, like Marlon Brando... when the movie "Rebel Without a Cause" was released in October 1955, he was impressed by James Dean's character and when he traveled, he would go back and watch the movie again. In September 1956 while filming his first movie "Love Me Tender" he would meet Nick Adams, who was part of the cast of the James Dean movie, Nick would introduce him to Natalie Wood with whom he would date for a while... with Nick he would have a great friendship. When Elvis began to have fame, from 1956, at this time he confessed to Colonel Tom Parker, who told him that he would become an actor, be very famous and would give him the opportunity to prove it.Elvis would get to be a great singer, recognized, admired and revered by his fans beyond death. As an actor he had the initial opportunity to develop a career and demonstrate his talent, in his first films he would also be praised by colleagues and famous directors ... but unfortunately his new manager Colonel Parker, over time did not take into account the seriousness of the purposes of Elvis, who wanted to make committed roles and that would reach the viewer. In response, he would only receive weak scripts, roles without good plots and songs that were included in this type of films that he did not like. Unfortunately his contractual obligations forced him to accept these types of films and reject good scripts, by order of the Colonel, who was only looking for a quick and effortless profit. This dream, with time, would be annihilated without any scruple by his manager, losing opportunities and little by little his yearnings would be transformed into frustrations that would leave marked traces in his spirit. Sometimes dreams can become unattainable barriers that rob us of our peace of mind. The regret for not achieving them can create a horrible disappointment, which can creep into the subconscious... and that regret would haunt him for years, until Elvis stepped on the stage again and regained his great love, the public. 

"Following the Path of the King...".


Publications September 1956

EP "ANY WAY YOU WANT ME"


September 1956

"Mistery Train"
"Any Way you want me"
"I' m Left You're Right She's Gone"
'I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine"

Sales were 200,000 copies. The EP reached only 74th place on the Billboard charts.

Single September 13, 1956


"LOVE ME TENDER "
"ANY WAY YOU WANT ME" (THAT’S HOW I WILL BE)

It reached number 1 on the Billboard charts. Holding the position for four weeks and up to 22 weeks until disappearing. The number three position in the Rhythm & Blues charts.

"The King of Rock and Roll"
OCTOBER 1956
CONCERT TOUR






















In October 1956, Elvis makes a brief tour of Texas, where he had previously performed on several occasions, but already in October the performances were followed by large crowds waiting to see him sing. On October 11, he performs at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Elvis performs in front of 26,500 people, an impressive reception, the screaming that does not cease with the entrance of Elvis, in a spectacular way. His entrance in a white convertible going down a ramp would explode in a cumulus of flashes, screams, etc.. He was in focus with a spotlight on top of the press box. The noise was deafening, when Elvis waved his hand the volume increased, it seemed according to some of those present that war was breaking out, because of the flashes. One hundred policemen were watching around to ensure the security of the place. When the performance began Elvis heard so much noise that he could not hear the music, but nothing mattered because he would continue his performance in spite of the audience. The show was masterfully performed, the newspapers described it as spectacular, Elvis made the best show, he even jumped on the lawn to close the show, with the song "Hound Dog". Les announced his upcoming movie "Love me Tender" which was to be released in the following month.This was also the first performance where Elvis was photographed using his new 1956 Gibson J-200. 


It was from October 1956, when Variety magazine dubbed Elvis : "The King of Rock 'n' Roll".The next day he performed at Heart O'Texas Coliseum, Waco, where he was expected. several buses that had been ordered by the Kay Wheeler Fan Club, expected an influx from nearby communities.The estimated crowd was 5,000, when Elvis started the show. Elvis was dressed in a green jacket with matching tie, dark slacks and blue suede shoes. In this concert he would sing the songs "Heartbreak Hotel", "I Got a Woman", "Money Honey", "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Don't Be Cruel". His movements all over the stage, pulling his hair, with his dancing and uncontrolled dancing, would once again drive the crowd wild.Some teenage girls arrived near the stage to be blocked by police officers surrounding the platform.Reporters would recount anecdotes from the performance.When Elvis Presley asked the crowd, "Do you love me?", "a 14-year-old blonde girl in the front row jumped up, grabbed her by the neck and fell to the floor in an apparent faint." Reporter John Sliney described, "Some of the girls, dressed in Elvis Presley skirts and sweaters, apparently lost control of themselves several times. They fell down, pulled their hair and pounded their fists against the concrete pavement. But when 'he' stopped to catch his breath, they got up, tried to straighten their hair, smiled and laughed with friends." 


 More comments from the press "Rock 'n' roll artist Elvis Presley caused more mass hysteria here Friday night than the 1953 tornado, but one of his fans, Kay Wheeler disappointed with the size of the crowd, said, "Waco is the squarest city in America." Elvis would sometimes go to the edge of the stage, approaching some girl he was singing to, this was more liked by the audience who followed his movements.Kay Wheeler was a little upset that the capacity was not full, as they could cover 2,000 more people, but there was no discouragement for this reason. When the show was over, Elvis stayed a few more hours with his friend Eddy Fadal, whom he accompanied home with Nick Adams, where they were listening to records. Eddy Fadal had met Elvis in February 1956, he was a disc jockey at KRLD in Dallas, Texas, and Elvis was on the radio where he was promoting some of his records. There they met and hit it off, Eddy liked his records and thought his voice would be a great promise, by October it was a reality. Elvis Presley had become the biggest and most controversial artist in the country. His album "Heartbreak Hotel" had spent seven weeks at #1 and his single "Don't Be Cruel" and "Hound Dog" were at the top of the charts. She had released another , "Love Me Tender," which had just been released. And his performances on the Milton Berle, Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan shows, were the cause of great controversy. 


On October 13 he would perform at the Coliseum, Houston, Texas, with a capacity of 10,000 people. Elvis arrived with an escort of policemen who took him to the dressing room, where a crowd of people was waiting for him. A group of 50 girls from the fan club, who had been there waiting for him. Elvis would sign autographs and pose for photos, then the Houston press was waiting for him.The press was sometimes disparaging, for example in the Chronicle, Dick De Pugh would describe it as a wild calf entering the stage and bellowing to the beat of his million-selling song "Heartbreak Hotel." He said all that was heard was the title, because the screams of the audience drowned out any sound Elvis could produce. Many of the journalists didn't even know his songs, they were simply looking for sensationalism, others knew how to appreciate him , but it is true that in this conservative time, most were not fair.
 Regardless of the absolute success he was having, the sales of his records and the fact that the youth already adored him, Elvis was leaving his mark, on this day again, he swept the audience that was beating to the sound of "Long Tal Sally", Elvis was swaying on his toes pointing to the audience singing, at the end he would leave quickly to avoid the crowd. At the second show the frenzied girls were holding back but one of them who was hysterical would break through the line of police surrounding the stage and run up to Elvis. The police took her back to the seat, but since the line had already been broken, the rest of the young women en masse ran to Elvis. Fortunately, he had already been taken to safety in the waiting police car to get away unharmed.
The difference in these shows to the ones Elvis had done six months earlier, is that he could no longer sit on the edge of the stage to sign photographs, because of the hysteria. There were twice as many people, which made it difficult to remain calm, the shouting, the frenzy, all this had been the tone of the performances. Although Colonel Parker made a statement about the control there was at the concerts so that there would be no disturbances. There really was fear among local officials and elsewhere that the unbridled attitude at Elvis shows could lead to uncontrolled disaster. "Following the King's Path... "Interview 14 October 1956


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgtTe-hysNc




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MAXINE ELLIOT THEATER, NEW YORK
28 OCTOBER 1956

On October 28, 1956, the CBS TV show, the "Ed Sullivan Show", would take place, weeks after the first show. Elvis returned two days earlier to New York for this second Ed Sullivan show, whom he would finally meet in person. Elvis arrived with Nick Adams, Dewey Phillips, his cousin Gene Smith and his new friend Cliff Gleaves, a Jackson disc jockey, whom he had invited . The Colonel while doing publicity, giving away Elvis "president" badges and unveiling an almost five-foot statue of Elvis, in the marquee of the Paramount Theatre in Times Square, which was the location where the first movie "Love me Tender" would be released.
His accompanists on the show would be: Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Black on Bass, DJ Fontana on Drums and his vocal accompaniment :The Jordanaires. Two rehearsals were held for the TV show and a dress rehearsal, the first one on the 26th and the second one on the 28th of the broadcast.
On October 26th, Elvis arrived in a white Thunderbird for the noon rehearsal. He was wearing a navy blue sweater with red stripes on the collar. Elvis met British actress and comedian Joyce Grenfell, who was also making her second of three appearances on the Sullivan Show, during rehearsals. Grenfell was intrigued by everything she had heard about Elvis, but when she spoke with him she found him to be a nice, good-looking guy, very polite and above all a good singer. After the rehearsal he would hold a press conference, where Elvis would be asked about his influence on the youth and would talk about the teenagers he was grateful for his success and didn't understand why their parents saw him as a bad influence. Elvis didn't believe he could lead anyone astray, because he was a believer, read the Bible and knew that what you sow, you reap.
On the afternoon of the 28th Elvis attended another press conference before the program and also received a polio vaccine to support a charity program for the recent cases that had occurred and to help the association. When he arrived at the studio there were so many people waiting for his autograph, that Elvis had to stop before entering to sign everyone who was there. Ed Sullivan had asked the audience to show example in their behavior and not to shout during the songs, it is also said that he suggested Elvis to loosen up a bit the tone of the performance.
For the show Elvis wore a Kelly green jacket, gray pants and white suede safari boots. Ed Sullivan introduced him in a straightforward manner to the audience, who kept shrieking, moaning and shouting over him. Elvis, however, is calm and confident and allows the applause to continue for a while before he begins to sing "Don't Be Cruel." In the performance, Elvis seems absolutely sure of himself, cheerful, with total confidence in his movements and gestures. He was in total control of what he was doing to handle the audience even when he was standing still, his smile, his swaying, etc. The slightest shrug of his shoulders provokes a torrent of squeals, as well as any sound of a "Hmmmm" or any gesture.Elvis will perform in a natural way, yet without losing control of everything he does. "Don't Be Cruel", a song that always pleases the audience, with rhythm but not a song that will shock anyone. In this song he is in close-up, close-ups, also elevated, although Elvis is still smiling, comfortable and joking. What is clear is that they don't want to risk it so you don't see how he moves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arTAfHu-pvs

The second song Elvis sang was, "Love me Tender", The title ballad of his new film. This time , Ed Sullivan comes out to introduce Elvis and his new song which is already a hit. The shots are close up, he barely moves but it's a song that is a crowd pleaser. He sings in semi-darkness, equally concentrated and calm, drawing applause and shouts from the audience.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwlrUUyxg9c

And then it's time for a ballad that the audience likes to listen to because of Elvis' interpretation, the song "Love me". His voice sounds wonderful, sensual and although it is a melodic, slow song, every movement he makes is heard screaming in reaction. Ed Sullivan could not explain to himself, why the reaction of the screaming audience if Elvis shrugged his shoulders up and down. Ed who was so serious and calm, but confessed : "I can't understand this damn thing. You know, he just does this and everybody screams".

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2r1p46

 At the last performance Elvis comes out on stage and addresses the audience: "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? I'd like to tell you that we're going to do a sad song. This song is one of the saddest songs I've ever heard." Elvis falls silent and puts his hand to his forehead , as the audience laughs because they know a moving song is coming. "It really tells a story, folks," Elvis continues. "Beautiful lyrics. It's something like this." The audience screams again increasing the enthusiasm, Elvis smilingly throws a fake entrance and finally begins to sing "Hound Dog." We can see him in full body, though swaying without being as frenetic as he might have been on the Steve Allen Show. To the delight of the audience a wonderful performance, being Elvis as he was.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNYWl13IWhY

This is his last appearance on the show and he says goodbye until January at his next performance, he says goodbye to the audience. Elvis says "We'd like to thank all the millions of wonderful people watching tonight, folks," he says. "And, ah, I'd like to say this: until we meet again, may God bless you as he has blessed me. Thank you very much." Ratings for the Oct. 28 Ed Sullivan show, on this second appearance by Elvis, reached a staggering new record of 80.6 percent of the national audience. The song selection for the appearances was chosen for commercial reasons.
Elvis' popularity was on the rise and his movie was about to be released. Elvis was in one of his best moments and he was happy, despite having the middle-aged public against him and the journalists looking for criticism rather than applause. It would be one more success, but again the strict morals of the time would clash with the natural taste of the public.

"Following the Path of the King..."

The Elvis Presley Phenomenon.
New contract with RCA. October 1956

October 29, 1956, the day after the appearance on the second Edd Sullivan Show, the new contract that Elvis Presley had signed for RCA was made public. It had been negotiated over the past two months by Colonel Parker. What he had achieved was that the royalties were to be split in such a way that Elvis was guaranteed $1,000 for the next twenty years. Evidently, RCA, would have already anticipated profits, since by this time over ten million singles had already been sold at RCA , translated into profits it was approximately $450,000, this represented about two thirds of the singles business for RCA. Variety was the leading source of entertainment news, then it was recognized and respected throughout the entertainment world. They were following Elvis' career. Mike Kaplan's story studying the whole situation said he predicted that Presley would personally earn seven figures a year: $450,000 in royalties, $250,000 in movie deals, $100,000 in television appearances and at least $200,000 in his percentage of the year's 40 personal appearances. 
Presley's manager, Tom Parker, kept quiet about the figures.Elvis had been paid for his movie, $250,000 for acting and had been declared a millionaire by Variety Magazine, making an estimated calculation, in the estimation of his record royalties, in the publishing of his songs, television performances, concert appearances, etc. He was one of the few lucky ones in the world of show business, a situation that was not usual, only in some exceptional cases. We must also add the commercial campaign that Colonel Parker had already started three months before, closing a commercial agreement with Hank Superstein for the exclusive rights of exploitation and commercial promotion of Elvis Presley's image. It was the first commercial campaign aimed at teenagers, of great magnitude. Various products such as belts, scarves, skirts, jeans, lipsticks, bracelets, figurines, etc.
 The estimated sales forecast could be about forty million dollars in sales in about fifteen months. It was also planned to advertise with hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. It was clear that the Elvis phenomenon, unprecedented, was a business, not only for RCA, its record sales, for advertising, for TV, Cinema. The exploitation of the Elvis product was filling pockets and it was still only the beginning of what seemed to be even more productive. Elvis was already a value, not a promise. 


"Following the path of the King...".

The Spectacle and Reality

Concerts of November 1956


The performances at Sports Arena on November 22 would be witnessed by about 13,125 fans who came to see him in person. His first movie "Love me Tender" had been released earlier. The performances would be as in the rest of the recent cities, a success and screaming that perplexed the press, the middle-aged people, who did not understand very well this interest and this scandalous spectacle. He was described in the press as "a charming, hip-shaking young man whose fame was on the rise and whose movie 'Love Me Tender' had just been released in Toledo", and the temperature outside was very cold but it didn't stop the atmosphere from heating up with the fans' hustle and bustle, and the show lasted about 30 minutes. The fans were very excited, every time Elvis raised an arm they screamed for five minutes. Tickets to the concert were sold between $2 and $2.50, for that time, it was a price that many would find hard to pay or save, but the desire to see Elvis sing was a dream come true for many fans and they had been waiting for his concert for a long time. Most of the audience was very young, teenagers and almost all girls, they were standing up, screaming during almost all his performance and there was almost no way to hear poor Elvis, who was struggling to do his show. They also jumped onto the stage so they could touch him, his suede shoes.
 Elvis sang most of his hits, songs like "Don't Be Cruel" or "Hound Dog". Most fans would tell stories of jealous boyfriends of Elvis, who would tear up their pictures or complain about their interest in him. But this didn't stop them from being interested in his songs, nor did it stop them from seeing him at his concerts. Elvis awakened the youth from their lethargy, from their habits, simply with his music. But on stage he unleashed madness and debauchery. Donna Crane presented him with an honorary membership to the Toledo Mercurys booster club, of which she was president, at the bakstage. Elvis took a picture with her, leaning on her shoulder, so afterwards all the girls wanted to touch her coat where Elvis put his arm. Curiously, Elvis asked her if she had a comb to comb her hair, but she didn't, it would have been then already an anecdote to remember.
Then Elvis would arrive at his hotel Commodore Perry, in the center of the city, where a young man named Louis John Balint, who seemed unbalanced shouted at him: "My wife carries your picture but not mine". Although the details are not known, surely Elvis would smile at this confession and they eventually ended up in a fight. What Scotty Moore told is that they were with Oscar Davis, Elvis, Scotty, Bill and Dj. When Balint stepped back as if he was going to hit someone and he jumped on his back, being rolled into the railing, then Elvis started hitting him as if he was a dummy, in a fast way. When the police arrived to break up the disturbance, the man confessed that he was promised $200 to make the mess and generate publicity, but this claim could never be confirmed. He had to pay a fine, but Elvis did not have to pay anything, since he was provoked and was only defending himself. 
For these performances, Elvis earned $16,000 for a single day in Toledo, a city he would only return to once, in 1977. It would later be called Savage Hall. The Blade newspaper, got a seat to attend the performance at Toledo's Sports Arena to see Elvis Presley. They described him from truck driver making $35 a week in Memphis, to singing sensation who would make $16,000 for a day in Toledo. They added that Elvis had boasted that he never received any music lessons, from this they said Elvis demonstrated a void in his performance, to the accompaniment of his famous torso twisting. The criticism about his lack of vocal education was absurd, since the journalist who wrote for the Blade himself could not hear Elvis because of the screaming and it was evident that he had never listened to a record. It's true that most of the press was predisposed to criticize his torso movements, his gestures, his dancing, etc. But this didn't matter to the audience, the hysterical screams accompanied every song and made it impossible to recognize this assumption that his ability as an artist was a vacuum. They added that he carried a huge guitar that he occasionally strummed but never actually played. 
Another claim that was easy to disprove, since Elvis did play the guitar. The show was accompanied by the sale of hats, souvenirs, albums, photos, popcorn and binoculars to watch the show. There were also entertainments such as a magician and others, which preceded Elvis going on stage.when the performance was about to end, fans climbed on stage in the last seconds of the performance, about 20 policemen could do nothing to prevent it, but Elvis had already left the building. 


"Following the Path of the King"

LOVE ME TENDER Film.
Premiere November 21, 1956.

The premiere of the film was to be the talk of the town, a great stir in New York, was held on November 15, 1956. More than 1500 fans gathered at the doors of the New York Paramount, just to see the first screening. It was quite an event, but the premiere was even more so. The film "Love me Tender" directed by Robert Webb and made for 20th Century Studios. The publicity was very important, days before the Premiere a gigantic image of Elvis was hung in the Theater where the film was going to be premiered.
On the 21st it premiered at Memphis' Loew's State and nationwide in more than 550 theaters. It would be the event of the moment, eclipsing other films that were also premiering at the time, such as "Bus Stop" or "Temptation Lives Above". The box office was an absolute success, Variety catalogued it as astronomical and with excellent earnings, equaling blockbusters such as "Giant" and "The Ten Commandments", also recently released. also recently released.
The call of the Elvis Magnet was so great that no one gave up on seeing him in his first film and of course, even if there were only four songs, they also wanted to hear him and see him sing. The commercial success of the film had swept and captured young and old alike, even in spite of criticisms of the way he moved, etc.

The reviews of his performance were mixed, although they were mostly bad, they were very respectful of his performance. Some were good, others took the opportunity to describe her excessive interest in acting as if it was something that could spoil her image, as if she took her role like "Gone with the Wind". There was everything, even comparisons with Brando, with James Dean, they wondered "Who is the new hero? It was said that he could act, even if he didn't say a word. But the worst of the vision of the film, would be that the public took the same, as if it were a concert, every time Elvis came on stage, the screams covered the dialogues, preventing you could really appreciate his interpretation.
The film reached the 23rd place of the movies in 1956, despite being released in November. In the first week alone it grossed over $540,000 and from the second week on, it would be second in sales. The beginning was very important, but it is true that for Elvis it would be a great disappointment, first of all because he would not want to have sung in it and because of the performance of the public. His mother, Gladys, cried at the end of the film, because Elvis died and this made her decide not to choose any script in which he had to die. This on the one hand was somewhat absurd, since if the scripts were good, if his character was interesting, it would be a mistake to turn him down, but Elvis was still very young and his mother was sacred. Elvis said "I won't make it because they'll never hear me, they're always screaming." Although he loved his fans very much, he felt he could not do things freely, neither his concerts, nor on Tv and of course his greatest desire .
It is evident that his interest in the movies was so great, that he would not give importance to his acting, he wanted to be a real actor and it was clear that he was an ore in the rough, but it was still only the beginning. But the truth was that Elvis didn't like to hear anything, neither good, nor bad, because he felt ashamed of his acting, although what he really said was that he didn't want to take acting classes because he wanted to be himself. This on the one hand was good, but on the other hand his potential would have been enriched in such a way, that he would surely have been able to overcome and renounce the proposals of such weak films that would be the consequence, of the easy success for his musical films. It was a gold vein and of course he was going to take advantage of it in the future. Everything was still to be written, but Elvis' attitude and decision would be vital to take a good path or get carried away.

 "Following the Path of the King..."

EP "LOVE ME TENDER"
NOVEMBER 1956

"Love Me Tender"
"Let Me"
"We´re Gonna Move"
"Poor Boy"


The Ep "Love me Tender" contains the four songs included in the first movie of the same title. It reached number 9 on the Top Pop Albums charts with more than 6000.000 sales and reached number 35 on the singles chart and was certified Gold and Platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) in 1992.


The Magic and Genius of Music

From Improvisation to Eternity

JAM SESSION DECEMBER 4, 1956
SUN STUDIOS, Memphis
Sam Phillips: Productor

Elvis Presley and his friend Cliff Gleaves were driving down Union Avenue, when they passed by number 706, a place dear to his heart. With them was also Marylin Evans, a dancer who was dating Elvis at the time, whom he had met in Las Vegas. Sun Records, the place where he started his unstoppable career to success, where his producer Sam Phillips and his assistant Marion Keisker, the two friends forever, discovered his potential as a singer. For Elvis it was his home, whenever he could he would visit them and reminisce about times that would never be the same. At the door there were several Cadillacs, surely there would be a recording session and his curiosity made him want to witness it. When they arrived there was indeed Carl Perkins, with his brothers Jay and Clayton, Fluke Holland on drums and someone he didn't know yet, a young blond haired man named Jerry Lee Lewis.
Sam Phillips as always welcomed him with open arms and introduced him to Jerry Lee, who had recorded his first single, he was the future promise of the Sun. They all got to talking about Hollywood, Las Vegas, the new single etc, also about the old times, so they started to improvise with some song. Charlie Underwood who was also there, he was a songwriter, went to get an acoustic guitar he had in the car. They started with tunes like "Blueberry Hill", "You belong to My Heart", etc, but then the spirituals, Jerry Lee was echoing Elvis and having fun.

The atmosphere was collegial and conducive to playing and having a good time, so Sam Phillips who was with Jack Clement in the recording booth, told him it would be good to record this initial set that would crescendo. Sam called Johnny Cash to join the impromptu group (although Johnny Cash, in his biography would tell that he was there from the beginning, to listen to the Carl Perkins session).
It was an opportunity to record them together, this would be unlikely in the future and they recorded everything that was done in this casual Jam and above all the important thing of the fresh and natural sound of four artists, who would become great of their time. It is true that the four artists were improvising, singing what came up at the time and giving their best, it would be a session that could never be forgotten. Sam also called Bob Johnson, from Press-Scimitar, taking advantage of the fact that this would be publicity. Bob arrived with his wife and a United Press reporter and a photographer. What had started as a game, songs and even imitations of Elvis imitating Jackie Wilson, etc., led to the four of them singing together more than 36 songs. Although in the photographs you can see Elvis at the piano, Johnny, Jerry Lee and Carl on guitar, but they were also accompanied by those who were in the session, the Perkins brothers, on guitar and bass, drummer Holland and Underwood on guitar.
It was a special afternoon, not only for the curiosity of seeing them singing and playing, passing the guitar from one to the other, but for the harmony and magical understanding that took place in this session that would become a historic moment in music. They were four young men living their music, sharing their love for it and understanding each other as partners, all born at Sun Records, it was as if they were brothers. Elvis lived this happy moment, it would be one of the best memories, for all of them and for Sam Phillips, who helped them grow as artists.The next day in the press, this special meeting was cited naming them as the "Million Dollar Quartet".
Sam sent the chronicle to the disc jockeys with a note titled, "Our only regret", in which he told them that "the regret was that each and every one of you wonderful disc jockeys who have been responsible for these guys being known and appreciated in the entertainment world today, could not be here". It was the magic of music that would unite them forever on this day in history, December 4, 1956.

"Following the path of the King...




December 7, 1956, Elvis Presley.
WDIA radio station Goodwill Revue Ellis Auditorium.

On December 7, 1956, Elvis Presley attended the WDIA, a radio station since 1949, whose programming was aimed exclusively at the black population of Memphis, to help black children in need. Every year it was organized on the first Friday of December at the Ellis Theater, this time with artists such as Ray Charles, BB King, The Magnificents, the Moonglows, with a gospel group representing the Spirit of Memphis Quartet and the Hapyland Blind Boys. Rufus Thomas and Martha Jean the Queen.George Klein was consulted, the possibility of Elvis attending the event as a performer, he told Elvis. He told him that he would be delighted to attend, but he was contractually forbidden to perform, so it would not be possible.George and Elvis attended backstage to see the performers. He was not scheduled to perform, although he was introduced at the end of the concert, he would come out to say hello, the audience wanted him to sing and as it was not to be, he simply did a body wiggle the crowd went wild. It was criticized that the colored girls, were screaming at Elvis and almost did nothing with BB King, in this time it was not the normal thing to do. Afterwards Elvis greeted everyone backstage, took pictures with BB King and Miss Claudia Marie Ivy, the newly crowned queen of WDIA. The Tri-State Defender newspaper reported to its mostly black readers: Elvis told BB King, "Man, thanks for the lessons you gave me." Elvis was grateful and united with the colored community, though many praised him, others criticized him. But the truth is that in Elvis' roots, in his childhood, in his youth, black music was of great importance.

                                                     Elvis' last performance at Lousiana Hayride.                                                                            "Elvis has left the building"
                                                            December 16, 1956.









Elvis arrived the night before at the Captain Shreve Hotel in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana, where two years earlier he had stayed with Scotty, Bill and Sam Phillips, it seemed a far cry from the dreams of a life change, which had been formulated then.There was a crowd of teenagers at the door of the Hotel, who could not get in, fortunately for Elvis who arrived in the wee hours of the morning and wanted to rest. But the noise was too loud and he had to lean out of the window and ask them to be quiet so he could sleep.In order for Elvis to get to the Fair Grounds Youth Center, the police had hatched a plan to throw the fans off the scent so Elvis could get in without a fuss for his performance. Policeman Robert Catts, who had the same complexion and sleepy eyes as Elvis, had been chosen to impersonate him. He was dressed in Elvis' attire and driven in a pink Cadillac at the appointed time, with a police escort to make the five miles to the state fairgrounds. When they arrived there, Catts and his companions were surrounded and harassed, while Elvis entered quietly through the back door without any trouble, or being seen.The Fair Grounds Youth Center had a capacity of 10,000 people, had been sold out, although they had limited the capacity to 9,000 people and it was planned to place a fence in front of the stage so that there would be a limitation between the stage and the audience, but it was impossible.The young people had crowded with their chairs near the stage and there was no control over them. But they announced that there would be no concert if they did not move from that radius, announcing that the only ones allowed to stand there would be the young people with lungs of steel. Prior to the performance there was a press conference and The two major local newspapers, "The Shreveport Times" and "The Shreveport Journal" sent their best photographers to cover the possible chaos. Langston McEachern shot for the Times and Jack Barham for the Journal.It was a benefit show so Elvis would receive nothing for his performance. But it would be the last time Elvis would perform there, after more than 40 concerts. 
This was the first day that it was said at the end of the show, "Elvis has left the building. "Elvis' performance lasted about 30 minutes, although there was screeching from start to finish. Fans did unthinkable things, like trampling over a car to get into it to see Elvis, displays of veneration and hysteria that could leave any other artist's example behind. Mass hysteria, mass adulation, would be the appropriate description of what was experienced on this day that would be remembered for years to come. 
Elvis gave a good performance but it was really hard to appreciate because of the screaming.Song list: Heartbreak Hotel, Long Tall Sally, I Was The One, Love Me Tender, Don't Be Cruel, Love Me, I Got A Woman, When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again, Paralyzed, Hound Dog.The press would have the same qualifiers about the concert, they said that the audience made it impossible to hear the voice of Elvis Presley, who moved at ease on stage singing and wiggling, the hysterical and unstoppable mass did not let appreciate his voice. It would be the end of a cycle in the career of Elvis Presley


 "Following the Path of the King...".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfg52SDc_2I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge6752XgszY



New Year's Eve 1956

An incredible year for Elvis Presley, of performances, hits, TV, radio... His artistic life had taken off to the top! He could never have imagined so much success, it was a dream come true as if he was "Walking towards Heaven...".




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