Podcast: Today In Elvis History

  • March 3rd in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    March 3rd in Elvis History
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    It’s March third, and on this day in 1959… Elvis Presley, while stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army, took a break from military life and traveled to Munich with his buddies Red West and Lamar Fike. Their destination? A visit with 18-year-old German actress Vera Tschechowa, whom Elvis had met earlier that year during a publicity shoot for the March of Dimes. In a classic Elvis move, he bought out every ticket to the small theater where Vera was performing—despite not speaking a word of German—and sat through the play with Red and Lamar. That night, the group went out to dinner with Vera and her circle of theatrical friends, then capped the evening with a visit to the Moulin Rouge—Munich’s answer to a striptease club.

  • March 2nd in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    March 2nd in Elvis History
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    It’s March second, and on this day in 1960… at the Rhine-Main Air Base in Germany, a teenage Priscilla Beaulieu was blocked by military police from saying a final goodbye to Elvis Presley as he departed for the United States. A photograph of the moment was later titled *The Girl He Left Behind*, capturing the bittersweet farewell between the future King and the young woman who would one day become his wife.

    And on this day in 1956… Colonel Tom Parker informed his attorney that Elvis’s manager, Bob Neal, no longer had any business involvement with Elvis—a bold claim, considering Neal still held a valid contract. Behind the scenes, Parker had secured Vernon and Gladys Presley’s signatures, agreeing to pay Neal his 15 percent commission in addition to Parker’s own 25 percent share. The maneuver sparked years of tension and legal confusion. Even country legend Hank Snow and his business partner tried to buy Elvis’s contract, but those deals fell through, fueling controversy that would simmer for decades.

  • March 1st in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    March 1st in Elvis History
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    It’s March first, and on this day in 1960… the U.S. Army held a press conference in Friedberg, Germany, just before Elvis Presley’s discharge. Over a hundred reporters and photographers crowded into the enlisted men’s club to witness the moment. Elvis’s commanding officer presented him with a certificate of merit for his “cheerfulness and drive and continually outstanding leadership ability.” But the emotional high point came when Elvis spotted a familiar face in the crowd—Captain Marion MacInness, formerly Marion Keisker of Sun Records, the very woman who first recorded Elvis back in 1953. Seeing her for the first time since his enlistment, Elvis grinned and said, “I don’t know whether to kiss you or salute.” Her reply: “In that order.”

  • February 29th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 29th in Elvis History
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    It’s February twenty-ninth, and on this day in 1968… Elvis Presley won his very first Grammy Award. But it wasn’t for rock and roll, or even one of his chart-topping hits. Instead, the honor came in the category of “Best Sacred Performance” for his 1967 gospel album *How Great Thou Art*.

    The award was announced during simultaneous Grammy dinners held in New York, Los Angeles, and other cities. Elvis didn’t attend any of them. But the win marked a significant milestone: after years of commercial success, it was his spiritual music that finally earned him recognition from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

  • February 28th in Elvis History

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

  • February 27th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 27th in Elvis History
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    It’s February 27, and on this day in 1970… Elvis Presley held a midday press conference at the Astroworld Hotel in Houston, where he reflected on his early career, laughing that his Sun recordings now sounded “funny” to him. Later that day, he took the stage not once, but twice at the Houston Astrodome as part of the Annual Texas Livestock Show. For his grand entrance, Elvis rode in on an open jeep. After the first show, he was reportedly discouraged, criticizing the poor sound and saying, “I guess I just can’t bring it in like I used to.” But by the evening performance—attended by a staggering 36,299 fans—he was back in command. The Los Angeles Times hailed his show as “masterful.”

  • February 26th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 26th in Elvis History
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    It’s February twenty-sixth, and on this day in 1967… Elvis Presley delayed his trip to Los Angeles due to painful saddle sores, prompting a house call from Dr. George Nichopoulos at the ranch. The doctor not only treated Elvis and relayed the situation to Colonel Parker, but this visit also marked the beginning of a significant and long-lasting relationship. Dr. Nick would go on to become Elvis’s personal physician and a near-constant presence in his life for the next decade.

  • February 25th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 25th in Elvis History
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    It’s February 25, and on this day in 1961…

    Tennessee Governor Buford Ellington and Memphis Mayor Henry Loeb declared it officially “Elvis Presley Day.” At a hundred-dollar-a-plate charity luncheon at the Claridge Hotel, Elvis was honored by RCA with a diamond-studded watch and a commemorative plaque for surpassing 75 million records sold. He also received international awards from over a dozen countries and was named “Best Male Vocalist of 1960” by *American Bandstand*.

    That evening, Elvis performed two benefit concerts at the Ellis Auditorium in Memphis—his first live performances in Memphis since 1957. Comedian George Jessel introduced him as “one of the greatest singer-actors of this century.” The shows raised over $51,000 for 26 charities, including nearly $4,000 for the Elvis Presley Youth Center in Tupelo.

  • February 24th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 24th in Elvis History
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    It’s February 24, and on this day in 1965… Elvis Presley returned to the recording studio for the first time in eight months, but it wasn’t exactly a triumphant comeback. A last-minute soundtrack session was arranged for his upcoming film *Harum Scarum*, but with his usual musicians unavailable, Elvis found himself backed by a fill-in group that included Charlie McCoy on guitar, Henry Strzelecki on bass, and Kenny Buttrey on drums. To match the film’s exotic theme, flute and oboe players Rufus Long and Ralph Strobel were brought in to lend a “Middle Eastern” sound. The session turned grueling fast—Elvis was visibly disinterested in the material, and by 3:30 a.m., after 38 takes of “Shake That Tambourine,” he called it a night.

  • February 23rd in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 23rd in Elvis History
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    It’s February twenty-third, and on this day in 1967… Elvis Presley became the legal owner of a 163-acre ranch in Mississippi, just south of Memphis, near the town of Walls. He named it the *Flying Circle G Ranch*. More than just a getaway, Elvis turned the property into a personal refuge and cowboy-style retreat, complete with horses, saddles, and a growing entourage of friends and family who moved onto the ranch with him. Among them were Billy and Jo Smith, Alan and Dee Fortas, and even Elvis’s Aunt Nashval and her husband Earl. A local hostler named Mike McGregor tended the horses and, in time, crafted custom leather goods for Elvis—including his signature belts. The Circle G marked one of the few times Elvis tried to build a life away from the spotlight, with dreams of simplicity, freedom, and open land.