Podcast: Today In Elvis History

  • February 21st in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 21st in Elvis History
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    It’s February twenty-first, and on this day in 1966… Elvis Presley began filming *Spinout* and sat down for a rare interview with syndicated Hollywood columnist and former Miss Utah, May Mann. During their conversation, Elvis opened up about his deep connection to Graceland, saying he would always keep it as his home because of his mother. He also revealed he was working on a new religious album—his first non-soundtrack LP in two and a half years—marking a turning point as he sought more personal and meaningful music.

    That same day, Elvis showed signs of renewed musical curiosity by purchasing a new amplifier, a twelve-string guitar, and a harmonica. His tastes were broadening beyond gospel and rock, as he found himself listening to folk artists like Peter, Paul & Mary and Bob Dylan—an early signal of the evolving sound that would define his comeback just a few years later.

  • February 20th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 20th in Elvis History
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    It’s February twentieth, and on this day in 1969… Elvis Presley was back at American Sound Studio in Memphis, deep into a career-reviving stretch of recording sessions. On this particular day, he recorded two emotionally rich ballads: *It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’* and *Any Day Now*—both showcasing the raw, soulful sound that defined his legendary ’69 comeback.

    But Elvis didn’t just spend the day behind the mic. Earlier that morning, he purchased a microfilm reader from Kodak and had more than 4,000 personal items microfilmed—everything from letters to memorabilia. It was an unusually meticulous move for the King, suggesting he was not only focused on reclaiming his musical throne, but also curating his legacy in real time.

  • February 19th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 19th in Elvis History
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    It’s February nineteenth, and on this day in 1977, Elvis Presley performed at the Freedom Hall Civic Center in Johnson City, Tennessee. Concerned that his girlfriend Ginger Alden was homesick for her family, Elvis had them flown in to join the tour for its final days—a gesture that reflected his generosity and emotional sensitivity even during the grueling final year of his performing life.

  • February 18th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 18th in Elvis History
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    It’s February eighteenth, and on this day in 1973, during a midnight show at the Las Vegas Hilton, Elvis Presley was interrupted by four men who jumped onstage in an apparent attempt to reach him. With lightning reflexes and a karate move, Elvis knocked one of them back into the audience. The others were subdued by members of his entourage, including Red and Sonny West, Jerry Schilling, and even Elvis’s father, Vernon Presley. After the scuffle, Elvis faced the audience and said, “I’m sorry, ladies and gentlemen. I’m sorry I didn’t break his goddamned neck is what I’m sorry about.”

  • February 17th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 17th in Elvis History
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    It’s February seventeenth, and on this day in 1960, Elvis Presley was awarded a Gold record for his self-titled debut album, *Elvis Presley*. Originally released in 1956, the album made history as the first Rock ‘n’ Roll LP to top the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, holding the number one spot for an astonishing ten weeks. This milestone not only cemented Elvis’s status as the new king of popular music but also marked a turning point in the mainstream acceptance of rock and roll.

  • February 16th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 16th in Elvis History
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    It’s February sixteenth, and on this day in 1955… Elvis Presley performed two back-to-back shows at the Odessa Senior High School Field House in Texas, drawing over four thousand fans. Among the crowd was a young Roy Orbison, who later recalled being blown away by Elvis’s raw power onstage, saying, “His energy was incredible, his instinct was just amazing.” It was a night that left a future rock legend starstruck.

    And on this day in 1972… Elvis recorded his iconic rendition of “An American Trilogy” live at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas. RCA captured the midnight show, and nearly all the masters used for official release came from this performance. The soaring medley became one of Elvis’s most powerful and patriotic showpieces.

  • February 15th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 15th in Elvis History
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    It’s February fifteenth, and on this day in 1973, during his eighth engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton, Elvis abruptly walked off stage in the middle of the dinner show. He returned a short time later, apologizing to the audience and explaining, “I’m sorry, ladies and gentlemen, but I have a touch of the flu, and my voice suddenly disappeared.” He managed to finish the performance, but the midnight show was canceled. Despite the cancellation, Hilton hotel owner Barron Hilton informed Colonel Parker that Elvis would still receive full payment. In a rare move, the Colonel responded with a letter promising to make up the missed performances, stating, “We will never, and never have intended to, shuck our obligations.”

  • February 14th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 14th in Elvis History
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    It’s February 14, and on this day in 1964, Elvis Presley made a grand philanthropic gesture by donating the retired presidential yacht, the USS *Potomac*, to entertainer Danny Thomas for use by St. Jude’s Hospital. Known as the “Floating White House” during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, the vessel became a symbol of Elvis’s growing commitment to charity and public service. The high-profile donation showcased his support for children’s health and medical research, leaving a legacy that reached far beyond music.

  • February 13th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 13th in Elvis History
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    It’s February thirteenth, and on this day in 1967… Elvis Presley was spending so much time on horseback at his beloved Circle G Ranch in Mississippi that he developed painful saddle sores. With his regular doctor unavailable, Elvis turned to an old friend for help—George Klein, his buddy since high school. Klein’s girlfriend, Barbara Little, worked at a Memphis medical office and arranged for Dr. George Nichopoulos to visit the ranch. That visit marked the beginning of a significant and lasting relationship. Dr. Nichopoulos—better known as “Dr. Nick”—would go on to become Elvis’s personal physician for the rest of his life.

  • February 12th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    February 12th in Elvis History
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    It’s February twelfth, and on this day in 1977, Elvis Presley took the stage at the Sportatorium in Hollywood, Florida. But behind the scenes, tension was running high. Though Ginger Alden, now calling herself Elvis’s fiancée, was at his side on tour, echoes of Linda Thompson’s recent departure lingered. Linda had lived with Elvis at Graceland for four years before walking away in 1976, saying she was “tired of seeing him self-destruct on drugs.”

    Adding fuel to the fire, Linda had since begun a relationship with David Briggs, the pianist and organist in Elvis’s tour band. Elvis, well aware of this, brought Briggs along for the tour anyway—but not without making his feelings known. During the show, in a subtle but unmistakable move, Elvis pulled the plug on Briggs’s electronic keyboard mid-performance.