Podcast: Today In Elvis History

  • January 12th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    January 12th in Elvis History
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    It’s January twelfth, and on this day in 1973… Elvis Presley took the stage at the International Convention Center Arena in Honolulu for the dress rehearsal of *Aloha from Hawaii*, one of the most iconic performances of his career. Though billed as a rehearsal, this full concert was taped as a backup in case technical issues disrupted the live satellite broadcast scheduled for the next night. With a giant flashing Elvis figure behind him and a long runway stretching into the audience, the King delivered the same powerhouse setlist planned for the broadcast. Admission was free, but donations were encouraged, with a fundraising goal of $25,000 for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund.

  • January 11th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    January 11th in Elvis History
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    It's January eleventh, and on this day in 1975… two teenage girls from Mississippi attempted one of the most bizarre stunts in Elvis Presley fan history. Nineteen-year-old Patsy Haynes and seventeen-year-old Areecia “Honeybee” Benson had themselves shipped to Graceland in a crate labeled “Russian Wolfhounds.” The REA Express delivery arrived at the gatehouse, where Elvis’s uncle Vester Presley, working as the gatekeeper, called up to the mansion to report the odd package. Told Elvis didn’t need any more dogs, Vester sent the crate back—only for handlers to discover the two girls hidden inside. Despite their creative scheme, the girls never got to see Elvis.

  • January 10th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    January 10th in Elvis History
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    It's January tenth, and on this day in 1956… Elvis Presley walked into RCA’s McGavock Street studio in Nashville for his very first recording session with his new label. Backed by legends like Chet Atkins on guitar, Floyd Cramer on piano, and D.J. Fontana on drums, Elvis laid down “Heartbreak Hotel,” “I Got a Woman,” and “Money Honey.” But despite the all-star crew, the recordings fell flat for Elvis. The excessive echo effects used by RCA didn’t match the raw energy Sam Phillips had captured at Sun Records, and Elvis left the session disappointed with the results. Still, the moment marked the official beginning of his groundbreaking career with RCA.

  • January 9th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    January 9th in Elvis History
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    It's January ninth, and on this day in 1971… Elvis Presley was named one of the nation's Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Year by the Junior Chamber of Commerce of America. The prestigious Jaycee award, given to men under 35 who demonstrate exceptional achievement in their fields, had previously honored the likes of Orson Welles and Jesse Jackson. Elvis was nominated by former Shelby County Sheriff Bill Morris—whom Elvis had gifted a Mercedes just weeks earlier. Sharing the spotlight that year were figures like Ronald Reagan’s press secretary Ron Ziegler and civil rights activist Tom Atkins. This national recognition marked a rare moment where Elvis was celebrated not just as an entertainer, but as a distinguished American citizen.

  • January 8th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    January 8th in Elvis History
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    It's January eighth, and on this day in 1935… Elvis Aaron Presley was born at 4:35 a.m. in a two-room house built by his father on Old Saltillo Road in East Tupelo, Mississippi. He was the second of twin boys—his brother, Jesse Garon, was stillborn just 35 minutes earlier. Elvis would remain the only child of Vernon and Gladys Presley, the lone survivor after a series of miscarriages. This humble birth marked the beginning of a life that would change the sound and spirit of music forever.

    And on this day in 1946… Eleven-year-old Elvis received a guitar from his parents for his birthday. He had hoped for a bicycle, but that guitar would soon become the most fateful substitution in music history.

    Then in 1960… While stationed in Germany, Elvis was interviewed on his birthday by Dick Clark for *American Bandstand*. That night, he celebrated with about 200 guests—including Priscilla—at a local recreation center, where he was awarded a trophy naming him “Most Valuable Player” of the Bad Nauheim Sunday Afternoon Football Association.

  • January 7th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    January 7th in Elvis History
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    It's January seventh, and on this day in 1967… tragedy struck close to home for Elvis Presley. His uncle Johnny Smith and cousin Brenda were involved in a serious car accident in Memphis. Johnny suffered a deep forehead laceration, while Brenda sustained a fractured skull. Family members suspected Johnny had been drinking at the time, and as a result, Elvis let him go from his job as Graceland’s gatekeeper. In his place, Elvis appointed James Caughley, a persistent member of the Memphis entourage-in-waiting who had been trying to get closer to the inner circle for about a year.

  • January 6th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    January 6th in Elvis History
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    It’s January sixth, and on this day in 1957… Elvis Presley made his third and final appearance on *The Ed Sullivan Show*, broadcast live from the Maxine Elliott Theatre in New York City. Wearing a velvet shirt and a gold lamé vest gifted to him by Barbara Hearn, Elvis performed “Don’t Be Cruel” and, at the network’s request, the gospel number “Peace in the Valley.” Due to ongoing concerns about his on-stage movements, CBS once again filmed Elvis only from the waist up. At the end of the program, Ed Sullivan praised the 22-year-old star, telling America, “This is a real decent, fine boy… We’ve never had a pleasanter experience with a big name than we’ve had with you.” After the show, Elvis boarded a midnight train back to Memphis.

  • January 5th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    January 5th in Elvis History
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    It's January fifth, and on this day in 1955… Elvis's new manager, Bob Neal, flew from Memphis to Shreveport, Louisiana, to meet with *Louisiana Hayride* promoter A.M. “Pappy” Covington about securing key bookings for Elvis on the influential country and western radio show. Neal’s decision to take a flight—rather than spend twelve hours driving—signaled just how critical Elvis's rising momentum had become. With Scotty Moore stepping aside as manager to focus on playing guitar, this marked a pivotal turning point in Elvis’s early career as he began to move beyond regional fame toward national stardom.

  • January 4th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    January 4th in Elvis History
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    It's January fourth, and on this day in 1957, Elvis Presley arrived at the Kennedy Veterans Hospital in Memphis for his pre-induction physical, marking a major step in his journey toward military service. Riding in his canary-yellow Cadillac Eldorado, Elvis was accompanied by dancer Dorothy Harmony and his longtime friend Cliff Gleaves. He passed the physical and was issued a Selective Service number, though no draft classification was assigned just yet. Later that same day, Elvis boarded a train to New York to prepare for his third appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show—balancing stardom with duty in true Elvis style.

  • January 3rd in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    January 3rd in Elvis History
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    It's January third, and on this day in 1967, Elvis Presley’s passion for horseback riding took center stage. What had started as a casual interest quickly turned into a full-blown obsession for the King and his inner circle.

    That day marked a spree of purchases, from riding gear and equestrian apparel to horses themselves. Elvis bought his favorite palomino, originally named Midget’s Vandy, which he promptly renamed Rising Sun. He didn’t stop there—he also bought a horse for his father and added a Tennessee Walker to his growing stable, naming it after Robert E. Lee’s famous steed, Traveler.

    With horses now dominating their downtime, Elvis and the Memphis Mafia visited the Memphian Theater just four times that entire month. For the rest of January, life revolved around the stables.