Podcast: Today In Elvis History

  • June 2nd in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    June 2nd in Elvis History
    Loading
    /

    It’s June 2, and on this day in 1955, Elvis Presley performed at the City Auditorium in Amarillo, Texas. That same year, his single “Baby Let’s Play House” reached number 10 on Billboard’s Country chart, becoming his first national charting hit.

    In 1957, Elvis filmed a scene in the prison coal yard for his iconic movie *Jailhouse Rock*, cementing his legacy in film history.

    Fast forward to 1968, Elvis and Priscilla returned to Los Angeles from Hawaii, marking another chapter in their personal life.

    In 1975, Elvis performed two shows at the Municipal Auditorium in Mobile, Alabama, and in 1976, he rocked the Civic Center Coliseum in El Paso, Texas. In 1977, Elvis wrapped up his tour with a performance at the Municipal Auditorium in Mobile, before returning to Memphis.

    This day in Elvis history showcases milestones in both his musical career and his film ventures, along with important personal moments.

  • June 1st in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    June 1st in Elvis History
    Loading
    /

    It’s June 1st, and on this day in 1938, Vernon Presley arrived at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman to begin serving his sentence for a forgery conviction. The charges stemmed from Vernon and two other men altering a check for a mere five dollars. While Vernon was incarcerated, he faced grueling labor, spending his days working in the prison’s cotton, corn, and sugarcane fields under harsh conditions, where guards reportedly used whips.

    In 1958, Elvis, dressed in full military uniform, took the time to explain his army insignia to fans outside Graceland, providing a glimpse into his life as a soldier during his time in the U.S. Army. It was a rare moment of connection between Elvis and his adoring fans during his military service.

    This day also marked several memorable performances, from a 1955 show at the High School Auditorium in Guymon, Oklahoma, to a surprise appearance at the Overton Park Shell in Memphis in 1956, where Elvis joined the likes of Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Warren Smith onstage.

  • May 31st in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    May 31st in Elvis History
    Loading
    /

    It’s May 31st, and on this day in 1967, Elvis hosted a second wedding reception at Graceland for 125 of his Memphis friends, family, and staff who couldn’t attend his Vegas ceremony with Priscilla. The guests, most of whom were casually dressed, gathered around the patio, which was usually reserved for the race car set-up, overlooking the swimming pool. Music for the evening came from Elvis’s jukebox and a local accordionist, Tony Brasso. The meal, served in the trophy room, was prepared by Monty’s catering. It was a relaxed and intimate celebration, giving those closest to Elvis a chance to join in the joy of his marriage to Priscilla.

  • May 30th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    May 30th in Elvis History
    Loading
    /

    It’s May 30th, and on this day in 1956, Elvis attended the graduation ceremonies of Humes and South Side High Schools at Ellis Auditorium. This event marked a significant moment in Elvis’s connection to his Memphis roots, as he was a local figure who had already made waves in the music world.

    Fast forward to 1975, and on May 30th, Elvis kicked off his second tour of the year with a performance at the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville, Alabama. This marked another high point in his busy concert schedule, as he continued to captivate audiences across the country.

    Meanwhile, back in 1943, an eight-year-old Elvis Presley spent his afternoons at the WELO radio studio in Tupelo, Mississippi. It was there, at one of the station’s most popular shows, *Saturday Jamboree*, that young Elvis began to develop his lifelong love of music. He became fast friends with local entertainer Carvel Lee Ausborn, or “Mississippi Slim,” who would share his extensive record collection, further fueling Elvis’s passion for music that would one day change the world.

  • May 29th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    May 29th in Elvis History
    Loading
    /

    It’s May 29th, and on this day in 1955, Elvis performed two shows in Texas—an afternoon performance at the North Side Coliseum in Fort Worth and an evening show at the Sportatorium in Dallas. These concerts were part of his busy schedule during his rise to fame.

    Fast forward to 1963, on this day, Elvis made an interesting choice as Priscilla graduated high school. Instead of attending the ceremony, he waited for her in his car and brought her back to Graceland, where a special graduation party had been arranged for her.

    Then, in 1967, Elvis and Priscilla hosted a second wedding reception at Graceland for friends and family, complete with green and white decorations, a cake from Monte’s Catering Service, and music by Tony Barrasso. After the event, Elvis went to the Memphian Theater to unwind with a movie.

    These milestones reflect key moments in both Elvis’s career and personal life, showing his busy performance schedule and unique personal decisions.

  • May 28th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    May 28th in Elvis History
    Loading
    /

    It’s May 28th, and on this day in 1955, Elvis performed for the second time on the “Big D Jamboree” radio show, broadcast live from the City Sportatorium in Dallas, Texas. This performance marked another important step in Elvis’s early career, as he shared the stage with other country and rockabilly stars, such as Onie Wheeler, Arlie Duff, and Texas Bill Strength. It was during his appearances on the “Big D Jamboree” that Elvis’s first manager, Bob Neal, met Colonel Tom Parker, a meeting that would ultimately shape Elvis’s future. Bob Neal, who would later lose his management rights due to Parker’s influential connections, would go on to represent a legendary list of artists, including Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and more.

  • May 27th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    May 27th in Elvis History
    Loading
    /

    It’s May 27th, and on this day in 1966, Elvis Presley was in the middle of a significant recording session at RCA’s Studio B in Nashville. This was his first non-movie session since January 1964, marking a return to more personal, non-soundtrack music. For three days, Elvis and his team recorded into the early morning hours, taking only a midday break before resuming in the evening.

    During this marathon session, a variety of songs were laid down. Among them were two fillers for the *Spinout* soundtrack: “Down in the Alley” and “Tomorrow Is a Long Time.” Also recorded were non-religious singles like “Come What May” and “Fools Fall in Love,” as well as two gospel tracks: “If the Lord Wasn’t Walking By My Side” and “Where Could I Go But to the Lord.” These tracks would further showcase the versatility of Elvis’s sound, blending his rock-and-roll roots with his gospel influences.

  • May 26th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    May 26th in Elvis History
    Loading
    /

    It’s May 26th, and on this day in 1973, after a tumultuous end to their relationship, Priscilla Presley took a significant legal step. She hired the law firm Tankell, Toll, and Leavitt and scheduled a meeting with Elvis’s lawyer, Gregory Hookstratten. In this session, Vernon Presley promised to supply Elvis’s income tax returns for Priscilla’s review. However, when Vernon failed to deliver the documents, Priscilla filed a motion in Santa Monica Superior Court to invalidate their original agreement, which had entailed a lump sum of $100,000, some cars, and $1,500 per month in spousal and child support. Priscilla now sought a revised settlement, asking for $20,000 per month in spousal support and $2,500 per month for child support.

  • May 25th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    May 25th in Elvis History
    Loading
    /

    It’s May 25th, and on this day in 1966… Elvis Presley boarded a rented Greyhound bus to head to Nashville, where a major turning point in his recording career began. At RCA’s Studio B, he met his new producer, Felton Jarvis, whose temperament proved to be a better match for Elvis than his predecessor. That night marked the first time in more than two years that Elvis recorded non-soundtrack material. From 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., he worked on what would become the *How Great Thou Art* album and laid down his haunting rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Tomorrow Is a Long Time.” It was a night of creative renewal and a signal that Elvis was ready to return to more meaningful musical roots.

  • May 24th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    May 24th in Elvis History
    Loading
    /

    It’s May 24th, and on this day in 1945, Priscilla Ann Wagner was born in Brooklyn, New York. Tragically, her father, James Wagner, a Navy pilot, lost his life in an air crash later that year while returning home on leave. In 1949, her mother, Ann, remarried to Joseph Paul Beaulieu, an Air Force officer, who adopted Priscilla. The Beaulieu family moved frequently due to military postings, and by 1959, they were stationed at Wiesbaden Air Force Base in Germany, where a young Elvis Presley was also stationed. It was there that 14-year-old Priscilla met Elvis at his home in Bad Nauheim. By 1962, Priscilla moved to Memphis to live with Elvis at Graceland, and by 1967, the two were married, having their only child, Lisa Marie, later that year. Their marriage, however, would end in divorce in 1973.