It’s May 23, and on this day in 1968, the Mexican newspaper *Ultimas Noticias* ran a story claiming that Elvis Presley was set to marry actress Yvonne Lime in Acapulco the following week. The rumor, which was picked up by the Associated Press, suggested that the two would elope after dating sporadically in Hollywood and even sharing a visit to Graceland earlier that year. However, like so many rumors about Elvis’s love life, this one was completely unfounded.
It’s May 22nd, and on this day in 1968, Elvis, Priscilla, and Lisa Marie were vacationing in Hawaii at the Ilikai Hotel in Honolulu. During their stay, Elvis took his entourage to the Karate Tournament of Champions at the Honolulu International Center. The event, promoted by Ed Parker, who would later become Elvis’s bodyguard and personal karate instructor, featured future movie star Chuck Norris as one of the competitors. The tournament winner, Mike Stone, was karate’s international grand champion since 1966.
After the competition, Elvis and Priscilla met with Parker, Norris, and Stone. In an interesting twist, Mike Stone would go on to become not only Priscilla’s karate instructor but also a close friend, lover, and live-in boyfriend. It’s said that Elvis disliked Stone so much that he refused to watch the ABC TV series *The Streets of San Francisco* because of Karl Malden’s portrayal of a character named “Detective Mike Stone.”
This fascinating moment in Elvis’s personal life highlights his deep connection to karate, his complicated relationships, and the ever-evolving circle of people around him.
It’s May 21st, and on this day in 1971, the Presley family made waves at the first annual Memphis Music Awards banquet. While Elvis was busy recording in Nashville, his father, Vernon Presley, and stepmother, Dee Presley, represented the family at the event. Elvis was nominated in ten categories and walked away a big winner. He took home the prestigious “Founder’s Award,” and his hit song “Suspicious Minds” won “Outstanding Single.” A moment that recognized both Elvis’s ongoing influence and the love his hometown had for him.
It’s May 20th, and on this day in 1971… Elvis Presley was deep into a week-long marathon recording session at RCA Studios in Nashville. Beginning each night around 7 p.m., these sessions were intended to yield both a Christmas album and pop singles for an upcoming studio release. While a rumored cover of The Carpenters’ Merry Christmas Darling never materialized, Elvis did lay down his now-classic bluesy jam Merry Christmas Baby—a gritty, extended session that would be trimmed and polished for future release. Accompanied by pals Charlie Hodge and Joe Esposito on guitar, and later overdubs by the Imperials and a full violin section, this intense stretch produced thirty tracks in total—showcasing Elvis’s enduring creative drive even in the midst of the 1970s.
It’s May 19th, and on this day in 1965, Colonel Parker took an extraordinary step in promoting Elvis’s film *Tickle Me*. The Colonel, always thinking outside the box, convinced RCA to purchase Elvis’s custom gold Cadillac and send it on a nationwide tour to serve as a stand-in for the star himself at *Tickle Me* premieres.
The “Solid Gold Cadillac,” as it was called, was no ordinary car. This 1960 Cadillac was customized by the famous George Barris and was equipped with two telephones, a full entertainment console, a refreshment bar, and even an electric shoe buffer—everything gold-plated, of course, with golden guitar insignia. The exterior was finished in white-gold Murano pearl with gold-plated trim, making it a true spectacle on the road.
Though the car made its way across the country, the Colonel grew increasingly concerned as he faced challenges in presenting Elvis to the public in a way that would match the star power of the “Solid Gold Cadillac.” This creative promotion highlighted both Elvis’s unique brand and Colonel Parker’s commitment to keeping him in the public eye, even when Elvis couldn’t be physically present.
It’s May 18th, and on this day in 1973, Elvis Presley was nearing the end of a seventeen-day engagement at the Sahara Tahoe Hotel when he was rushed to a local hospital for chest X-rays. Fans who had lined up outside the High Sierra Theater were devastated to learn that both the evening’s and the weekend’s shows would be canceled. Shortly after, Elvis flew back to Memphis, and Colonel Parker arranged for the return of his $100,000 payment to the hotel.
This incident sparked open discussions within Elvis’s inner circle about his prescription drug abuse. Concerned family members, including Colonel Parker and Vernon Presley, enlisted a Los Angeles attorney to investigate who was supplying Elvis with his seemingly endless stream of medications. The investigation revealed that at least three physicians and one dentist were involved. Despite efforts to confront them, Elvis refused to cooperate, leaving the situation unresolved for several more months.
It’s May 17th, and on this day in 1957, Elvis Presley was resting at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel following a brief hospital stay at Southern California’s Cedars of Lebanon Hospital. During the filming of *Jailhouse Rock*, Elvis had dislodged a cap from one of his teeth, which ended up lodged in his lung. The cap required a doctor to remove it with forceps.
In an unexpected but heartwarming turn, Elvis’s three hundred-pound friend, Lamar Fike, showed up unannounced at the Beverly Wilshire. Fike, who had left his job in Jacksonville, Florida, when he learned of Elvis’s hospitalization, made the long drive straight to Hollywood to be by his side. A year earlier, the press had noticed Lamar often hanging around Elvis’s home in Memphis, and now, he became one of the first people allowed into Elvis’s inner circle, offering his unwavering support during this challenging time.
It's May 16th, and on this day in 1954, Elvis Presley attended the annual Cotton Festival in Memphis. Two years before he would become a headliner at the event, he was in the audience, watching the performance of Eddy Arnold, who had once been managed by Colonel Tom Parker. The Jordanaires, who would go on to become a crucial part of Elvis's sound, were backing Arnold during the show. After the performance, Elvis made his way backstage, where he famously told the group, ""If I ever cut a record, I want you guys singing background with me."" This moment would foreshadow the collaboration that would shape Elvis's musical career.
In 1956, Elvis gave two performances at the Robinson Memorial Auditorium in Little Rock, Arkansas. During an interview between shows, he mentioned that his favorite song was ""I Was The One"" from his first RCA session.
In 1957, Elvis was released from the hospital after an unspecified health issue.
In 1967, Elvis visited the Memphian Theater to watch Peter Sellers' film *A Shot In The Dark*.
And in 1971, while recording his upcoming Christmas album in Nashville, Elvis and his band jammed during a break, playing Bob Dylan's ""Don't Think Twice, It's All Right"" for over 11 minutes. Elvis lost interest in the Christmas album afterward, and the band recorded three instrumental tracks instead.
It's May 15, and on this day in 1956, Elvis Presley performed at the Ellis Auditorium in Memphis, Tennessee, during the Cotton Carnival. This marked a key moment in his career, as he closed the show with "Hound Dog" for the very first time, a song that would go on to become a defining anthem of his career. Elvis, dressed in a black shirt, Kelly green jacket, and black pants, received an enthusiastic welcome from the hometown crowd, who roared with approval when it was announced that Elvis would be performing a charity benefit show later that summer. The performance also included "Heartbreak Hotel" and a tribute to Little Richard with "Long Tall Sally." It was a night that further cemented his place as a musical icon in his own hometown.
It's May 14th, and on this day in 1957, while working on the dance sequence for *Jailhouse Rock*, Elvis accidentally swallowed a cap from one of his teeth. This mishap would become a notable moment in his legendary career as the King of Rock and Roll continued to face both the pressures and challenges of his rising stardom. Also on this day in 1968, Elvis met with Bob Finkel to discuss his upcoming Christmas special. With a desire to make the special stand out, Elvis expressed that he wanted it to be completely different from his previous work, aiming to showcase his true capabilities as a performer beyond the typical Christmas show format.
