Podcast: Today In Elvis History

  • March 16th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    March 16th in Elvis History
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    It’s March 16th, and on this day in 1957, Elvis received a phone call from his parents with life-changing news. They had found the perfect home—Graceland. Situated just outside of Memphis, in a secluded grove of towering oaks, the estate was perfect for the Presley family, who were seeking privacy from the relentless attention of fans. Graceland, named after the great aunt of the woman who built it, was a 14-acre mansion on Highway 51 South, north of the Mississippi border. The Presley family bought it for $102,500, with a down payment of $10,000 in cash, and a mortgage for the remainder. This was the home where Elvis would create countless memories, solidifying his legacy not just as a performer, but as a cultural icon.

  • March 10th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    March 10th in Elvis History
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    It’s March tenth, and on this day in 1959… RCA Records released Elvis Presley’s single “I Need Your Love Tonight,” backed with “A Fool Such as I.” With one million copies pressed right out of the gate, it was clear RCA was betting big on the King—even though he was stationed thousands of miles away in Germany. A gold record was promptly sent overseas to Elvis, reminding the world that even in uniform, his voice still ruled the airwaves.

    And on this day in 1975… Elvis arrived at RCA’s Sunset Boulevard studios at 9 p.m. with Sheila Ryan and his daughter Lisa Marie. Working through the night with just his vocal group, Voice, Elvis recorded four master tracks by 7 a.m.—including “Fairy Tale” and “And I Love You So,” which he tenderly sang to Sheila in the studio. It was a rare and intimate glimpse of Elvis’s personal life blending with his artistry during the final stretch of his recording career.

  • May 4 in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    May 4 in Elvis History
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    It’s May 4th, and on this day in 1973, Elvis began a 17-day engagement at the High Sierra Theater, Sahara Tahoe, in Stateline, Nevada. Linda Thompson accompanied him on this trip. The show was sold out, and while fans were eager to see the King of Rock and Roll, there were reports of near riots as some fans, despite having made reservations, were not allowed into the venue. *Variety* magazine noted Elvis’s appearance, describing him as “some thirty pounds overweight, puffy, white-faced, and blinking against the light.” Despite the enthusiastic crowds, the review claimed his voice was weak and his delivery flabby, marking a significant contrast to his earlier, more energetic performances.

  • May 3rd in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    May 3rd in Elvis History
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    It’s May 3rd, and on this day in 1969, Elvis’s recording of “In The Ghetto” began climbing *Billboard’s* Hot 100 at number 79. The song would remain on the charts for thirteen weeks, ultimately peaking at number three. This marked Elvis’s first Top 10 single since “Crying in the Chapel” in 1965. Written by Mac Davis, the song was originally offered to Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers and then to Sammy Davis, Jr., both of whom turned it down. The full title of the song, “In The Ghetto (The Vicious Circle),” was shortened by RCA for release. While the song didn’t perform as well on the country charts, peaking at number 60, it became one of Elvis’s most iconic tracks. Interestingly, Dolly Parton’s later cover of the song reached number 50 on the country chart.

  • May 1st in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    May 1st in Elvis History
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    It’s May first, and on this day in 1967, Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu in a private ceremony at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas.

    The day began in the early hours, with Elvis and Priscilla obtaining their marriage license at 3:30 a.m. from the Clark County Courthouse for just fifteen dollars. Afterward, they were whisked away in limousines to the Aladdin Hotel, where the couple was sequestered in a private suite.

    At 9:41 a.m., in an intimate eight-minute ceremony, Elvis and Priscilla were married by Judge David Zenoff of the Nevada Supreme Court. Joe Esposito and Marty Lacker stood as Elvis’s best men. Following the ceremony, the couple held a reception and press conference, marking a monumental personal milestone in Elvis’s life.

    Despite a few tensions behind the scenes—most notably the exclusion of Red West from the ceremony, leading to a two-year estrangement from Elvis—this day stands out as a defining moment in both Elvis’s personal and public life.

  • April 30th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    April 30th in Elvis History
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    It’s April 30th, and on this day in 1964, Elvis met Larry Geller for the first time. Geller, who had replaced Elvis’s regular hairdresser, would go on to become one of Elvis’s closest friends and spiritual advisors. During their initial meeting, Elvis expressed his deep interest in spiritual matters, saying, “There’s got to be a reason why I was chosen to be Elvis Presley.” This conversation sparked a bond that would shape much of Elvis’s personal life and spiritual journey. That day, Elvis convinced Geller to quit his job and work for him, also asking him to bring spiritual books to the recording studio the next day. This moment marked the beginning of a significant and lasting relationship in Elvis’s life beyond his show business circle.

  • April 29th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    April 29th in Elvis History
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    It’s April 29th, and on this day in 1977, a story broke in the *Nashville Banner* revealing that Colonel Tom Parker was reportedly in the process of selling Elvis’s contract. The rumor, which cited sources from Memphis, Los Angeles, and Nashville, suggested that Parker’s mounting gambling debts were behind the decision. In his response, Parker vehemently denied the claims, stating, “I’m here, I’m working with Elvis, I’m in good health, and I don’t have any debts, at least none I can’t pay.” The news sparked speculation and uncertainty, with many questioning whether it was the early stages of a change in direction or simply an unfounded leak, as the Colonel’s plans didn’t come to fruition.

  • April 28th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    April 28th in Elvis History
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    It’s April 28th, and on this day in 1956, Colonel Tom Parker organized a special matinee show for teenagers, offering an affordable opportunity for young fans to see Elvis perform. Attendees paid just one dollar for admission and received a soft drink, making it a memorable and accessible event for the next generation of Elvis fans.

    In 1957, Elvis arrived in Los Angeles and checked into the penthouse apartment and presidential suite of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. He was accompanied by Gene and Junior Smith, George Klein, Arthur Hooton, and Bitsy Mott, while the band stayed at the Knickerbocker Hotel in downtown LA.

    Fast forward to 1976, and Elvis performed at the Summit in Houston, Texas. A scathing review by *Houston Post* reporter Bob Claypool sent shockwaves through Colonel Parker. Claypool described Elvis’s performance as a “depressing, incoherent, amateurish mess” delivered by a “bloated, stumbling, and mumbling figure”—a far cry from the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll that fans had once adored. The fallout from the review led to Parker’s attempt at a quick fix, calling for the return of the recently fired Dr. Nick, despite lingering tensions from a past debacle involving a racquetball facility.

  • April 27th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    April 27th in Elvis History
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    It’s April 27th, and on this day in 1960, Elvis Presley began his first recording session at RCA Victor’s newly opened studios in Hollywood. This marked a significant shift from his previous sessions at Radio Recorders. Elvis was in full dress uniform, working on songs for the soundtrack of *G.I. Blues*. The session, which ran from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., proved to be a challenging one. Out of the fifteen songs attempted, only seven were deemed worthy of release, including “Didja Ever,” “Doin’ the Best I Can,” and a new version of “Blue Suede Shoes.”

    The session also produced the classic “Wooden Heart” and “G.I. Blues,” but not all attempts were successful. Several tracks were incomplete, with songs like “Shoppin’ Around” and “Pocket Full of Rainbows” needing re-recording. Despite the session’s struggles, it was a pivotal moment in Elvis’s career as it was the first of many at RCA’s new Hollywood studios.

  • April 26th in Elvis History

    Today in Elvis History
    Today in Elvis History
    April 26th in Elvis History
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    It’s April 26th, and on this day in 1957, Elvis posed proudly in front of the newly installed gates of Graceland, capturing a personal milestone in what would become his legendary home. Photographers snapped the moment, marking the beginning of his iconic association with Graceland, a place that would come to symbolize his success and personal sanctuary for years to come.