It’s March 27th, and on this day in 1961, principal photography for *Blue Hawaii* began on location in Hawaii. This marked the start of a three-week shooting schedule for what would become one of Elvis’s most iconic films. While there, Elvis reunited with actress Joan Blackman, who had previously starred opposite him in *G.I. Blues*. Despite some initial tension over her demands, Elvis insisted on working with her, and they maintained a platonic friendship throughout the production. *Blue Hawaii* would go on to become a major success, contributing to Elvis’s continued popularity during the 1960s.
It’s March 26th, and on this day in 1953, Elvis Presley made a visit to the Tennessee State Employment Security office, filling out an application with careful attention. He listed his address as 462 Alabama, where the family had moved into a Victorian apartment, renting it for just $50 a month. In the “leisure time activities” section, he wrote, “Sings, playing ball, working on car, going to movies,” and expressed his desire to work as a machinist. The interviewer noted his “flashily dressed” appearance, but acknowledged that he had worked hard over the past three summers and was eager to work with people. This moment marks one of the early steps in Elvis’s journey before he would take the world by storm.
Also on March 26th, 1955, Elvis performed at the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, a crucial stop in his career that helped build his growing reputation in the music industry.
In 1960, Elvis made an unforgettable appearance on The Frank Sinatra Show, taping a segment where he performed “Stuck On You,” “Fame and Fortune,” and joined Frank Sinatra for a duet of “Witchcraft” and “Love Me Tender.” The show aired on May 12th, showcasing Elvis in one of his most memorable televised moments.
Fast forward to March 26th, 1976, when Elvis came across an accident on I-240 during the evening. After showing his badge, he helped the victims, showing his concern for others even in such a sudden and unexpected situation.
These events highlight pivotal moments in Elvis’s career, from his humble beginnings to iconic performances and his compassionate nature.
It’s March 25th, and on this day in 1956, Elvis flew from New York to Los Angeles for a Hollywood screen test. His arrival was met by Colonel Tom Parker, Tom Diskin, and Leonard Hirshan, who observed that Elvis, sporting a camera around his neck, looked more like a typical tourist than a rock and roll legend in the making. Meanwhile, his band drove back to Memphis, making a stop in Dover, Delaware, to visit Carl Perkins in the hospital, delivering a get-well message from Elvis himself.
In 1957, on this day, Elvis finalized the purchase of Graceland for $102,500, a monumental moment in his life that would forever change his personal and professional future. Later that year, in 1958, Elvis began his army service with a traditional GI haircut in front of reporters at Fort Chaffee, marking the beginning of his military journey. His first military haircut, costing 95 cents, became a significant moment in both his career and the public’s fascination with his every move.
It’s March 24th, and on this day in 1958, Elvis Presley reported to the draft board at 6:35 a.m., accompanied by his girlfriend Anita Wood and his parents, Vernon and Gladys. After being assigned the serial number 53 310 761, he underwent a physical examination before being put in charge of a group of recruits, traveling by army bus to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.
During this pivotal moment, Elvis met Rex Mansfield, who would go on to become one of his closest friends during his time in the army. As Elvis stood for his army haircut—at the cost of just 65 cents—members of the press eagerly collected his hair clippings, reportedly for a souvenir. Meanwhile, outside, Colonel Parker handed out “good-bye” balloons to the media and fans who had gathered to witness this historical moment.
It’s March 23, and on this day in 1969, Elvis’s twentieth film, *Frankie and Johnny*, opened across the United States. Released by United Artists, the film was inspired by the old folk song of the same name, which tells the story of a love triangle that leads to tragedy. The original tale, dating back to 1899, centers on Frankie, a woman who believes her lover, Johnny, is cheating with a showgirl named Alice Pryor. In a fit of jealousy, Frankie shoots Johnny while he walks down the street with Alice in St. Louis.
Elvis stars as Johnny, with Donna Douglas, known for *The Beverly Hillbillies*, playing his leading lady, Frankie. The film also features Mitzi McCall as Mitzi, Harry Morgan as Cully, and New Orleans native Donna Douglas as Nellie Bly. Directed by Frederick De Cordova, who would later helm *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson*, *Frankie and Johnny* marked another unique entry in Elvis’s cinematic career.
It’s March 22nd, and on this day in 1957, Elvis Presley was involved in an unusual confrontation in downtown Memphis. While signing autographs for a group of young women, a young soldier named P.F.C. Hershel Nixon accused Elvis of having an affair with his wife months earlier. Despite Elvis’s insistence that he knew nothing about the incident, Nixon became increasingly aggressive. When he pulled a gun on Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll responded by pulling a prop gun, famously saying, “You don’t want to start trouble with me, do you? I’ll blow your damn brains out, you punk.” Nixon was arrested and fined, but later, Elvis decided not to press charges, telling reporters that the only harm done was to his ego.
It’s March 21st, and on this day in 1961, Elvis began recording the soundtrack for *Blue Hawaii* at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. The session started at 1:00 p.m. and continued until late that night, wrapping up around 11:50 p.m. Over two days, Elvis and his band recorded 15 tracks, including the iconic “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” which would go on to become one of his most beloved ballads. The session also brought a distinct Hawaiian sound to life, with the use of steel guitars, ukuleles, and percussion by the legendary Hal Blaine. Interestingly, different versions of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” would later be used in the movie and the final master recording. It wasn’t until 1997 that the definitive version of the song was released on the *Elvis Presley Platinum* box set.
It’s March 20th, and on this day in 1956, Elvis performed at the Bell Municipal Auditorium in Augusta, Georgia. Meanwhile, his parents were moving into their new home on Audubon Drive in Memphis, marking a major personal milestone for Elvis and his family.
Fast forward to March 20th, 1960, when Elvis, along with Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana, traveled to Nashville for a recording session that lasted from 8:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. the following morning. During this session, they recorded six tracks for an upcoming single that was pressed and shipped within just two days, further contributing to the success of Elvis’s burgeoning album.
On March 20th, 1974, Elvis gave a performance at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee. This show was recorded by RCA’s mobile recording truck, capturing the final concert of a southern tour. Notably, this performance marked Elvis’s return to his hometown for the first time since 1961. During the show, Elvis greeted the crowd with, “Hello, Memphis. It’s good to be home,” a moment that would lead to the creation of his iconic *From Memphis to Vegas* album.
It’s March 19th, and on this day in 1957, Elvis made a monumental step in securing his legacy. After viewing the property his parents had found, he made a $1,000 deposit toward purchasing Graceland for himself and his family. This was the beginning of a new chapter in Elvis’s life, marking the start of his residence in one of the most famous homes in music history.
It’s March 17th, and on this day in 1962, Elvis’s “Good Luck Charm” entered Billboard’s *Hot 100* at number 51. The song would go on to reach number one and stay on the charts for a remarkable 13 weeks. The buzz around this release was significant, as *Billboard* ran at least three front-page stories featuring Elvis. One headline read, “New Presley Record Hypos Singles Market,” suggesting that despite earlier reports to the contrary, Elvis had not lost his commercial appeal. The article went on to say that “Good Luck Charm” was shaping up to be one of his biggest hits. Another headline, “Presley Leads Charmed Life,” celebrated his continued success, while a third article highlighted how the song was gaining traction in New York, though not as quickly as expected.
This moment marked another major chapter in Elvis’s career, solidifying his status as one of the most enduring figures in the music industry.
