Elvis Aaron Presley The Man And His Music 1957-1958- The King of Rock 'n' Roll
Elvis Presley - The King of Rock 'n' Roll - Elvis Presley 1957-1958 - Every concert, studio recording and important event in Elvis Presley's Life from Memphis January 1957 to Fort Hood, Texas 1958.
Elvis made two movies in 1957, Loving You and Jailhouse Rock, and also recorded soundtracks for both. 'Jailhouse Rock' included a production number of the title song that was the prototype for the music video, a recording industry format that became a standard feature with the advent of MTV (Music Television) in the early 1980s. Elvis continued to perform live, making his first concert appearances in Canada and Hawaii in '57. Presley's popularity had reached unprecedented heights when his draft notice arrived in December 1957. Before his induction into the U.S. Army, Elvis filmed his fourth movie,King Creole, and recorded the soundtrack. Private Presley reported to Fort Hood, Texas, in March 1958 for six months of basic training.
Elvis Presley
January 4, Elvis drives to Kennedy Veterans Hospital in Memphis for a pre-induction physical that will determine his draft status. Later in the day Elvis takes a train to New York City for his third Ed Sullivan appearance.
TV- Appearances in 1957
6 January. New York, NY. TV Broadcast, Ed Sullivan Show
Elvis makes his third and final appearance on Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town Show. It is for this appearance that Elvis is seen only from the waist up. It's funny that after all of his television appearances the previous year, such censorship comes at this time. It is particularly amusing that this guideline remains in place during Elvis' performance of the gospel standard, Peace in the Valley, one of five songs he performs on this Sullivan appearance.
The Ed Sullivan Show – CBS Studio New York - 06.01.1957
Hound Dog
Love Me Tender
Heartbreak Hotel
Don't Be Cruel
Too Much
When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
Peace In The Valley
Ed Sullivan himself helps diffuse some of the controversy surrounding Elvis when he comes out on stage to thank Elvis and tells the studio audience and millions of American television viewers that 'this is a decent, fine boy' and what a delight he has been to work with when appearing on the show. Ed Sullivan is the most influential person on television audiences and one of the most powerful people in the television industry at the time.
January 8, Elvis celebrates his twenty-second birthday at home with his parents.
The Memphis Draft Board announces at a press conference that Elvis Presley will be classified 1A, meaning he will most likely be drafted in the next six to eight months.
While at home Elvis stips by to see Dixie Locke, who has recently married.
January 12 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
I Believe H2WB 0253-09 Tell Me Why H2WB 0254-05 Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do H2WB 0255-09 All Shook Up H2WB 0256-10
January 13 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
Mean Woman Blues H2WB 0257-14 Peace In The Valley H2WB 0258-09 I Beg Of You (Alternate Master) H2WB 0259-12 That's When Your Heartaches Begin H2WB 0260-SP Take My Hand Precious Lord H2WB 0261-14
January 15 1957 Paramount Sound Stage - Hollywood, CA
(Let's Have A) Party (Alternate Master - Movie Version) SPA5 2868-07 Lonesome Cowboy H2WB 2194-SP
January 16 1957 Paramount Sound Stage - Hollywood, CA
Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do (Alternate Master) HRA1 8674-17 Detour (Instrumental) ____-NA Teddy Bear H2WB 2193-13 Peter Cottontail (Instrumental) ____-06
January 17 1957 Paramount Sound Stage - Hollywood, CA
Loving You (Farm Version 1) ____-NA Loving You (End Version) ____-16 Loving You (Main Version 1) ____-03 Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do (Alternate Intro Version) ____-02 Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do (Movie Version Composite) ____-SP Dancing On A Dare (Dolores Hart) ____-01 Detour (Dolores Hart) ____-01
January 18 1957 Paramount Sound Stage - Hollywood, CA
One Night Of Sin NPA5 5820-NA Blueberry Hill WPA5 2589-02 Hot Dog H2WB 2196-17 Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do (Finale) WPA5 2587-13
January 19 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) H2WB 0282-13 Blueberry Hill H2WB 0283-09 Have I Told You Lately That I Love You H2WB 0284-15 Is It So Strange? H2WB 0285-12
January 21 1957 Paramount Sound Stage - Hollywood, California
(Let's Have A) Party H2WB 2195-11 Mean Woman Blues (Alternate Intro Version) SPA5 2870-07 Mean Woman Blues (Movie Version Composite) SPA5 2870-SP Detour (Instrumental - End Version) ____-06
January 22 1957 Paramount Sound Stage - Hollywood, California
Loving You (Farm Version 2) ____-14
February 14 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
Loving You (Farm Version 3) WPA5 2538-12 Loving You (Main Version 2) WPA5 2539-21
February 23 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
Don't Leave Me Now H2WB 0414-29 I Beg Of You H2WB 0259-34 One Night H2WB 0415-10 True Love H2WB 0416-20 I Need You So H2WB 0417-08
February 24 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
Loving You H2WB 0418-04 When It Rains It Really Pours H2WB 0419-08
March is a busy month for Elvis. He finishes the movie 'Loving You'. He decides to buy Graceland after seeing it once. Elvis telegrams June Juanico to meet his train during a brief layover in New Orleans, and it is there that she informs him that she is engaged to be married.
In an incident in downtown Memphis, across from the hotel Chisca, Elvis is accused of pulling a gun on Private Hershel Nixon, a nineteen year-old Marine, who claims that Elvis insulted his wife. Elvis sends a rambling six-page telegram of explanation and apology to Private Nixon.
March 17, Elvis buys Graceland. Elvis along with his parents, Vernon and Gladys had lived in a well-appointed house at 1034 Audubon Drive, in Memphis, TN, since March 20, 1956. (Vernon and Gladys moved in on this date while Elvis was on tour)
Elvis is proudly standing in Graceland, which he recently bought - March 57
They would have been comfortable there had their son not become the biggest show business sensation in the western world. It soon became apparent that 1034 Audubon Drive failed to provide privacy from an increasing army of fans who even started camping on the home's front lawn.
Consequently, Elvis and his parents spent much of early 1957 in Hollywood where Elvis was filming 'Loving You', which featured his parents as extras.
On Saturday, March 17, 1957, a day after they returned to Memphis, Elvis' mother and father called real estate agent Virginia Grant to see what she had to offer. Grant wasted no time. That day she showed them two properties, leaving Graceland to last. By 6 p.m. she had accepted a $1,000 deposit from the Presleys and drawn up a provisional sales contract detailing the terms of sale, including an asking price of $90,000.
At 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 19, 22-year-old Elvis, accompanied by his parents, met Grant at Graceland.
Elvis surveyed the property for a few minutes, then baptized the house by playing some Rock & Roll at a piano. Elvis, Vernon and Gladys Presley signed the sales contract on the spot as purchasers, and a closing date was set for Tuesday, March 26, at 4:30 p.m.
Around this time in March, according to Carl Perkins, Elvis droped by Sun Records as Sam Phillips is playing back Carl's recording of 'That's Right'. Carl says, Elvis danced across the floor to the beat and declared that it would be a hit. 'Man I'd kill for that song', Elvis said.
Sam then boxed the tape and the three of them headed for WHBQ. When the trio walked in to the studio Dewey Phillips broke into the record he was playing and announced: 'Somebody lock the door! Don't let 'em out! Got 'em both down here, burnin' them jukeboxes up with songs like -' and he had 'Hound Dog' cued up and ready to rip. As it played, Sam handed the tape to Dewey and said, 'I think this is one of the best records that will ever come out of Sun'. Dewey got Elvis to the mike to introduce the song, 'Well, ladies and gentlemen, if this ain't gonna be a hit record I'm gonna be fooled. I-I-I-I-it's really got a different beat and all I know is the name of it's 'That's Right'. And Dewey played the song. After the first airplay Dewey interviewed Carl and Elvis on the air, and devoted a good portion of his show to their music, coming back frequently to ask them questions.
When they left the station, Elvis, Carl and Sam found the street mobbed with teenagers who had been listening to Dewey's show. They ran for the car and drove back to Sun, where more cars and teenagers were lined up. 'Boys, I gotta go', Elvis said declining Sam's invitation to come in. Carl and Sam made their way through the crowd as Elvis sped off into the night, a line of hot rods following behind him.
March 22, When a Marine from Millington tried to 'pick a fight with me'. Elvis said he pulled a toy pistol- used in making motion pictures - out of his coat to scare the Marine away. By the following Tuesday, Elvis and the Marine, Pfc. Hershel Nixon, had patched up the quarrel.
March 25, Elvis sends a rambling six-page telegram of explanation and apology to Private nixon. (There is a copy of the telegram Elvis wrote to Pfc. Hershel Nixon in the book Elvis Day By Day - Ernst Jorgensen) Elvis meets with Judge Boushe in chambers and the incident is settled without legal action.
Tour. Mar. 28 - Apr. 6
March 28, Elvis performs for 12.000 people in the International Amphitheater in Chicago. Elvis wears a $2.500 gold-leaf suit that the Colonel has had made up by Nudie Cohen. On Friday March 29, this time at the Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis, Elvis once again wears the gold suit, but after tonight will seldom wear the trousers again. He is embarrassed by what he considers the clownishness, not the coolness of the look, and the Colonel has asked him not to drop to his knees anymore, because the gold is flaking off and gold is expensive.
28 March. Chicago, IL. International Amphistheater
29 March. St. Louis MO. Kiel Auditorium
30 March. Fort Wayne, Memorial Coliseum
31 March. Detroit, MI. Olympia Stadium (2 shows)
1 April. Buffalo, NY. Memorial Coliseum
2 April. Toronto, Can. Maple Leaf Gardens (2 shows)
3 April. Ottawa, Can. Auditorium (2 shows)
5,6 April. Philadelphia, PA. Sports Arena (4 shows)
April 22, When Elvis Presley purchased Graceland in 1957, the music gates were not a part of the property. Designed for Elvis by Abe Saucer and custum-built by John Dillars, Jr., of Memphis Doors, Inc., the custom music gates were delivered and installed on April 22, 1957 .
Elvis Presley at the new music gates Graceland in 1957
Jailhouse Rock recording sessions April / May 1957
April 30 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
Jailhouse Rock H2WB 6779-06 Jailhouse Rock (Pickup to instrumental, chorus and on) ____-02 Jailhouse Rock (Composite Master) ____-SP Jailhouse Rock (Movie Version) H2WB 6780-SP Treat Me Nice (First Movie Version) HRA1 8681-19 Young And Beautiful H2WB 6777-22 Young And Beautiful (Movie End Version) H2WB 6777-SP Young And Beautiful (Solo Version) WPA5 2507-03 Young And Beautiful (Florita Club Version) HRA1 8682-07
May 1 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
I Want To Be Free ____-NA
May 3 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
Treat Me Nice (Second Movie Version) H2WB 6778-SP I Want To Be Free (Prison TV Version) WPA5 2508-SP I Want To Be Free ____-11 I Want To Be Free (Pickup First Ending) ____-02 I Want To Be Free (Pickup Second Ending) ____-05 I Want To Be Free (Composite Record Version) H2WB 6781-SP Baby I Don't Care (Rhythm Track) H2WB 6782-16 Baby I Don't Care (First Vocal Overdub) HRA1 8683-01 Don't Leave Me Now (Elvis' Piano Version) WPA5 2600-02 Don't Leave Me Now (Hit Record Version) HRA1 8684-21
May 8 1957 MGM Sound Stage - Hollywood, California
Baby I Don't Care (Second Vocal Overdub) H2WB 6782-06
May 9 1957 MGM Sound Stage - Hollywood, California
Don't Leave Me Now H2WB 6783-12 Don't Leave Me Now ____-02
June 28, Elvis Presley made an appearance, but did not sing at Russwood Park for a benefit for St. Jude's Hospital. Elvis is flanked by comic Lou Costello and actress Jane Russell. Others appearing on the program before an estimated crowd of 11,000 were singers Roberta Sherwood, Ferlin Husky and actress Susan Hayward.
July 27 1957 MGM Sound Stage - Hollywood, California
Don't Leave Me Now (Mickey Alba Version) ____-NA
July 30 1957 MGM Sound Stage - Hollywood, California
Treat Me Nice (Guitar Overdub) H2WB 6778
Mid-August 1957: Elvis traded his three-wheel custom-built Messerschmitt for a two-and-a-half hour shopping spree at Lansky Brothers' clothing store on Beale Street in Memphis.
Elvis arrived at the station with his parents, Anita, and his male friends, George Klein, Cliff Cleaves and Lamar Fike
Making no secret of their affection for each other, Elvis and Anita Wood look into each others eyes like any other lovers bidding farewell
'Ooooh', murmured the 25 or so teenagers standing by when their idol, Elvis, kissed his 'number one' girl, Anita Wood, before boarding the train.
August 27, (From the Memphis Press Scimitar, August 28, 1957) Before boarding an 11 o'clock train at Central Station, Elvis Presley told a small crowd gathered to see him off 'Anita is number one with me – strictly tops,' Elvis beamed, meaning the pert and pretty blond Anita Wood standing beside him. Anita, a WHBQ-TV star, was one of two winners of the Mid-South Star Hunt last Thursday.
Elvis and three traveling companions left for the Pacific northwest for personal appearance tour.
About 25 young fans were on hand for his unannounced departure at 11 p.m. As the train lurched forward and Elvis waved, three small girls who had pushed to the front of the crowd began crying.
'I'll Just Die!' One squealed: 'three whole weeks – I can't stand it – I'll just die!' (Elvis will be back in three weeks before going to Tupelo, Miss. for a benefit show).
Elvis arrived at the station with his parents, Anita, and his male friends, George Klein, Cliff Cleaves and Lamar Fike, in the Presleys' black Cadillac. 'Uncle' and Mrs. Travis Smith followed in their car.
Elvis strode into the station with Anita on one arm. When the waiting fans spotted them, Central Station's marble halls echoed with screams and shrieks.
Elvis wore a light blue sport coat and navy blue slacks. Anita looked chic in a black dress with white lace collar.
Elvis embraced his mother several times and she reminded him to 'Be good, son' as he boarded the train. 'Take care of yourself, boy,' said Mr. Presley. Mrs. Presley said she 'worries about Elvis'
when he goes on trips.
Elvis kissed Anita twice for photographers (and about five times for himself) before hopping aboard.
As the train moved away, Anita burst into tears and Mrs. Presley put her arm around her. The Presley's and Anita walked arm in arm out of the station to the Cadillac again, with Uncle Travis, himself moist-eyed, following.
September 5 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
Treat Me Nice H2PB 5523-15 Blue Christmas H2PB 5525-03
September 6 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
My Wish Came True H2PB 5524-28 White Christmas H2PB 5526-09 Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) H2PB 5527-02 Silent Night H2PB 5528-09 Don't H2PB 5529-07
September 7 1957 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
O Little Town Of Bethlehem H2PB 5530-04 Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me) H2PB 5531-09 Santa Claus Is Back In town H2PB 5532-07 I'll Be Home For Christmas H2PB 5533-15
27 September. Tupelo, MISS. Fairground
October 1, Elvis spoke on the telecast on behalf of Shelby United Neighbors, Inc. SUN was seeking $1.816.348. It was Memphis and Shelby County's first united charity drive.
California tour. Oct. 26 - Oct. 29
26 October. San Francisco, CA. Civic Center (2 shows)
27 October. Oakland, CA. Oakland Auditorium
28, 29 October. Los Angeles, CA. Pan Pacific Auditorium
Elvis and Jeanne Laverne Carmen at Sy Devores Halloween party in 1957
In his first show at the Pan Pacific Auditorium, (Above) Elvis outrages not only the local and national press but an audience filled with Hollywood celebrities and their children. During the fifty minute, eighteen number show he 'wiggled, bumped, twisted and prompted headlines the next day that declared : 'Elvis Presley Will Have To Clean up His Show - Or go to Jail' The Los Angeles Vice Squad warns Colonel Parker of that same consequence, but according to The Colonel, Elvis remains unfazed. ' He just said, 'Well, if I don't dance tonight, maybe I don't have to take a shower tonight'.'Elvis angrily denied this, says, 'I take a shower ever night regardless of weather i dance or just sing'.
The following nights, a far less flamboyant performance passes the scrutiny of the Police, who film the show just to make sure.
Elvis Presley & Sammy Davis Jr.
At a party in his hotel suite after the show, Elvis meets Ricky Nelson, while hosting entertainers Nick Adams, Carol Channing, Sammy Davis Jr and Tommy Sands.
Booking agent and bandleader Al Dvorin recalls that this was intended to be the last show of the tour until Lee Gordon, who has been booking all of the latest shows into Australia since the war and has been trying desperately to persuade the Colonel to let him book Elvis there, rolled dice with the Colonel for two Hawaiian dates. From Gordan's point of view, this was like getting Elvis halfway to the goal, and the Colonel continued to talk with Gordan about booking Elvis in Australia until at least 1961, though how serious he was may be judged by the results.
November 5, Elvis sailed for Honolulu Hawaii on the USS Matsonia.
More than 14,000 fans see the following two shows.
December 20, Elvis stops by Sun Records after picking up his army draft notice in person. Later Elvis tell reporters it is a 'duty I've got to fill and I'm going to do it'. In the evening Elvis leaves for Nashville to deliver the Colonel's Christmas present, a red Isetta sports car.
Hal Wallis and Paramount Pictures had already spent $350,000 on Presley's latest film King Creole, and they feared the consequences of suspending or canceling the project. The Memphis Draft Board granted Presley a deferment so the movie could be finished.
December 21, Elvis presents the Colonel with his Christmas present, a red Isetta sports car. Later Elvis attends the Grand Ole Opry with Gordon Stoker. He spends the evening chatting comfortably with performers backstage, making a brief appearance to wave to the audience.
December 22, Elvis is photographed backstage at the Opry, with Ferlin Huskey, Faron Young, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Tom Perryman. (Hawkshaw Hawkins was killed in the plane crash alone with Patsy Cline on March 3, 1963.) Either the date is wrong or this is early am on the 22nd.
Elvis backstage at the Opry, December 22. With Ferlin Huskey, Faron Young, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Tom Perryman
Friday December 20, Elvis received his draft notice. 'It's a duty I've got to fill and I'm going to do it', he said. Initially ordered to report for duty January 20, he received a deferment for the filming of 'King Creole' (at that time titled 'Sing, You, Sinners') which was already in pre-production. The deferment was granted and Elvis was inducted March 24, 1958.
Elvis Presley 1958
January 15-16 1958, Elvis recorded the soundtrack for his movie 'King Creole'.
February 1, RCA was desperate to get Elvis into the recording studio before he was inducted so RCA could be assured of a steady stream of new releases available during his two year tour of duty. Elvis recorded 'My Wish Came True' (Remake) 'Doncha' Think It's Time' 'Your Cheatin' Heart' and 'Wear My Ring Around Your Neck' - 'Your Cheatin' Heart' was not released until 1964. Full details below.
January 15 1958 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
Turtles, Berries & Gumbo ____-NA Hard Headed Woman J2PB 3603-10 Trouble J2PB 3604-05 New Orleans J2PB 3605-05 King Creole (Alternate Master) J2PB 3606-18 Crawfish J2PB 3607-07
January 16 1958 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
Dixieland Rock J2PB 3608-14 Lover Doll J2PB 3609-07 Don't Ask Me Why J2PB 3610-12 As Long As I Have You J2PB 3611-10 Muskrat Ramble (Instrumental) SPA3 6770-01 Steadfast Loyal & True (Movie Version) WPA5 2586-06 As Long As I Have You (Short Movie Version) ____-04 As Long As I Have You (Long Movie Version) WPA5 2509-08 Banana (?) ____-NA Bourbon Street (?) ____-NA
January 23 1958 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
King Creole (Revised) J2PB 3612-13 Young Dreams J2PB 3613-08 King Creole (Main Title - Instrumental) ____-08 My Wish Came True J2PB 0178-NA Doncha' Think It's Time J2PB 0179-NA
February 1 1958 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
My Wish Came True (Remake) J2WB 0178-NM Doncha' Think It's Time J2WB 0179-SP Your Cheatin' Heart J2WB 0180-10 Wear My Ring Around Your Neck J2WB 0181-22
February 11 1958 Paramount Sound Stage - Hollywood, CA
Danny WPKM 8123-10 Steadfast Loyal & True (Solo) J2PB 4226-NA
February 26 1958 Radio Recorders - Hollywood, California
Wear My Ring Around Your Neck (Overdub) J2WB 0181
March 24, 1958, at 6:35 AM, Elvis, accompanied by his parents and a group of family and friends, reported to the Memphis Draft Board. From there, he and twelve other recruits were bused to Kennedy Veterans Memorial Hospital. There, Elvis was assigned army serial number 53 310 761.
After being processed and sworn in, Elvis said his good-byes and Private Presley was bused with the others from Memphis to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas for further processing.
June 1, on furlough, after his basic training, Elvis came home to Memphis and enjoyed some time with family and friends. RCA had continued to push for more sessions before Elvis shipped out to Germany in September, and the Colonel reluctantly agreed to both a recording session and a photo session during this two week furlough.
June 10, 1958 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee
I Need Your Love Tonight J2WB 3253-18 A Big Hunk O' Love J2WB 3254-SP Ain't That Loving You Baby J2WB 3255-04 Ain't That Loving You Baby (Fast Version) PPA5 2672-SP (Now And Then There's A) Fool Such As I J2WB 3256-09
June 11, 1958 RCA Studio B - Nashville, Tennessee
I Got Stung J2WB 3257-24
June 14, Elvis returns to Fort Hood. On June 16, Elvis begins ten weeks of advanced Tank Training.
Stop, look and listen baby that's our philosophy .... First thing in the morning, last thing at night ... look, stare everywhere and see everything inside .... Stop, look and listen!
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. Elvis along with his parents, Vernon and Gladys had lived in a well-appointed house at 
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