Elvis Presley | February 25, 1961 | Elvis Presley Day Proclaimed | Colonel Elvis Presley

Tennessee Governor Buford Ellington and Memphis mayor Henry Loeb both declare 'Elvis Presley Day'.

At a special luncheon at the Hotel Claridge, Elvis is presented by RCA with a diamond-studded watch to honor record sales of more than 75 million. Buford Ellington the Governor of Tennessee makes Elvis an honorary Colonel by giving him the title 'Colonel, Aide de Camp on the Governor's Staff'.

Elvis addressed the Tennessee State Legislature on March 8 and accepted the title of 'Honorary Colonel'.

Memphis Charity Show : Ellis Auditorium : 3pm and 8:30pm

Attendance at the matinee is 3,860, with 6,540 at the second show.

Comedian George Jessel introduces Elvis in the evening as 'one of the greatest singer-actors of the century'.

Overall $51,612 is raised with $47,823 distributed among twenty-six charities.

A ticket for Elvis' 1961 charity concert in Memphis.

Elvis Presley : February 25, 1961 : Luncheon at the Hotel Claridge, Memphis, Tennessee

Prior to the shows, a luncheon was held in Elvis' honor at the Claridge Hotel in downtown Memphis. The $100-per-plate event raised $17,000, thanks in part to the donation of food and service by the Claridge. RCA presented Elvis with a diamond watch, and a plaque, marking his achievement of selling over 75 million records.

RCA presented Elvis with a diamond watch, and a plaque, marking his achievement of selling over 75 million records.

It was during the pressing of the hit single, Surrender, that Elvis sales passed 75 million records.

Elvis Presley, Tennessee Governor Buford Ellington, Dee Stanley [presley] and Vernon Presley : February 25, 1961 : Luncheon.

Elvis Presley : February 25, 1961 : Luncheon at the Hotel Claridge, Memphis, Tennessee.

At the 1:45 pm press conference, Sam Phillips asks 'why Sun Records gets so little recognition for Elvis' success, reminding everyone that 'RCA wouldn't have him if it wasn't for Phillips'.

Before the performances a press conference was held. Following are some of the highlights:

Press: 'Everybody wants to know...how is your love life?'
Elvis: 'Well, it hasn't progressed any. It's about like it was. Nothing serious. I'll let you know if anything comes of it. Couldn't hide it anyway (laughs)'.

Press: 'Elvis, are you going to move to Hollywood ... or are you gonna stay here?'
Elvis: 'No sir, I'll stay here'.

Press: 'Which one of your movies do you think you did the best job acting?'
Elvis: 'King Creole'.

Press: 'You haven't been on stage for three years, are you a little bit nervous?'
Elvis: 'Yes sir. I don't mind admitting I am. But when I did the Frank Sinatra show in Florida, I wasn't nervous, I was petrified, I was scared stiff! (laughter)'.

Elvis Presley : The Press Conference : 1:45 pm : February 25, 1961 : Memphis, Tennessee.

Elvis Presley : The Press Conference : 1:45 pm : February 25, 1961 : Memphis, Tennessee.

At the 1:45 pm press conference, Sam Phillips asks why Sun Records gets so little recognition for Elvis' success, reminding everyone that 'RCA wouldn't have him if it wasn't for Phillips.

Elvis Presley In Concert : The 3pm Afternoon, Matinee Show

Elvis Presley In Concert : The 3pm Afternoon, Matinee Show.

Elvis Presley In Concert : The 3pm Afternoon, Matinee Show.

Elvis Presley In Concert : The 3pm Afternoon, Matinee Show.

Gary Pepper noted that Elvis forgot some of the lyrics to 'Don't Be Cruel', but ad-libbed to great effect. The sublime 'Fever' and jubilee gospel number 'Swing Down, Sweet Chariot' were apparently only done that evening, while first show exclusives were 'Doin' The Best I Can' and 'Surrender'. 'Both reviews in The Tankcaster emphasized how the shows were marked by screaming fans, a hysteria Elvis often evoked -- and sometime consciously provoked -- on his 1956-57 tours. As we know, the March 1961 live recording in Honolulu is no different! In some ways, nothing had changed, except that Elvis had only gotten better. Also appearing that day were comedian Brother Dave Gardner, impressionist Nip Nelson, acrobats the Ashtons & Shirley, tap dancer Frank Trent, and ... Larry Owens (née Muhoberac) and his orchestra, called 'the King's Men'.

Songs Performed : The Afternoon 'Matinee' Performance

Heartbreak Hotel
All Shook Up
(Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I
I Got A Woman
Love Me
Such A Night
Reconsider Baby
I Need Your Love Tonight
That's All Right
Doin' The Best I Can
Don't Be Cruel
One Night
Are You Lonesome Tonight?
It's Now Or Never
Surrender
Hound Dog

Elvis Presley In Concert : The 8:30pm Evening Show

Comedian George Jessel hit the stage in an exaggerated salaam to the King of rock and roll.

Above, Comedian George Jessel hit the stage in an exaggerated salaam to the King of rock and roll at Elvis' evening performance at Ellis Auditorium Feb. 25, 1961. Jessel, the master of ceremonies, could not make it to the earlier matinee performance because of an airline strike. Elvis Presley Day began earlier with a luncheon honoring the singer at Hotel Claridge. More than $50,000 was raised for charity from the events.

Elvis Presley In Concert : The 8:30pm Evening Show.

The Songs Performed : The 8:30pm Evening Show

Heartbreak Hotel
All Shook Up
(Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I
I Got A Woman
Love Me
Such A Night
Reconsider Baby
Fever
I Need Your Love Tonight
That's All Right
Don't Be Cruel
One Night
Are You Lonesome Tonight?
It's Now Or Never
Swing Down, Sweet Chariot
Hound Dog

After the evening show Elvis holds a party at Graceland.

The Band

Bill Black did not return to the band when Elvis returned from the Army and was now performing with his Bill Black Combo. Elvis went off to the movies and the U.S. was just preparing for the British Invasion and a new era of Rock. Larry Muhoberac would later become the first piano player with Elvis' TCB band.

These are the musicians on Saturday, February 25, 1961 :

Elvis Presley : vocals, guitar
Scotty Moore : guitar
Brad Suggs : guitar
Bob Alexius : stand:up bass
D. J. Fontana : drums
Ron Capone : drums
Floyd Cramer : piano
Boots Randolph : saxophone
Jordanaires : backing vocals
Larry Owens (Muhoberac) and the King's Men

Elvis Presley : Pearl Harbor Benefit : March 25, 1961
Elvis addressed the Tennessee State Legislature on March 8 and accepted the title of 'Honorary Colonel'.

January 1961

Elvis Presley Friday, January 6, 1961 | Elvis' 26 birthday party

February

Elvis Presley February 25, 1961 | Elvis Presley Day Proclaimed
Salaam To The King Of Rock And Roll (Same day as above)

March

Colonel Elvis Presley Tennessee State Legislature | March 8, 1961
Elvis Presley Pearl Harbor Benefit | March 25, 1961
Elvis Presley With Hal Wallis | Blue Hawaii | Paramount 1961

April

Elvis Presley with Indonesia's first President Kusno Soekarno

July

Elvis Presley Red West's Wedding to Elvis' Secretary Pat Boyd | July 1, 1961

Elvis Presley 525 Perugia Way in Los Angeles | 1961

The Movies Of 1961 In Photos

Inside Wild In The Country | On set & Location 1960 | 1
Inside Wild In The Country | On set & Location 1960 | 2 (With pat Boone)
Inside Wild In The Country | On set & Location 1960 | 3
Inside Wild In The Country | On set & Location 1960 | 4
Blue Hawaii

The Movies Of 1961

1961, Wild In The Country, Twentieth Century Fox
1961, Blue Hawaii, Paramount

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