January 01, 1955

Elvis performed at the Grand Prize Saturday night Jamboree, Eagles Hall, Houston, Texas.

January 01, 1956

Elvis performed at the Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, at 3.00 and 8.00 p.m.

Elvis flew from Shreveport with Red West to play a Grand Ole Opry package headlined by Hank Snow and featuring Webb Pierce.

January 01, 1958

Elvis was visited by Jimmie Rodgers Snow, Hank Snow's son, at Graceland.

January 01, 1959

Elisabeth Stefaniak moved into the hotel with Elvis and his household. She was hired to answer all the fan mail, learning quickly from Red and Lamar how to sign Elvis' name.

January 01, 1970

Elvis went to the Memphian, like he would be almost every night until he left for Los Angeles and it was during this time he saw the movie Patton for the first time. This film made an enormous impression on him and he memorized the dramatic speech at its beginning.

January 01, 1972

Elvis went to the Memphian or the Crosstown to watch movies almost every night in the New Year, but unlike other times the screening was for the inner circle only.

January 01, 1973

Elvis spent the first 3 nights of the New Year at the Memphian.

January 02, 1956

Elvis and Red returned to Memphis to began a 5 day tour with Johnny Cash and others. Elvis performed at the High School, Charleston, Mississippi, where he was billed as "The King of Western Bop."

January 02, 1958

Elvis got a letter from the Colonel, who lectured him about the responsibilities of being a star. Elvis had complained about requests for local appearances and wanted his manager to deal with that.

January 02, 1959

Elvis called George Klein in Memphis. He made regular calls to friends at home, especially Anita Wood.

January 02, 1961

Elvis flew back to Los Angeles with Sonny, Charlie, Alan and Gene Smith.

January 02, 1967

This was the date of Elvis' new agreement with the Colonel, which for the first time explicitly recognized that they were engaged in what amounted to a partnership or joint venture.

January 03, 1956

Elvis performed at the Von Theater, Booneville, Mississippi at 6.00 and 8.00 p.m. Elvis was advertised as "The Folk Music Fireball."

January 03, 1964

Elvis went shopping for clothes at Lansky's.

January 03, 1967

For a little while now horses were very popular with Elvis and the boys. They only rent out the Memphian for movies four times this month. Almost everything had to do with horseback riding these days. During the next 2 weeks Elvis would not only purchase his own favorite horse, which he renamed in Rising Sun, but he also bought a horse for his father.

January 03, 1968

Elvis complained to RCA about the mastering of his new single Guitar Man. According to Elvis the sound was different than the sound he had achieved in the studio, where his voice was more integrated with the band.

January 03, 1970

Elvis spent over $3,900 to remodel 2 rooms and a bathroom in the basement of Graceland to be used as an apartment for Charlie Hodge.

January 03, 1974

Due to toothache Elvis went to the dentist.

January 03, 1977

Elvis flew Ginger and her family to Harrison, Arkansas, to attend the funeral of Ginger's grandfather.

January 04, 1956

Elvis performed at the Community Center, Jonesboro, Arkansas.

January 04, 1957

Elvis drove with his Cadillac Eldorado to the Kennedy Veterans Hospital in Memphis for a pre-induction physical for his draft status. He was accompanied by Cliff Gleaves and Dottie Harmony. Later in the day Dottie flew back to Los Angeles and Elvis took the train to New York for his third appearance at the Ed Sullivan show.

January 04, 1959

Elvis called the Colonel at 5.00 a.m. and woke the Colonel with his call. It turned out in an hour-long chat and the Colonel joked that the call interrupted his dream about Elvis getting an early army release, but that now he didn't get to know how the dream ended.

January 04, 1961

The filming on Wild In The Country was resumed.

January 04, 1971

Accompanied by Charlie Hodge, Sonny West, Richard Davis and Bill Morris, Elvis flew to Dallas, where he registered at the Royal Coach Motor Hotel under the name of Jon Burrows.

January 04, 1973

In a very good mood Elvis flew to Los Angeles on his way to Hawaii. Last November he was told to loose some weight and he and Red West each lost 25 pounds on a crash diet Elvis picked up in Las Vegas.

January 04, 1976

Elvis flew to Colorado for a vacation with Linda and a party of 17 others. First they checked into a Denver hotel, but Elvis dispatched Joe Esposito, Jerry Kennedy and Ron Pietrafeso to Vail to find enough rental houses and condos for the group.

January 04, 1977

Elvis, Ginger, and Ginger's sister Rosemary, flew to Palm Springs to celebrate Elvis 42th birthday on January 8.

January 05, 1955

Elvis performed at the City Auditorium, San Angelo, Texas.

January 05, 1960

Elvis was granted leave from January 5, through January 17. He also got permission to travel to Paris.

January 05, 1971

Elvis returned from Dallas to Memphis.

January 06, 1955

Elvis performed at the Fair Park, Lubbock, Texas.

Probably Elvis recorded his version of Fool Fool Fool and Shake Rattle and Roll today at the local radio station KDAV as promotion for the evening's show.

January 06, 1956

Elvis performed at the High School, Randolph, Mississippi.

January 06, 1957

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Elvis performed at the Ed Sullivan Show, Maxine Elliot Theater, West Thirty-ninth Street, at 8.00 p.m.

Elvis wore the same velvet shirt he wore in Tupelo, with a gold lame vest given to him as a Christmas present by Barbara Hearn. Elvis sung Don't Be Cruel and at the network's request he sung Peace In The Valley too. Elvis was shot only from the waist up and at the conclusion of the show Elvis was thanked by Ed Sullivan by telling the audience: "this is a real decent, fine boy. We want to say that we've never had a pleasanter experience with a big name than we've had with you". After the show Elvis took the midnight train back to Memphis.

January 06, 1961

There was a birthday party for Elvis on the set of Wild In The Country. Cast and crew presented him with a plaque saying "Happy Birthday, King Karate."

January 06, 1967

The barn behind Graceland was renovated to accommodate the many new horses. Soon it would be named: the House of the Rising Sun.

January 06, 1969

Elvis met with Felton Jarvis at Graceland. Unlike always, there was the suggestion to use Chips Moman's American Studio at 827 Thomas Street in Memphis. Since George Klein, Marty Lacker and Red West had connections there and Elvis liked the idea of recording a few miles from home, the decision was made.

January 06, 1970

Elvis flew to Los Angeles, accompanied by Priscilla and Lisa-Marie, to prepare himself for his upcoming Las Vegas engagement.

 

January 07, 1946

There was a small tornado ripping through Tupelo at 5.00 a.m. Gladys and Elvis were scared and hide in a storm cellar.

January 07, 1953

The Presley's left Lauderdale Courts, and moved to 698 Saffarans Street, where they would remain for less than 3 months.

January 07, 1955

Elvis performed at the High School Auditorium, Midland, Texas. Elvis appeared with other Louisiana Hayride stars before a crowd of more than 1,600.

January 07, 1956

Elvis performed at the Louisiana Hayride, Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport. Elvis and Red West flew in to Shreveport for a bill that included George Jones.

January 08, 1935

In the house that Vernon had built with the help of his father and brother, Gladys, attended by Dr. William R. Hunt, gave birth to twin boys. The first, Jesse Garon, was delivered stillborn at 4.00 a.m. and would be buried the nest day in an unmarked grave in the Priceville Cemetery, near Tupelo. The second, named Elvis Aron Presley, was born at 4.35 a.m.

January 08, 1946

On his 11th birthday Elvis got a guitar from his parents instead of the bicycle he wanted.

January 08, 1949

Vernon gave Elvis a paperback book of cartoons by George Price with the inscription: "May your birthday be sprinkled through 'n through with joy and love and good times too, Daddy". Elvis brought this book with him to Germany, but it was left behind in his rented house at 14 Goethestrasse.

January 08, 1955

Elvis performed at the Louisiana Hayride, Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport. Elvis was introduced as the "Memphis Flash" and described to the radio audience by announcer Frank Page as wearing crocodile-skin shoes with pink socks. He performed That's All Right, Hearts Of Stone, Blue Moon Of Kentucky and Fool Fool Fool.

January 08, 1956

Elvis and Red flew back to Memphis, where they arrived in the early morning. Elvis was asleep when the Colonel telephoned to wish him a happy birthday.

January 08, 1957

Elvis celebrated his birthday at home with his parents. While he was home Elvis stopped by to see Dixie Locke, who was recently married.

January 08, 1958

Elvis was photographed on the stairs inside Graceland, with a March of Dimes poster girl. She was waiting for more than 2 hours before the picture was taken.

January 08, 1959

Elvis celebrated his birthday in Germany.

January 08, 1960

Elvis was interviewed by Dick Clark on this birthday for American Bandstand. Elvis spoke about his upcoming recording session, his appearance on the Frank Sinatra television show and his new Paramount picture, titled G.I. Blues. Later in the evening Elvis celebrated at a local recreation center with about 200 guests, including Priscilla. Joe Esposito and the group gave Elvis a trophy with the inscription: " Elvis Presley. Most Valuable Player. Bad Nauheim Sunday Afternoon Football Association, 1959."

January 08, 1962

Elvis celebrated his 27th birthday at the Sahara in Las Vegas.

January 08, 1964

Elvis celebrated his 29th birthday quietly at home.

January 08, 1965

Elvis celebrated his 30th birthday quietly at home, thought some newspapers printed the news of his 30th birthday like it was the end of an era. Only 2 months later Elvis declared in an interview: "I can never forget the longing to be someone. I guess if you are poor you always think bigger and want more than those who have everything."

January 08, 1966

Elvis celebrated his 31st birthday by attending It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World at the Memphian. He would continue to watch films almost every night while he was at home. Elvis received a telegram from RCA, declaring: "Your understanding and cooperation made 1965 the biggest of all the ten years you have been with us", what seemed more a statement of hope than of history.

January 08, 1967

Elvis spent his birthday at Graceland where the Jordanaires with Gordon Stoker paid him a visit.

January 08, 1968

Elvis celebrated his 33th birthday at Graceland, attending the movies at the Memphian later in the evening.

January 08, 1969

Elvis celebrated his 34th birthday at Graceland.

January 08, 1971

Elvis had a police radio installed in his Mercedes and he bought an array of police equipment, including revolving blue lights, shoulder holsters, chemical weapons and handcuffs. Over the next few days he would purchase a number of Smith & Wesson pistols as well as additional police equipment.

January 08, 1972

Joyce Bova came to Memphis for Elvis' birthday.

January 08, 1975

Elvis celebrated his 40th birthday at Graceland. According to the press "in self-imposed seclusion", true or not, Elvis' uncle Vester hadn't seen his nephew since Christmas.

January 08, 1976

Elvis spent the evening of his birthday in a rental home on the slopes of Vail with Jerry Schilling and Myrna Smith.

There was a great deal of tension on this vacation, mostly due to Elvis changes of mood and Elvis was not feeling very well this evening until Myrna revealed that she had not seen one of his favorite recent films, Across 110th Street. Elvis recited every line of dialogue from the picture.

January 09, 1959

In a long letter, the Colonel suggested to Elvis that he should make home tape recordings, with only his voice and a piano. The Colonel even told RCA about this, but nothing came from this idea. However, Elvis did in fact made a couple of tapes.

January 09, 1967

Again Elvis went "horse buying" today and bought 3 more horses today.

January 09, 1969

Elvis flew with 2 of the guys to Dallas for a few days.

January 09, 1971

Elvis was selected as one of the nation's Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Year for 1970, by The Junior Chamber of Commerce of America. This award had been given out since 1939 and had been awarded to distinguished men in all fields, with one common denominator: they must all be 35 or younger. Elvis flew to Los Angeles and then to Palm Springs for the weekend, where he bought another $3,500 worth of guns and gun related equipment.

January 09, 1973

Elvis arrived at the Honolulu airport. There he was brought to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel by helicopter. Then he started with his first rehearsal with the band and backup singers, who had arrived too.

January 09, 1975

There was a big tornado in McComb, Mississippi, with a lot casualties. The Colonel used this news to persuade Elvis to do a benefit show for the victims. This was the Colonel's way to get Elvis back on the road again and Elvis agreed.

January 09, 1977

Elvis urged his dentist, Max Shapiro to marry his fiancée in Palm Springs. Then Elvis got Larry Geller to perform the ceremony on the spot, with Elvis supplying the rings and Ginger as maid of honor. He took the occasion to muse out loud about the possibility of his marrying Ginger in the near future.

January 10, 1956

Elvis arrived at the RCA studio at McGavock Street. He worked from 2.00 tot 10.00 p.m. and recorded his first sides for his new label. Some musician from the studio played along with Elvis. Chet Atkins on guitar, Floyd Cramer on piano and D.J.Fontana on drums. They recorded Heartbreak Hotel, I Got A Woman and Money Honey. But everyone agreed: they didn't catch the sound Elvis wanted. There is too much echo effect and the sound is nothing like Sam Philips had created in the Sun studios. Elvis was very disappointed.

January 10, 1957

Elvis, Gene Smith, Cliff Gleaves and Bitsy Mott left by train for Los Angeles, where they checked into the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Elvis was scheduled to record for RCA over the weekend before starting work on the soundtrack for his new Paramount picture.

January 10, 1958

Elvis took the train to Los Angeles with Alan Fortas, Gene Smith, Cliff Gleaves and Bitsy Mott.

January 10, 1970

In the RCA studio on Sunset in Las Vegas the rehearsals began. Ronnie Tutt had been unable to reach an agreement on salary and was replaced by Bob Lanning. James Burton recruited his friend Glen D. Hardin on piano. Elvis wanted to change the repertoire from his first Vega appearance. So Proud Mary, Polk Salad Annie, Walk A Mile In My Shoes and Sweet Caroline were added to the show, including some songs from his own recently recorded work.

January 10, 1973

The full orchestra was present now and the rehearsals continued with Felton Jarvis present to lend encouragement. Felton thought was still weak after his kidney transplantation which Elvis had helped to arrange and paid for.

January 10, 1976

Dr. Nick and his family flew out to Denver at Elvis' invitation. They returned the following day.

January 11, 1955

Elvis performed at the High School Gym, New Boston, Texas.

January 11, 1956

Elvis continued with his recording session from 4.00 to 7.00 p.m. at the RCA studio at McGavock Street. There were some ballads recorded with some of the Jordanaires as backup vocals.

January 11, 1958

Elvis was traveling to Los Angeles by train. There were huge crowds at every stop. The Colonel had leaked information to DJ's along the way.

January 11, 1963

Elvis tried to convince Priscilla's parents to let her stay in Memphis, but she had to fly home on schedule to Frankfurt, Germany.

January 11, 1969

Elvis returned to Memphis, where he would stay until January 24.

January 11, 1973

Elvis was planning to wear an American-eagle jumpsuit and cape, which were specially designed for the occasion by Bill Belew. However on the night before the show Elvis gave away his belt to the wife of his friend Jack Lord. Joe Esposito made a quick call to Belew to obtain another belt and this was send immediately.

January 11, 1974

Elvis spent both this day and the next at the podiatrist and the dentist.

 

January 12, 1955

Elvis performed at the City Auditorium, Clarksdale, Mississippi. This marked a 2 weeks touring with Jim Ed and Maxine Brown, booked by Bob Neal.

January 12, 1957

Elvis started with his first session in 4 months at Radio Recorders. RCA had been anxious for some time to get new material for both a single and a gospel EP, but Elvis had been unwilling to record in Nashville. He worked from noon tot 7.00 p.m. completing 5 songs, including Don't Be Cruel, All Shook Up and I Believe.

January 12, 1960

Elvis, Joe Esposito, Cliff Gleaves, Lamar Fike and Jurgen Seydel traveled to Paris. During this visit they attended 5 karate classes given by Tetsuji Murakami, a Japanese teacher of the shotokan technique.

During this trip Elvis went to see the American Golden Gate Quartet to whom he had been reintroduced in Germany by Charlie Hodge. After the show, he sat backstage with the group, happily singing one gospel after another.

January 12, 1964

Elvis arrived on his motorcycle at RCA's Studio B in Nashville at 6.30 p.m. He started off this 5 hour session by sending out for a take-out order for all. After re-recording Ask Me and Memphis Tennessee, from the may session, he delivered a moving performance of It Hurts Me. This ballad would remain a personal favorite for several years.

January 12, 1970

Still rehearsing on Sunset in Las Vegas Elvis worked every night except for Sunday for 5 nights. Generally he arrived at the studio about 7.00 p.m. and worked then for 5 or 6 hours.

January 12, 1972

Elvis flew to Los Angeles.

January 12, 1973

On this special day Elvis attended an extra rehearsal at the International Convention Center Arena to check out some technical difficulties. He would perform on a stage with a long runway extending out into the audience and a giant flashing figure of Elvis as the backdrop.

The show started at 8.30 p.m. and this was billed as a dress rehearsal and taped in case there were problems with satellite transmission the next night. The repertoire for each show was identical. No admission was charged, but contributions were expected and a goal of $25,000 for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund had been announced.

January 12, 1974

Elvis flew to Los Angeles.

January 13, 1955

Elvis performed at the Catholic Club, Helena, Arkansas.

January 13, 1956

Elvis appeared at the Humes High School, Memphis, unscheduled and he performed there for about 10 minutes at a Father's Night show.

January 13, 1957

Like the day before Elvis again went to Radio Recorders. This time from noon to 11.00 p.m. Among the songs he recorded was Peace In The Valley, which Elvis had already performed at the Ed Sullivan show. Take My Hand, Precious Lord was also recorded today.

January 13, 1958

Elvis arrived in California to begin preproduction on his second Paramount picture.

January 13, 1964

Elvis sent a telegram to the Colonel: "Regarding the Beatles. I feel the same way as you feel about them, I just hope the fans over here are as good to them as the fans in England are to me. Sincerely yours, Elvis Presley."

This appeared to be a "canned" telegram.

January 13, 1969

Elvis went to the American Studio in Memphis. The welcome by the band was a bit skeptic; they didn't know what to expect from Elvis. But with the first song, Long Black Limousine, which Elvis turned into an impassioned soul shout, they were convinced. The session went on till 5.00 a.m. although Elvis had a bad cold. There were 3 songs completed, including Wearin' That Loved On Look.

January 13, 1971

Back in Los Angeles, Elvis obtained more firearms as well as 22 additional TCB pendants.

January 13, 1972

Elvis began with the rehearsals for the upcoming Las Vegas engagement at RCA Studio C on Sunset at 7.00 p.m. He worked with the rhythm section for 6 hours on both this and the following night and even for 3 hours in the weekend.

January 13, 1973

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Elvis performed at the International Convention Center Arena, Honolulu.

This show is now known as Aloha From Hawaii.

Just after midnight on Saturday night Elvis' performance was broadcasted live via satellite to most countries in the Far East. 28 European countries linked by EuroVision would see the show on a delayed basis later in the day. The show more than triples its announced goal of $25,000. At the end of the show Elvis threw both his belt and his cape into the audience. As soon as the audience had left the auditorium, and with the live broadcast completed, Elvis and the band performed Early Morning Rain and 4 additional songs from Blue Hawaii. This addition would be added to the U.S. version of the show, which would be broadcasted in April.

 

January 14, 1955

Elvis performed at the Futrell High School Gym, Marianna, Arkansas.

January 14, 1956

Elvis performed at the Louisiana Hayride, Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport. He sung Baby Let's Play House, I Got A Woman, Only You, Tutti Frutti and That's All Right.

January 14, 1957

Elvis went to the Paramount makeup department to have his hair dyed black. Afterwards he went to the wardrobe department. The script is about to be retitled in Loving You, like the Leiber-Stoller song.

January 14, 1966

Elvis ordered a professional slot car racetrack for $4,990. By the end of the month all of the guys had their own personal cars and soon there were many contested races.

January 14, 1969

Elvis continued recording at American from 7.00 p.m. to 8.30 a.m. with several more successful sides. However Elvis' cold got worse and vocal tracks on I'm Movin' On and Gentle On My Mind had to be redone later. Elvis didn't return to the studio until the next week. The band continued the followings days laying down new tracks and overdubbed some songs already recorded.

January 14, 1976

It was "car buy day" for Elvis. He bought 2 Lincolns and 1 Cadillac for Jerry Kennedy, Ron Pietrafeso and Gerald Starkey along with Cadillacs for Linda and Shirley Dieu. The bill was $70,000.

January 14, 1977

Elvis, Ginger and Rosemary returned to Memphis.

January 15, 1955

Elvis performed at the Louisiana Hayride, Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport. Elvis wore a rust-colored suit, black-dotted purple tie, and pink socks and performed Hearts Of Stone, That's All Right and Tweedle Dee. Colonel Parker and Tom Diskin arrived in Shreveport and this was almost certainly the first time either of them saw Elvis perform. The Colonel took steps to forge a link with Bob Neal after the show.

January 15, 1956

Elvis performed at the Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas at 3.00 and 8.00 p.m. On this 6 day Hank Snow tour, Elvis was billed as "RCA Victor's newest singing sensation" but this was the last time he was booked as a supporting act. He received $1,800 for the entire tour. While Elvis was in San Antonio he visited D.J. Fontana's aunt and uncle in their restaurant. There for he missed a cocktail party held in his honor with Bob Neal and the Colonel. Later he was reminded by them of his professional obligations.

January 15, 1957

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Elvis went to the studio where soundtrack recording for his new picture began, at 10.00 a.m. ending at 5.00 p.m. Like Elvis had promised, The Jordanaires, Scotty, Bill and DJ were all hired. The 2 musicians who were regulars in the Paramount studio, Hilmer "Tiny" Timbrell on guitar and Dudley Brooks on piano, were playing along and became regulars on Elvis' Hollywood sessions in the sixties.

January 15, 1958

Elvis worked on the soundtrack at Radio Recorders from 9.00 a.m. to 5.40 p.m. Leiber and Stoller, who had written several songs for the picture, were in charge with the usual Hollywood band. The bassist Ray Siegel was present too as well as a 4 man horn section to create a Dixieland Rock feeling.

January 15, 1967

Elvis arranged for the funeral of his uncle Pat Biggs, the husband of Vernon's sister Delta. He invited the widow to live with her mother Minnie, at Graceland, where she would remain until her death on June 29, 1993. Pat Biggs, a gambler and nightclub owner, had always encouraged Elvis to believe in himself and had been a favorite of his nephew.

January 15, 1968

Elvis flew to Nashville to record 2 new tracks for Stay Away Joe, as well as some additional material for RCA. He was accompanied by all the Nashville regulars, along with Jerry Reed once again on guitar. The session ran until 5.00 a.m. The first song was a real good version of Too Much Monkey Business, but the next movie song Elvis had to do, drained all the energy out of the session. Elvis fought himself through 30 takes of Goin' Home. Later he went home himself in his rented Lincoln to the Jack Spencer Motor Hotel.

January 15, 1971

Elvis drove to Memphis with Priscilla and arrived at 11.30 p.m. and then Elvis spent several hours in the study next to his bedroom where he worked on his speech for the JCC awards dinner.

January 15, 1973

Elvis returned to Los Angeles, after the Aloha show.

January 15, 1974

Elvis was picked up at 7.45 p.m. at his Monovale home and driven to the RCA studio on Sunset to rehearse for his upcoming Vegas opening. He returned home at 1.45 a.m. and this schedule was maintained the next 3 nights.

Among the new songs Elvis rehearsed were some of the recordings from his recent Stax session, as well as The Twelfth Of Never, Born To Lose and I'm Leavin' It Up To You. However in the end only Let Me Be There, Why Me Lord and Help Me were introduced in the show.

January 16, 1956

Elvis performed at the Municipal Auditorium, Galveston, Texas.

January 16, 1957

The soundtrack session at Paramount went on from 9.00 a.m. tot 3.30 p.m. However, Elvis was clearly not working well on the giant soundstage and recording went slowly.

January 16, 1958

Elvis was recording songs at Radio Recorders for his new Paramount picture from 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

January 16, 1959

Elvis donated blood at the Wartturm Barracks in Friedberg for the German Red Cross.

January 16, 1968

Still in Nashville, the work was resumed at 10.00 p.m. until 5.00 a.m. Elvis started with the second movie song, Stay Away. This was the end of the soundtrack part of the session and with no good material in sight Elvis finally settled on a new Jerry Reed tune: U.S. Male, which was suggested by guitarist Chip Young. In spite of the rule that Elvis was not allowed to pitch any song he liked, there was no demurral from Freddy Bienstock this time. With Reed's typical offbeat accompaniment U.S. Male was a fitting complement to Guitar Man and the only sensible choice for the next single.

January 16, 1971

Elvis and Priscilla attended the JCC prayer breakfast at the Memphis Holiday Inn Rivermont. Afterwards there was a press conference where Elvis responded to a question about the effect of music on today's youth. "I don't go along with music advocating drugs and desecration of the flag. I think an entertainer is for entertaining and to make people happy."

At 5.00 p.m. Elvis gave a reception at Graceland for award winners and Jaycee officials, during which he conducted informal tours of the house. One hour later Elvis and Priscilla hosted a formal dinner for 100 guests at the Four Flames Restaurant, where place cards had been embossed with the TCB logo and signed by the star.

During the 8.00 p.m. awards ceremony at Ellis Auditorium Elvis proudly accepted an honor that clearly meant as much to him as any public recognition he had ever received. The trophy he received became one of his most treasured possessions, which he even took with him on his travels.

January 16, 1976

The construction on the racquetball court at Graceland was completed.

January 17, 1955

Elvis performed at the Junior College Auditorium, Booneville, Mississippi. Elvis visited a local radio station WBIP for an interview with DJ Lynn McDowell to support airplay of his records.

January 17, 1956

Elvis performed at the City Auditorium, Beaumont, Texas at 7.00 and 9.00 p.m.

January 17, 1957

Vernon shipped Elvis his Cadillac Eldorado Seville by train. Although Elvis continued to put long hours on the soundstage, this day from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., Elvis complained often about this big unfriendly space.

January 17, 1967

Elvis had the area behind Graceland cleared and bulldozed to create a riding ring, while work continued on the barn.

January 17, 1971

 

Elvis returned to Los Angeles for band rehearsals.

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January 18, 1955

Elvis performed at the Alcorn County Courthouse, Corinth, Mississippi.

January 18, 1956

Elvis performed at the Coliseum, Austin, Texas.

January 18, 1957

Again in the Paramount studio, Elvis spent a long day there: from 9.00 a.m. tot 11.25 p.m. on the soundstage.

January 18, 1963

Elvis took the train to Kansas City, then boarded the Super Chief to Los Angeles, where he would move back into the original Perugia Way rental.

January 18, 1966

Elvis received a letter from the Colonel with lots of business details, regarding the upcoming new contracts with RCA, MGM and Paramount.

January 18, 1972

Elvis arrived in Las Vegas for his upcoming engagement.

January 18, 1973

Elvis flew to Las Vegas to prepare for his upcoming Hilton engagement.

 

View January 19 in ElvisNews History

January 19, 1953

Elvis registered for the selective service.

January 19, 1955

Elvis performed at the Community Center, Sheffield, Alabama.

January 19, 1956

Elvis performed at the Memorial Auditorium, Wichita Falls, Texas at 7.00 and 9.00 p.m.

January 19, 1957

Elvis returned to Radio Recorders to work on material for RCA. He completed the gospel EP and 3 additional album tracks.

January 19, 1959

Elvis wrote a letter to the Colonel. He requested to arrange with RCA to put out a recorded message to his fans:

"I want to be able to thank them not only for buying my records and for their loyalty to me but also for the help they have given me in deciding the kind of songs to sing… I'm deeply grateful to them, and I want them to know it. When I'm out or the army recording again, I will always listen to their ideas, just as I did before, I just wanted to let my fans know how I feel. Sincerely, Elvis."

January 19, 1970

The rehearsals at the International Hotel in Las Vegas began now and run through until the 23th. The Sweet Inspirations and the Imperials were scheduled at 2.00 p.m. each day and joined Elvis and the band at 7.00 p.m. every night.

January 19, 1972

The rehearsals began at the Las Vegas Hilton. Like before, there were some new songs included in the early rehearsals, but they were dropped out again.

January 19, 1974

Elvis paid $350 for a screening at MGM of the Exorcist.

 

January 20, 1955

Elvis performed at the Leachville High School Gym, Leachville, Arkansas.

January 20, 1956

Elvis performed at the North Side Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas.

January 20, 1958

Principal photography for the new Paramount picture began. While working on this picture Elvis met one of his idols: Marlon Brando in the studio commissary.

January 20, 1960

Elvis was promoted to act as a sergeant 3 days after reporting back for duty.

January 20, 1961

Elvis was released by the studio, principal shooting already had been completed 3 days earlier.

January 20, 1967

Elvis bought 2 horses today: a bay mare and a buckskin mare.

January 20, 1969

Elvis returned to American at 9.00 p.m. with the firm determination to record In The Ghetto about which he had doubts at first, but eventually was convinced the song could become a hit. He did 23 takes, which occupied most of the evening and he left at 4.00 a.m.

January 20, 1975

Elvis put down a deposit of $75,000 on a Boeing 707.

January 20, 1976

After hearing Don Kinney, a Denver television newsman, joking on the air about Elvis' generosity and telling he wanted a car too, Elvis bought him a Seville. Meanwhile the vacation in Denver wasn't a great success and Jerry Schilling quitted for good, telling Elvis that "friendship is more important than the job".

January 20, 1977

Felton Jarvis had arranged for Elvis to record at Buss Cason's new up-to-date Nashville studio, Creative Workshop. Felton was confident that Elvis would feel at home there. The band was Elvis' own, plus Chip Young on guitar and Randy Cullers on percussion. But just hours before the scheduled start, Joe Esposito called to say Elvis had not yet left Memphis.