January 21, 1955

Elvis performed at the Nation Guard Armory, Sikeston, Missouri.

January 21, 1956

Elvis performed at the Louisiana Hayride, Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport. Since Bob Neal had a new radio job he could not participate in the upcoming February tour and this marked the end of his official association with Elvis. The Colonel was now in full control of all aspects of Elvis ' career.

January 21, 1957

At Paramount Elvis worked on 2 versions of Loving You: a fast and a slow version. But after 11 hours he still was not satisfied with the results.

January 21, 1963

The production on the new Hal Wallis picture, Fun In Acapulco, began.

January 21, 1969

Again Elvis worked another long night at American from 8.00 p.m. to 4.00 a.m. He recorded Hey Jude and From A Jack To A King. But most of the time he was busy overdubbing vocal parts with the female singers.

January 21, 1974

Early in the morning Elvis flew to Las Vegas.

January 21, 1977

Finally Elvis arrived in Nashville, but without Ginger. The delay was due by his attempts to persuade her to accompany him. After registering at the Sheraton South Hotel, Elvis stayed in his room complaining of a sore throat, while the musicians were waiting in the studio, but in fact Elvis was not feeling well because Ginger was not with him.

 

January 22, 1955

Elvis performed at the Louisiana Hayride, Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport. He sung Money Honey, I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine, Blue Moon Of Kentucky and That's All Right. The Colonel informed Bob Neal by letter that he had booked Elvis on the Hank Snow Tour from February 14 to 18, sending both a contract and a check made out to Elvis for $425, a 50 % advance on what he could expect to earn for the tour.

January 22, 1956

Elvis and Red West flew from Shreveport to Memphis.

January 22, 1957

Elvis started at 8.00 a.m. on the soundstage of Paramount, where he worked for 3 hours before he reported for filming.

January 22, 1963

This was the first day of what would be end up in a marathon recording session of more than 24 hours in 2 days. The soundtrack recording started at 1.00 p.m. and ran for just over 12 hours at Radio Recorders. Among others, Bossa Nova Baby was recorded today.

January 22, 1966

There had been an unusual 4 inch snowfall and Elvis and the guys were having a snowball fight in front of Graceland. They even built a snowman in front of the house.

January 22, 1969

Like the days before Elvis went to American again, but he went early this day because he wanted to meet Roy Hamilton, who was working there too. They spent several hours together and Elvis resumed his own recording at 12.30 a.m. concluding this American sessions with some of his most inspired singing on numbers as Without Love and I'll Hold You In My Heart. The session was ended with Suspicious Minds. Elvis only needed 4 full takes to get it right and everyone went home at 4.00 a.m.

January 22, 1977

Elvis returned to Memphis without ever setting foot in the studio, leaving Felton Jarvis to complete overdubs on the material recorded at Graceland in October before canceling the remainder of the session.

 

January 23, 1956

Home in Memphis again, there were rehearsals with Elvis, Scotty, Bill and DJ for their upcoming appearance on Stage Show.

January 23, 1958

Elvis re-recorded King Creole as the title track of the picture, from 8.00 to 11.00 p.m. He also worked on an other movie song and rehearsed 2 songs for an upcoming RCA session.

January 23, 1963

This was the second day of a marathon recording session of more than 24 hours in 2 days. Soundtrack recording went on from 1.00 p.m. till 3.50 a.m.

January 23, 1976

Elvis had returned to Memphis to prepare for a special recording session, which was held at Graceland. Since no one had been able to get Elvis in the studio for some time now, RCA had brought a recording truck to Graceland. All the furniture had been removed, cables were run into the room behind the kitchen, known as the "Jungle Room".

January 24, 1954

Elvis got the attention of Dixie Locke. She made plans with a girlfriend to go roller-skating on Saturday night, making sure that Elvis overheard this conversation.

January 24, 1955

Elvis performed at Humble Oil Company Camp, Hawkins, Texas.

January 24, 1960

Elvis left for "Operation Winter Shield" maneuvers in Grafenwohr.

January 24, 1969

Elvis, Priscilla and Lisa-Marie flew to Aspen, Colorado, with several of the entourage for a ski and snow vacation.

January 24, 1970

The rehearsals for the Las Vegas engagement were now replaced to the showroom, commencing at 1.00 p.m. each day. Last august Elvis was dissatisfied with the sound of the showroom, so now engineer Bill Porter was hired to help Felton run the sound board during the show.

January 24, 1971

Elvis arrived in Las Vegas.

January 24, 1973

Elvis began with the rehearsals at the Hilton Showroom with the whole group at noon, continuing for the next 2 days.

January 24, 1974

Rehearsals were held in the Las Vegas Hilton showroom for 3 days, beginning at noon each day.

 

January 25, 1955

Elvis performed at the Mayfair Building, Tyler, Texas.

January 25, 1956

At the end of the morning Elvis and the Colonel flew first-class from Nashville to New York City. They stayed at the Warwick Hotel and had dinner at the Hickory House Restaurant. As always, Elvis made several telephone calls from his hotel room.

January 25, 1958

 

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The single "Jailhouse Rock" became the first single ever to enter the UK pop chart at number one.

January 25, 1963

Elvis reported at the Paramount makeup department, at their request at 1.30 p.m. He brought his own favorite hair dye.

January 25, 1967

Elvis bought a horse for Red West named Keno.

January 25, 1974

While Elvis was in Las Vegas he received emergency dental treatment.

 

January 26, 1955

Elvis performed at the Rural Electric Administration Building, Gilmer, Texas.

January 26, 1967

Again, it was horse buying day. This time Elvis bought a bay mare.

January 26, 1970

Elvis performed at the Showroom, International Hotel, Las Vegas.

Elvis opened his 4 week engagement with a single invitation only-show. Everyone from Fats Domino to Zsa Zsa Gabor attended the show. This was the first time Elvis wore one piece jumpsuits to allow him greater freedom of movement. More and more karate became part of his act. Bill Belew had supplied a couple of these jumpsuits for his engagement, as well in black as in white. They were made by Ice Capades Costumes in Los Angeles.

January 26, 1971

Elvis performed at the Showroom, International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Elvis opened the engagement as usual with a 8.00 p.m. dinner show, followed by 2 shows later that night. In the new show there were ballads and inspirational numbers like How Great Thou Art and The Impossible Dream.

January 26, 1972

Elvis performed at the Showroom, Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas.

Elvis opened his engagement with a single dinner show and received reviews about his slimmer appearance and less talkative manner. The cape was now a permanent part of the show. Elvis did feature some new ballads, like You Gave Me A Mountain, It's Over and It's Impossible. All the songs about love were sung with a very deep and warm feeling, but however Priscilla did flew in for the opening night, she only was present at the end of the engagement. American Trilogy was also introduced during this show.

January 26, 1973

Elvis performed at the Showroom, Las Vegas, Hilton, Las Vegas.

Elvis opened this 8th Las Vegas engagement with the usual opening night show at 8.00 p.m.

January 26, 1974

Elvis performed at the Showroom ,Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas.

Dr. Nick had urged that the engagement was reduced to 2 weeks instead of 4. Since it was Saturday Elvis had to do 2 shows this evening. It was the first time Voice made their appearance on stage with Elvis and for the first time in 3 years Elvis did not bring a cape on stage.

January 26, 1977

Elvis called jeweler Lowell Hays in the early hours of the morning to order an engagement ring for Ginger, which he wished to present to her in the evening. Hays told him there simply wasn't time to obtain another stone as big as the center diamond in his TCB ring. Eventually Elvis agreed to have the diamond removed from his own ring. Late in the evening Elvis got down on one knee to propose to Ginger in the bathroom.

 

January 27, 1955

Elvis performed at the Reo Palm Isle Club, Longview, Texas.

January 27, 1956

Scotty, Bill and DJ arrived in New York by car from Memphis.

January 27, 1971

Elvis received his order of 4 TLC pendants in Las Vegas from Sol Schwartz. This was the female variation that Elvis had come up with on the TCB theme.

January 27, 1974

The press reported that Elvis looked well and was in a good humor at his "opening".

 

January 28, 1955

Elvis performed at the High School, Gaston, Texas.

January 28, 1956

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During the morning there were rehearsals for Stage Show at the Nola Studios. The show was broadcast from the CBS Studios at 8.00 p.m. Because of the weather and because Elvis was unknown in New York City there were not much people attending the show.

January 28, 1959

Elvis gave his first real interview since he was stationed in Germany. He confessed to Memphis DJ Keith Sherriff that he was still homesick and couldn't imagine himself doing anything at this point other than show business, "whether it's singing or working as a stagehand. You know, once it gets in your blood, it's hard to stay away from it."

Either this week or the next the whole Elvis group left the severe environment of the Hotel Grunewald and moved to the Goethestrasse, nearby. Frau Pieper, the landlady, charged them the enormous rent of $800 a month. However she still maintained a room in the house. Partly to serve as a housekeeper, partly to keep an eye on her new guests. Elvis' Grandma and Frau Pieper soon became fast friends, though they were often at odds, each in their own language.

January 28, 1963

The principal photography on Fun In Acapulco began at Paramount Studios. All of Elvis' scenes were filmed in Hollywood, with background material shot in Acapulco.

January 28, 1966

Again there were some rumors about the selling of Elvis' contract by the Colonel. Elvis telephoned the Colonel but was reassured by him: "not unless they want to pay us enough so we can retire and not have to work any more. If they want us u under those conditions I strongly suggest our selling."

January 28, 1970

Priscilla and friends flew in from Las Angeles.

January 28, 1973

Elvis On Tour was awarded as the best feature documentary of 1972. Elvis however was ill almost from the start of the engagement. The press attributed his evident lack of energy and interest to the effects of illness, but some of the fans and the guys around him were worried about a deeper spiritual malaise.

January 28, 1976

The special recording session at Graceland in the Jungle Room was postponed due to the funeral of a Denver police officer. Elvis arranged for J.D. Sumner and the Stamps to sing at the service and he wore a specially tailored Denver police captain's uniform to the service.

January 29, 1955

Elvis performed at the Louisiana Hayride, Shreveport.

January 29, 1962

From Las Vegas Elvis traveled to Lake Tahoe where he stayed one night at Del Webb's Sahara Tahoe, before returning to Los Angeles.

January 29, 1975

Elvis was admitted to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis. After Linda woke up finding Elvis struggling for breath Dr. Nick had him admitted. Officially they said Elvis had to undergo tests for a "liver problem" but in fact it was an attempt to get Elvis' use of prescription medication under control. Linda stayed with him in the hospital and they watched the newborns in the nursery on a closed-circuit television system.

 

January 30, 1954

Elvis, dressed in a black outfit with a bolero jacket, showed up at the Rainbow Rollerdome where he met Dixie and talked to her for the very first time. However, he drove her home in his 1941 Lincoln.

January 30, 1956

Elvis was in the RCA studio in New York and recorded between 11.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. 4 songs, including a version of Blue Suede Shoes.

January 30, 1961

Elvis flew home to Memphis by way of Chicago.

January 30, 1962

Elvis flew home to Memphis through Chicago.

January 30, 1964

Elvis arrived in Las Vegas for an extended vacation with a whole entourage, including Joe Esposito, Alan Fortas, Richard Davis, Jimmy Kingsley, Billy Smith and Marty Lacker. While in Las Vegas the group attended shows by Fats Domino, Della Reese, the Clara Ward Singers, Don Rickles and Tony Martin.

January 30, 1966

Elvis left for Los Angeles at 10.00 a.m. in his Dodge motor home.

 

January 31, 1954

Elvis called Dixie, who he met the night before, and they went to the movies.

January 31, 1956

Again Elvis was in the RCA studio in New York and he began the session at noon and ended it at 3.00 p.m. He recorded only 2 songs and was interviewed by Fred Danzig, a young reporter from New York.

January 31, 1967

Today there was another addition to the stables. A registered horse named Pokey Dunit.

February 01, 1955

Elvis performed at the High School, Randolph, Mississippi.

Elvis began a week of Bob Neal bookings, appearing with local singer, Bud Deckelman.

February 01, 1956

After a few hours' sleep Elvis was driven to Trenton, New Jersey, for a radio interview with WAAT DJ Don Larkin, later attending a press reception in his honor at the Hickory House. Asked about his reaction to his success, Elvis said: " It scared me, You know, it just scares me".

February 01, 1958

There was a recording session from 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. However, Elvis was very disappointed that Sholes hadn't been able to contact Leiber and Stoller. The whole session was a disaster. The A-side of his next single Wear My Ring Around Your Neck was cut, but not like Elvis wanted it to be and the 48 takes of Doncha' Think It's Time were not much better either. Steve Sholes was very disappointed that he had not been able to store up any kind of backlog for the 2 years that Elvis would be away.

February 01, 1961

Elvis took Joe Esposito and Anita Wood to Tupelo to show them his hometown. In the field behind his birthplace they found that the sign declaring it to be the future site of the Elvis Presley Youth Center had fallen down and no work had been done toward construction of either the building or the swimming pool for which Elvis donated $14,000 from his 1957 Tupelo performance.

February 01, 1968

Priscilla gave birth to a baby girl at Baptist Hospital in Memphis at 5.01 p.m. while Elvis and other members of the entourage wait in a doctor's lounge specially set aside for their use. Elvis was so nervous before leaving the house that his grandmother reminded him that it was Priscilla, not he, who was having the baby. A special detail of Memphis police, paid for by Elvis, would stand by at the hospital over the next 4 days.

February 01, 1969

The whole group was in Aspen and celebrated Lisa Marie's first birthday.

February 01, 1970

Lisa Marie joined Priscilla at the dinner show to celebrate her second birthday.

February 01, 1971

Lisa Marie attended the dinner show for her third birthday. A number of Elvis' friends from the Denver police force were present as well, at Elvis' invitation.

February 01, 1973

Lisa Marie was present at the 8.00 p.m. show for her fifth birthday in Las Vegas.

February 01, 1974

Due to illness, Lisa Marie was forced to miss her usual birthday visit to Las Vegas.

February 01, 1977

At 2.30 a.m. Elvis and Ginger left for Las Vegas with Billy and Jo Smith, then traveled on to Los Angeles to celebrate Lisa Marie's ninth birthday, after which they returned to Memphis

February 02, 1955

Elvis performed at the High School, Augusta, Arkansas.

February 02, 1967

Elvis paid $5,000 for an American-bred saddle horse.

February 02, 1973

At some point during the first 2 weeks of the engagement in Vegas, Elvis presented Muhammad Ali with a robe emblazoned "The People's Champion". Ali's fond recollection of Elvis was that, "I felt sorry for him because he didn't enjoy life the way he should. He stayed indoors all the time. I told him he should go out and see people."

At some point Ali presented his boxing gloves to Elvis with the inscription "You're the greatest" on the left glove and "To Elvis, my main man, form Muhammad Ali" on the right.

February 02, 1976

There was a recording session planned at Graceland with the hope that Elvis would be able to deliver in this relaxed domestic setting, but though the band was made up of musicians from the stage show, it didn't work out that way. Elvis appeared on the first night in his Denver police uniform and it was evident to all concerned that his mind was not on the session and even when it was he focused almost exclusively on downbeat material. Three masters were completed between 8.00 p.m. and 9.30 a.m.

February 03, 1956

Elvis recorded Shake, Rattle And Roll and Lawdy, Miss Clawdy at RCA's New York studio between 10.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m.

February 03, 1966

Elvis arrived in Los Angeles and settled into his new home at 10550 Rocca Place, Bel Air, which, like the Bellagio house, was rented from Mrs. Reginald Owen. This new ranch-style house was meant to offer more privacy for Elvis and Priscilla. Marty Lacker, who was responsible for its interior decoration, would reside there along with Charlie Hodge. The others had their own homes by now.

February 03, 1976

Today's session at Graceland ran from 9.00 p.m. to 10.30 a.m. but only one song, Solitaire, was recorded. Elvis remained distracted and even on the verge of delusionary paranoia.

 

February 04, 1955

Elvis performed at the Jesuit High School, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Elvis appeared with Ann Raye. Daughter of Biloxi promoter Yankie Barhanovich. He was late for an appearance at radio station WWEZ to promote the show.

February 04, 1956

Elvis performed at the Stage Show, CBS Studio at 8.00 p.m. where he sung Tutti Frutti and Baby, Let's Play House. Obviously he still was not permitted to sing Heartbreak Hotel. After the show Elvis was invited by the Dorsey Brothers to go to Roseland, a popular dance club in midtown Manhattan.

February 04, 1961

Elvis' cousin, Junior Smith, who had not been right since suffering shell shock in the Korean War, died of alcohol poisoning in their uncle Travis' home. Elvis' friend from Waco, Eddie Fadal, accompanied him to the house and recollected Elvis just kept saying: "It's all over, Junior. It's all over."

February 04, 1967

Elvis wanted to enlarge the riding area behind Graceland, so several small buildings were bulldozed, with Elvis joyfully taking part in the work.

February 04, 1970

Elvis performed on both this and the following night with a bad case of the flu.

February 04, 1972

Elvis and the Colonel formalized the change in their personal management contract that was informally embraced on the last tour. From this point on, all income received from live performances would be split two-thirds/one-third between Elvis and the Colonel.

February 04, 1976

Recording at Graceland went on in the same way with just 2 more songs completed including the future single Moody Blue.

 

February 05, 1955

Elvis performed at the Louisiana Hayride, Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport, in pink pants and tie with a charcoal jacket. He sung: That's All Right, Blue Moon Of Kentucky, Tweedle Dee and Money Honey.

February 05, 1956

Elvis performed at the Mosque Theater, Richmond, Virginia at 2.30 and 8.30 p.m. Here Elvis began a broken 3 week tour headlining over well known country acts like Justin Tubb, the Louvin Brothers and the Carter Sisters.

February 05, 1959

Elvis heard of the deaths of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper in an airplane crash and Tom Diskin wired condolences to the families on Elvis' behalf.

February 05, 1968

Elvis brought Priscilla and the baby, Lisa Marie, home from the hospital.

February 05, 1975

Vernon Presley had a heart attack at his home and was admitted to the hospital, where he recuperated in a room next to Elvis'.

February 05, 1976

Another recording session at Graceland, from 9.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. the next day. At the beginning there were many starts and stops again. At last Elvis was engaged when he cut For The Heart and performed a truly heartfelt version of Hurt, inspired by the 1954 original.

 

February 06, 1939

The little Elvis got his daddy back: Vernon was released from prison, with a 6 month suspension, granted on condition of his good behavior.

February 06, 1955

 

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Elvis performed at Ellis Auditorium, Memphis at 3.00 and 8.00 p.m.

February 06, 1956

Elvis performed at the National Theater, Greensboro, North Carolina at 2.30, 4.30, 7.00 and 9.00 p.m. There were 2,900 people attending the show.

February 06, 1961

Elvis couldn't attend Junior Smith's funeral because he had been called back to Hollywood to reshoot the ending of Wild In The Country. Preview audiences had reacted badly to the suicide of Hope Lange's character.

February 06, 1967

Elvis bought a white buckskin horse and a quarter horse named Conchita's Gold, as well as a Case tractor and 2 El Camino pickup trucks.

February 06, 1968

Elvis' friend, actor Nick Adams, died.

Elvis granted power of attorney to his father, putting him in official charge of all of his business activities from Vernon's office in a converted outbuilding a few steps from Graceland's back door.

February 06, 1973

On this and the following night Elvis missed the midnight show because of illness.

February 06, 1976

Because of the late end of the last recording session, today's session didn't began before midnight, with 2 songs completed in 8 hours.

February 07, 1955

Elvis performed at the Ripley High School Gym, Ripley, Mississippi.

February 07, 1956

Elvis performed at the Center Theater, High Point, North Carolina at 2.30, 4.30, 7.00 and 9.00 p.m.

February 07, 1959

Elvis attended the Holiday on Ice Show in Frankfurt. He had become friendly with a number of the skaters and paid them a visit backstage.

February 07, 1976

James Burton, Glen D. Hardin and Jerry Scheff had to leave due to prior commitments. They were replaced by Nashville players Billy Sandford, Bobby Emmons and Norbert Putnam. The session began at midnight but they achieved little. A studio version of America The Beautiful and one master, Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain.

 

February 08, 1956

Elvis performed at the Ambassador Theater, Raleigh, North Carolina at 2.30, 4.30, 7.00 and 9.00 p.m.

February 08, 1959

Janie Wilbanks, the girl that Elvis met at the Memphis train station when the troop train passed through, had come to Germany, to visit her uncle, and stayed with Elvis for nearly a week. On most Sundays, Elvis, Red, Lamar, Rex, Charlie Hodge and some other friends played touch football on a vacant lot down the street.

February 08, 1961

Elvis stopped at the Skyrider Hotel in Phoenix en route to Los Angeles.

February 08, 1963

Elvis filmed the "Bossa Nova Baby" sequence of the movie.

February 08, 1967

During a horse-buying expedition in Mississippi, Elvis came across Twinkletown Farm, about 10 miles south of Graceland. The property was for sale and Elvis decided to buy it. He renamed it Circle G and the ranch became the new home for Elvis' growing herd of horses and over the next few weeks Elvis and the guys adopted the cowboy life, as Elvis undertook extensive and rapid-fire improvements to the property.

February 08, 1976

The musicians were waiting down at Graceland for another recording session, but Elvis didn't even appear, which ended Elvis' first official home recording session. Although it had been a hard week for everyone, Felton Jarvis was at least able to deliver to RCA 12 masters.

 

February 09, 1956

Elvis performed at the Carolina Theater, Spartanburg, South Carolina at 3.15, 5.15, 7.15 and 9.15 p.m.

February 09, 1964

For the Beatles' first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, Elvis and the Colonel sent a telegram to be read on the air. " Congratulations on your appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show and your visit to America STOP We hope your engagement will be successful and your visit pleasant STOP Sincerely Elvis and the Colonel."

February 09, 1974

Elvis closed out what had been a generally good engagement, in which he had been described as being "in good humor" and "at the top of his form". At the same time he had continued to exhibit the kind of erratic personal behavior that had shown up increasingly over the past year, like shooting out a chandelier and several television sets.