July 13th

 

In 1956, Vernon and Gladys arrive in Biloxi and Gladys reports to Elvis that the Sun ‘N’ Sand parking lot is filled with fans who think he has returned to the hotel, not realising that the pink and white Cadillac is hers. The following day, Elvis takes his parents deep-sea fishing as Eddie Bellman takes home movies.

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/ELVIS2020FAMILY201956.jpg

 

July 14th

 

During this period in 1969, Elvis speaks with virtually every musician he knows about accompanying him to Las Vegas, finally putting together a band led by guitarist James Burton. Burton brings in piano player Larry Muhoberac who in turn suggests a drummer fresh out of Texas, Ronnie Tutt. Burton also contacts studio bass player Jerry Scheff and rhythm guitarist John Wilkinson, who has just signed an RCA recording contract as a solo artist. On his own, Elvis gets in touch with the Imperials to provide the kind of male gospel-quartet backup that he has always prized (the Imperials with Jake Hess as their then-leader, sang on Elvis’ How Great Thou Art session). He also hires the Sweet Inspirations, a black female quartet that has backed Aretha Franklin and had a big hit of their own with ‘Sweet Inspiration’ in 1967. Elvis has never met the Sweet Inspirations but admires their work. His articulated idea for the show is that it will encompass all of the diverse strands of the American vernacular tradition, black and white, sacred and secular, bringing together on one stage all the music that has influenced him. :cheer:

 

July 15th

 

In 1960, it is announced in the press that Elvis will be appearing on television on the Frank Sinatra show upon his release from the army and that he will be receiving $125,000 for the appearance, more than Frank will get for the whole show. :cheer:

 

In 1963, principal photography begins on Viva Las Vegas, with shooting continuing six days a week while in location.

 

In 1970, rehearsing and filming continue at MGM’s studio in Culver City for use in the documentary that will be titled That’s The Way It Is. :dance:

 

:wub:

July 16th

 

In 1955, Elvis is at the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport and Baby let’s Play House enters Cash Box’s Country and Western chart at #15, marking Elvis’ debut on the national charts. :cheer:

July 17th

 

In 1970, Elvis flies to Palm Springs for a five-day break.

 

In 1973, in papers presented in court, Priscilla’s new attorney formally seeks to set aside the original divorce settlement and on the same date, or thereabouts, Elvis buys Linda Thompson’s brother, Sam, a house at 1317 Favel Drive in Memphis for $37,500

July 18th

 

In 1969, rehearsals for Elvis’ return to Las Vegas, without either of the backup groups or the International orchestra, at the RCA studio on Sunset where Elvis began recording the soundtrack for G.I. Blues in 1960. In James Burton’s recollection, ‘ Right off the bat, we probably learned 150 songs over six nights of work.’ The upcoming engagement will be the first time that Elvis has ever presented a full-hour set. With Charlie Hodge, he works on the pacing of the show, going back and forth over the playlist, adding and subtracting songs right up to the last minute. Charlie establishes his role as a serious musical collaborator and onstage gofer almost from the start.

 

Charlie and Elvis

 

 

July 19th

 

In 1975, Elvis is at the Nassau County Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York for two shows at 2.30pm and 8.30pm. The highpoint of the evening is a wrenching performance of You’ll Never Walk Alone (inspired by Roy Hamilton’s 1954 gospel-laced version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein song) with Elvis seated alone at the piano. :wub:

 

Nick Cohn says of the performance

 

‘After a few minutes, he sits down at the piano and starts to sing 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.

 

It's a song I despise, but Elvis clearly loves it. Years later, I'll read that Roy Hamilton's 1954 version was a major inspiration in making him a singer. At any rate, he tells us he's always wanted to perform it on stage. Tonight's the night.

 

Instead of the triumphalism of Gerry Marsden and the Kop End, he treats the song as a private meditation, full of pain and the yearning to believe. Though the lyrics speak of hope, Elvis turns them into a cry, as if reaching for one last sliver of light in engulfing darkness. I am alone, he seems to be saying. All of us are alone. But maybe, just maybe, we can find someone or something to cling to. In his case, it's God. But each of us, hearing him, reaches for our own salvation.

 

The rest of the night is a blur. Objectively, I have seen better shows - Jimi Hendrix at the Savoy, Prince at the Ritz, James Brown (more than once) at the Apollo, and Johnny Paycheck at the Acadia County Fair, to name just a few. None chilled me as profoundly as those few minutes of Elvis alone at the piano, singing a song I can't stand. If great art needs nakedness, it was the most naked performance I've ever witnessed.' :D

 

For the rest of Nick’s review of the show, and pictures B)

 

http://www.elvis-collectors.com/candid-central/glow75.html

 

July 20th

 

It’s possible that on this day in 1972, Elvis recorded an audio-only interview for the documentary Elvis On Tour, in his old MGM dressing room. In the interview, he speaks candidly on a number of subjects, expounding on his musical background with a specificity that he has rarely taken the opportunity to volunteer. He also speaks of his movie career. ‘I cared so much,’ he says, 'until I became physically ill……I don’t think anyone was consciously trying to harm me. It was just Hollywood’s image of me was wrong…….I was never indifferent. I was so concerned until that’s all I talked about…….but it did not change, it did not change, and so I became very discouraged. They couldn’t have paid me no amount of money in the world to make me feel self-satisfaction inside.’ Segments from this forty-minute interview will be interspersed in voice-overs throughout the film. B)

 

In 1955, Elvis is in Missouri, headlining a two-day package featuring 17 year-old country singer, Wanda Jackson, Bud Deckelman and others on a show that promises ‘FUN! MUSIC! JOKES!’ In the course of the engagement, Elvis converts Jackson to the rockabilly cause, of which she becomes, one of the most prominent and convincing female progenitors.

 

July 21st

In 1960, Elvis obtains his first-degree black belt in karate and will carry the certificate in his wallet until his death. From anecdotal evidence, it appears that he gets this certificate at an exhibition put on by Hank Slamansky in Memphis and that it is largely ceremonial.

Before his return to Hollywood to film his new picture for 20th Century Fox, currently titled Flaming Lance, Elvis goes to Las Vegas, where he is photographed with Bobby Darin and George Burns, for whom Darin is opening.

July 22nd

 

In 1973, Elvis is in the recording studio from 11.00pm till 3.00am and records three songs, including one that Felton has picked up in Nashville from his friend, song publisher Bob Beckham – the Tony Joe White composition, I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby. :dance:

 

 

In 1968, principal photography for Charro! begins on location in Apache Junction, Arizona, at the Apacheland Ranch. Elvis arrives bearded for a movie that he hopes will offer a raw depiction of the early West.

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/Charro2022.jpg :wub:

 

July 23rd

 

In 1968, gossip columnist Rona Barrett announces, erroneously, that Elvis and Priscilla have separated. In an on-set interview at around this time, Elvis speaks of touring again, saying, ‘I miss the personal contact with audiences.’

 

In 1970, rehearsals for Las Vegas (and TTWII) move to the RCA studio on Sunset. Working from 7.00pm to 1.00am, Elvis runs through more than sixty songs, including twenty from the June recording session. Drummer Ronnie Tutt has returned and Glenn D. Hardin and David Briggs in Nashville continue to write new arrangements and orchestrations.

 

In 1973, back in the studios from 11.00pm until 3.30am, only two songs are completed. The tunes, Mark James’ Raised On Rock and For Ol’ Times Sake, another number from Tony Joe White, will make up the next single.

 

Raised On Rock

 

 

For Ol’ Times Sake :wub:

 

 

July 24th

 

In 1969, rehearsals continue for the opening in Las Vegas, while Barbra Streisand finishes her opening stand at the new International showroom. The backup groups join in here for the first time, and Felton Jarvis flies in from a three-day honeymoon with his new bride, Chet Atkins’ assistant Mary Lynch. According to Myrna Smith who functions as Sweet Inspirations spokesperson and manager, ‘Rehearsals were always great. Elvis went through the whole thing, just as though we were on stage. He just let us experiment.’ He did, however, know ‘exactly what he wanted to hear. He added our group because he wanted the spice of soul, but he didn’t want it to be too overbearing.’ :D

July 25th

 

In 1955, Elvis is at the New City Auditorium, Fort Myers, Florida. Popular hillbilly comic ‘Deacon’ Andy Griffith headlines a show with Grand Ole Opry stars. At the bottom of the bill, boldface letters announce: 'EXTRA EXTRA By Popular Demand ELVIS PRESLEY with Scotty and Bill.’ This is the start of a seven-day tour, the first under the new regime. Once again, Mae Axton works as a publicist and interviews Elvis at the beginning of the tour.

In 1969, rehearsals are running until the Streisand show closes on the 28th. At Streisand’s invitation, Elvis and some of the guys attend at least one of her performances, and, looking at the stage, Elvis remarks to Charlie that it looks like a ‘helluva big stage to fill.’ This is not the way it is going to be for him, he says. He will be surrounded by his band and backup singers. He will not be alone. :dance:

 

July 26th

 

In 1972, Elvis flies out of Memphis at 5.45pm, arriving in Los Angeles in time to take a limousine to the RCA studio for a 9.00pm rehearsal for his upcoming Las Vegas engagement.

Elvis is legally separated from Priscilla on this date, and by the end of the month, the press will report authoritatively that a ‘black belt karate man’ (Mike Stone) has split up the Presley marriage. :(

 

In 1956, the Colonel solidifies the deal he has been working on with merchandiser Hank Saperstein over the summer for the exclusive right to exploit and commercially promote the image of Elvis Presley on different articles of merchandise, from lipstick to lockets, from pedal pushers to portable typewriters :yahoo:

 

July 27th

 

In 1957, Elvis has his 1956 Cadillac Eldorado that he had picked up in Houston with June Juanico, customised with flared rear fender skirts, white taillight bullets on the rear fenders and a purple paint job. The new interior is matching purple and white with ‘EP’ and guitars on the floor mats. This car is currently on display at Graceland

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/56prs2.jpg

 

In 1963, over the weekend, cast and crew return to Los Angeles. By now Elvis and Ann-Margret are the subject of much on-set gossip and will soon become a prominent item in all the gossip columns. ‘They hold hands. They disappear into his dressing room between shots. They lunch together in seclusion,’ writes Bob Thomas in an AP dispatch ten days later. B)

 

In 1975, Elvis is in Memphis and on a visit to Madison Cadillac, he spends $140,000 for fourteen Cadillacs that he gives away as gifts. One goes to Myrna Smith in appreciation for her loyalty on tour, another to a black bank teller named Mennie Person who has been window shopping with her family at the dealership when Elvis shows up. :wub:

July 28th

In 1955, Elvis is at the new baseball stadium in Jacksonville, Florida and again, there is a near riot when he performs :yahoo:

 

In 1970, Elvis continued rehearsals at RCA.

July 29th

In 1969, there are two days of rehearsals in the showroom with the thirty-piece International orchestra, led by Bobby Morris. The Colonel, meanwhile, is coordinating an advertising blitz that includes posters, banners, balloons, pictures, calendars, catalogues, taxi mini-marquees, and a blanketing assault of radio and television ads. As the Colonel says to Elvis, even ‘The gophers in the desert will know you’re here, everyone in town will know that Elvis Presley is coming. But you’re the only one that can bring them in.’ :dance:

 

The following year, 1970, Elvis is at MGM in Culver City for more filming on That’s The Way It Is, the documentary of his shows in Las Vegas.

 

July 30th

 

In 1957, Loving You opens nationwide. The picture will appear on Variety’s National Box Office Survey for four weeks peaking at #7.

During this month, George Klein has brought r & b singer and songwriter Ivory Joe Turner out to Graceland. Elvis loves Hunters’ 1950 hit I Almost Lost My Mind and recorded Hunters’ I Need You So at his February sessions. When Hunter plays him a new composition, My Wish Came True, Elvis promises to cut it at his next session. He does, but the song will not be released until 1959.

 

In 1966, after considering titles like, A Girl In Every Port and Easy Does It, Hal Wallis decides that Elvis’ next Paramount picture, in which he will play a Navy SEAL scuba diver, will be titled Easy Come, Easy Go.

 

July 31st

Elvis is back

 

(From Elvis - Day By Day)

 

In 1969, the final full-dress rehearsal consists of two complete run-throughs of the show with full orchestra accompaniment and Elvis dressed in one of Bill Belew’s karate-style ‘Cossack suits’ with dangling macramé belt.

 

At 8.15 in the Showroom of the International Hotel, Las Vegas, the Sweet Inspirations open the single opening-night show, while backstage Elvis copes with another near panic attack of stage fright that doesn’t let up until he steps on stage at 10.15pm, following Sammy Shore’s set. Appearing from the side, with almost no fanfare, he hesitates for a moment, then rocks the house with an all-out rendition of Blue Suede Shoes. This invitation-only gala attracts celebrities from Cary Grant to Carol Channing, Pat Boone, Fats Domino and Phil Ochs, as well as a large contingent of press, many of whom the Colonel has had flown in on International owner Kirk Kerkorian’s private jet. Also in attendance at Elvis’ invitation is Sam Phillips of Sun Records.

 

The response to Elvis’ performance is practically cataclysmic, as Elvis is bursting with energy, falling to his knees, sliding across the stage, even doing somersaults. The celebrity audience is on its’ knees for almost the entire show, and rave reviews come in from all over- from the trades, the dailies, and such representatives of the cultural establishment and counter-establishment as the New Yorker, The Village Voice and the New York Times. Perhaps never before in his career has Elvis enjoyed such near-universal acclaim. :cheer: :dance:

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/69vegas3.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/69vegas2.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/31stJuly.jpg

 

Track list

 

Opening Theme

Blue Suede Shoes

I Got A Woman

All Shook Up

Love Me Tender

Jailhouse Rock/Don't Be Cruel

Heartbreak Hotel

Hound Dog

Memories

Mystery Train/Tiger Man

Baby What You Want Me To Do

Are You Lonesome Tonight?

Yesterday

Hey Jude

[band introductions]

In The Ghetto

Runaway

Suspicious Minds

What'd I Say

Can't Help Falling In Love

 

NEWSWEEK article - Return of the Pelvis

 

http://www.elvisconcerts.com/newspapers/press16.htm

 

August 1st

 

In 1969, Elvis hold a 12.30am press conference following the show, during which he confesses he was ’’a little nervous for the first three songs, but then I thought, ’What the heck, get with it, man, or you might be out of a job tomorrow.’’This evening, the show takes on the normal routine of two shows a night, at 8.15pm and midnight. :cheer:

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/eanddad2.jpg

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/eandv.jpg :heart:

 

Of course, my siggy pic is from this very press conference :wub: and for loads more pics

 

http://www.tcb-world.com/elvispictures/The...Conference.html