19th January

 

In 1972, Elvis was rehearsing at the Las Vegas Hilton. Songs rehearsed but later dropped include Gordon Lightfoot’s ‘The Last Time I Saw Her Face’, Joe Cocker’s ‘Delta Lady’, Don and Dewey’s ‘I’m Leavin’ It Up To You’ and the Walker Brothers’ ‘The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore.’

For the opening the Colonel ordered 50,000 catalogues of Elvis’ records with a Las Vegas Hilton imprint, 75,000 calendars, 10,000 vinyl bags and 5,000 buttons for hotel employees. :dance:

20th January

 

January 1969 and Elvis is at the American Sound Studios in Memphis with Chips Moman producing. :dance:

 

Elvis and Chips – Jan ‘69

 

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It was January 20th and Elvis recorded what was to become one of his most well known hits, In The Ghetto. He loved the song, was convinced about the sincerity of the ‘message’ and believed it would be a hit. And of course it was!

 

 

January 21st

 

In 1969, on this day, Elvis was in the studio from 8pm till 4am and he recorded the Beatles’ Hey Jude and also one of his father’s favourite songs, From A Jack To A King. He spent a large part of the night overdubbing vocal parts with the female singers.

 

January 22nd

 

January 22nd 1955 sees Elvis at the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, where he performs Money Honey, I Don’t Care If The Sun Don’t Shine, Blue Moon Of Kentucky and That’s All Right. :dance:

 

 

American Studios January 1969

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In 1969, Elvis arrives at American Studios early to meet Roy Hamilton who was one of his earliest R&B heroes and in a moment of characteristic generosity, he offers Angelica (one of the songs he was due to record) to Roy, saying he thinks it would be perfect for him. As more than one book has said, Elvis ‘concluded the session with some of his most inspired singing on such gospel-inflected numbers as Without Love and Eddy Arnold’ I’ll Hold You In My Heart. Just after midnight, Chips urges Elvis to try a Mark James’ song, Suspicious Minds, which he is sure would be a hit for Elvis. Later in the day, Chips is quoted in the local paper as saying that he found Elvis to be ‘one of the hardest working artists I have ever been associated with’

 

Some footage from the American Sound studios in Memphis,1969 overdubbed with a early take of Suspicious Minds :wub:

 

Suspicious Minds Live

 

 

23rd January

 

In 1963, Elvis is at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, completing the soundtrack for Fun In Acapulco, Recording continues from 12.20pm till 3.50am concluding two marathon sessions of more than twenty four hours in two days!

 

January 23rd 1976, Elvis has returned to Memphis to prepare for a recording session at Graceland. Felton Jarvis has arranged for RCA to bring its recording truck to Graceland.

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Once all the Polynesian-style furniture has been removed, cables are run into the room that has become known as the ‘Jungle Room.’

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24th January

 

On this day in 1960, Elvis leaves for ‘Operation Winter Shield’ manoeuvres in Grafenwohr. Four days earlier, he had been promoted to Acting Sergeant.

 

In 1967, the Colonel renogotiates Elvis’ contract with RCA up till 1974 with an extension to run until 1980 :D

 

 

And……………………………………………………………. :wave: :wave:

 

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On this day in 1958, in Britain, the single, 'Jailhouse Rock' made chart history by becoming the first single ever to enter the chart at #1

 

Advance sales reached an unprecedented quarter of a million copies, with the same number again being sold in the first week of release! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

 

 

January 25th

 

On this day in 1956, Elvis and the Colonel fly from Nashville to New York as Elvis is to appear on Jackie Gleason’s Stage Show, which is hosted by Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey. Whilst in New York, they stay at the Warwick Hotel on Fifty-Second Street, near Sixth Avenue.

January 26th

 

Elvis opened with a dinner show at the Las Vegas Hilton on January 26th 1972. The show introduces a number of new ballads, including Marty Robbins’ You Gave Me A Mountain, It’s Over and It’s Impossible. Elvis also introduced American Trilogy, Mickey Newbury’s dramatic welding of Dixie, The Battle Hymn Of The Republic and the black spiritual All My Trials. :wub:

 

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January 27th

 

In 1955, Elvis is at the Reo Palm Isle Club in Longview, Texas.

At this time, the Colonel and Tom Diskin begin spreading Elvis’ name throughout their showbiz acquaintances. Diskin writes to a booking agent in Chicago looking for a TV spot for a ‘new boy’ who he believes will be one of the ‘biggest things in the business.’ He goes on to explain that Elvis gets the girls as excited as Frank Sinatra used to, as well as being ‘as good looking as all heck.’

28th January

 

On this day in 1959, Elvis gives his first extended interview since arriving in Germany. He tells Memphis DJ, Keith Sherriff that he’s still homesick and can’t imagine doing anything at this point other than show business,’ whether it’s singing or working as a stage hand. You know, once it gets in your blood, it’s hard to stay away from it.’

 

Elvis in Germany in 1959

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In 1956, Jackie Gleason’s Stage Show is broadcast from the CBS Studio in New York at 8pm. Bill Randle, a Cleveland DJ, introduces Elvis and he performs Shake, Rattle And Roll with Flip, Flop And Fly and I Got A Woman. :dance:

29th January

 

In 1955, Elvis appears at the Louisiana Hayride, Shreveport.

 

On this day in 1962, Elvis travels from Las Vegas to Lake Tahoe, staying one night at Del Webb’s Sahara Tahoe before he returns to Los Angeles.

30th January

 

Elvis spends this day in 1956, recording four songs at RCA’s New York studio at 155 East Twenty-Fourth Street. The songs include a cover version of Carl Perkin’s current Sun hit, Blue Suede Shoes. Steve Sholes wants this recording available in case Heartbreak Hotel fails, but he has promised Sam Phillips that he will not steal Perkin’s success by putting it out as a single. There are no backing vocalists at this session and Shorty Long, a pianist, is the only addition to the regular group.

 

 

January 31st

 

In 1956, at RCA’s New York studios, Elvis records two more songs, I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You) and Tutti Frutti and is interviewed by young New York reporter, Fred Danzig.

 

Tutti Frutti

February 1st

 

On this day in 1956, Elvis travels to Trenton, New Jersey, for a radio interview with WAAT DJ Don Larkin and later attends a press reception in his honour at the Hickory House. When he’s asked for his reaction to the success he’s had, Elvis says,’ It scares me. You know, it scares me.’

 

And on February 1st 1968, Priscilla gives birth to a baby girl, Lisa Marie, at Baptist Hospital in Memphis at 5.01pm. Elvis and other members of his entourage wait in a doctor’s lounge specially set aside for their use. A special detail of Memphis police, paid for by Elvis, will stand by at the hospital over the next four days.

 

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February 2nd

 

Can’t be sure it was 2nd February, but in 1973, at some point during the first two weeks of his Las Vegas engagement, Elvis met Muhammad Ali who was training for his February 14th title defence against Joe Bugner. He presented Ali with a robe emblazoned ‘The People’s Champion.’ At some point, Ali presents Elvis with his boxing gloves which have the inscription ‘You’re the Greatest’ on the left glove and ‘To Elvis, my main man, from Muhammad Ali’ on the right.

 

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February 3rd

 

On February 3rd 1966, Elvis arrives in Los Angeles and settles into his new home at 10550 Rocca Place, Bel Air. The new ranch-style house is meant to offer more privacy for Elvis and Priscilla. Marty Lacker, who is overseeing the interior decoration, will live there, along with Charlie Hodge.

 

 

In 1956, Elvis was recording Shake, Rattle And Roll and Lawdy Miss Clawdy at RCA’s New York studio. :dance:

Shake, Rattle And Roll

 

February 4th

 

In 1972, Elvis and the Colonel make formal the change in their personal management contract whereby, from this point on, all income received from live performances will be split two thirds/one third between Elvis and Colonel Parker :blink:

 

February 5th

 

In 1955, Elvis was at the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport. Wearing pink pants and tie with a charcoal jacket, Elvis performs That’s All Right, Blue Moon Of Kentucky, Tweedlee Dee and Money Honey. The Memphis Press-Simitar announces ‘Through the Patience of Sam Phillips Suddenly Singing Elvis Presley Zooms into Recording Stardom,’ adding that ‘ a white man’s voice singing Negro rhythms with a rural flavour [has] changed life overnight for Elvis Presley.’ :D

 

 

On this day in 1976, Elvis cuts a new Dennis Linde song, For The Heart and performs a truly heartfelt version of Hurt, inspired by the 1954 Roy Hamilton original. :wub:

 

Hurt

 

 

February 6th

 

In 1955, Elvis appeared at the Ellis Auditorium in Memphis at 3pm and 8pm. Elvis is listed below Faron Young, Ferlin Huskey and ‘Beautiful Gospel Singer’ Martha Carson, whose signature song ‘Satisfied’ is one of Elvis’ favourites.

Between shows, Bob Neal arranges a meeting between Sun Records president, Sam Phillips and Colonel Parker and Tom Diskin. Neal is encouraged by the Colonel’s enthusiasm, but the meeting doesn’t go well. Parker explains to Sam Phillips that Elvis is going nowhere on a small-time label like Sun and that he has already made overtures to RCA to buy the contract. :mellow:

February 7th

 

In 1955, Elvis performed at the Ripley High School Gym, Ripley, Mississippi.

 

In 1959, Elvis attended the Holiday on Ice Show in Frankfurt. He has become friends with a number of the skaters and visits backstage.