Today in Elvis History

It's September eleventh, and on this day in 1967... Elvis Presley took over the piano during a late-night recording session at RCA Studio B in Nashville, pouring emotion into his rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” The session lasted from 6:00 p.m. to 3:30 a.m., with Elvis personally shaping the sound and feel of the track. His decision to play piano underscored how deeply connected he was to the song’s spiritual message, resulting in one of the most heartfelt performances of his later recording career.

It's September tenth, and on this day in 1967... Elvis Presley attempted to record new material for singles and to bolster the *Clambake* soundtrack, focusing especially on the song “Guitar Man.” Unsatisfied with the session guitarist’s sound, Elvis personally requested Jerry Reed—the song’s writer and original performer—to join the session. Reed arrived and laid down his signature picking style, reinvigorating the session with what would become one of Elvis’s most acclaimed later recordings. However, a dispute over publishing rights quickly soured the mood, leading Reed to walk out after also recording “Big Boss Man.” The session continued until 5:30 a.m., but the tension lingered, marking a night of both creative triumph and behind-the-scenes friction.

It's September ninth, and on this day in 1956... Elvis Presley made his historic debut on *The Ed Sullivan Show*, performing live from CBS Television City in Los Angeles. With Ed Sullivan recovering from a car accident, actor Charles Laughton hosted the program. Elvis delivered electrifying renditions of “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender,” “Ready Teddy,” and “Hound Dog.” The broadcast drew over 60 million viewers—an astonishing 82.6% of the American television audience—making it one of the most-watched events of the decade. The performance catapulted Elvis into national superstardom and marked a defining moment in the rise of rock and roll.

It's September eighth, and on this day in 1973... Elvis Presley and his girlfriend Linda Thompson attended a Tom Jones performance at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. During the show, Elvis made a surprise appearance on stage, thrilling the audience with the rare crossover moment between two powerhouse performers. The encounter reflected Elvis’s admiration for Tom and the bond they shared as Las Vegas headliners at the peak of their showmanship.

It's September seventh, and on this day in 1957... Elvis Presley was in the studio at Radio Recorders, needing one last song to complete his Christmas album. Songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller quickly delivered “Santa Claus Is Back In Town,” which Elvis liked immediately. Although he suggested he might join Scotty Moore, Bill Black, and D.J. Fontana on piano for the instrumental track, time ran out and Elvis didn’t participate. The session marked a turning point—long-simmering frustrations came to a head, and both Scotty and Bill submitted letters of resignation, ending their long-running collaboration with Elvis. D.J. chose not to follow, deepening the rift between the bandmates.

It's September 6, and on this day in Elvis history:

In 1955, Elvis and his band traveled from Memphis to Bono, Arkansas, to perform at the high school gym. The attendance was so large that the floor actually gave way during the show — luckily, no one was injured. That day, Elvis also showed off his new 1954 Cadillac Eldorado to friends like Jimmy Day.

In 1957, Elvis spent the afternoon and evening at Radio Recorders, working on Christmas songs for his upcoming album. During this session, he recorded the track "Don't."

In 1971, Elvis closed the final day of his Las Vegas engagement by donning a cape on stage for the very first time. The four-week engagement earned Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker a combined \$351,000 after expenses. The press also reported extensively on Elvis's health issues and his daily visits to doctors during this period.

In 1974, Elvis purchased his third Stutz Blackhawk, a 1973 model that now resides in the Graceland car museum.

In 1976, Elvis performed two shows at the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville, Alabama, marking the last time he performed two shows in a single day.

It's September sixth, and on this day in 1955... Elvis Presley performed at the high school gym in Bono, Arkansas, after returning to Memphis and driving 80 miles with his band. The crowd was so large and energetic that the gym floor gave way in the middle of the show—though miraculously, no one was injured. Elvis also showed off his brand-new 1954 Cadillac Eldorado to friends backstage, adding a flash of style to an already unforgettable night of rock and roll.

It's September fifth, and on this day in 1962... principal photography began for *It Happened at the World's Fair* at the Seattle World’s Fairgrounds. During filming, a young Kurt Russell—just ten years old—appeared in a scene where he kicked Elvis Presley in the shin. The moment would later become a piece of Hollywood trivia, as Russell would go on to portray Elvis himself in a 1979 biopic, marking a full-circle connection between the King and the boy who once gave him a cinematic bruise.

It's September fourth, and on this day in 1972... Elvis Presley attended a press conference alongside Colonel Tom Parker and the president of RCA to officially announce the upcoming *Aloha from Hawaii* concert, set for January 14 of the following year. Speaking briefly, Elvis deferred to the Colonel on business matters but made one thing clear: “It’s my favorite part of the business—a live concert.” That evening, Elvis closed out his Las Vegas engagement, setting the stage for what would soon become one of the most iconic performances of his career.

It's September third, and on this day in 1973... Elvis Presley closed out his Las Vegas engagement with one of the most bizarre and memorable performances of his career. He made his entrance on stage riding on Lamar Fike’s back, with a toy monkey clinging to his neck, then sang “What Now My Love” while tossing around on a bed Sonny West had placed on stage. Elvis joked with the audience and expressed frustration over how he felt mistreated by the hotel—but ended the show with heartfelt words about his love for performing. Backstage, tensions boiled over in a heated argument with Colonel Tom Parker. The night ended with Elvis firing the Colonel, who had already tendered his resignation, marking a rare and dramatic rupture in one of the most famous manager-artist relationships in music history.

It's September second, and on this day in 1957... Elvis Presley performed at Multnomah Stadium in Portland, Oregon, delivering a 40-minute show so electrifying that it nearly sparked a riot. Police were called in to control the overwhelmed crowd. Before the concert, in a rare moment of candor, Elvis told reporters, “There's nothing more important than love and marriage. I do think that marriage would hurt my career now, though.” His words—and his performance—captured the tension between the private man and the public phenomenon at the height of Elvis mania.