Today in Elvis History

It’s July eleventh, and on this day in 1954… Elvis Presley, along with Scotty Moore and Bill Black, recorded the iconic song “Mystery Train” at Sun Records. This session followed closely on the heels of his breakthrough recordings and helped further establish the raw, electrifying sound that would soon captivate the nation. Just the night before, DJs Uncle Richard on KWEM and Dewey Phillips on WHBQ gave “Blue Moon of Kentucky” and “That’s All Right” their first airplay, sparking the buzz that would launch Elvis’s legendary career.

It’s July tenth, and on this day in 1956… Elvis Presley and his girlfriend June Juanico took a day trip to New Orleans with friends, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation amid Elvis’s rapidly rising fame. Just a year later, on this day in 1957, Elvis arranged a private midnight screening of his film *Loving You* exclusively for his parents and Anita Wood, sharing an intimate moment away from the spotlight. Meanwhile, in 1965, Elvis’s eighteenth film, *Tickle Me*, opened nationwide to mixed reviews—critics noted its low-budget production, but acknowledged that Elvis’s immense popularity ensured its success at the box office.

It’s July ninth, and on this day in 1954… riding the wave of excitement from the radio debut of “That’s All Right,” Elvis Presley returned to Sun Studio with Scotty Moore and Bill Black to record the B-side. The trio laid down their energetic take on Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” transforming the bluegrass classic into a rocking companion to their first hit. This session completed Elvis’s debut single and cemented the raw, genre-blending sound that would help ignite the rock and roll revolution.

It’s July eighth, and on this day in 1954… Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips played Elvis Presley’s debut single, “That’s All Right,” for the very first time on WHBQ radio. The song instantly caught the ears of local listeners, prompting a flood of phone calls to the station. Meanwhile, Elvis—too nervous to listen—was at the movies. When Dewey decided to interview him live on air, Elvis’s parents had to track him down and bring him to the station. Still unaware he was already on the microphone, Elvis casually chatted with Dewey, marking his first public broadcast appearance—and the moment his rise to stardom truly began.

It’s July seventh, and on this day in 1954… Sam Phillips, fresh from recording Elvis Presley’s explosive version of “That’s All Right,” took an acetate of the track to local Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips. Dewey agreed to play it the following evening on his *Red, Hot and Blue* radio show. That decision would launch not just a song, but a seismic shift in American music. The world hadn’t heard Elvis on the radio yet—but by this time tomorrow, it would never be the same.

It’s July sixth, and on this day in 1954… Elvis Presley returned to Sun Studio with Scotty Moore and Bill Black to record the second song for what would become his debut single. Just the night before, they had captured lightning in a bottle with “That’s All Right.” Now they needed a B-side. The trio settled on a hopped-up version of Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” transforming the bluegrass waltz into a driving rockabilly tune. The pairing of these two songs marked the official beginning of Elvis’s recording career—and the birth of a new sound in American music.

It’s July fifth, and on this day in 1954… Elvis Presley, along with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, walked into Sun Studio after a long day at work. During a break in their otherwise uneventful rehearsal, Elvis spontaneously launched into a blues tune—Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup’s “That’s All Right.” Sam Phillips, listening from the control room, immediately recognized something special. He had them run it again, this time recording it. That spontaneous moment marked the birth of Elvis’s first rock and roll record and lit the fuse on a career that would change music history forever.

It’s July fourth, and on this day in 1956… Elvis Presley returned to Memphis by train and spent the afternoon with his family and girlfriend Barbara Hearn at his home on Audubon Drive. That evening, he performed a special Independence Day concert at Russwood Park, a charity benefit sponsored by the Memphis Press-Scimitar. The show drew a massive crowd and marked one of Elvis’s most celebrated hometown appearances during his meteoric rise. Fresh off his national TV appearances and chart-topping success, Elvis’s performance that night confirmed his status as a full-blown sensation—and a Memphis hero.

It’s July second, and on this day in 1963… Elvis Presley arrived in Hollywood to begin work on *Viva Las Vegas*, his fifteenth film. Originally titled *The Only Girl in Town*, the movie paired Elvis with rising star Ann-Margret, whose chemistry with Elvis sparked an off-screen romance as well. Their closeness quickly drew attention—not just from Elvis’s entourage, but from gossip magazines and newspapers, including a headline in the *Memphis Press-Scimitar* that read, “It Looks Like Romance For Presley And Ann-Margret.” The relationship would become one of the most talked-about in Elvis’s life, leaving a lasting mark on his personal and professional legacy.

It’s July second, and on this day in 1956… Elvis Presley walked into RCA Studios in New York City and took full control of the recording session for the first time in his career. What followed would become one of the most iconic moments in rock and roll history. Over the course of the day, Elvis recorded “Hound Dog,” pushing through 31 takes to get it just right. He also recorded “Don’t Be Cruel,” a track that would pair with “Hound Dog” as a groundbreaking double A-side single, and “Any Way You Want Me,” a ballad that showed the depth of his vocal range. This session not only produced three of his most memorable recordings but also marked the moment Elvis began shaping his sound on his own terms.