Today in Elvis History

It’s June eleventh, and on this day in 1957… RCA Victor officially released Elvis Presley’s double-sided single “Loving You” backed with “Teddy Bear.” Within a week, the record had sold over 1.25 million copies, making it Elvis’s eighth single to surpass the million mark. *Billboard* featured it in their “Spotlight On…” column, praising its special picture sleeve that showcased Elvis with a teddy bear—an image that quickly became iconic. “Teddy Bear” would climb to number one and stay on the charts for twenty-nine weeks, while “Loving You” peaked at number twenty and held steady for twenty-two weeks, further cementing Elvis’s reign at the top of the pop world.

It’s June tenth, and on this day in 1965… *The New York Times* reported that Elvis Presley’s gospel single “Crying in the Chapel” had reached number one on the British Hit Parade. The achievement marked the first time Elvis topped the Beatles in the U.K., and it was his first British number one hit in three years. The quiet, spiritual ballad struck a chord with international audiences and proved that even at the height of Beatlemania, the King still had the power to rule the charts across the Atlantic.

It's September twenty-ninth, and on this day in 1975... after hearing from his friend George Klein that singer Jackie Wilson had suffered a debilitating stroke, Elvis Presley quietly stepped in to help. Without hesitation, Elvis sent a check to cover Wilson’s hospital expenses and medical bills—a powerful reminder of Elvis’s generosity and deep respect for his fellow performers.

And on this day in 1956... Elvis returned to the Memphis Fairgrounds for the Mid-South Fair, this time joined by actor Nick Adams. During the visit, Elvis made a surprise appearance onstage alongside Irish tenor Dennis Day, giving fans an unexpected blend of rock and tradition in a single show.

It's August twenty-first, and on this day in 1957... Elvis Presley purchased two stone lions and had them installed on either side of the front steps at Graceland. These regal sentinels quickly became iconic symbols of the estate, standing guard as Elvis’s fame—and his home—took on legendary status. The lions remain one of Graceland’s most recognizable and photographed features to this day.

It's August third, and on this day in 1975... Elvis Presley leased an aircraft for one year, putting down a \$26,000 deposit against a \$13,000 monthly rental. This high-flying move reflected not just Elvis’s immense wealth and superstar status, but also his increasingly extravagant lifestyle during the mid-1970s. From Cadillacs to custom jets, the King didn’t just travel—he traveled in style.

It's May 2nd, and on this day in 1960, Elvis Presley began principal photography for his fifth film, *G.I. Blues*, at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. The movie, set in post-World War II Germany, featured Elvis alongside South African actress Juliet Prowse, who became his love interest both on and off the screen. During production, Elvis was seen sneaking dates with Juliet, while also courting two other costars, Judy Rawlins and Sandra Ferra. Tensions ran high when Frank Sinatra, who was dating Prowse, visited the set, adding a touch of Hollywood drama to the production. *G.I. Blues* would go on to be a major success, further cementing Elvis's Hollywood legacy.

It's March fifteenth, and on this day in 1965, Elvis Presley began filming *Harum Scarum* and, during this period, became deeply involved with the Self-Realization Fellowship—an interfaith spiritual organization founded by Indian yogi Paramahansa Yogananda. Elvis frequently visited the Fellowship’s Lake Shrine Retreat in Pacific Palisades and formed a lasting spiritual connection with Sri Daya Mata, one of Yogananda’s foremost disciples. This relationship left a meaningful and enduring impact on Elvis's inner life for years to come.

It’s June ninth, and on this day in 1972… Elvis Presley held a press conference at the New York Hilton, kicking off one of the most iconic moments of his career. Just hours later, he took the stage at Madison Square Garden, becoming the first performer to sell out the legendary venue for four consecutive shows. Each night grossed over seventy thousand dollars, and RCA was there to capture it—releasing the album *Elvis as Recorded at Madison Square Garden*. The audience was packed not just with fans, but with music legends like John Lennon, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and Art Garfunkel, all turning out to witness the King electrify New York.

It’s June eighth, and on this day in 1971… Elvis Presley was honored by his hometown in a lasting way. The Memphis County Commission, with support from Mayor Henry Loeb, officially renamed a portion of Highway 51 South as “Elvis Presley Boulevard.” This stretch of road, which runs from South Parkway to the Mississippi state line, includes the address of Graceland itself. Though there were initial plans to rename the entire length of Bellevue Avenue, opposition from the prominent Bellevue Baptist Church scaled the change back. Still, the renaming marked a rare moment of civic recognition during Elvis’s lifetime—and forever tied the King to the streets of Memphis.

It’s June seventh, and on this day in 1957… Elvis Presley was making his way home to Memphis by train after filming in Hollywood when he tried to contact his former girlfriend June Juanico—only to find out she had married someone else just days earlier. Distraught, Elvis got off the train in Lafayette, Louisiana, and rented a Cadillac to drive the rest of the way home alone. He arrived at Graceland around midnight, greeted by his parents and seeing, for the first time, the renovations that had transformed the mansion since he last left. It was an emotional homecoming marked by personal heartbreak and a glimpse of the life he was building as America’s rising superstar.