Today in Elvis History

It’s June sixth, and on this day in 1968… Elvis Presley was in Los Angeles, deep in rehearsals for his upcoming television special at the offices of Binder-Howe Productions, when the news came that Senator Robert F. Kennedy had died from an assassination attempt the day before. The tragedy deeply affected Elvis, and director Steve Binder recognized an opportunity to reflect that emotion in the show. Binder asked songwriter Earl Brown to write a new closing number that would express Elvis’s grief, hope, and belief in a better world. The result was “If I Can Dream,” a powerful anthem that Elvis agreed to perform—delivering one of the most moving and iconic moments of his entire career.

It’s June fifth, and on this day in 1956… Elvis Presley shocked the nation with his appearance on *The Milton Berle Show*, broadcast live from NBC Studios in Los Angeles. After being introduced by Berle and receiving a special Billboard award for “Heartbreak Hotel,” Elvis performed “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” and then launched into a now-legendary performance of “Hound Dog.” The slow, suggestive delivery—with no guitar to hold—provoked outrage from television critics and cemented Elvis’s image as a dangerous new force in American pop culture. The moment would go down as one of the most controversial and iconic performances of his career.

It's June fourth, and on this day in 1960, Elvis Presley was visited on the set of *G.I. Blues* by three Scandinavian princesses. The royal encounter was a highlight during filming, and that evening, Elvis and his entourage continued the glamour by hitting several nightclubs. The visit added a touch of international royalty to the early days of Elvis’s post-army film career.

It's June third, and on this day in 1953, Elvis Presley received his high school diploma at Ellis Auditorium in Memphis. Dressed in a dark suit and tie, the future King of Rock and Roll graduated from Humes High School, less than a year before he would walk into the Memphis Recording Service to make a record "for his mother"—a step that would change music history forever.

It's June 2, and on this day in 1955, Elvis Presley performed at the City Auditorium in Amarillo, Texas. That same year, his single "Baby Let's Play House" reached number 10 on Billboard's Country chart, becoming his first national charting hit.

In 1957, Elvis filmed a scene in the prison coal yard for his iconic movie *Jailhouse Rock*, cementing his legacy in film history.

Fast forward to 1968, Elvis and Priscilla returned to Los Angeles from Hawaii, marking another chapter in their personal life.

In 1975, Elvis performed two shows at the Municipal Auditorium in Mobile, Alabama, and in 1976, he rocked the Civic Center Coliseum in El Paso, Texas. In 1977, Elvis wrapped up his tour with a performance at the Municipal Auditorium in Mobile, before returning to Memphis.

This day in Elvis history showcases milestones in both his musical career and his film ventures, along with important personal moments.

It's June 1st, and on this day in 1938, Vernon Presley arrived at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman to begin serving his sentence for a forgery conviction. The charges stemmed from Vernon and two other men altering a check for a mere five dollars. While Vernon was incarcerated, he faced grueling labor, spending his days working in the prison's cotton, corn, and sugarcane fields under harsh conditions, where guards reportedly used whips.

In 1958, Elvis, dressed in full military uniform, took the time to explain his army insignia to fans outside Graceland, providing a glimpse into his life as a soldier during his time in the U.S. Army. It was a rare moment of connection between Elvis and his adoring fans during his military service.

This day also marked several memorable performances, from a 1955 show at the High School Auditorium in Guymon, Oklahoma, to a surprise appearance at the Overton Park Shell in Memphis in 1956, where Elvis joined the likes of Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Warren Smith onstage.

It's May 31st, and on this day in 1967, Elvis hosted a second wedding reception at Graceland for 125 of his Memphis friends, family, and staff who couldn't attend his Vegas ceremony with Priscilla. The guests, most of whom were casually dressed, gathered around the patio, which was usually reserved for the race car set-up, overlooking the swimming pool. Music for the evening came from Elvis's jukebox and a local accordionist, Tony Brasso. The meal, served in the trophy room, was prepared by Monty’s catering. It was a relaxed and intimate celebration, giving those closest to Elvis a chance to join in the joy of his marriage to Priscilla.

It's May 30th, and on this day in 1956, Elvis attended the graduation ceremonies of Humes and South Side High Schools at Ellis Auditorium. This event marked a significant moment in Elvis's connection to his Memphis roots, as he was a local figure who had already made waves in the music world.

Fast forward to 1975, and on May 30th, Elvis kicked off his second tour of the year with a performance at the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville, Alabama. This marked another high point in his busy concert schedule, as he continued to captivate audiences across the country.

Meanwhile, back in 1943, an eight-year-old Elvis Presley spent his afternoons at the WELO radio studio in Tupelo, Mississippi. It was there, at one of the station's most popular shows, *Saturday Jamboree*, that young Elvis began to develop his lifelong love of music. He became fast friends with local entertainer Carvel Lee Ausborn, or "Mississippi Slim," who would share his extensive record collection, further fueling Elvis's passion for music that would one day change the world.

It's May 29th, and on this day in 1955, Elvis performed two shows in Texas—an afternoon performance at the North Side Coliseum in Fort Worth and an evening show at the Sportatorium in Dallas. These concerts were part of his busy schedule during his rise to fame.

Fast forward to 1963, on this day, Elvis made an interesting choice as Priscilla graduated high school. Instead of attending the ceremony, he waited for her in his car and brought her back to Graceland, where a special graduation party had been arranged for her.

Then, in 1967, Elvis and Priscilla hosted a second wedding reception at Graceland for friends and family, complete with green and white decorations, a cake from Monte's Catering Service, and music by Tony Barrasso. After the event, Elvis went to the Memphian Theater to unwind with a movie.

These milestones reflect key moments in both Elvis's career and personal life, showing his busy performance schedule and unique personal decisions.

It's May 28th, and on this day in 1955, Elvis performed for the second time on the "Big D Jamboree" radio show, broadcast live from the City Sportatorium in Dallas, Texas. This performance marked another important step in Elvis's early career, as he shared the stage with other country and rockabilly stars, such as Onie Wheeler, Arlie Duff, and Texas Bill Strength. It was during his appearances on the "Big D Jamboree" that Elvis's first manager, Bob Neal, met Colonel Tom Parker, a meeting that would ultimately shape Elvis's future. Bob Neal, who would later lose his management rights due to Parker's influential connections, would go on to represent a legendary list of artists, including Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and more.