Today in Elvis History

It's May 27th, and on this day in 1966, Elvis Presley was in the middle of a significant recording session at RCA's Studio B in Nashville. This was his first non-movie session since January 1964, marking a return to more personal, non-soundtrack music. For three days, Elvis and his team recorded into the early morning hours, taking only a midday break before resuming in the evening.

During this marathon session, a variety of songs were laid down. Among them were two fillers for the *Spinout* soundtrack: "Down in the Alley" and "Tomorrow Is a Long Time." Also recorded were non-religious singles like "Come What May" and "Fools Fall in Love," as well as two gospel tracks: "If the Lord Wasn’t Walking By My Side" and "Where Could I Go But to the Lord." These tracks would further showcase the versatility of Elvis's sound, blending his rock-and-roll roots with his gospel influences.

It's May 26th, and on this day in 1973, after a tumultuous end to their relationship, Priscilla Presley took a significant legal step. She hired the law firm Tankell, Toll, and Leavitt and scheduled a meeting with Elvis's lawyer, Gregory Hookstratten. In this session, Vernon Presley promised to supply Elvis’s income tax returns for Priscilla’s review. However, when Vernon failed to deliver the documents, Priscilla filed a motion in Santa Monica Superior Court to invalidate their original agreement, which had entailed a lump sum of \$100,000, some cars, and \$1,500 per month in spousal and child support. Priscilla now sought a revised settlement, asking for \$20,000 per month in spousal support and \$2,500 per month for child support.

It's May 25th, and on this day in 1966… Elvis Presley boarded a rented Greyhound bus to head to Nashville, where a major turning point in his recording career began. At RCA’s Studio B, he met his new producer, Felton Jarvis, whose temperament proved to be a better match for Elvis than his predecessor. That night marked the first time in more than two years that Elvis recorded non-soundtrack material. From 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., he worked on what would become the *How Great Thou Art* album and laid down his haunting rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Tomorrow Is a Long Time.” It was a night of creative renewal and a signal that Elvis was ready to return to more meaningful musical roots.

It's May 24th, and on this day in 1945, Priscilla Ann Wagner was born in Brooklyn, New York. Tragically, her father, James Wagner, a Navy pilot, lost his life in an air crash later that year while returning home on leave. In 1949, her mother, Ann, remarried to Joseph Paul Beaulieu, an Air Force officer, who adopted Priscilla. The Beaulieu family moved frequently due to military postings, and by 1959, they were stationed at Wiesbaden Air Force Base in Germany, where a young Elvis Presley was also stationed. It was there that 14-year-old Priscilla met Elvis at his home in Bad Nauheim. By 1962, Priscilla moved to Memphis to live with Elvis at Graceland, and by 1967, the two were married, having their only child, Lisa Marie, later that year. Their marriage, however, would end in divorce in 1973.

It's May 23, and on this day in 1968, the Mexican newspaper *Ultimas Noticias* ran a story claiming that Elvis Presley was set to marry actress Yvonne Lime in Acapulco the following week. The rumor, which was picked up by the Associated Press, suggested that the two would elope after dating sporadically in Hollywood and even sharing a visit to Graceland earlier that year. However, like so many rumors about Elvis's love life, this one was completely unfounded.

It's May 22nd, and on this day in 1968, Elvis, Priscilla, and Lisa Marie were vacationing in Hawaii at the Ilikai Hotel in Honolulu. During their stay, Elvis took his entourage to the Karate Tournament of Champions at the Honolulu International Center. The event, promoted by Ed Parker, who would later become Elvis's bodyguard and personal karate instructor, featured future movie star Chuck Norris as one of the competitors. The tournament winner, Mike Stone, was karate's international grand champion since 1966.

After the competition, Elvis and Priscilla met with Parker, Norris, and Stone. In an interesting twist, Mike Stone would go on to become not only Priscilla's karate instructor but also a close friend, lover, and live-in boyfriend. It's said that Elvis disliked Stone so much that he refused to watch the ABC TV series *The Streets of San Francisco* because of Karl Malden's portrayal of a character named “Detective Mike Stone.”

This fascinating moment in Elvis's personal life highlights his deep connection to karate, his complicated relationships, and the ever-evolving circle of people around him.

It's May 21st, and on this day in 1971, the Presley family made waves at the first annual Memphis Music Awards banquet. While Elvis was busy recording in Nashville, his father, Vernon Presley, and stepmother, Dee Presley, represented the family at the event. Elvis was nominated in ten categories and walked away a big winner. He took home the prestigious "Founder’s Award," and his hit song "Suspicious Minds" won "Outstanding Single." A moment that recognized both Elvis's ongoing influence and the love his hometown had for him.

It's May 20th, and on this day in 1971… Elvis Presley was deep into a week-long marathon recording session at RCA Studios in Nashville. Beginning each night around 7 p.m., these sessions were intended to yield both a Christmas album and pop singles for an upcoming studio release. While a rumored cover of The Carpenters’ Merry Christmas Darling never materialized, Elvis did lay down his now-classic bluesy jam Merry Christmas Baby—a gritty, extended session that would be trimmed and polished for future release. Accompanied by pals Charlie Hodge and Joe Esposito on guitar, and later overdubs by the Imperials and a full violin section, this intense stretch produced thirty tracks in total—showcasing Elvis’s enduring creative drive even in the midst of the 1970s.

It's May 19th, and on this day in 1965, Colonel Parker took an extraordinary step in promoting Elvis’s film *Tickle Me*. The Colonel, always thinking outside the box, convinced RCA to purchase Elvis's custom gold Cadillac and send it on a nationwide tour to serve as a stand-in for the star himself at *Tickle Me* premieres.

The "Solid Gold Cadillac," as it was called, was no ordinary car. This 1960 Cadillac was customized by the famous George Barris and was equipped with two telephones, a full entertainment console, a refreshment bar, and even an electric shoe buffer—everything gold-plated, of course, with golden guitar insignia. The exterior was finished in white-gold Murano pearl with gold-plated trim, making it a true spectacle on the road.

Though the car made its way across the country, the Colonel grew increasingly concerned as he faced challenges in presenting Elvis to the public in a way that would match the star power of the "Solid Gold Cadillac." This creative promotion highlighted both Elvis’s unique brand and Colonel Parker’s commitment to keeping him in the public eye, even when Elvis couldn’t be physically present.

It's May 18th, and on this day in 1973, Elvis Presley was nearing the end of a seventeen-day engagement at the Sahara Tahoe Hotel when he was rushed to a local hospital for chest X-rays. Fans who had lined up outside the High Sierra Theater were devastated to learn that both the evening's and the weekend's shows would be canceled. Shortly after, Elvis flew back to Memphis, and Colonel Parker arranged for the return of his \$100,000 payment to the hotel.

This incident sparked open discussions within Elvis’s inner circle about his prescription drug abuse. Concerned family members, including Colonel Parker and Vernon Presley, enlisted a Los Angeles attorney to investigate who was supplying Elvis with his seemingly endless stream of medications. The investigation revealed that at least three physicians and one dentist were involved. Despite efforts to confront them, Elvis refused to cooperate, leaving the situation unresolved for several more months.