Today in Elvis History

It's April 18th, and on this day in 1972, Elvis Presley made a lasting impact on the lives of his fans. While on tour in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he was honored by Governor Bruce King, who bestowed upon him the title of honorary "Colonel, Aide de Camp." But the most memorable moment came later that day at Tingley Coliseum, where Elvis performed his final show of the tour. During intermission, he met with eight-year-old Denise Sanchez, who was terminally ill with cancer. Moved by her situation, Elvis dedicated the song "You Gave Me a Mountain" to her, creating a deeply emotional and heartfelt moment that would be remembered by all who were present. After the show, Elvis flew back to Memphis, but the memory of his kindness lingered long after.

It's April 17th, and on this day in 1971, Elvis Presley ordered the first of the famous "TCB" ("Takin' Care of Business") necklaces, a signature piece of jewelry that became synonymous with his image. The necklaces featured the iconic three letters, adorned with a diamond-studded lightning bolt descending from the "C." The slogan "Takin' Care of Business" was coined during Elvis's December 20, 1968 NBC-TV special, and the necklaces were designed by Schwartz & Abbitzer Jewelers in Beverly Hills, California. These necklaces would become a symbol of Elvis's personal brand and were soon seen on members of his band, the Imperials, and the Sweet Inspirations during performances, especially in Las Vegas.

It's April 16th, and on this day in 1955, Elvis Presley performed at the Big "D" Jamboree at the Sportatorium in Dallas, Texas. This appearance marked a significant moment in his early career, as manager Bob Neal arranged four spots for Elvis on the popular Dallas-based radio show. The Big "D" Jamboree, known for its strong local signal, helped elevate Elvis's exposure in the Texas entertainment scene.

Elvis shared the stage with rising stars like Sonny James and veteran performers such as Hank Locklin and Charlene Arthur. His set included songs like "That's All Right," "I Don't Care if the Sun Don't Shine," "Tweedle Dee," and "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Local newspapers took note of the young women swooning over him, and some men even commented they wouldn't want their girlfriends getting an autograph from Elvis. This performance was one of the many steps in Elvis's rise to national fame.

It's April 12th, and on this day in 1956, Elvis performed two shows at the Armory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The audience's enthusiastic screams nearly lifted the roof, leaving Elvis in awe backstage. He expressed his amazement, saying, "It makes me want to cry. How does all this happen to me?" During the performance, he showcased his horseshoe diamond ring and proudly mentioned owning 40 suits and 27 pairs of shoes, a testament to his growing fame and success.

In 1961, Elvis was reported to be dating seventeen-year-old Tuesday Weld, his co-star in *Wild in the Country*. During this time, he was introduced to Louisiana blues singer Janet LeGault, who invited him to a club where she was performing. Elvis surprised her by showing up with friends, and soon after, LeGault became part of his inner circle. She would later appear as Elvis's double in several films, including *Kissin' Cousins*, where she played "the other Elvis" in scenes requiring a dual role.

These events mark key moments in Elvis's personal life and career, from his growing fame to the introduction of an important figure who would become a familiar presence in his film projects.

It's March 16th, and on this day in 1957, Elvis received a phone call from his parents with life-changing news. They had found the perfect home—Graceland. Situated just outside of Memphis, in a secluded grove of towering oaks, the estate was perfect for the Presley family, who were seeking privacy from the relentless attention of fans. Graceland, named after the great aunt of the woman who built it, was a 14-acre mansion on Highway 51 South, north of the Mississippi border. The Presley family bought it for \$102,500, with a down payment of \$10,000 in cash, and a mortgage for the remainder. This was the home where Elvis would create countless memories, solidifying his legacy not just as a performer, but as a cultural icon.

It's March tenth, and on this day in 1959… RCA Records released Elvis Presley's single “I Need Your Love Tonight,” backed with “A Fool Such as I.” With one million copies pressed right out of the gate, it was clear RCA was betting big on the King—even though he was stationed thousands of miles away in Germany. A gold record was promptly sent overseas to Elvis, reminding the world that even in uniform, his voice still ruled the airwaves.

And on this day in 1975… Elvis arrived at RCA’s Sunset Boulevard studios at 9 p.m. with Sheila Ryan and his daughter Lisa Marie. Working through the night with just his vocal group, Voice, Elvis recorded four master tracks by 7 a.m.—including “Fairy Tale” and “And I Love You So,” which he tenderly sang to Sheila in the studio. It was a rare and intimate glimpse of Elvis’s personal life blending with his artistry during the final stretch of his recording career.

It's May 4th, and on this day in 1973, Elvis began a 17-day engagement at the High Sierra Theater, Sahara Tahoe, in Stateline, Nevada. Linda Thompson accompanied him on this trip. The show was sold out, and while fans were eager to see the King of Rock and Roll, there were reports of near riots as some fans, despite having made reservations, were not allowed into the venue. *Variety* magazine noted Elvis’s appearance, describing him as "some thirty pounds overweight, puffy, white-faced, and blinking against the light." Despite the enthusiastic crowds, the review claimed his voice was weak and his delivery flabby, marking a significant contrast to his earlier, more energetic performances.

It's May 3rd, and on this day in 1969, Elvis’s recording of “In The Ghetto” began climbing *Billboard’s* Hot 100 at number 79. The song would remain on the charts for thirteen weeks, ultimately peaking at number three. This marked Elvis's first Top 10 single since “Crying in the Chapel” in 1965. Written by Mac Davis, the song was originally offered to Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers and then to Sammy Davis, Jr., both of whom turned it down. The full title of the song, “In The Ghetto (The Vicious Circle),” was shortened by RCA for release. While the song didn’t perform as well on the country charts, peaking at number 60, it became one of Elvis's most iconic tracks. Interestingly, Dolly Parton’s later cover of the song reached number 50 on the country chart.

It's May first, and on this day in 1967, Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu in a private ceremony at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas.

The day began in the early hours, with Elvis and Priscilla obtaining their marriage license at 3:30 a.m. from the Clark County Courthouse for just fifteen dollars. Afterward, they were whisked away in limousines to the Aladdin Hotel, where the couple was sequestered in a private suite.

At 9:41 a.m., in an intimate eight-minute ceremony, Elvis and Priscilla were married by Judge David Zenoff of the Nevada Supreme Court. Joe Esposito and Marty Lacker stood as Elvis's best men. Following the ceremony, the couple held a reception and press conference, marking a monumental personal milestone in Elvis's life.

Despite a few tensions behind the scenes—most notably the exclusion of Red West from the ceremony, leading to a two-year estrangement from Elvis—this day stands out as a defining moment in both Elvis's personal and public life.

It's April 30th, and on this day in 1964, Elvis met Larry Geller for the first time. Geller, who had replaced Elvis’s regular hairdresser, would go on to become one of Elvis’s closest friends and spiritual advisors. During their initial meeting, Elvis expressed his deep interest in spiritual matters, saying, “There’s got to be a reason why I was chosen to be Elvis Presley.” This conversation sparked a bond that would shape much of Elvis’s personal life and spiritual journey. That day, Elvis convinced Geller to quit his job and work for him, also asking him to bring spiritual books to the recording studio the next day. This moment marked the beginning of a significant and lasting relationship in Elvis's life beyond his show business circle.