Today in Elvis History

It's April 29th, and on this day in 1977, a story broke in the *Nashville Banner* revealing that Colonel Tom Parker was reportedly in the process of selling Elvis's contract. The rumor, which cited sources from Memphis, Los Angeles, and Nashville, suggested that Parker's mounting gambling debts were behind the decision. In his response, Parker vehemently denied the claims, stating, "I’m here, I’m working with Elvis, I’m in good health, and I don’t have any debts, at least none I can’t pay." The news sparked speculation and uncertainty, with many questioning whether it was the early stages of a change in direction or simply an unfounded leak, as the Colonel’s plans didn’t come to fruition.

It's April 28th, and on this day in 1956, Colonel Tom Parker organized a special matinee show for teenagers, offering an affordable opportunity for young fans to see Elvis perform. Attendees paid just one dollar for admission and received a soft drink, making it a memorable and accessible event for the next generation of Elvis fans.

In 1957, Elvis arrived in Los Angeles and checked into the penthouse apartment and presidential suite of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. He was accompanied by Gene and Junior Smith, George Klein, Arthur Hooton, and Bitsy Mott, while the band stayed at the Knickerbocker Hotel in downtown LA.

Fast forward to 1976, and Elvis performed at the Summit in Houston, Texas. A scathing review by *Houston Post* reporter Bob Claypool sent shockwaves through Colonel Parker. Claypool described Elvis's performance as a "depressing, incoherent, amateurish mess" delivered by a "bloated, stumbling, and mumbling figure"—a far cry from the King of Rock 'n' Roll that fans had once adored. The fallout from the review led to Parker's attempt at a quick fix, calling for the return of the recently fired Dr. Nick, despite lingering tensions from a past debacle involving a racquetball facility.

It's April 27th, and on this day in 1960, Elvis Presley began his first recording session at RCA Victor’s newly opened studios in Hollywood. This marked a significant shift from his previous sessions at Radio Recorders. Elvis was in full dress uniform, working on songs for the soundtrack of *G.I. Blues*. The session, which ran from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., proved to be a challenging one. Out of the fifteen songs attempted, only seven were deemed worthy of release, including "Didja Ever," "Doin’ the Best I Can," and a new version of "Blue Suede Shoes."

The session also produced the classic "Wooden Heart" and "G.I. Blues," but not all attempts were successful. Several tracks were incomplete, with songs like "Shoppin’ Around" and "Pocket Full of Rainbows" needing re-recording. Despite the session's struggles, it was a pivotal moment in Elvis's career as it was the first of many at RCA's new Hollywood studios.

It's April 26th, and on this day in 1957, Elvis posed proudly in front of the newly installed gates of Graceland, capturing a personal milestone in what would become his legendary home. Photographers snapped the moment, marking the beginning of his iconic association with Graceland, a place that would come to symbolize his success and personal sanctuary for years to come.

It's April 25th, and on this day in 1955, Elvis began a five-day tour with artists from TNT Records, performing at the M-B Corral in Wichita Falls, Texas. After his set, he traveled to Seymour for a second performance but ran out of gas and money, arriving just before midnight. Despite the delay, dedicated fans waited, and Elvis delivered an impromptu show, initiated humorously by Scotty Moore pretending to wind him up like a toy.

Also on this day in 1977, Elvis performed at the Civic Center in Saginaw, Michigan. This concert, recorded by producer Felton Jarvis, featured a rendition of "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)" that would later be included in his final album, *Moody Blue*. It marked one of Elvis's last performances, showcasing his enduring talent even in his later years.

It's April 24th, and on this day in 1957, Elvis's gospel favorite, "Peace in the Valley," reached number 39 on the record singles chart. Released earlier that month, the four-track EP sold over 400,000 copies, marking a pivotal moment in Elvis's career. The success of this gospel track signaled a shift in public perception, as the audience began to see Elvis not just as a rock 'n' roll star, but as an artist with a deep spiritual side. This was the beginning of Elvis's long-standing affection for gospel music, which he often cited as his favorite form of musical expression.

It's April 15th, and on this day in 1965, *Girl Happy*, Elvis Presley’s seventeenth film, opened at five hundred theaters and drive-ins nationwide, breaking box-office records in many locations. Over the Easter weekend, the film grossed \$178,500 in Detroit alone. In Los Angeles, it was shown simultaneously in fifty-eight theaters. Within the first ten days of release, *Variety* reported that the film earned \$3.65 million. Reviews were glowing, with *Hollywood Reporter* noting that the movie would do “the customary brisk Presley business,” and *Variety* calling it another “winner” for Elvis, the kind of “pleasant fare” his fans had come to expect.

It's April 14th, and on this day in 1956, Elvis Presley was in Amarillo, Texas, performing two shows at the Municipal Auditorium. Shortly after midnight, Elvis and his band boarded a twin-engine plane to head for Nashville, where a recording session awaited. However, the flight took a dramatic turn when the pilot got lost and the plane began running low on fuel. In a tense moment, the pilot had to make an emergency stop at an airstrip in El Dorado, Arkansas, to refuel. But just as the plane was about to leave, disaster nearly struck—Elvis was almost taken on a terrifying ride when the pilot forgot to switch the plane’s fuel system from the empty tank to the full one.

This incident left a lasting impact on Elvis, sparking a deep-seated fear of flying that would stay with him for years. In fact, Elvis made a promise to his mother to avoid flying, and he would later favor travel by train or motor home instead. This event marked a pivotal moment in his personal life, shaping his future preferences for travel and introducing a sense of vulnerability amidst his rise to superstardom.

It's April 13th, and on this day in 1956, Elvis performed two shows at the Municipal Auditorium in Amarillo, Texas, at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. After these performances, Elvis and his band chartered a flight to Nashville for a last-minute recording session. However, the flight encountered multiple issues, leading Elvis to remark, "Man, I don't know if I'll ever fly again."

Also on this day in 1963, *Billboard* reviewed the album *It Happened at the World’s Fair*, saying it "should be a blockbuster." All ten songs from the movie appear on the soundtrack album, which reaches number 4 on *Billboard*’s top LPs chart and stays on the chart for 26 weeks. The film itself, which includes scenes shot at the Seattle World’s Fair, grossed \$2.25 million in 1963, ranking 55th on *Variety*'s list of top-grossing films.

It's April 11th, and on this day in 1962, *Follow That Dream* premiered in Ocala, Florida. The film, Elvis’s ninth, was based on the 1957 novel *Pioneer, Go Home* by Richard Powell. The premiere took place in the very town where much of the film was shot. The movie also has an interesting connection to future stars—Joanna Moore, who portrayed Alicia Claypool, is the mother of Tatum O'Neal, the 1973 Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actress. Even more intriguing, the location shots were filmed near the home of an eleven-year-old Tom Petty. Fourteen years later, Petty would go on to form the legendary rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Also on this day in 1956, Elvis performed at the Coliseum in El Paso, Texas, and in 1972, he took the stage at the Civic Center in Roanoke, Virginia, further solidifying his reputation as a touring legend.