Today in Elvis History

It's March 31st, and on this day in 1956, Elvis made his final appearance on the regularly scheduled *Louisiana Hayride* show at the Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport, marking the end of an era for the iconic country music program that had launched his national career.

In 1972, Elvis was filming for the MGM documentary, continuing his tour preparations with his musicians. The evening ended on a soulful note, as Elvis, Charlie Hodge, James Burton, and J.D. Sumner gathered around the piano, singing gospel songs together.

Also, in 1959, Colonel Parker orchestrated a telegram from Elvis to his Memphis office regarding his impending discharge from the army. In the message, Elvis humbly requested a simple return home, without ceremony, stating that he wished to come back the same way any other serviceman would, honoring his military service as any other man would, and showing his appreciation for the fans’ support.

It's March 30th, and on this day in 1972, filming began for *Elvis on Tour*, his thirty-third film and second documentary. The film, which captured Elvis's fifteen-city tour in April 1972, included a simulated recording session at RCA Studios in Los Angeles. Directed by Pierre Adidge and Robert Abel, *Elvis on Tour* would go on to receive significant acclaim, winning the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's "Best Documentary of 1972" award. The film also stood out for its creative team, including Martin Scorsese, who served as the montage supervisor. *Elvis on Tour* reached #13 on *Variety*'s list of top-grossing films, marking a major moment in Elvis's cinematic history.

It's March 29th, and on this day in 1974, Elvis learned of the death of rhythm and blues legend Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup. Crudup, known for writing and performing the original version of "That's All Right," had a profound influence on Elvis’s early sound. In a 1956 interview, Elvis recalled hearing Crudup play in Tupelo, Mississippi, and vowed that if he ever reached a level of musical expression like him, he would be a unique music man.

Although they never met, Elvis showed his respect by financing some of Crudup’s recording sessions in the 1960s. Crudup passed away at the age of 68 in Nassawadox, Virginia, leaving behind a legacy that would forever be intertwined with Elvis's rise to fame.

It's March 28th, and on this day in 1975, Barbra Streisand attended Elvis's midnight show at the Las Vegas Hilton. After the performance, she met with him backstage and offered him a co-starring role in her upcoming remake of *A Star Is Born*. Elvis expressed great enthusiasm for the project, seeing it as an exciting opportunity. However, Colonel Tom Parker, ever the cautious manager, quickly dampened Elvis's excitement. Concerns over publishing rights, payments, and the potential impact of Jon Peters—an inexperienced director—on Elvis's image led Parker to cast doubt on the idea in the following days.

It's March 27th, and on this day in 1961, principal photography for *Blue Hawaii* began on location in Hawaii. This marked the start of a three-week shooting schedule for what would become one of Elvis's most iconic films. While there, Elvis reunited with actress Joan Blackman, who had previously starred opposite him in *G.I. Blues*. Despite some initial tension over her demands, Elvis insisted on working with her, and they maintained a platonic friendship throughout the production. *Blue Hawaii* would go on to become a major success, contributing to Elvis’s continued popularity during the 1960s.

It's March 26th, and on this day in 1953, Elvis Presley made a visit to the Tennessee State Employment Security office, filling out an application with careful attention. He listed his address as 462 Alabama, where the family had moved into a Victorian apartment, renting it for just \$50 a month. In the "leisure time activities" section, he wrote, "Sings, playing ball, working on car, going to movies," and expressed his desire to work as a machinist. The interviewer noted his "flashily dressed" appearance, but acknowledged that he had worked hard over the past three summers and was eager to work with people. This moment marks one of the early steps in Elvis's journey before he would take the world by storm.

Also on March 26th, 1955, Elvis performed at the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, a crucial stop in his career that helped build his growing reputation in the music industry.

In 1960, Elvis made an unforgettable appearance on The Frank Sinatra Show, taping a segment where he performed "Stuck On You," "Fame and Fortune," and joined Frank Sinatra for a duet of "Witchcraft" and "Love Me Tender." The show aired on May 12th, showcasing Elvis in one of his most memorable televised moments.

Fast forward to March 26th, 1976, when Elvis came across an accident on I-240 during the evening. After showing his badge, he helped the victims, showing his concern for others even in such a sudden and unexpected situation.

These events highlight pivotal moments in Elvis’s career, from his humble beginnings to iconic performances and his compassionate nature.

It's March 25th, and on this day in 1956, Elvis flew from New York to Los Angeles for a Hollywood screen test. His arrival was met by Colonel Tom Parker, Tom Diskin, and Leonard Hirshan, who observed that Elvis, sporting a camera around his neck, looked more like a typical tourist than a rock and roll legend in the making. Meanwhile, his band drove back to Memphis, making a stop in Dover, Delaware, to visit Carl Perkins in the hospital, delivering a get-well message from Elvis himself.

In 1957, on this day, Elvis finalized the purchase of Graceland for \$102,500, a monumental moment in his life that would forever change his personal and professional future. Later that year, in 1958, Elvis began his army service with a traditional GI haircut in front of reporters at Fort Chaffee, marking the beginning of his military journey. His first military haircut, costing 95 cents, became a significant moment in both his career and the public's fascination with his every move.

It's March 24th, and on this day in 1958, Elvis Presley reported to the draft board at 6:35 a.m., accompanied by his girlfriend Anita Wood and his parents, Vernon and Gladys. After being assigned the serial number 53 310 761, he underwent a physical examination before being put in charge of a group of recruits, traveling by army bus to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.

During this pivotal moment, Elvis met Rex Mansfield, who would go on to become one of his closest friends during his time in the army. As Elvis stood for his army haircut—at the cost of just 65 cents—members of the press eagerly collected his hair clippings, reportedly for a souvenir. Meanwhile, outside, Colonel Parker handed out "good-bye" balloons to the media and fans who had gathered to witness this historical moment.

It's March 23, and on this day in 1969, Elvis's twentieth film, *Frankie and Johnny*, opened across the United States. Released by United Artists, the film was inspired by the old folk song of the same name, which tells the story of a love triangle that leads to tragedy. The original tale, dating back to 1899, centers on Frankie, a woman who believes her lover, Johnny, is cheating with a showgirl named Alice Pryor. In a fit of jealousy, Frankie shoots Johnny while he walks down the street with Alice in St. Louis.

Elvis stars as Johnny, with Donna Douglas, known for *The Beverly Hillbillies*, playing his leading lady, Frankie. The film also features Mitzi McCall as Mitzi, Harry Morgan as Cully, and New Orleans native Donna Douglas as Nellie Bly. Directed by Frederick De Cordova, who would later helm *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson*, *Frankie and Johnny* marked another unique entry in Elvis's cinematic career.

It's March 22nd, and on this day in 1957, Elvis Presley was involved in an unusual confrontation in downtown Memphis. While signing autographs for a group of young women, a young soldier named P.F.C. Hershel Nixon accused Elvis of having an affair with his wife months earlier. Despite Elvis's insistence that he knew nothing about the incident, Nixon became increasingly aggressive. When he pulled a gun on Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll responded by pulling a prop gun, famously saying, "You don't want to start trouble with me, do you? I'll blow your damn brains out, you punk." Nixon was arrested and fined, but later, Elvis decided not to press charges, telling reporters that the only harm done was to his ego.