Today in Elvis History

It's March 21st, and on this day in 1961, Elvis began recording the soundtrack for *Blue Hawaii* at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. The session started at 1:00 p.m. and continued until late that night, wrapping up around 11:50 p.m. Over two days, Elvis and his band recorded 15 tracks, including the iconic "Can't Help Falling in Love," which would go on to become one of his most beloved ballads. The session also brought a distinct Hawaiian sound to life, with the use of steel guitars, ukuleles, and percussion by the legendary Hal Blaine. Interestingly, different versions of "Can't Help Falling in Love" would later be used in the movie and the final master recording. It wasn't until 1997 that the definitive version of the song was released on the *Elvis Presley Platinum* box set.

It's March 20th, and on this day in 1956, Elvis performed at the Bell Municipal Auditorium in Augusta, Georgia. Meanwhile, his parents were moving into their new home on Audubon Drive in Memphis, marking a major personal milestone for Elvis and his family.

Fast forward to March 20th, 1960, when Elvis, along with Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana, traveled to Nashville for a recording session that lasted from 8:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. the following morning. During this session, they recorded six tracks for an upcoming single that was pressed and shipped within just two days, further contributing to the success of Elvis’s burgeoning album.

On March 20th, 1974, Elvis gave a performance at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee. This show was recorded by RCA’s mobile recording truck, capturing the final concert of a southern tour. Notably, this performance marked Elvis’s return to his hometown for the first time since 1961. During the show, Elvis greeted the crowd with, "Hello, Memphis. It’s good to be home," a moment that would lead to the creation of his iconic *From Memphis to Vegas* album.

It's March 19th, and on this day in 1957, Elvis made a monumental step in securing his legacy. After viewing the property his parents had found, he made a \$1,000 deposit toward purchasing Graceland for himself and his family. This was the beginning of a new chapter in Elvis’s life, marking the start of his residence in one of the most famous homes in music history.

It's March 17th, and on this day in 1962, Elvis’s “Good Luck Charm” entered Billboard’s *Hot 100* at number 51. The song would go on to reach number one and stay on the charts for a remarkable 13 weeks. The buzz around this release was significant, as *Billboard* ran at least three front-page stories featuring Elvis. One headline read, “New Presley Record Hypos Singles Market,” suggesting that despite earlier reports to the contrary, Elvis had not lost his commercial appeal. The article went on to say that “Good Luck Charm” was shaping up to be one of his biggest hits. Another headline, “Presley Leads Charmed Life,” celebrated his continued success, while a third article highlighted how the song was gaining traction in New York, though not as quickly as expected.

This moment marked another major chapter in Elvis’s career, solidifying his status as one of the most enduring figures in the music industry.

It's March fourteenth, and on this day in 1955… Elvis Presley, his manager Bob Neal, and the band arrived in New York City hoping to audition for the CBS television show *Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts*. Traveling all the way from Memphis by train, they joined the long line of uninvited hopefuls braving the bitter cold for a shot at stardom. The odds were steep—“walk-ins” often stretched around the block, waiting hours just for a chance to be seen. Despite the effort and anticipation, Elvis never made it onto the show. After just one day in New York, he and the group headed back home, the opportunity missed—but far greater fame still ahead.

It's March 13th, and on this day in 1956, RCA released *Elvis Presley*, the debut album that would rewrite music history. The LP rocketed onto Billboard’s Best-Selling Pop Albums chart at number 11 and reached number one in just six weeks, holding the top spot for 10 straight weeks. It remained on the chart for 49 weeks total and made history as the first album ever to sell one million copies. The record would later earn RIAA certification on November 1, 1966, cementing Elvis’s place as the King of Rock and Roll.

It's March 12, and on this day in 1956… Elvis Presley and his parents, Vernon and Gladys, officially became homeowners when they purchased a house from the Welsh Plywood Corporation for \$29,250. This marked a major milestone for the Presley family, signaling Elvis's rapid rise from modest beginnings to national fame. The property would become their first real home after years of renting—and just a year later, they would move into the mansion that would define Elvis's legacy: Graceland.

It's March eleventh, and on this day in 1964… Elvis Presley insisted on doing his own stunts while filming *Roustabout*—and it backfired. During a fight scene, Elvis was accidentally injured and required stitches above his eye. Fortunately, the production didn't miss a beat, since the movie had already shot a motorcycle crash sequence. The visible cut was simply chalked up to the scripted accident. Elvis may have taken a hit, but the show went on—with a little help from movie magic.

It's March ninth, and on this day in 1967... Elvis Presley suffered a serious fall in the bathroom of his Rocca Place home in Bel Air, California. While preparing for the start of filming *Clambake*, Elvis reportedly tripped over an electrical cord and struck his head on the edge of the bathtub, where he lay unconscious for several hours before being discovered. A doctor later determined he had a slight concussion and ordered rest.

But the fallout wasn’t just medical—it was personal and political. Colonel Tom Parker seized the opportunity to reassert control. Deeply uneasy with Elvis’s growing fascination with spiritualism and religion, the Colonel promptly fired Larry Geller—Elvis’s hairdresser and spiritual advisor. Marty Lacker was also removed from his role as foreman of the entourage and replaced by Joe Esposito, who was instructed to take orders directly from Parker. To complete the purge, the Colonel even ordered Elvis’s collection of mystical and spiritual books to be destroyed.

It's March eighth, and on this day in 1967... Elvis and Priscilla were vacationing in Palm Springs when they decided to go house hunting. They settled on a Spanish-style estate in the Movie Colony neighborhood, once owned by Marjorie McDonald, heiress to the McDonald's burger fortune. The 15-room home featured vaulted ceilings, nine bathrooms, maid’s quarters, a pool, and a twelve-person Jacuzzi—set among lava rocks and palm trees. Elvis paid \$85,000 for the three-bedroom home, and after extensive renovations that added another bedroom and seven more baths, the total cost ballooned to \$250,000.