Diary of Elvis Presley

Biography Calendar of Events

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Diary of Elvis Presley biography:

A Calendar of events

Elvis Presley is well-known as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. This Elvis Presley

Biography 101 article will cover the basics of his incredible life. Throughout

the years on the stage, he produced 12 famous albums and left remarkable

history in the world of rock and roll.

From a country-side boy, he became the idol of uncountable young girls

during his time. He died at the age of 42 but his legend lives on for his

millions of fans worldwide.

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was born on the 8th of January, 1935 to the Presley

family in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Due to poverty, Elvis Aaron Presley moved to Memphis

with his parents at the age of 13.

There, he graduated from the local Humes High School

and he later found his first job as an usher at a theatre.

Elvis discovered his interest and talent in music when his parents bought him

his first guitar. His uncle and pastor gave him basic lessons on guitar and he

developed a passion in blues.

Earlier, he attended church sessions and they taught him how to sing. One

day, he went to a record shop to record a birthday present for Gladys, his

mother.

His talents caught the eye of Sam Philips, the owner of Sun Records and he

then signed a three-year contract with the company.

Within the first week, they sold 7000 copies of Elvis’ first record, “That’s

Alright Mama” and from there onwards, he began his journey as a rock star

and appeared frequently on stages. In 1955, Colonel Parker bought his

contract from Sun Records for 35 thousand dollars.

His schoolmates had said that he looked weird in his flashy eye-catching

outfits and long hair, always standing out of the crowd, just like what he

became later; the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Nowadays we all take for granted the chameleon image shifting and eye-

popping costumes worn by musicians and singers from the 1980s onward, by

stars like Madonna and Michael Jackson.

But in his era Elvis was totally unique, and like always he was a trendsetter

well ahead of his time, showing these other singing sensations how to create

and shift their own images.

Which era or image of Elvis Presley did you like the best? Was it the raw

talent in homemade velvet jackets, or the gold suited romantic comedy

movie star.

Maybe you prefer the famous Elvis Presley Jumpsuits he designed after the

karate suit concept, and the gentle romantic Ballads he sang of that era.

His achievements include three Grammy Awards and appeared in over 30

successful films and was estimated to have earned over $4.5million

throughout his career. He sold 2 million copies of his twelve albums and was

crowned the “multi-platinum album sales performer”.

He was a perfectionist and recorded the hit “Hound Dog” 33 times before he

was satisfied. He gradually developed the desire to perform on stages.

Despite his career as a rock singer, he served the U.S military and was the

Deputy Sheriff of Shelby County in Tennessee.

Elvis had a remarkable life, and anyone wanting to get a free Elvis Presley

biography to download can get one at fan websites like elvis-presley-

forever.com which is dedicated to telling his remarkable life story and

achievements.

The King was found dead due to severe cardiovascular disease in his own

mansion at the age of 42, leaving behind his wife, Priscilla Presley and

daughter Lisa Marie.

THE BEGINNING

JANUARY 8, 1935 - 4:35 AM

In Tupelo, Mississippi, Gladys Presley gives birth to identical twin sons.

The first, Jesse Garon, is stillborn. The

second, Elvis Aaron, is born alive and

healthy.

Did you know that Elvis Presley’s Star sign

is Capricorn? Read here, there is more

about Elvis Presley Star sign And Fame

Article also continues below for more information about Elvis Presley

Star sign & Relationships

1935 - 1948

Elvis grows up within a poor family, which moves frequently around

the Tupelo area.

1945

At ten years old, Elvis sings “Old Shep” in a youth talent contest at the

Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show, held in Tupelo. The talent

show is broadcast over WELO Radio. Click on any photo to see an

enlarged view.

1946

Elvis’s parents, unable to buy a bicycle that Elvis wants, talk him into

accepting a guitar instead: purchased for $12.95 at the Tupelo

Hardware Company.

LATE 1948

Elvis plays his guitar and sings “Leaf on a Tree” for his Milam Junior

High class in Tupelo. Elvis and his parents move to Memphis,

Tennessee.

1948-1953

Elvis and his parents live in public housing or low rent homes in the

poor neighborhoods of north Memphis.

While attending The Christine School and Humes High School, Elvis

works at various jobs to help support himself and his parents.

He spends much time on Beale Street and frequents the all-night

white, and black, gospel sings that are held downtown.

JUNE 3, 1953

Elvis graduates from Humes High School.

1953

After graduation, Elvis works at Parker Machinists Shop.

That summer, at The Memphis Recording Service-home of the Sun

label-he makes a demo acetate of “My Happiness” and “That’s When

Your Heartaches Begin” for a cost

of about $4.00 and gives it to his

mother as belated birthday

present.

Later, he works at Precision Tool

Company, then changes jobs

again, going to work for Crown

Electric Company where he drives

a delivery truck. He attends night school to be an electrician.

JANUARY, 1954

Elvis makes another demo acetate at Memphis Recording Service: the

songs are “Casual Love Affair” and “I’ll Never Stand in Your Way”. Sam

Phillips, the owner, takes an interest in Elvis.

SUMMER 1954

Sam Phillips calls Elvis into the studio to sing “Without You” but feels

the boy doesn’t do a very good job.

But Phillips is impressed enough to team Elvis with local musicians

Scotty Moore (guitar) and Bill Black (bass) to see if they, together,

could come up with something worthwhile.

In frustration, during a July 5 recording session, Elvis and the group

perform a speeded up version of “That’s All Right”. This song, and the

flipside “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” would be the first of five singles Elvis

would release on the Sun label.

Elvis, Scotty, and Bill start performing together, with Scotty acting as

the group’s manager. Elvis continues to work at Crown Electric as the

group starts to play small clubs.

Elvis makes an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry and is told by one

of the officials that he should stick to truck driving.

LATE 1954 - 1955

Elvis, Scotty, and Bill continue to record and to

travel. They appear for the first time on the

“Louisiana Hayride”, a live Saturday night

country music radio which is the Grand Ole

Opry’s chief competitor.

This leads to regular appearances on the

“Hayride” and, in November, Elvis signs a one-

year contract for fifty-two Saturday night appearances.

During this period, he meets “Colonel” Tom Parker, a promoter and

manager connected with various acts. Elvis signs a contract with Bob

Neal, who becomes his manager.

1955

Elvis, Scotty, and Bill continue touring on their own and in packaged

tours of artists from the “Hayride” with Colonel Parker involved.

Drummer D.J. Fontana joins Elvis’s band. In the spring, Elvis fails to be

accepted on “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts”, a network television

show.

Nevertheless, Elvis gains in popularity and begins to receive national

attention, leading Parker to become more directly involved in Elvis’s

career.

AUGUST 15, 1955

Elvis signs a management contract with Hank Snow Attractions, which

is owned equally by Snow and Colonel Parker - who will be Elvis’s

manager from this time on and Hank Snow ceases to be involved.

NOVEMBER 20, 1955

Parker negotiates the sale of Elvis’s Sun contract to RCA (including

Elvis’s five Sun singles and his unreleased Sun material) for $40,000,

with a $5,000 bonus for Elvis.

RCA soon re-releases the five Sun singles on the RCA label. At the

same time Elvis signs a contract with Hill

and Range Publishing Company, which

creates Elvis Presley Music, Inc. As of late

1955, Elvis is without doubt the hottest new

star in the music business.

JANUARY 10, 1956

Elvis has his first recording session for RCA

in their Nashville studio. Among the songs is

“Heartbreak Hotel”. During these sessions,

the Jordanaires join with Elvis soon begin

touring with him.

JANUARY 27, 1956

“Heartbreak Hotel” is released by RCA and

sells over 100,000 copies a week for the

first three weeks, climbs to number one on

Billboard’s pop singles chart for eight

weeks, number one on the country chart,

and number five on the R&B chart. It becomes Elvis’s first gold record.

JANUARY 28, 1956

Elvis appears on Jackie Gleason’s “Stage Show”, starring Tommy and

Jimmy Dorsey on CBS.

This is Elvis’s first network television appearance. He appears on six

weekly “Stage Shows” in a row while continuing the “Louisiana

Hayride” appearances.

FEBRUARY, 1956

While “Heartbreak Hotel” is still climbing the charts, RCA releases

“Mystery Train” and “I Forgot to Remember to Forget” - the last

recording on the Sun label.

This release immediately hits number one on Billboard’s country

singles chart.

MARCH 13, 1956

RCA releases Elvis’ first album which quickly turned gold.

APRIL 1, 1956

Elvis screen tests at Paramount

Studios for a role in “The Rainmaker.”

He was not cast in the film.

APRIL 3, 1956

Elvis appears on “The Milton Berle

Show”.

APRIL 6, 1956

Hal B. Wallis and Paramount Pictures

sign Elvis for a seven-year contract.

APRIL 23 - MAY 9, 1956

Elvis receives a tepid response from audiences at the Frontier Hotel in

Las Vegas during a two-week engagement.

But his numerous public performances and record sales establish him

as a sensation.

JUNE 5, 1956

Elvis appears again on “The Milton Berle Show” and performs “Hound

Dog.”

His onstage movements are condemned by certain factions of the

conservative establishment.

JULY 1, 1956

Elvis appears on “The Steve Allen Show” on NBC and performs a more

conservative version of “Hound Dog” - dressed in white tie and black

tux with tails.

The popularity of Elvis forces Ed Sullivan to change his mind about

refusing airtime for the singer, and signs him to a three-appearance

deal.

AUGUST 1956

Paramount loans Elvis to Twentieth Century Fox to play a featured role

in a western called “The Reno Brothers.”

It is retitled “Love Me Tender” after the song Elvis performs for the

soundtrack’s single.

SEPTEMBER 9, 1956

Elvis makes the first of his three appearances on Ed Sullivan’s “Toast

of the Town Show” and attracts the highest ratings ever for a variety

show.

SEPTEMBER 26, 1956

“Elvis Presley Day” is proclaimed in Tupelo, Mississippi. Elvis’s parents

join him as he returns to the town of his birth as a big star.

He performs two shows that day at the Mississippi- Alabama Fair and

Dairy Show- the same fair at which he had performed at age 10.

Elvis souvenir merchandising begins to hit the store shelves. By the

end of the year, this merchandise will reach $22 million in sales.

OCTOBER 28, 1956

Elvis makes his second of three appearances on the Sullivan show.

NOVEMBER 16, 1956

“Love Me Tender” opens on this date and becomes a hit.

JANUARY 6, 1957

Elvis makes his third and final appearance on Ed Sullivan’s “Toast of

the Town Show.”

Although uncensored for his two previous performances, during this

show Elvis is seen by the viewing audience only from the waist up.

JANUARY, 1957

Elvis begins production of his

second movie, “Loving You”.

MARCH 1957

Elvis buys Graceland Mansion

for himself, his parents, and

his paternal grandmother to

live in.

Read more here about the

home of Elvis which is also a National Historic Landmark today

Graceland Home of Elvis Presley

APRIL 2-3, 1957

For the first time, Elvis performs outside the United States: in Toronto

and Ottawa.

MAY, 1957

Elvis is loaned to MGM to make his third film: “Jailhouse Rock.”

JULY 9, 1957

Elvis’s second motion picture, “Loving You” opens and reaches the top

ten at the box office.

The soundtrack single featuring the title song and “Teddy Bear” is

released.

AUGUST 31, 1957

Elvis performs in Vancouver - the last time he would perform in

concert outside the United States.

SEPTEMBER 27, 1957

Elvis returns to Tupelo to perform at a benefit for the proposed Elvis

Presley Youth Recreation Center -he would donate regularly to the

center for the rest of his life.

OCTOBER 17, 1957

Elvis’s third motion picture “Jailhouse Rock” premieres in Memphis and

opens nationally the following month.

NOVEMBER 10, 11 1957

For the first time, Elvis visits and performs shows in Hawaii.

DECEMBER, 1957

Elvis receives his draft notice.

LATE JANUARY - EARLYMARCH, 1958

Elvis films and records the soundtrack album for his fourth motion

picture “King Creole”.

MARCH 15, 1958

In Memphis, Elvis performs his last stage performances until after his

army release in 1960.

His tour of duty takes him out of the spotlight for nearly two years -

and many music critics consider Elvis’ induction to be the end of his

career.

Article also continues below for more information about Elvis Presley–

his Military service

MARCH 24, 1958

Elvis Presley is inducted into the U.S. Army at the Memphis Draft

Board.

MARCH 25, 1958

Elvis gets his G.I. haircut at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.

MARCH 29, 1958

Private Presley arrives at Fort Hood, Texas for six month’s basic

training. His parents move to a

temporary home near the base.

JUNE 10, 1958

After basic training, Elvis has a

recording session while on leave.

JULY, 1958

“King Creole”, Elvis’s fourth

motion picture opens nationally. It

is regarded generally as his best

serious film.

AUGUST, 1958

Gladys Presley becomes ill and is hospitalized with acute hepatitis.

Elvis is granted emergency leave and arrives in Memphis on the

afternoon of August 12th.

She dies in the early hours of August 14.

She was only 46.

She is laid to rest at Forest Hill Cemetery, a

few miles down the road from Graceland.

AUGUST 25, 1958

Elvis reports back to Fort Hood.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1958

Elvis sails aboard the USS Randall to West Germany, arriving on

October 1. He will be stationed in Friedberg for 18 months,

maintaining an off-base residence in Bad Nauheim.

JANUARY 8, 1959

For his 24th birthday, Elvis is interviewed on the telephone by Dick

Clark on his “American Bandstand” show on ABC-TV.

JUNE, 1959

On a two-week leave, Elvis visits Munich and Paris. Despite what the

critics say, Elvis’ career is kept alive by the careful promotions and

record releases of Colonel Parker.

NOVEMBER 1959

Captain Joseph Beaulieu is transferred from Texas to Weisbaden Air

Force Base near Friedberg, accompanied by his wife and children,

including his fourteen-and-a-half- year-old

stepdaughter, Priscilla Ann.

Through a mutual friend, Priscilla is invited to a

party at Elvis’s home.

JANUARY 20, 1960

Elvis is promoted to Sergeant.

MARCH 1960

Elvis leaves West Germany on March 1, and is officially discharged

from active duty on March 5, 1960. On March 8, he holds a press

conference at Graceland.

LATE MARCH, 1960

Elvis has his first recording session since being released from the

service. On March 26 he tapes a special “Welcome Home, Elvis”

version of Frank Sinatra’s ABC-TV variety show.

LATE APRIL, 1960

Elvis begins filming and recording for his fifth film, appropriately titled

“GI Blues.” Produced for Paramount by Hal Wallis, Elvis’ costar is Juliet

Prowse.

JULY 3, 1960

Vernon Presley marries divorcee and mother of three sons, Davada

“Dee” Stanley, an American whom he had met in West Germany.

Read more here about Dee and when she first met Vernon Presley

Dee-Part 1

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 1960

Elvis records and films for his sixth movie “Flaming Star.”

OCTOBER, 1960

The soundtrack album for “GI Blues” hits Billboard’s album chart and

climbs to number one where it will stay for ten weeks.

NOVEMBER 1960

Elvis begins recording and filming for his seventh

film, “Wild in the Country” as “GI Blues” opens

nationally.

LATE DECEMBER, 1960

“Flaming Star” opens and receives good reviews

but not solid box office returns. It is assumed that

because the film is dramatic and contains little music, Elvis fans did

not show up in droves.

FEBRUARY 25, 1961

Elvis first live appearance since his army discharge is at a Memphis

luncheon in his honor. “Elvis Presley Day” is proclaimed by Tennessee

Governor Buford Ellington.

MARCH 25, 1961

In Hawaii, Elvis performs in a benefit to help fund the building of the

USS Arizona Memorial.

LATEMARCH/MID- APRIL, 1961

Elvis remains in Hawaii to do location filming for “Blue Hawaii” A

project for which he has already recorded the soundtrack.

JUNE, 1961

“Wild in the Country” opens to mixed reviews.

JULY, 1961

Elvis begins production on “Follow that Dream” and also records the

soundtrack album. This is his ninth motion picture, scheduled to open

in late Spring 1962.

OCTOBER, 1961

The soundtrack album for “Blue Hawaii” hits the Billboard chart and

remains for 18 months (it will be number one for nearly half a year).

The album features the classic Elvis single: “Can’t Help Falling in

Love”.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER, 1961

Elvis begins filming “Kid Galahad” and also records the soundtrack

album.

The picture wraps in January of 62. “Blue Hawaii” opens at number

two in box office receipts and eventually becomes Elvis’s most

financially successful film.

His single “Good Luck Charm” hits number one on the pop charts.

SPRING 1962

Elvis begins filming his 11th motion picture, “Girls! Girls! Girls!”. It

includes location work in Hawaii and Los Angeles.

He also records the soundtrack album. “Follow That Dream” opens

nationally, reaches number five in box office.

SUMMER 1962

Continuing his breakneck schedule, Elvis begins his 12th motion

picture and soundtrack album: “It Happened at the World’s Fair,”

which utilizes the backdrop of the Seattle World’s Fair.

Also this summer, “Kid Galahad” opens. Although not a hit, and some

critics suggested that Elvis was losing his appeal, receipts are

respectable. Priscilla Beaulieu arrives from West Germany to visit Elvis.

OCTOBER 1962

A riot breaks out in a Mexico screening of “GI Blues” resulting in a ban

on Elvis movies in that country.

NOVEMBER 1962

While “Kid Galahad” was only a so-so success, “Girls! Girls! Girls!”

opens this month and eventually equals “Blue Hawaii” in box office

receipts. The soundtrack album features the hit single “Return to

Sender”.

DECEMBER 1962

Priscilla Beaulieu’s parents give permission for her to visit Elvis during

the Christmas holidays.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1963

Priscilla moves in at Graceland and finishes her senior year of high

school in Memphis. Elvis begins filming and recording the soundtrack

for his 13th motion picture: “Fun in Acapulco”.

APRIL 1963

“It Happened at the World’s Fair” opens to respectable box office

receipts – the soundtrack album does better, reaching number five on

the charts.

MAY 24, 1963

Priscilla turns 18.

JULY 1963

This month Elvis begins recording the soundtrack and filming the

location work for “Viva Las Vegas,”

featuring a hot new female star: Ann-

Margaret.

Although this is his 14th motion picture,

it would not be released until after his

next film.

OCTOBER 1963

During this month, Elvis begins recording

the soundtrack and filming his 15th

motion picture: “Kissin’ Cousins”.

NOVEMBER 1963

“Fun in Acapulco” opens late this month

and performs much better at the box

office than “World’s Fair,” eventually

reaching number five. The album also reaches number five on the pop

chart.

WINTER 1964

A pivotal season in Elvis’s (and the nation’s) musical world: the Beatles

make their first appearance on the “Ed Sullivan Show”.

Elvis fears his career has become stagnant. Also during this winter,

Elvis buys the yacht of President Franklin Roosevelt: the “Potomac.”

In February, he gives the yacht to Danny Thomas as a gift to St. Jude

Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis for them to use to raise funds

as they see fit.

MARCH 1964

“Kissin’ Cousins” opens and is instantly recognized as one of Elvis’s

worst films — both critically and financially. Despite this, he begins his

16th film: “Roustabout.”

JUNE 1964

Elvis begins recording the soundtrack for his 17th film, “Girl Happy,”

as “Viva Las Vegas” opens nationally. Receipts for this picture are far

better, and the soundtrack album does as well.

SUMMER 1964

Elvis films “Girl Happy” on location in Florida.

OCTOBER 1964

In a cost-cutting move, Paramount creates a motion picture project

(Elvis’s 18th) based around songs the star had already recorded.

Entitled “Tickle Me”, the project has failure written all over it. Despite

bad feelings about this film, Elvis jumps into an even busier production

schedule.

NOVEMBER 1964

This month “Roustabout” opens to solid box office receipts, eventually

hitting number eight.

The soundtrack features some of the best music Elvis has done to date

— and fans respond by making it a number one hit on Billboard’s pop

album chart.

SPRING 1965

In a flurry of activity, Elvis records the soundtrack and films his 19th

film: “Harum Scarum” as “Girl Happy” opens – both film and

soundtrack album do respectable business.

Immediately after he wraps on “Harum Scarum,” Elvis begins his 20th

film project entitled “Frankie and Johnny”. However, this will not be

released until after the next project: “Paradise, Hawaiian Style.”

JULY 1965

In this month, “Tickle Me” opens nationally to ho-hum box office, and

Elvis donates $50,000 to the Motion Picture Relief Fund.

AUGUST 1965

Elvis quickly records the soundtrack music for his 21st motion picture,

“Paradise, Hawaiian Style”, and then leaves for location shooting in

Hawaii. He then returns to Los Angeles to complete interior shooting

on the film.

AUGUST 27, 1965

The Beatles visit with Elvis for several hours at his home in California

and have an informal jam session.

NOVEMBER 24, 1965

“Harum Scarum” opens nationally and does only respectable business

at the box office. The soundtrack reaches number eight before it

quickly disappears.

FEBRUARY 1966

For his 22nd motion picture, Elvis records the soundtrack music and

films “Spinout”.

MARCH 1966

After delays by the studio, ”Frankie and Johnny” opens to lackluster

box office and record sales.

JUNE 1966

“Paradise, Hawaiian Style” opens and perform almost as poorly as

“Frankie and Johnny.”

JUNE - OCTOBER 1966

Undaunted, Elvis records the soundtrack album and begins shooting

his 23rd motion picture: “Double Trouble” and then proceeds directly

to recording and filming his 24th picture: “Easy Come, Easy Go”.

NOVEMBER 1966

This month, a favorite time for the studio to open Elvis films, “Spinout”

is released and performs poorly, both at the box office and in album

sales.

DECEMBER 1966

On a date this month that is still debated, Elvis formally – and officially

– proposes marriage to Priscilla.

FEBRUARY 1967

Elvis buys a ranch in Mississippi, a short distance across the Tennessee

state line from Graceland.

Called the Circle G, the ranch was bought expressly to take care of the

horse he purchases for Priscilla, and the other horses he and his

friends buy as they all become enamored of horseback riding.

MARCH 1967

The film “Easy Come, Easy Go” opens and flounders. This

disappointment is offset by the release of Elvis’s second gospel album,

“How Great Thou Art”.

The album gets excellent reviews, healthy sales, and earns Elvis his

first Grammy Award, ironically enough, for Best Sacred Performance.

FEBRUARY 1967

Elvis begins the soundtrack recording and location filming for his 25th

motion picture: “Clambake”.

SPRING 1967

“Double Trouble” opens and flounders.

On May 1, 1967 (at 9:30 am) Elvis and Priscilla

are married at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas,

followed by a honeymoon in Palm Springs.

On May 29th, they hold a second reception at

Graceland for friends and family unable to be

at the Las Vegas ceremony.

SUMMER 1967

Despite poor performance of his films at the box

office, and his own personal doubts about the

projects he is starring in, Elvis records the

soundtrack and begins filming his 26th movie,

costarring with Nancy Sinatra in “Speedway”. News

of Priscilla’s pregnancy is released.

FALL 1967

Elvis immediately begins work on his 26th film, a project he feels more

confidence in. He records and does location filming for “Stay Away,

Joe”.

In this comedy-western, Elvis plays a halfbreed Native American,

surrounded by veteran character actors who help raise the

performance levels in the picture.

DECEMBER 1967

Hoping for better holiday box office, “Clambake” is released and does

only respectable business as both a film and soundtrack album.

FEBRUARY 1, 1968

Priscilla gives birth to Lisa Marie Presley.

MARCH 1968 “Stay Away, Joe” opens but receives mixed reviews and

performs poorly at the box office.

In an effort to find more suitable projects for Elvis, the studio has him

begin work on his 28th film, an adult comedy-drama called “Live a

Little, Love a Little”.

JUNE 1968

For summer release, “Speedway” opens and doesn’t perform, either as

a film or a soundtrack.

As the nation’s tastes change during this turbulent period, the formula

films cranked out by the studios perform poorly for all stars.

In particular, Elvis is hurt by the scathing reviews and the title “has-

been.”

JUNE 27 - 30, 1968

Elvis rehearses for the taping of his 1968 television special — his first

performance before a live audience since March 1961. This production

has been called the 68 Comeback Special.

The show features original songs, classic Elvis tunes, dance numbers,

and special segments of Elvis performing in the round and in front of a

live audience with guitarist Scotty Moore and drummer D.J. Fontana.

The show is scheduled to air on December 3rd.

SUMMER 1968

The studio tries something different, once again, for Elvis’s 29th

movie. Entitled “Charro” the dramatic western features an Elvis who

doesn’t sing (except the opening song) and who wears a beard.

FALL 1968

Elvis immediately begins work on his 30th film, recording the

soundtrack and acting in “The Trouble with Girls”. ”Live a Little, Love a

Little” opens to poor receipts.

But the single, “If I Can Dream”, from the comeback special reaches

number 12 on the pop singles chart.

DECEMBER 3, 1968

The 1968 television special airs on the NBC network this evening. It is

not only a ratings winner, but a critical success and with a soundtrack

album that reaches number eight on the pop charts.

DECEMBER 1968

Elvis completes his shooting on “The Trouble with Girls”.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1969

Elvis throws himself into all-night recording sessions at American

Sound Studios in Memphis – his first recording work in Memphis since

1955.

These sessions produce what is considered some of his finest work,

and produce two albums with hit singles like “In the Ghetto”,

“Suspicious Minds”, “Don’t Cry, Daddy” and “Kentucky Rain”.

MARCH/APRIL 1969

Elvis returns to Hollywood to film and record the soundtrack music for

his 31st and last dramatic film: “Change of Habit”.

Elvis plays a doctor serving the poor in a Northern city, assisting by

three nuns, one of whom is Mary Tyler Moore.

MARCH, 1969

“Charro!” opens fizzles at the box office.

JULY 31 - AUGUST 28, 1969

The newly built International Hotel in Las Vegas featured the largest

showroom on the strip and they wanted a big star to headline after

Barbra Streisand closed.

They booked Elvis for a four-week engagement which ends up

breaking the city’s attendance records.

It is so successful, RCA jumps at the chance of recording Elvis’s first

live concert album.

SEPTEMBER 1969

The studio holds its breath, releases “The Trouble with Girls” and then

watches as the money fails to roll in.

NOVEMBER 1969

“Change of Habit” opens. Ditto. The rumor that Elvis has lost his

audience start circulating.

WINTER 1970

Talk of Elvis’s loss of popularity are silenced by the king himself. He

decides to return to the International Hotel during the slowest part of

the season, where he promptly breaks his own attendance records and

records another live concert album.

In February, Elvis performs six shows at the Houston Astrodome (as

part of the Texas Livestock Show). He attracts over 200,000 people.

SUMMER 1970

Elvis has recording sessions in Nashville and then, on August 10

through September 7, performs at the International Hotel in Las

Vegas.

MGM — at this point still in the motion picture business — films the

performances as part of a documentary film: “Elvis -That’s the Way It

Is.”

The film also features backstage footage, as well as rehearsals and

recording sessions. There is an album released by the same title.

SEPTEMBER 1970

Rumors that Elvis might actually tour again become true, as he

conducts a nine city tour of the show he has perfected during the

Vegas runs. He returns to Nashville for another recording session.

NOVEMBER 1970

Ironically, it is the documentary film “That’s the Way It Is” (which

opens this month) which receives the best reviews and box office

response of any of Elvis’s most recent dramatic films.

Inspired by his recent

successes, Elvis goes out on a

highly successful eight-city

concert tour.

DECEMBER 1970

This month, Richard Nixon

receives Elvis at the White

House.

JANUARY 16, 1971

The United States Junior Chamber of Commerce names Elvis “One of

the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation” and presents him with

the award tonight.

FEBRUARY - MARCH 1971

Elvis returns again to the International Hotel in Las Vegas for a four

week engagement, quickly followed by another recording session in

Nashville.

However, Elvis cancels this session because of pain in his eye. He goes

to the local hospital and discovers that he suffers from secondary

glaucoma which will cause him problems from now on.

MAY 1971

Promoting the first serious biography of Elvis, Look Magazine features

the “king of rock and roll” on their

cover.

Elvis returns to the studio to record

his album “Elvis Sings the

Wonderful World of Christmas”.

SUMMER 1971

For the first time, the small house

where Elvis was born opens to the

public for tours, but Elvis is busy in

the studio preparing a new gospel

album.

Meanwhile, the portion of Highway 51 South which runs by Graceland

is officially renamed Elvis Presley Boulevard.

Next, Elvis plays a two-week engagement at the Sahara Hotel in Lake

Tahoe, Nevada followed in August with a wildly successful concert

series at the International Hotel in Las Vegas – now called the Las

Vegas Hilton International Hotel.

During this series, Elvis is presented with the Bing Crosby Award from

the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences – later to be

called the Lifetime Achievement Award.

OCTOBER 1971

The new book “Elvis: A Biography” by Jerry Hopkins is released.

NOVEMBER 5-16, 1971

Elvis embarks on a concert tour to 12 cities in the U.S.

DECEMBER 1971 / JANUARY 1972

To the shock of his fans, Elvis and Priscilla separate.

She moves out on her own with Lisa Marie. And the first of the new

Elvis Presley Boulevard signs go up.

JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 23, 1972

Elvis returns to the Hilton in Las Vegas for another highly successful

four-week run.

SPRING 1972

Inspired by the financial success of “That’s the Way It Is,” MGM plans

another documentary entitled “Elvis on Tour.”

The company films Elvis in the studio and accompanies him on a

concert tour of 15 cities. The gospel album “He Touched Me” is

released in April to favorable reviews, and wins Elvis his second

Grammy Award.

JUNE 1972

Elvis continues his tour – with a special four-show stop at Madison

Square Garden in New York City.

All four shows are sold out. Smelling money, RCA records the first

Madison Square Garden performance and, in just over a week, has the

album in the record stores.

JULY 1972

The separation of Elvis and Priscilla

becomes formal this month. Elvis is now

seen in the company of Linda Thompson.

AUGUST 4 - SEPTEMBER 4, 1972

Elvis returns to the Hilton in Las Vegas.

SEPTEMBER 5, 1972

Elvis announces at a Las Vegas press conference that he is planning

for a live television concert which will be broadcast worldwide from

Hawaii.

OCTOBER 1972

The record “Burning Love” marks the return of Elvis to the pop singles

chart.

NOVEMBER 1972

MGM’s “Elvis on Tour” opens (of course) in November and wins big

with critics and audiences.

The producers receive the Golden Globe Award for Best Documentary.

While the movie about touring opens, Elvis embarks on a seven-city

concert tour of his own.

JANUARY 14, 1973

“Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - Via Satellite” airs on NBC, and makes

television history. But American viewers won’t see it live. They will

have to wait until April for a taped version.

The record album is quickly released, reaches number one on the

Billboard Pop Album Chart, and remains on the chart for a year.

JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 23, 1973

Not stopping to catch his breath, Elvis returns to his favorite venue:

the Las Vegas Hilton.

MARCH 1973

In a surprising move, Elvis and Colonel Parker sell to RCA the singer’s

royalty rights on Elvis’s entire recording catalog up to that point.

APRIL 4, 1973

The “Aloha” special is seen on American television for the first time. It

is estimated that a total of one billion people see the special.

SPRING / SUMMER 1973

Once again, Elvis hits the road on an eight-city concert tour, ending

with an engagement at the Sahara Hotel in Lake Tahoe. (In May, the

“Aloha from Hawaii” concert album hits number one on the Billboard

pop album chart.)

By the end of June, Elvis is on tour again, returning for a recording

session in Memphis. He ends the summer with a four-week

engagement at the Vegas Hilton.

OCTOBER 9, 1973

Today Elvis and Priscilla have their day in court and they are granted a

divorce.

Find out more about Priscilla’s life with Elvis Elvis and Me

OCTOBER 15 - NOVEMBER 1, 1973

In Memphis, Elvis is hospitalized for a wide range of health problems.

He has pneumonia, pleurisy, an enlarged colon, and hepatitis.

DECEMBER 1973

Remaining in Memphis, Elvis goes into the studio for a week of

recording sessions and then rests up for another concert engagement.

JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 9, 1974

Elvis return to the Vegas Hilton.

MARCH 1974

Despite his health problems, and a growing dependency on

prescription drugs, Elvis embarks on another ambitious tour schedule.

Included in the schedule is a concert in Memphis, his first in over 12

years. He is forced to do four shows just to meet the demand for

tickets. The Memphis concerts result in another live album.

APRIL 1974

Elvis decides to rest up from his schedule and essentially takes the

entire month off.

MAY 16 - 26, 1974

Elvis plays the Sahara in Lake Tahoe.

SUMMER 1974

Although he stops for a two week breather in July, most of the

summer is spent touring and performing at the Las Vegas Hilton.

It is while he is at the Hilton, that Elvis is approached by Barbra

Streisand with idea of playing opposite her in the remake of “A Star is

Born”.

FALL 1974

Elvis is out on tour for most of September, and performs at the Sahara

in Lake Tahoe for four days.

JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 14, 1975

Once again, Elvis is hospitalized for the same series of health

problems.

MARCH - JULY 1975

Elvis’s live recording of “How Great Thou Art” receives the Grammy for

Best Inspirational Performance.

After four weeks of shows at the Hilton, Elvis embarks on an extensive

four month series of concert tours interrupted by brief stops for rest at

Graceland.

AUGUST 18 - SEPTEMBER 5, 1975

Elvis opens in Vegas with plans for an extended run, but leaves on

August 20 for Memphis where he is hospitalized until September 5.

NOVEMBER 1975

Elvis returns to Graceland after

his hospital stay and, in

November, takes ownership of a

completely refurbished Convair

880 jet he christens the “Lisa

Marie.”

DECEMBER 1975

In a gesture to make up for the shows canceled because of illness,

Elvis returns to the Hilton in Vegas.

Later, on New Year’s Eve, he performs in Pontiac, Michigan.

FEBRUARY 1976

Elvis has a week of recording sessions in his den at Graceland, with

RCA bringing in mobile recording equipment.

MARCH - OCTOBER, 1976

This entire time is taken up by tour engagements. Although the pace is

hectic, it is carefully planned out with periodic stops in Graceland to

rest up.

OCTOBER 29-30, 1976

Elvis holds recording sessions in his den at Graceland.

NOVEMBER, 1976

Elvis and Linda Thompson split up — Elvis meets Ginger Alden who will

be his companion until his death.

DECEMBER, 1976

Elvis goes out on tours once again, including a ten-day stint at the Las

Vegas Hilton.

It will be the last time he performs at the famous casino-hotel. He

ends the month with a special New Year’s Eve concert in Pittsburgh,

Pennsylvania.

FEBRUARY - MARCH, 1977

He continues touring throughout these two months. He is scheduled to

perform, with only brief rest stops, until late June.

APRIL 1-5, 1977

Elvis is hospitalized in Memphis and then returns to Graceland for rest.

APRIL 21 - AUGUST 15, 1977

Elvis is back on the road once again. RCA and CBS television decide to

create a simultaneous television special / concert album for his tour

shows scheduled June 19 - 21 to be called “Elvis in Concert.”

The camera, however, is not kind to Elvis and his fans are able to see

on television what they could not easily see during a concert: just how

poor his health really was.

Elvis performs in at Indianapolis’ Market Square Arena on June 26 and

then returns to Graceland to plan the next series of concerts.

AUGUST 16, 1977

Elvis is up early and spends most of the morning attending to tour

details: he plans to fly out of Memphis that night for Portland, Maine

so that he can rest up for a performance the night of the 17th.

At 7:00 am, Elvis decides to lay down in the master bedroom.

He is found dead a short time later.

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