On this day in history, September 9, 1956, Elvis Presley makes first appearance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Elvis Presley's appearance on the leading television variety program of the 50s, 'The Ed Sullivan Show' on September 9, 1956, was an iconic cultural moment for America. It created history as one of the most-watched television broadcast of the 1950s.
Elvis' appearance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' came after he had already pulled impressive viewership numbers on 'The Steve Allen Show', 'The Dorsey Brothers' Stage Show', and 'The Milton Berle Show'. This prompted Ed Sullivan to finally relent and revoke his previous ban on Elvis.
Sullivan secured the controversial music sensation for a groundbreaking contract worth $50,000, covering three appearances in total.
At the time, Elvis' raw, energetic performances with his signature hip rolls, went against everything the conservative Eisenhower era stood for, captivating the youth of America.
Drawing a staggering 60 million viewers, equivalent to 82.6 percent of the television audience at that time, Elvis's appearance marked the highest ratings for the show in two years, according to The History Channel.
What was Elvis Presley's first album?
Even though 'The Ed Sullivan Show' was recorded in New York, Elvis delivered his performance from CBS's Los Angeles studio due to his filming commitments for "Love Me Tender" in California, as per the information available on History.com
During this period, his first album, titled 'Elvis Presley', had already been released, and 'Heartbreak Hotel' had become a successful single. However, he had not yet earned the title of "The King."
What was the first song Elvis sang on 'The Ed Sullivan Show'?
During the variety show, 21-year-old Elvis made his appearance, introduced by British actor Charles Laughton.
Laughton was standing in for Sullivan that night as the regular host was recuperating from a severe car accident.
Presley's performance included renditions of 'Don't Be Cruel', Little Richard's 'Ready Teddy', and 'Hound Dog', and viewers were treated to the singer's repertoire in a set list that represented his body of work till then — despite concerns about his potentially "indecent" hip movements in the more risque numbers.
Additionally, he sang 'Love Me Tender', and, as reported by Variety, "In an unprecedented milestone in the music industry, a single record achieved one million sales even before its official release to the public."
How many times did Elvis perform on 'The Ed Sullivan' show?
Elvis became an immediate sensation, and his appearance is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in the history of rock and roll.
Elvis graced 'The Ed Sullivan Show' on three separate occasions, and each time, he triggered a significant surge in the show's viewership.
What was the last song of Elvis sang on 'The Ed Sullivan Show'?
In his second appearance on October 28, 1956, Elvis Presley, once again, presented 'Don't Be Cruel' and 'Hound Dog', alongside 'Love Me Tender'.
Then, during his third and concluding performance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' on January 6, 1957, he sang a total of seven songs, including the gospel track 'Peace in the Valley', spanning across three segments.
However, this particular episode gained notoriety because television censors opted not to display Elvis below the waist.
Who first recorded Elvis Presley's voice?
Sam Phillips, the producer at Sun Records, a regional blues label, holds the distinction of being the first person to capture Elvis Presley's singing voice in a professional recording studio.
In response to Presley's audition tape, Phillips reached out via phone, leading to several weeks of recording sessions.
These sessions featured Presley alongside guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black. Their musical repertoire encompassed blues, country tunes, and gospel hymns.
Did Elvis Presley serve in the military after being conscripted?
In the early months of 1958, Elvis Presley was called up for military service by the US Army.
He completed his service and returned from the army in 1960, during which time he served as a regular soldier stationed in Germany, as opposed to participating in the Special Services entertainment division.
How did Elvis Presley die?
In 1977, Elvis Presley passed away due to a heart attack, primarily attributed to extensive drug abuse. He was 42 years of age at the time of his death.