ELVIS FACT FOR THE DAY

1900- 19

Dr. William Robert Hunt, the man who delivered Elvis and Jesse, started his medical
practice in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1919. His office was located at 214 West Main Street
above Riley's Jewelry. It has been reported that Dr. Hunt was also Gladys's Sunday
School teacher.

Rosella Wesson Pressley, Elvis's paternal great-grandmother, was never married but ahd
nine children. Among them were Joseph, Noah, Calhoun and Jessie. ( Vernons Dad )

1947

1948
The Presleys moved to Tennessee on Sept. 12, 1948, driving the 105 miles from Tupelo
to Memphis on Highway 78 in Vernons green 1939 Plymouth.
Elvis was enrolled in the Christine Public School located at 285 N. 3rd Street on
November 8,1948. He went there for a year to finish the eigth grade. His teacher was
Ms. Conyers. Elvis received a "A" in Language and a "C" in music while attending
school there. The principal was Mrs. Margaret Walker who lived at 164 Market Street.

A divorce between Minnie Mae Presley and Jessie D. Pressley, Elvis's paternal
grandparents, was granted in 1948 after Minnie Mae wrote to the judge explaining her
side of the story. The divorce did not offer alimony or a settlement to either party. Judge
Lawrence Speckman granted the divorce. On the court papers, Jessie signed his name
"Pressley" and Minnie Mae signed hers "Presley."
Jessie remarried in 1948 and moved to Kentucky. His second wife, Vera Kennard
Pruitt, was a school teacher. Minnie Mae never remarried

1949

From 1949 to 1953, Vernon worked at the United Paint Company, located at 345
Jackson Avenue in Memphis. The company's telephone number was 8-4294 and the
owners were Allen P. Redd, Winfred J Huettel, William Wilkinson and O.Marcus
Laughlin. Vernon packed paint cans into crates and onto delivery trucks for 83¢ an
hour. He earned about $33.50 a week.
The company had four other branches, located at 533 S. Highland, 245 E.McLemore,
1634 Union Avenue and 446 Concord Avenue.
The manager was Murial Massey, who lived at 364 S. Sommerville, Apt. 19. The clerk
was Myrtle Ryan, who lived at 1812 Poplar Avenue, Apt. 14.

1950
 1951

On June 3, 1951, Elvis, with the help of his uncle Johnny, got a job at the Precision
Tool Company in Memphis.
The tool company manufactured ammunition and was located at 3116 E. Mallory Ave.
President of the company was Hugh D. Barkett Jr., the Vice President was Harry E.
O'Harra and the Secretary was Billy Stafford.
Elvis earned $30.00 a week working here. His badge number was 78. Vernon and
Vester Presley both worked at Precision Tool at the same time Elvis did.
Elvis was fired from Precision Tool on July 1, 1951 for being underage. He was 16
years old...

1952
In mid April of 1952, Elvis worked as an usher at Lowe's State Theater. Located at 152
South Main Street and next door to Mullins and Wells Credit, the theater was just 5
blocks from Elvis's house in Memphis.
When working at Lowe's. Elvis's uniform consisted of a brown jacket, tan pants with
brown stripes on the sides and a white shirt.
Elvis worked from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m., five days a week at the theater, at 50¢ and hour,
he earned $12.50 a week.

1953

Elvis' appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show broke ratings records set by I Love Lucy in
the 1953 birth of Little Ricky episode. Elvis' Neilsen ratings record would not be broken
until the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan in 1964.

In July of 1953, Elvis got a job at Crown Electric Company owned by James
Tipler and his wife Gladys. Located at 353 Poplar Avenue in Memphis. The
company's phone number was 5-4652.
When he first started working there he started as stock boy. He was later
promoted to delivery boy. The youngest employee at the company, he was
paid $1.25 and hour. While working there Elvis was also studying to be an
electrician, Certified electricians earned $3 an hour at that time.
On Saturdays Elvis handed his $35.00 paycheck over to his mother. On
several of his paychecks in mid-July of 1953, his first name was misspelled as
" Alvis."

1954

On July 5, 1954 - Along with Scotty Moore on guitar and Bill Black on bass, Elvis
recorded "That's All Right" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky".
On July 12,1954, Scotty Moore became Elvis's new manager. A one page contract was
signed by both parties,stipulating that Elvis got 50% and Bill and Scotty each got 25%.
Scotty also got a 10% commission as Elvis's manager for any gig he booked.

On July 20, 1954, The Blue Moon Boys made their live debut appearing on the back of
a flatbed truck outside a new drug store in Memphis. The band line up was Elvis, Scotty
Moore and Bill Black. The name was taken from a song they had recorded just two
weeks previously, 'Blue Moon of Kentucky.'

On July 23,1954, Alta Hayes of the Big Stone Record Distributors became the first to
place a large order for Elvis's new record. This company was responsible for
introducing, "That's All Right (Mama)"/ "Blue Moon of Kentucky" to other cities and
states.

Elvis had his first press interview on July 27, 1954, with Edwin Howard of the
Memphis Press-Scimitar for his "Front Row" column.The interview was conducted
during Elvis's lunch break at Crown Electric.

On August 31,1954,Elvis was interviewed by Tom Perryman for KSIJ Radio in

Gladewater, Texas.

October 23, 1954 - "Blue Moon of Kentucky" reached #3 in New Orleans and #6 in
Nashville. It marked the first time that Elvis appears on a Billboard chart outside of
Memphis.

On November 15,1954, Elvis received his first royalty check for his first record,
"That's All Right (Mama)", in the amount of $82.50!
For the week ending August 18,1954, Elvis's "Blue Moon of Kentucky" was #3 on the
Memphis music charts.

1955
On January 3, 1955, Elvis appeared in Boonesville, Virginia. The 20 year-old singer
was still a regional star, but by the end of 56' he had become a national sensation,
recording two albums, (which included 'Heartbreak Hotel' and 'Blue Suede Shoes'),
appeared on national television 11 times, played over 100 concerts and signed a seven
year contract with Paramount Pictures.

Elvis's," Milkcow Blues Boogie" / " You're a Heartbreaker" 45 rpm record was issued
on January 8, 1955 - Elvis's 20th birthday.

In January 1955, Bill Randle of WERE in Cleveland became the first Disc Jockey in the
North to play an Elvis Presley record.
On March 2, 1955, Elvis, Scotty Moore and Bill Black appeared at Porky's Rooftop
Club in Newport, Arkansas. Constantly on the road, performing night after night this
was the group's 46th show this year.

MARCH 19, 1955

" Grand Prize Saturday Night Jamboree"

Sponsered by Grand Prize Beer, this series was telecast live from the Eagles Nest in
Houston from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. by KPRC-TV. Normally a Saturday night radio show
on KNUZ, it was ocassionally simulcast on television.mAppearing with Elvis that night
were Tommy Sands, The Dixie Drifters, The Brown Brothers and Sonny Burns among
others.

At 4:45 p.m. on April 3, 1955, Elvis received a speeding ticket from Officer Strange,
badge number 262, in Caddo Parrish, Louisiana. Elvis was driving his pink and white
1954 Cadillac at the time. The county jailer in Caddo Parrish was Ralph Ferris. In his
report, he stated that Elvis was stopped for speeding in "TVT Patrol" on US 171 on
April 3, 1955.
The license plate on Elvis's 1954 Cadillac was 2D-35218 ( Tennessee)

Elvis' first single to hit a national chart was "Baby Let's Play House"/"I'm Left, You're
Right, She's Gone" on Sun Records, in the summer of 1955. It was his fourth release on
Sun and it stayed on the chart for 15 weeks. A clean copy of that 45 rpm single today
can be worth $3,000 and up.

On October 15, 1955, Elvis played the Cotton Club in Lubbock, Texas. The warm up
act was Buddy and Bob- Buddy Holly and Bob Montgomery. Fourteen year old future
songwriter Mac Davis was in the audience.

1956
On April 3, 1956 Elvis appeared on ABC-TV's 'The Milton Berle Show' live from the
flight deck of the USS Hancock in San Diego, California. He performed 'Heartbreak
Hotel', 'Shake Rattle And Roll' and 'Blue Suede Shoes.' It was estimated that one out
of every four Americans saw the show.

By the end of 1956, 12.5 million Elvis Presley singles and 2.75 million Elvis Presley
albums had been sold.

June 20, 1956

 "Dance Party" was a local Memphis show, a la "American Bandstand," which aired on
KLAC-TV. Disc jockey, Wink Martindale was the host. Elvis appeared briefly to
promote the upcoming ( July 4) benefit concert at Russwood Park for the Memphis
Press- Scimitar's Milk Fund. The concert also aided the Variety Club's Home For
Children.
The Hep Cat's Review magazine featured as article entitled, "Elvis Presley : Dig the
Greatest! " in their February 1956 issue.

Elvis made his third appearance on “Stage Show,” hosted by the Dorsey
Brothers February 11, 1956 —. He sang his new record, “Heartbreak Hotel,”
for the first time on national TV, along with “Blue Suede Shoes.”

On February 25, 1956, Elvis had his first national hit when "I Forgot To
Remember To Forget" went to No.1 on the Billboard Country & Western
chart.

The Miami Daily News called Elvis " The Squimer " in their August 4, 1956, issue

In 1956, Elvis released his first RCA single, had his first television appearance, and his
first movie release.

The second product released by Elvis Presley Enterprises was lipstick. One million
1956 Elvis Presley Enterprises lipsticks were produced, in 6 different colors:
Hound Dog Orange
Heartbreak Pink
Love-Ya Fuscia
Tutti Fruitti
Tender Pin
Cruel Red

Manufactured by Teen-Ager Lipstick Corp. in Beverly Hills, California, each tube sold
for $1.
When RCA-Victor released Elvis's "Heartbreak Hotel" on January 27,1956, they were
shocked - the record bombed!!! Steve Sholes panicked about the poor sales. It wasn't
until Elvis sang the song on TV that the sales skyrocketed.

American Bandstand honored Elvis with an "Elvis Day" in 1956 for being the Teenage
Champion of the Year." Elvis was the first entertainer to earn this honor.
LIFE magazine offered to feature Elvis on their cover in 1956, but Colonel Parker
promptly turned them down after finding out that they were unwilling to pay $150,000
for a picture of his "boy."
Cleveland disc jockey, Bill Randle introduced Elvis on Stage Show on January 28,
1956. ( His first appearance) Elvis sang, "Shake, Rattle and Roll " with a "Flip, Flop
and Fly " ending and " I Got a Woman ."
The drummer who backed Elvis and his band during this appearance was Louis
Bellson. The paino player was Shorty Long.
 The TV crew from Stage Show said that singer Sarah Vaughn received more applause
than Elvis or any other guest that night.
The Dorsey's Stage Show was sponsered by Railey's Appliance Center.
Stage Show received an 18.4 rating with Elvis's first appearance. The mail received by
the staff of the show after Elvis's first appearance surpassed that of any other performer.

Newsweek magazine featured two articles about Elvis in their May 12, 1956 issue. Their
headlines read, "Hillbilly on a Pedestal " and " Presley Spells Profit."

Elvis founded the Elvis Presley Youth Foundation, based in Tupelo, Mississippi, in late
1956/ early 1957. He donated $100,000 to the organization each year.
September 9, 1956 - Elvis made his first appearance on the Sullivan show. Charles
Laughton filled in for an ailing Sullivan. Presley sang "Don't Be Cruel", "Love Me
Tender", "Ready Teddy", and "Hound Dog" to an estimated TV audience of 54 million
viewers.
June 5,1956.
This was the highly controversial and very sexy performance of "Hound Dog" on
Milton Berle.
Also, "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You".

Elvis on the Milton Berle Show. April 1956.

September 9, 1956 -

Elvis made his first appearance on the Sullivan show. Charles Laughton filled in for an
ailing Sullivan. Presley sang "Don't Be Cruel", "Love Me Tender", "Ready Teddy", and
"Hound Dog" to an estimated TV audience of 54 million viewers.

April 6, 1956
Elvis signed a movie contract with Hal Wallis and Paramount for three pictures that
would pay him $100,000, $150,000, and $200,000 respectively. He also signed a similar
two-picture deal with David Weisbart at
20th Century, ensuring that he would be
seen in four Hollywood movies before the
end of the year.

On October 28, 1956, Dr. Harold T. Furst

of the New York City Department of
Health gave Elvis a very public vaccination
for polio. Photos of Elvis receiving the shot
appeared in newspapers throughout the
country, including The New York Times, the
day following the event.

Elvis made record chart history in 1956. During the

year he placed 17 different songs
on Billboard’s Top 100 singles chart, including 3 singles that reached #1—Heartbreak Hotel, Don’t Be
Cruel, and Love Me Tender.
Presley also made TV history in 1956. He appeared on prime-time network variety shows 11 times,
including 6 appearances on Stage Show with Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey; twice on The Milton Berle
Show; once on The Steve Allen Show; and two times on The Ed Sullivan Show. In 1956 Elvis also took
the first step in a long Hollywood career with the release of his first film, Love Me Tender, in November.

Throughout the year, however, Elvis continued to take his stage show directly to the country’s teenagers.
In 1956 the newly crowned “King of Rock ’n’ roll” appeared in concert 143 times in 79 different cities.
His commitment to live shows in 1956 helped build the loyal fan base that would be the foundation of his
continuous popularity in future years. —

Elvis made record chart history in 1956. During the year he placed 17 different songs
on Billboard’s Top 100 singles chart, including 3 singles that reached #1—Heartbreak
Hotel, Don’t Be Cruel, and Love Me Tender.

On December 29,1956

Billboard Magazine said that Elvis placed the most songs in their Top 100 since the
chart began.

RCA- Victor released seven Elvis singles at the same time in 1956. Each 45 rpm record
sold 100,000 copies. Elvis received 7¢ royalty per record, earning him a total of
$49,000. These were the only singles released by RCA-Victor without a picture sleeve.

An Elvis candy was produced in 1956. Called the Elvis Presley Teddy Bear Candy Bar,
it consisted of milk chocoalte, puffed wheat,crushed almonds and Brazil nuts. It had a
silver and black wrapper, was about the size of a Baby Ruth candy bar and was sold
inmovie theaters.
A San Francisco newspaper printed a story on Elvis entitled, " What Makes Elvis Roll
On? Story of a Jelly-Kneed Kid Galahad," in their October 15, 1956, issue.
The first radio "station break" Elvis recorded was on OIctober 11,1956, in Dallas Texas.
The spot was for Don Keyes of KTSA Radio in San Antonio, Texas.

1957

Captain Leonard Glick was the Army doctor that gave Elvis his preinduction physical in
Memphis on January 4,1957.
 On August 27,1957. Elvis left Memphis for a quick concert tour of the Pacific
Northwest and some recording work in Los Angeles. He returned to Graceland on
September 11.
The next morning the Graceland gates were locked because gatekeeper Uncle Travis
was in the hospital. While he was recovering, the house behind Graceland where he and
his family lived was redecorated. Workers put up new wallpaper and refinished the
floor.

A few days later, two Whitehaven Welcome Wagon ladies showed up at the Graceland
gates to welcome the Presley family to the neighborhood. Mrs. Norma Provost and Mrs.
Carol Godwin were pleasantly surprised when they were shown into the house. “What
we saw of the Presley home was perfectly gorgeous,” Mrs. Provost told the Press-
Scimitar, “not gaudy as we had thought it would be from reading about the colors. The
living room has red rug, blue walls and white draperies, and there’s gold trim on
practically everything. Elvis’ music room is right off the living room, and it’s mostly
white.”

The two women presented two big baskets of welcoming gifts to Gladys Presley. “We
carried gifts from 15 merchants,” explained Mrs. Provost. “Fourteen of them wanted to
give something special. The other one said no, they should be treated like any other
newcomers.” The gifts included a gold planter, tea-aprons, a sheet and pillow case set, a
set of tea towels, and a large ashtray.

While the two ladies were talking to Gladys, her son came in to see them. “It was 3 in
the afternoon and he was wearing black satin pajamas,” said Mrs. Provost. After
presenting Elvis with a teddy bear as a welcoming gift, the women were told it was the
623rd teddy bear Elvis had received. Mrs. Provost told the newspaper that the Presleys
were very appreciative of the special welcome they had received from the Welcome
Wagoners.

1958

Lt.Jack Zager, was the U.S.Army Lieutenant who administered Elvis's mental
examinations on the day of his induction into the Army - March 24, 1958.

1959
Marie Everle was the name of the nurse who took Elvis's blood on January 3, 1959, in
West Germany. Elvis was 1 of 180 G.I.s of the Second Armored Division who donated
blood that day.

1960

Thomas S. Jones was the Army Lieutenant Colonel that gave Elvis his orders promoting
him to Sergeant in January 1960. Elvis got a $22.94 a month raise.
FACTS FROM " WILD IN THE COUNTRY " Filming began on November 11, 1960,
at the Victorian Ink House in St. Helena, California. Exterior scenes were fimed in and
around Napa Valley, including the town of Calistoga. Interiors were shot on the
Twentieth Century - Fox lot. Filming was completed om January 18, 1961, two weeks
overdue.

During shooting of the film, Elvis received a platinum watch from RCA for having
sold 75 million records for the company.

While slapping Elvis in a scene, Millie Perkins broke her wrist.

Fabian was first considered for the role of Glenn Tyler.

1961
Elvis was nominated for a "Grammy for Best Soundtrack Album or Recording of
Original Cast from a Motion Picture or Television" for G.I. Blues and Blue Hawaii in
1961 and 1962 respectfully.

1962

Sy Devore was the Fashion designer who created a new wardrobe for Elvis in 1962 at a
cost of $9,000.

1963

1964

1965

1966

Patricia Allen was the only female pianist to have backed Elvis on a record.
She played on Elvis's June 1966 recording for the film, "Double Trouble."

1967

1968
On December 21, 1968 -
The soundtrack to the Elvis special reached the Billboard Hot 200, where it stayed for
the next 32 weeks. It was Elvis' first Top Ten album in nearly three years.

1969

January 13- 23, 1969 was Elvis's first recording session at American Sound Studios in
Memphis.

1970

On October 10, 1970, Elvis received a comission as a special deputy sheriff of Shelby
County, giving him full police powers and the legal right to carry concealed weapons.

1971

"Also Spach Zarathustra" was used for the first time to hearld Elvis's arrival on stage, on
February 20, 1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

Elvis's last Las Vegas appearance was on December 12, 1976.

Elvis made the last "studio" recording of his life in the Jungle Room at Graceland on
October 30, 1976.

" Floor" was a code word used to inform Elvis and others at concerts that someone was
advancing on Elvis in a threating manner. After hearing the word Elvis was to throw
himself onto the floor while his bodyguards took care of the perpetrators.

1977

At the One to One Benefit Concert at Madison Square Garden on August 30, 1972,
John Lennon was singing "Hound Dog" and yelled out "I Love You, Elvis."
The charity concert had been organized by journalist, Geraldo Rivera.

On January 23, 1986, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced it's first twelve
inductees. Included were Elvis and Sam Phillips.

On August 11,1958, Elvis's first Gold Disc Award from the Recording Industry
Association of America was certified for "Hard Headed Woman."

When Elvis made his first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, over 26,000 people
requested tickets. Unfortunately, only 728 seats were available!!!!

The first 14 songs Elvis recorded with RCA-Victor sold over a million copies each.
--

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In 1957, Elvis bought 1,400 tickets to a football game at Crump Stadium and donated
them to L.C. Humes High School. Although all the students from his alma mater were
invited to the game, Elvis himself did not go.
….

In 1956, the very first product by Elvis Presley Enterprises was a glow-in-the-dark
photo which sold for $1. Elvis Presley Enterprises released 100,000 copies of the photo,
which was coated with a phosphorescent paint.

Vernon and Gladys enrolled Elvis in the Christine Public School located at 285 N. 3rd
Street, Memphis, Tenn., on November 8, 1948. Elvis went there for a year to finish the
8th grade.

Jeanette and Alfred Fruchter, the Presley's neighbors, presented Elvis with his first set
of cufflinks as a graduation gift. Elvis wore the set which cost $2 to the graduation
ceremony.
…

Elvis joined the L.C.Humes High School ROTC ( Reserve Officers Training Camp ) as
a sophmore in 1951. He was in the A Company, second Platoon.
His ROTC sergeant was Robert McIntyre and his platoon Captain was Charley Fisher.

WHHM Radio was broadcast from the Sterick Building in Memphis. Disc Jockey,
"Sleepy - Eyed" John Lepley was the first to play Elvis's "Blue MOON of Kentuck" on
air in July 1954. He was credited with playing Elvis's first country and western song,
while Dewey Phillips played Elvis's firast rhythm and blues song.
The first Elvis Presley game was manufactured by Teen-Age Games Inc. in West
Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1957.

There were five levels:

"Getting to Know Him"

"Learning to Like Him"
"Can't Do Without Him"
"Let's Go Steady"
"Get the Preacher"
……
Elvis was asked to sing at the Academy Awards in 1957, but when the Colonel
demanded a $40,000 fee, the Academy took back their offer.,,,
The Hep Cat's Review magazine featured an article entitled, "Elvis Presley: Dig the
Greatest!" in their February 1956 issue.
 .
...
Teen Magazine ran a "Mister Number One" poll in their April 1958 issue. Elvis finished
first, beating Ricky Nelson #2, Johnny Mathis #3, Pat Boone #4 and Perry Como #5.---