Elvis Presley became one of the most well-known rock n roll artist of all time. He would go on to become a cultural icon in rock n roll history and be known as The King of Rock n Roll.
Elvis’ career began in 1954 when he recorded a song at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee with record producer Sam Phillips. The song also featured guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black. Presley became an early innovator of rockabilly which featured an up-tempo, backbeat-driven blend of country music and rhythm and blues. Elvis’ early hits included the songs That’s All Right and Blue Moon of Kentucky and many others. He would later go on to meet Colonel Tom Parker while performing at Louisiana Hayride. Parker would go on to become his manager.
In 1956, Elvis made his first recordings for RCA in Nashville, Tennessee. This recording would feature guitarist Scotty Moore, bassist Bill Black, drummer DJ Fontana, pianist Floyd Cramer, guitarist Chet Atkins and background singers The Jordanaires. The recordings started with the song Heartbreak Hotel, which became Elvis’ first #1 hit in the US. In January, Elvis would appear on national television on the CBS’S Stage Show hosted by the Dorsey Brothers. Colonel Parker booked Elvis for six appearances that would run over a two month period. He also appeared on NBC’s Milton Berle Show on April 3, 1956, on the deck of the USS Hancock in San Diego.
Elvis would make another appearance on the Milton Berle Show on June 5, 1956, at NBC’s Hollywood Studio. Elvis performed Hound Dog, originally sung by Big Mama Thornton. This performance would cement the signature dance move Elvis would later be known for because during the performance, he abruptly halted an up tempo rendition, where he made exaggerated body movement by moving his hips. This dance move would later be known as the Elvis the Pelvis. This move caused a storm of controversy. Never the less, Hound Dog became a hit single for Elvis in 1956 and went to #1 on both the Pop Chart and R&B Chart in the US. Elvis’ next appearance would be on NBC’s Steve Allen Show on July, 1, 1956. This performance featured Elvis wearing a white tie and black tails and singing Hound Dog to a basset hound who was wearing a top hat and bow tie. After appearances on the Steve Allen Show, Elvis would go on to be booked for three appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show on CBS. Elvis appeared on the show on September 9, 1956 and was seen by 60 million viewers. The show was hosted by actor Charles Laughton. Elvis’ second appearance was on October 28 and his final appearance was on January 6, 1957. The final appearance would feature Elvis cut off at the waist.
Other songs to be released in 1956 would include Don’t Be Cruel, which also went to #1 in the US and written by Otis Blackwell. Any Way You Want Me, Love Me, written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and Carl Perkins’ tune Blue Suede Shoes. These songs would be featured on two albums called Elvis Presley and Elvis. Elvis would also venture into the acting arena during this year as well. On November 21, 1956, his first motion picture Love Me Tender was released from 20th Century Fox. The film was originally called The Reno Brothers, but would be later changed to capitalize on his latest number one record Love Me Tender.