"A Day in the life"
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 1, 1955 (Monday)
Start of Webb Pierce package tour: (Aug 1 - Aug 5) This tour was booked by Bob Neal.
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) (Webb Pierce Tour) - Webb Pierce, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, Red Sovine, Wanda Jackson, Bud Deckleman, Gene Simmons, Charlie Feathers, The Miller Sisters, Bill Perkins, Bob Neal (MC)
The Fairgrounds, Tupelo, Mississippi.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black
Songs performed: "I Got A Woman","'I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone", "You're A Heartbreaker", "Baby, Let's Play House", "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and "Good Rockin' Tonight".
Elvis appeared back at his place of birth and attracted a crowd of over 3,000 people.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 2, 1955 (Tuesday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) (Webb Pierce Tour) - Webb Pierce, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, Red Sovine, Wanda Jackson, Bud Deckleman, Charlie Feathers, The Miller Sisters, Bill Perkins, Gene Simmons, Johnny Cash, Bob Neal (MC)
Sheffield Community, Muscle Shoals, Alabama. (2 shows) (7:00 pm and 9:00 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black
Elvis stole the show from headliner Webb Pierce and Sun Records newest artist Johnny Cash joined the show.
Tom Diskin wrote to Colonel Parker that Bob Neal was still trying to get Elvis to commit himself to a switch to a major label and
hoped to have him pinned down soon.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 3, 1955 (Wednesday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) (Webb Pierce Tour) - Webb Pierce, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, Red Sovine, Wanda Jackson, Bud Deckleman, Charlie Feathers, The Miller Sisters, Bill Perkins, Gene Simmons, Bob Neal (MC)
The Robinson Auditorium, Little Rock, Arkansas.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 4, 1955 (Thursday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) (Webb Pierce Tour) - Webb Pierce, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, Red Sovine, Wanda Jackson, Gene Simmons, Bud Deckleman, Charlie Feathers, The Miller Sisters, Bill Perkins, Johnny Cash, Bob Neal (MC)
The Municipal Auditorium, Camden, Arkansas. (2 shows) (7:00 pm and 9:00 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black
Colonel Parker was furious when he heard for the first time of the 'Hill and Range' song folio that was originally discussed in Meridian. He saw this as another example of Bob Neal's lack of foresight.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 5, 1955 (Friday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) (Webb Pierce Tour) - Webb Pierce, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, Red Sovine, Wanda Jackson, Gene Simmons, Bud Deckleman, Bill Strength, Sonny James, Charlie Feathers, The Miller Sisters, Carl Perkins, Bill Perkins, Johnny Cash, Bob Neal (MC)
The Overton Park Shell, Memphis, Tennessee.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black
This show was billed as Bob Neal's 8th Anniversary Jamboree. Other artist who appeared were: Wanda Jackson, Bud Deckelman, Johnny Cash, Sonny James, Red Sovine, Jim Wilson, Charlie Feathers and The Neal Boys.
An audience of over 4,000 went to the open-air ampitheatre where Elvis began his professional career.
This performance concluded the Webb Pierce tour.
Elvis with "Texas" Bill Strength (photo)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 6, 1955 (Saturday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The River Stadium, Batesville, Arkansas.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black
Songs performed: "Maybelline", "That's All Right", "Good Rockin' Tonight", "Blue Moon of Kentucky", and "Baby, Let's Play House".
Elvis' appearance at this 12th annual White River Carnival had local promoter Ed Lyon write to Col. Parker about his unprofessional behaviour due to his telling off-colour jokes and storming off the stage after singing only five songs. The Colonel swiftly refunded Lyons $50.
Sun Records released their fifth Elvis Presley single; ""Mystery Train"/"I Forgot to Remember to Forget" on Sun 223.
Sun 223 (78rpm)
Sun 223 (45rpm)
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley.
BILLBOARD C&W CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"I Don't Care" by Webb Pierce
"Baby Let's Play House" by Elvis Presley. #10
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"I Don't Care" by Webb Pierce.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"I Don't Care" by Webb Pierce.
BILLBOARD R&B CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Ain't It A Shame" by Fats Domino.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Bo Diddley" by Bo Diddley.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Fool for You" by Ray Charles.
BILLBOARD POP CHART
Honor Roll of Hits:
"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (LP)
"Lonesome Echo" by Jackie Gleason.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
"Love Me or Leave Me" by Doris Day.
"Baby, Let's Play House" rose to #10 on Billboard's Country and Western Best Sellers chart.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 7, 1955 (Sunday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
Magnolia Gardens, Houston, Texas. (Afternoon) (video)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black
Songs: "Maybelline", "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone", "Baby, Let's Play House" and "I Don't Care If the Sun Don't Shine".
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
Cook's Hoedown Club, 603 Capitol Street, Houston, Texas. (Evening)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black
(silent footage)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 8, 1955 (Monday)
Start of tour of East Texas. (August 8 - August 12) This was the start of a week long tour booked by Tom Perryman with appearances by Jim Ed and Maxine Brown.
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Mayfair Building, 411 Fair Park Drive, Tyler, East Texas.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Shreveport native, Dominic Joseph (D.J.) Fontana (photo) who was a regular drummer with the Louisiana Hayride, played with the band during their appearances on the Hayride in Shreveport. He now joined the band for the first time as a salaried member.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 9, 1955 (Tuesday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Rodeo Arena, Henderson, Texas.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 10, 1955 (Wednesday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Baseball Park, Gladewater, Texas.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 11, 1955 (Thursday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Reo Palm Isle Club, Longview, Texas.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 12, 1955 (Friday)
End of tour of East Texas.
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
Driller Park, Kilgore, Texas.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Colonel Parker wrote to Vernon Presley explaining that he had found it very difficult to contact Bob Neal and through what he deems as Neal's incompetence they could lose a very good deal that he had set up.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 13, 1955 (Saturday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - (Louisiana Hayride)
The Municipal Auditorium, 705 Grand Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana. (8:00 pm - 11:30 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums:
D.J. Fontana - Steel Guitar: James 'Sonny' Trammel - Piano: Leon Post.
Songs performed: "That's All Right", "Baby, Let's Play House" and "Maybelline".
This was the first time the band appeared officially on the Hayride as a quartet.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley.
BILLBOARD C&W CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"I Don't Care" by Webb Pierce
"Baby Let's Play House" by Elvis Presley. #14
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"I Don't Care" by Webb Pierce.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"I Don't Care" by Webb Pierce.
"Baby Let's Play House" by Elvis Presley. #5
BILLBOARD R&B CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Ain't It A Shame" by Fats Domino.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Ain't It A Shame" by Fats Domino.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Ain't It A Shame" by Fats Domino.
BILLBOARD POP CHART
Honor Roll of Hits:
"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (LP)
"Lonesome Echo" by Jackie Gleason.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
"Love Me or Leave Me" by Doris Day.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 14, 1955 (Sunday)
Elvis, Scotty, Bill and D.J. attended the 25th wedding anniversary of Jim Ed and Maxine Brown's parents in Gladewater, Texas.
They were joined by other Hayride regulars; pianist Floyd Cramer, steel guitarist Jimmy Day and Elvis' high school friend Red West. Texas promoter Tom Perryman was also on the guest-list.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 15, 1955 (Monday)
In Memphis, Elvis and his father Vernon, went to a meeting with Bob Neal and Colonel Parker. As a result a new role of special advisor is created and a contract was signed by all that effectively puts the Colonel in complete control. Tom Diskin was on hand to witness the agreement.
Booking agent A.V. Bamford wrote to the Colonel outlining that Elvis "May be hotter than a firecracker, but only in certain areas". Bamford stated that he would consider booking Presley into new territories if he can pair them with ones already in established towns. He also went on to say that KXLA, the only country and western radio station in Los Angeles "doesn't play Elvis at all".
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 16, 1955 (Tuesday)
No information
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 17, 1955 (Wednesday)
The Colonel explained by letter to Julian Aberbach of Hill and Range that he now had a three year representation deal with the Presley's and is also close to finalising a deal with a major record label.
Parker knew that Elvis' 1955 record sales were a little over 100,000 copies.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 18, 1955 (Thursday)
No information
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 19, 1955 (Friday)
No information
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 20, 1955 (Saturday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - (Louisiana Hayride)
The Municipal Auditorium, 705 Grand Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana. (8:00 pm - 11:30 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums:
D.J. Fontana - Steel Guitar: James 'Sonny' Trammel - Piano: Leon Post.
Elvis was introduced on stage as "The Memphis Flash".
Songs performed: "Baby, Let's Play House", "Maybelline" and "That's All Right".
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley.
BILLBOARD C&W CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"I Don't Care" by Webb Pierce
"Baby Let's Play House" by Elvis Presley. #12
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"I Don't Care" by Webb Pierce.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"I Don't Care" by Webb Pierce.
"Baby Let's Play House" by Elvis Presley. #6
BILLBOARD R&B CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Ain't It A Shame" by Fats Domino.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Ain't It A Shame" by Fats Domino.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Ain't It A Shame" by Fats Domino.
BILLBOARD POP CHART
Honor Roll of Hits:
"Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (LP)
"Lonesome Echo" by Jackie Gleason.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
"Love Me or Leave Me" by Doris Day.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 21, 1955 (Sunday)
No information
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 22, 1955 (Monday)
Start of tour of Mid Texas. (August 22 - August 26)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
Spudder Park Baseball Field, Wichita Falls, Texas.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
He appeared with Johnny Horton and Betty Amos. Elvis also visited DJ/Promoter Bill Mack's newborn daughter in the hospital.
The Colonel wrote to Bob Neal about Elvis' bad behaviour in Batesville. He said that Elvis was young, inexperienced and it took more than a couple of hit records in a certain territory to become a big name artist. He also wrote about establishing professional standards and accused Neal of failing to educate him.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 23, 1955 (Tuesday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Saddle Club, Bryan, Texas.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" August 24, 1955 (Wednesday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
Davy Crockett High School Football Stadium, Conroe, Texas.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Two flatbed trucks set up side by side created the stage on Conroe's football field. Elvis ran up the makeshift steps and tripped banging his head. He managed to carry on with his performance.
