Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 1, 1955 (Thursday)
RCA Studios, 155 East 24th Street, New York City
At the RCA New York Studio, Elvis and Parker met with RCA New York executives that included president Larry Kanaga
and publicity director Anne Fulchino. A photo shoot had been arranged and the shots taken by William "Popsie" Randolph
would be used primarily for publicity purposes and also for the rear cover of his debut album.
Another RCA recording artist Eddy Arnold was present at the studio for a recording session and joined in for a publicity shot with Elvis.
Steve Sholes and Elvis Eddy Arnold and Elvis Col. Parker, Eddy Arnold, Elvis and Steve Sholes
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 2, 1955 (Friday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Sports Arena, Atlanta, Georgia.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis appeared in front of a small crowd and was paid $300.
RCA released their first Presley single: "I Forgot To Remember To Forget"/"Mystery Train" (20/47-6357) while it was still riding high as a Sun single on the national country and western charts.
RCA Victor 20-6357 (78rpm)
RCA Victor 47-6357 (45rpm)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 3, 1955 (Saturday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Roy Acuff, Kitty Wells, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, Johnnie and Jack, Fred Wamble, Jack Turner, Buddy Hawk, Eddie Hill (MC)
The State Coliseum, Montgomery, Alabama.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
The band were paid $400 for this performance that followed the final of a talent contest by WBAM radio titled: "Talent Search of the Deep South".
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
BILLBOARD C&W CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Love, Love, Love" by Webb Pierce.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #4
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Love, Love, Love" by Webb Pierce.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Love, Love, Love" by Webb Pierce.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #7
BILLBOARD R&B CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Only You" by The Platters.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Only You" by The Platters.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Only You" by The Platters.
BILLBOARD POP CHART
Honor Roll of Hits:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
The Top 100:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (LP)
"Love Me or Leave Me" by Doris Day.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
No EP Chart
Billboard announced that Elvis Presley had signed two contracts, one with RCA, the other with Hill & Range, the music publishing company under which the newly formed BMI company "Elvis Presley Music, Inc" will operate. (photo)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 4, 1955 (Sunday)
The start of a four day booking with the Hank Snow show.
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Hank Snow Tour - Hank Snow, and the Rainbow Ranch Boys, Rod Brasfield, Sleepy McDaniel, Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black.
The Lyric Theatre, Indianapolis, Indiana. (4 shows) (2:00 pm, 4:43 pm, 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 5, 1955 (Monday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Hank Snow Tour - Hank Snow, and the Rainbow Ranch Boys, Rod Brasfield, Sleepy McDaniel, Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black.
The Lyric Theatre, Indianapolis, Indiana. (2 shows) 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis and Anita Carter took a tour of the RCA manufacturing plant in Indianapolis.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 6, 1955 (Tuesday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Hank Snow Tour - Hank Snow, and the Rainbow Ranch Boys, Rod Brasfield, Sleepy McDaniel, Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black.
The Lyric Theatre, Indianapolis, Indiana. (2 shows) 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 7, 1955 (Wednesday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Hank Snow Tour - Hank Snow, and the Rainbow Ranch Boys, Rod Brasfield, Sleepy McDaniel, Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black.
The Lyric Theatre, Indianapolis, Indiana. (2 shows) 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
The boys were paid $1,000 for the four days.
Tom Diskin reported to the Colonel from Indianapolis that Elvis is getting better but needs to work on pacing his act.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 8, 1955 (Thursday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Hank Snow Tour - The Duke of Paducah, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black.
The Rialto Theatre, Louisville, Kentucky. (Phillip Morris Company Employees)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 9, 1955 (Friday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Hank Snow Tour - Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, Johnny Cash
The High School, Swifton, Arkansas.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Songs performed: "Rock Around The Clock", "Good Rockin' Tonight", "Only You" and "Heartbreak Hotel"
Elvis sang "Heartbreak Hotel" and told the crowd: "It's gonna be my first hit". Johnny Cash also appeared on the bill.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 10, 1955 (Saturday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Louisiana Hayride - Elvis Presley, Hoot and Curley, Jimmy Newman, Betty Amos,
Jack Ford, Johnny Horton, Werly Fairburn, Buzz Busby and the Bayou Boys, David Houston, Jeanette Hicks,
Buddy Attaway.
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.
Songs performed: "Money Honey"
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
BILLBOARD C&W CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Love, Love, Love" by Webb Pierce.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #5
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Love, Love, Love" by Webb Pierce.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #9
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Love, Love, Love" by Webb Pierce.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #11
BILLBOARD R&B CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Only You" by The Platters.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Only You" by The Platters.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Only You" by The Platters.
BILLBOARD POP CHART
Honor Roll of Hits:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
The Top 100:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (LP)
No LP Chart
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
No EP Chart
'Hill and Range' published their first Elvis Song Folio titled: "The Elvis Presley Album of Juke Box Favorites". The Aberbachs through the RCA buyout had also acquired 'Hi-Lo Music, Inc' from Sam Phillips. This automatically gave them the publishing rights to "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone", "Mystery Train" and "You're A Heartbreaker". They bought "That's All Right" from 'Wabash Music'.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 11, 1955 (Sunday)
No information.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 12, 1955 (Monday)
No information.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 13, 1955 (Tuesday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins
The National Guard Armory, Armory, Mississippi.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis appeared with both Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins.
William Morris agent Harry Kalcheim was furious when he learned that the Colonel had booked Elvis for four consecutive weekly appearances in January on CBS's Saturday Night Variety Show through another agent, Steve Yates. "Stage Show" (The Jackie Gleason Show) was hosted by the Dorsey Brothers.
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Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 14, 1955 (Wednesday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Catholic Club, 123 Columbia Street, Helena, Arkansas.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
All 500 tickets for this show with Carl Perkins were sold two days in advance.
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Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 15, 1955 (Thursday)
Steve Yates from William Morris sent Col. Parker who was staying at the Mayfair Hotel, a telegram that confirmed the booking of Elvis for four shows.
Elvis would be paid $1,250 for each appearance, with an option for two more at $1,500 each. (photo)
CBS requested a list of Elvis' songs, from which a selection was made with input from Stage Show's producer at the dress rehearsal.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 16, 1955 (Friday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Municipal Auditorium, Sweetwater, Texas. (8:00 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Colonel Parker responded to Harry Kalcheim and complained that he didn't do enough to get Elvis on television.
He criticised the agent and told him that it is "not enough to send out letters and sit and wait for a reply. An agent must pitch an artist full force". Parker stated that "If I Had to wait for people to call me back I would have to start selling candy apples again".
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Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 17, 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.
Songs performed: "Baby, Let's Play House", "Sixteen Tons", "Only You", "I Got A Woman", "Tutti Frutti" and
"That's All Right".
The crowd enjoyed the show so much that they didn't want Elvis to leave the stage. Colonel Parker sent Bob Neal
the Stage Show contract to sign pointing out that "there must be no ad-libs or gestures on the show other than
those the producer recommends".
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
BILLBOARD C&W CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #4
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Love, Love, Love" by Webb Pierce.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #4
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Love, Love, Love" by Webb Pierce.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #5
BILLBOARD R&B CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Hands Off" by Priscilla Bowman & Jay McShann's Orch.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Only You" by The Platters.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Hands Off" by Priscilla Bowman & Jay McShann's Orch.
BILLBOARD POP CHART
Honor Roll of Hits:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
The Top 100:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (LP)
No LP Chart
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
No EP Chart
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" rose to #4 on the C&W Best Sellers and climbed to #5 on the Jockeys chart. It also climbed to #4 on the Jukebox chart.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 18, 1955 (Sunday)
No information.
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Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 19, 1955 (Monday)
Elvis went shopping in Memphis spending $39.04 at Harry Levitch's Jewelery store in the Peabody and $50 at Lansky Brothers clothing store on Beale Street.
In the evening he attended a Memphis Charity Show at Ellis Auditorium that featured an all-star wrestling programme.
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Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 20, 1955 (Tuesday)
RCA released Elvis' first four Sun singles on both 78 and 45 rpm formats. The original masters of "Blue Moon of Kentucky", "I Don't Care If the Sun Don't Shine", Milkcow Blues Boogie" and "You're A Heartbreaker" were not on the fifteen tapes that Sam turned over to RCA in November. The tapes of these four songs were mastered from 78 rpm Sun Singles by RCA.
"That's All Right"/"Blue Moon Of Kentucky" (RCA 20/47-6380) "Good Rockin' Tonight"/"I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine" (RCA 20/47-6381)
"Milkcow Blues Boogie"/"You're A Heartbreaker" (RCA 20/47-6382) "Baby, Let's Play House"/"I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone" (RCA 20/47-6383)
RCA Victor 20-6380 (78rpm)
RCA Victor 47-6380 (45rpm)
RCA Victor 20-6382 (78rpm)
RCA Victor 47-6382 (45rpm)
RCA Victor 20-6383 (78rpm)
RCA Victor 47-6383 (45rpm)
RCA Victor 20-6381 (78rpm)
RCA Victor 47-6381 (45rpm)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 21, 1955 (Wednesday)
No information.
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Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 22, 1955 (Thursday)
Steve Sholes, RCA's head of A & R, sent Elvis demonstration records of ten songs that he would like him to consider for his first RCA recording session, scheduled for January in their Nashville studio.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 23, 1955 (Friday)
No information.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 24, 1955 (Saturday)
Elvis spent Christmas Eve at home on Getwell.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
BILLBOARD C&W CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #4
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Love, Love, Love" by Webb Pierce.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #6
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Love, Love, Love" by Webb Pierce.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #8
BILLBOARD R&B CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Hands Off" by Priscilla Bowman & Jay McShann's Orch.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Only You" by The Platters.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Hands Off" by Priscilla Bowman & Jay McShann's Orch.
BILLBOARD POP CHART
Honor Roll of Hits:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
The Top 100:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (LP)
No LP Chart
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
No EP Chart
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 25, 1955 (Sunday)
Christmas Day at home with the Presleys on Getwell.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 26, 1955 (Monday)
No information.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 27, 1955 (Tuesday)
No information.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 28, 1955 (Wednesday)
No information.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 29, 1955 (Thursday)
No information.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 30, 1955 (Friday)
No information.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" December 31, 1955 (Saturday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Louisiana Hayride (New Year's Eve) - Elvis Presley, Hoot and Curley, Jimmy Newman,
Betty Amos, Jack Ford, Johnny Horton, Werly Fairburn, Buzz Busby and the Bayou Boys, David Houston,
Jeanette Hicks, Buddy Attaway, George Jones, Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two
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.
Songs performed: "Heartbreak Hotel", "Blue Suede Shoes", and "Peace In The Valley"
On his 1955 Income Tax Return, Elvis reported a total income of $25,240.15.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
BILLBOARD C&W CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Sixteen Tons" by Ernie Ford.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #5
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Love, Love, Love" by Webb Pierce.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #4
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Love, Love, Love" by Webb Pierce.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #4
"Mystery Train" by Elvis Presley. #14