"A Day in the life"
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 1, 1956 (Thursday)
Elvis appeared in Memphis Traffic Court as a witness to the garage incident a few days earlier. The woman who drove the other car was charged with reckless driving.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 2, 1956 (Friday)
Elvis was stopped for speeding on Riverside Drive in Memphis.
Later, between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm, he signed autographs at the newly opened Bob Neal record shop. (photos)
The Colonel informed his attorney that Bob Neal has no longer any business association with Elvis, and the recent unpleasantness with Hank Snow has been resolved.
This came as a big surprise to Hank Snow.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 3, 1956 (Saturday)
Before flying to Shreveport with his cousin Gene Smith, Elvis wrote a cheque for $500 towards the purchase of a house located at 1034 Audubon Drive, east of downtown Memphis.
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", "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Tutti Frutti".
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Lisbon Antigua" by Nelson Riddle.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"The Rock and Roll Waltz" by Kay Starr.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Lisbon Antigua" by Nelson Riddle.
BILLBOARD C&W CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley.
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #9
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Why Baby Why" by Red Sovine & Webb Pierce.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #4
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #7
BILLBOARD R&B CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"The Great Pretender" by the Platters.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"The Great Pretender" by the Platters.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"The Great Pretender" by the Platters.
BILLBOARD POP CHART
Honor Roll of Hits:
"The Rock and Roll Waltz" by Kay Starr.
The Top 100:
"The Rock and Roll Waltz" by Kay Starr.
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #68
BILLBOARD POP CHART (LP)
No LP Chart
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
No EP Chart
"Heartbreak Hotel" became the first Presley song to enter the national chart. It entered the "Top 100" at #68. (photo)
Billboard also reported under the headline: A WINNAH! "Presley Hot As $1 Pistol On Victor".
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 4, 1956 (Sunday)
Elvis and Gene Smith flew home to Memphis.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 5, 1956 (Monday)
Elvis and Gene flew to Nashville, and returned to Memphis later in the evening.
This may have been to sort out the contract between Elvis and the Colonel, with both Bob Neal and Hank Snow conveniently and officially out of the picture.
The Presley's paid a $250.00 deposit towards the purchase of their new home at Audubon Drive from the Welsh Plywood Corporation for $29,500. (photo)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 6, 1956 (Tuesday)
No information.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 7, 1956 (Wednesday)
RCA's Bill Bullock wrote to the Colonel and expressed concern that sales were slowing down in some parts of the country. He wanted Parker to take Elvis off the country and western circuit and book him on pop shows in the north and on the west coast.
William Morris forwarded the script of a movie titled "The Rainmaker" starring Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn. It was to be used for Elvis' upcoming screen test. The Agency also mentioned the possibility of a 15 minute radio series for Elvis. The Colonel gave Elvis the script and told him "The script is not to be shared with anyone".
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 8, 1956 (Thursday)
Elvis received another speeding ticket in Memphis.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 9, 1956 (Friday)
Elvis spent $103 at Lansky Brothers clothing store.
Later in the evening he appeared with Sy Rose's band in the Chicksaw Ballroom of the Hotel Chisca at a "Red Hot and Blue" dance session hosted by Dewey Phillips. (photo)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 10, 1956 (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: "Heartbreak Hotel","Tutti Frutti" and "Baby, Let's Play House".
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Lisbon Antigua" by Nelson Riddle.
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #19
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"The Rock and Roll Waltz" by Kay Starr.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"The Rock and Roll Waltz" by Kay Starr.
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #14
BILLBOARD C&W CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Why Baby Why" by Red Sovine & Webb Pierce.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #2
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #3
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Why Baby Why" by Red Sovine & Webb Pierce.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #6
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #8
BILLBOARD R&B CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"The Great Pretender" by the Platters.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"The Great Pretender" by the Platters.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"The Great Pretender" by the Platters.
BILLBOARD POP CHART
Honor Roll of Hits:
"The Rock and Roll Waltz" by Kay Starr.
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #22
The Top 100:
"The Rock and Roll Waltz" by Kay Starr.
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #29
"I Was the One" by Elvis Presley. #85
BILLBOARD POP CHART (LP)
No LP Chart
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
No EP Chart
"Heartbreak Hotel" became the first Presley single to appear in the "Pop"charts when it entered the "Popular Best Seller in Stores" chart at #19 and appeared on the "Honor Roll of Hits" chart at #22. It climbed to #29 on the "Top 100". "I Was The One" entered the "Top 100" at #85.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 11, 1956 (Sunday)
No information.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 12, 1956 (Monday)
At 8.44 am, Vernon Elvis Presley, Gladys Love Presley and Elvis Aron Presley signed the papers that finalised the purchase of their new home at 1034 Audubon Drive (photo) for $29,500.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 13, 1956 (Tuesday)
Elvis appeared at the Traffic Violation Bureau in Memphis to pay his speeding ticket from March 8th.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 14, 1956 (Wednesday)
Start of East Coast tour. (March 14 - March 23).
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Elvis Presley, The Blue Moon Boys, Rod Brasfield, Uncle Cyp, Mother Maybelle and the
Carter Sisters, The Jordanaires
The Fox Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia. (3 shows) (4:30 pm, 7:18 pm and 10:06 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J.
Fontana.
Elvis arrived at the Theatre for an 11:30 am dress rehearsal for shows that alternated between scheduled screenings of "The Square Jungle" starring Tony Curtis.
Colonel Parker complained to Harry Kalcheim that he can't consider dates in Brooklyn or Los Angeles because he can only free Elvis from his appearances on the "Louisiana Hayride" once every sixty days. Parker had been trying to get Elvis out of this contract which was made against his wishes.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 15, 1956 (Thursday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Elvis Presley, The Blue Moon Boys, Rod Brasfield, Uncle Cyp, Mother Maybelle and the
Carter Sisters, The Jordanaires
The Fox Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia. (3 shows) (4:30 pm, 7:18 pm and 10:06 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J.
Fontana.
Elvis was paid $1,831.54, which represented 50 percent of the net proceeds for this two day engagement.
RCA publicist, Anne Fulchino contacted photographer Alfred Wertheimer in Manhattan to see if he was available to become a "fly on the wall" for Elvis' appearance on this Saturday's "Stage Show".
His remit was to take pictures without being too intrusive.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 16, 1956 (Friday)
Elvis and the band flew to New York from Atlanta, they arrived at 4:03 pm.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 17, 1956 (Saturday)
TELEVISION APPEARANCE: "STAGE SHOW" (5th appearance)
CBS Studio 50, 1697 Broadway, Manhattan, New York City. (8:00 pm)
Rehearsals were held at the Nola Studios at 12:30 pm.
Musicians: Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis went to the CBS studio at 4:00 pm. He made his fifth appearance on "Stage Show" opening with "Blue Suede
Shoes" (video) which was already in the charts and doing well by the songs creator, Carl Perkins. He followed with a
much more confident performance of "Heartbreak Hotel". (video)
Throughout the day photographer Alfred Wertheimer, who RCA had assigned to capture all various types of images of Elvis. Wertheimer reckoned he had over 400 taken before they parted company later that evening.
"Blue Suede Shoes" (improved sound)
"Heartbreak Hotel" (improved sound)
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Lisbon Antigua" by Nelson Riddle.
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #15
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"The Rock and Roll Waltz" by Kay Starr.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"The Poor People of Paris" by Les Baxter.
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #12
BILLBOARD C&W CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #2
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley.
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #2
Most Played By Jockeys:
"I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby" by the Louvin Brothers.
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #3
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #6
BILLBOARD R&B CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Why Do Fools Fall in Love" by the Teenagers.
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"The Great Pretender" by the Platters.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"The Great Pretender" by the Platters.
BILLBOARD POP CHART
Honor Roll of Hits:
"The Poor People of Paris" by Les Baxter.
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #22
The Top 100:
"The Rock and Roll Waltz" by Kay Starr.
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #23
"I Was the One" by Elvis Presley. #31
BILLBOARD POP CHART (LP)
No LP Chart
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
No EP Chart
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" was replaced at the #1 spot on the C&W Best Seller chart by "Heartbreak Hotel", but it stayed at #1 on the Jukebox chart and kept "Heartbreak Hotel" at #2. The Jockeys chart placed "Heartbreak Hotel" at #3, with "I Forgot To Remember To Forget" at #6.
On the Popular charts "Heartbreak Hotel" climbed to #15 on the "Best Seller in Stores" and came in at #12 on the Jockeys chart.
The "Honor Roll of Hits" had "Heartbreak Hotel" moving up to #22 and it appeared at #23 on the "Top 100" with "I Was the One" not far behind at #31.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 18, 1956 (Sunday)
Elvis and the band flew from New York City to Charleston, South Carolina. They arrived at 11:03 am.
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The County Hall, Charleston, South Carolina. (2 shows) (3:30 pm and 8:15 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 19, 1956 (Monday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Township Auditorium, Columbia, South Carolina.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
After attending an interview last Saturday, Harry Kalcheim wrote to the Colonel cautioning him to ensure that Elvis takes his appointments with the press seriously, and learn how to duck questions in a graceful manner. He also advised Parker to encourage Elvis to open his next "Stage Show" appearance with "Blue Suede Shoes".
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 20, 1956 (Tuesday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Bell Auditorium, Augusta, Georgia.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
While Elvis was on tour, his parents moved into their new home at 1034 Audubon Drive in Memphis.