top of page

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                                   May 1, 1956 (Tuesday)

LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Freddy Martin and his Orchestra, Shecky Greene, Elvis Presley, The Blue Moon Boys

The Venus Room, The New Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. (2 shows) (8:00 pm and 12:00 am)

Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.

The Freddy Martin Orchestra.

New Frontier Hotel.jpg
Untitled-2.jpg

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                           May 2, 1956 (Wednesday)

LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Freddy Martin and his Orchestra, Shecky Greene, Elvis Presley, The Blue Moon Boys

The Venus Room, The New Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. (2 shows) (8:00 pm and 12:00 am)

Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.

The Freddy Martin Orchestra.

Variety reviewed the show and reported; "For the teenagers he's a whizz, for the average Vegas spender, he's a fizz".

New Frontier Hotel.jpg
Untitled-2.jpg

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                                   May 3, 1956 Thursday)

LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Freddy Martin and his Orchestra, Shecky Greene, Elvis Presley, The Blue Moon Boys

The Venus Room, The New Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. (2 shows) (8:00 pm and 12:00 am)

Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.

The Freddy Martin Orchestra.

Elvis met Maila Nurmi (Vampira) (photo)

New Frontier Hotel.jpg
Untitled-7.jpg
Untitled-8.jpg
Untitled-2.jpg

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                                         May 4, 1956 (Friday)

LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Freddy Martin and his Orchestra, Shecky Greene, Elvis Presley, The Blue Moon Boys

The Venus Room, The New Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. (2 shows) (8:00 pm and 12:00 am)

Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.

The Freddy Martin Orchestra.

Bob Johnson of the Memphis Press-Scimitar quoted Elvis as saying; "I Like Crosby, Como, Sinatra and all the big ones. They had to be good to get there. I've always been partial to Dean Martin. I like The Four Lads".  But more than anything he wants the folks back home to think right of him. "Just because I managed to do a little something, I don't want anyone back home to think I've got a big head".

New Frontier Hotel.jpg
Untitled-2.jpg

RCA shipped Elvis' new single;

"I Want You, I Need You, I Love You"/"My Baby Left Me" (20/47-6540)

Front Cover.jpg
Rear Cover.jpg
47-6540 - Side 1.jpg
47-6540 - Side 2.jpg

RCA Victor 47-6540 (45rpm)

20-6540 - Side 1.jpg
20-6540 - Side 2.jpg

RCA Victor 20-6540 (78rpm)

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                                  May 5, 1956 (Saturday)

LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Freddy Martin and his Orchestra, Shecky Greene, Elvis Presley, The Blue Moon Boys

The Venus Room, The New Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. (3 shows) (2:00 pm, 8:00 pm and 12:00 am)

Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.

The Freddy Martin Orchestra.

Tom Diskin made out a $200 cash advance cheque for Elvis.

New Frontier Hotel.jpg
img142.jpg
Untitled-1.jpg
Untitled-2.jpg

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (singles)

47-6420 - Side 1fff.jpg

Best Sellers in Stores:

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

Most Played In Jukeboxes:

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

Most Played By Jockeys: 

"Hot Diggity" by Perry Como.

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #2

"Blue Suede Shoes" by Elvis Presley. #25 (EP)

BILLBOARD C&W CHART  (singles)

Best Sellers in Stores:

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #3

"Baby Let's Play House" by Elvis Presley. #13

Most Played In Jukeboxes:

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #4

Most Played By Jockeys:

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

"I Was The One" by Elvis Presley #13.

47-6420 - Side 1fff.jpg

BILLBOARD R&B CHART  (singles)

Best Sellers in Stores:

"Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard.    

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #5

Most Played In Jukeboxes:

"Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard. 

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #6   

Most Played By Jockeys:

"Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard.  

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #4

Untitled-1.jpg

BILLBOARD POP CHART

Honor Roll of Hits: 

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

The Top 100: 

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

"Blue Suede Shoes" by Elvis Presley. #24 (EP)

"I Was the One" by Elvis Presley. #32

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

Album Front.jpg

"Elvis Presley" by Elvis Presley.

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (EP)

Vinyl Clip art.jpg

No EP Chart

Elvis began to dominate the album and singles charts this week when "Heartbreak Hotel" reached #1 on both Billboard's "Honor Roll Of Hits" and "Top 100" chart. (photos)

His' debut LP; "Elvis Presley" (LPM-1254) reached #1 on the Billboard Popular Album chart. (photo)

Image2.jpg
Image4.jpg
Image9.jpg
Image5.jpg

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                                     May 6, 1956 (Sunday)

End of the Las Vegas engagement.

LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Freddy Martin and his Orchestra, Shecky Greene, Elvis Presley, The Blue Moon Boys

The Venus Room, The New Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. (2 shows) (8:00 pm and 12:00 am)

Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.

The Freddy Martin Orchestra.

Songs performed: "Heartbreak Hotel", "Long Tall Sally", "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Money Honey". (audio)

The experience in Las Vegas was not as the band had hoped for... Elvis' barnyard humour and style of performing did not go down well with the more older and relaxed audiences.

New Frontier Hotel.jpg
Untitled-2.jpg
Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley
00:00 / 00:00
Long Tall Sally - Elvis Presley
00:00 / 00:00
Blue Suede Shoes - Elvis Presley
00:00 / 00:00
Money Honey - Elvis Presley
00:00 / 00:00
Untitled-2.jpg

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                                    May 7, 1956 (Monday)

No information.

Elvis_1956_Record_Ad_LPM-1254_color-1.jp

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                                    May 8, 1956 (Tuesday)

Elvis went to the local newspaper office and announced; "Man, I Really like Vegas. I'm going back there the first

chance I get".

He then returned home for an extended stay at Audubon Drive. (photo)

1260-youngelvis-744x731.jpg
1034 Audubon Drive.jpg

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                            May 9, 1956 (Wednesday)

Elvis cashed in the $200 advance made out earlier in the month by Tom Diskin.

1260-youngelvis-744x731.jpg

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                               May 10, 1956 (Thursday)

Elvis went to the Hotel Chisca in Memphis to visit Dewey Phillips.

1260-youngelvis-744x731.jpg

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                                      May 11, 1956 (Friday)

No information.

Untitled-1.jpg

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                                May 12, 1956 (Saturday)

Elvis flew to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he and the band stayed in different hotels. This now seemed to be the normal routine.

1260-youngelvis-744x731.jpg

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (singles)

47-6420 - Side 1fff.jpg

Best Sellers in Stores:

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

Most Played In Jukeboxes:

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

Most Played By Jockeys: 

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

"Blue Suede Shoes" by Elvis Presley. #25 (EP)

BILLBOARD C&W CHART  (singles)

Best Sellers in Stores:

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #3

"Baby Let's Play House" by Elvis Presley. #12

Most Played In Jukeboxes:

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #4

Most Played By Jockeys:

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

"I Was The One" by Elvis Presley #15.

47-6420 - Side 1fff.jpg

BILLBOARD R&B CHART  (singles)

Best Sellers in Stores:

"Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard.    

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #6

Most Played In Jukeboxes:

"Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard. 

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #3   

Most Played By Jockeys:

"Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard.  

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #6

Untitled-1.jpg

BILLBOARD POP CHART

Honor Roll of Hits: 

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

The Top 100: 

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

"Blue Suede Shoes" by Elvis Presley. #27

"I Was the One" by Elvis Presley. #40

"Money Honey" by Elvis Presley. #84

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

Album Front.jpg

"Elvis Presley" by Elvis Presley.

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (EP)

Vinyl Clip art.jpg

No EP Chart

"Heartbreak Hotel" now appeared at #1 across Billboard's "Popular" and "Country & Western" charts. Billboard also reviewed Elvis' new single.

Untitled-3.jpg
Untitled-2.jpg
Untitled-1.jpg

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                                  May 13, 1956 (Sunday)

LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)

The Auditorium, St. Paul, Minnesota. (3:00 pm)

Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.

LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)

The Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota. (8:00 pm)

Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.

From now on, all personal appearances by Elvis are totally organised by the Colonel. No other performer considered as a rival are allowed to appear. These artists are provided by Chicago Talent Agent, Al Dvorin, a friend of Tom Diskin, who helped set up the following date in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

1260-youngelvis-744x731.jpg

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                                  May 14, 1956 (Monday)

LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)

The Mary E. Sawyer Auditorium, La Crosse, Wisconsin. (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 was interviewed by Lindy Shannon. (audio)

Reports from this performance in La Crosse, caused the editor of a local newspaper to contact FBI director, J. Edgar Hoover and notify him that from what he had heard Elvis' act consisted of 'sexual gratification' on stage.

Both "Time" and "Newsweek" ran stories about Elvis' phenomenal rise to stardom.

Lindy Shannon Interview - Elvis Presley
00:00 / 00:00
Untitled-1.jpg
Image6.jpg
Image1.jpg

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                                 May 15, 1956 (Tuesday)

LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - Elvis Presley, The Blue Moon Boys, Hank Snow, The Jordanaires, Bob Neal (MC)

Ellis Auditorium, 225 North Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee.

Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.

Bob Neal's Cotton Pickin' Jamboree was part of the 22nd Annual Cotton Carnival, where Elvis headlined over Hank Snow

and the Jordanaires to a crowd of over 7,000 people. Bob Neal told the audience that there will be another show in

Memphis on July 4th, to aid local charities.

Maid of Cotton, Patricia Cowden and Memphis Cotton Carnival Queen, Clare Mallory gave Elvis a kiss before he went on

stage. (photo)

Songs performed: "Heartbreak Hotel", "Long Tall Sally" and "Hound Dog".

1956_may_15_2_508.jpg
4206-15-56.jpg
206-15-56.jpg
Ellis Auditorium.jpg
MemphisMay56Ad.jpg

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                          May 16, 1956 (Wednesday)

LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)

The Robinson Memorial Auditorium, Little Rock, Arkansas. (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.

Songs performed: "Heartbreak Hotel", "Long Tall Sally", "I Was The One", "Money Honey", "I Got A Woman", "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Hound Dog"(audio)

Elvis gave an interview to Ray Green and told him that his favourite song of the ones that he had recorded was "I Was The One". (audio)

Untitled-11.jpg

Elvis gave an interview to Ray Green and told him that his favourite song of the ones that he had

recorded so far, was "I Was The One". (audio)

Ray Green Interview - Elvis Presley
00:00 / 00:00
Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley
00:00 / 00:00
Long Tall Sally - Elvis Presley
00:00 / 00:00
I Was The One - Elvis Presley
00:00 / 00:00
Money Honey - Elvis Presley
00:00 / 00:00
I Got A Woman - Elvis Presley
00:00 / 00:00
Blue Suede Shoes - Elvis Presley
00:00 / 00:00
Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
00:00 / 00:00

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                               May 17, 1956 (Thursday)

Elvis, Gene Smith and Tom Diskin flew to Springfield, Missouri, while the band drove to the show in Elvis' '54 Cadillac.

LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)

The Shrine Mosque, Springfield, Missouri.

Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.

1260-youngelvis-744x731.jpg

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                                      May 18, 1956 (Friday)

LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)

The Wichita Forum, Wichita, Kansas. (2 shows) (7:00 pm and 9:00 pm)

Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.

1260-youngelvis-744x731.jpg
Untitled-2.jpg

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                                May 19, 1956 (Saturday)

LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)

The University of Nebraska Coliseum, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.

Elvis wore a yellow sports coat with black stripes, a blue shirt with a kimono collar, and black pegged trousers.
When asked if "Rock and Roll" is a bad influence on teenagers,he told the reporter "I don't even smoke or drink, and I started singing as a gospel singer and come from a christian home".

1260-youngelvis-744x731.jpg

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (singles)

47-6420 - Side 1fff.jpg

Best Sellers in Stores:

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

Most Played In Jukeboxes:

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

Most Played By Jockeys: 

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

"I Was The One" by Elvis Presley. #22

BILLBOARD C&W CHART  (singles)

Best Sellers in Stores:

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #3

"Baby Let's Play House" by Elvis Presley. #15

Most Played In Jukeboxes:

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #4

Most Played By Jockeys:

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

47-6420 - Side 1fff.jpg

BILLBOARD R&B CHART  (singles)

Best Sellers in Stores:

"Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard.    

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #5

Most Played In Jukeboxes:

"Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard. 

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #7   

Most Played By Jockeys:

"I'm In Love Again" by Fats Domino.  

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #8

Untitled-1.jpg

BILLBOARD POP CHART

Honor Roll of Hits: 

"Hot Diggity" by Perry Como.

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #5

The Top 100: 

"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.

"Blue Suede Shoes" by Elvis Presley. #37

"I Was the One" by Elvis Presley. #40

"Money Honey" by Elvis Presley. #80

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)