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.
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".
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)
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".
RCA shipped Elvis' new single;
"I Want You, I Need You, I Love You"/"My Baby Left Me" (20/47-6540)
RCA Victor 47-6540 (45rpm)
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.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
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.
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
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)
"Elvis Presley" by Elvis Presley.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
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)
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.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" May 7, 1956 (Monday)
No information.
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)
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.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" May 10, 1956 (Thursday)
Elvis went to the Hotel Chisca in Memphis to visit Dewey Phillips.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" May 11, 1956 (Friday)
No information.
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.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
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.
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
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)
"Elvis Presley" by Elvis Presley.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
No EP Chart
"Heartbreak Hotel" now appeared at #1 across Billboard's "Popular" and "Country & Western" charts. Billboard also reviewed Elvis' new single.
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.
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.
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".
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)
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)
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.
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.
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".
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
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.
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
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)
"Elvis Presley" by Elvis Presley.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
No EP Chart
Billboard's promoted Elvis' new single as one of the week's "Best Buys". (photo)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" May 20, 1956 (Sunday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Civic Auditorium Arena, Omaha, Nebraska. (2 shows) (3:00 pm and 8:00 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" May 21, 1956 (Monday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Municipal Auditorium, Topeka, Kansas.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" May 22, 1956 (Tuesday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Veteran's Memorial Auditorium, Des Moines, Iowa.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" May 23, 1956 (Wednesday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Municipal Auditorium, Sioux City, Iowa.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Vernon bought and insured a 1955 Cadillac. (photo)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" May 24, 1956 (Thursday)
Again Elvis, Gene Smith and Tom Diskin travelled by plane to Missouri while the rest of the band drove.
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Municipal Auditorium Arena, Kansas City, Missouri.
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
During this show a riot broke out and some of the band's equipment is smashed and D.J. Fontana was thrown into the orchestra pit. Elvis flew from Kansas City at 4:35 am bound for Detroit.
The O.K. Houck Piano Company received a Fender Bassman amplifier for Bill Black that cost $355.30.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" May 25, 1956 (Friday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Fox Theatre, Detroit, Michigan. (3 shows) (4:00 pm, 7:00 pm and 9:45 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" May 26, 1956 (Saturday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The Veteran Memorial Auditorium, Columbus, Ohio. (2 shows) (7:00 pm and 10:00 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis, Col. Parker, Freddy Martin appeared on the front cover of music industry trade magazine "The Cash Box" (photo)
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
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.
BILLBOARD C&W CHART (singles)
Best Sellers in Stores:
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.
"I Forgot To Remember To Forget" by Elvis Presley. #5
Most Played In Jukeboxes:
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.
"Mystery Train" by Elvis Presley. #10
Most Played By Jockeys:
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley.
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.
Most Played By Jockeys:
"I'm In Love Again" by Fats Domino.
"Heartbreak Hotel" by Elvis Presley. #8
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. #41
"I Was the One" by Elvis Presley. #58
"My Baby Left Me" by Elvis Presley. #69
"I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" by Elvis Presley. #90
BILLBOARD POP CHART (LP)
"Elvis Presley" by Elvis Presley.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
No EP Chart
Billboard's reported that "Heartbreak Hotel" had made Elvis a "Double Triple Crown" winner. (photo)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" May 27, 1956 (Sunday)
LIVE PERFORMANCE(S)
The University of Dayton Fieldhouse, Dayton, Ohio. (2 shows) (2:00 pm and 8:00 pm)
Musicians: Rhythm Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Lead Guitar: Scotty Moore - Bass: Bill Black - Drums: D.J. Fontana.
Elvis and Gene flew back home to Memphis. (photo)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" May 28, 1956 (Monday)
Elvis and Gene Smith arrived back in Memphis.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" May 29, 1956 (Tuesday)
Elvis visited his ex-girlfriend Dixie Locke as she returned home from a dress rehearsal for her high school graduation. Elvis and Dixie went for a ride on his motorcycle around Memphis.
Over a four day period, Elvis was photographed at home on Audubon Drive. He could be seen on his 1956 KH Harley, with the Yellow 1954 Series 62 Convertible nearest to him, the Blue 1955 Fleetwood Series 75 Limousine behind and lastly in the background, the Pink 1955 Fleetwood Series 60. He was also pictured with his parents and Tupelo neighbour, Dan Shackleford while he was sitting in his Messerchmitt KR200 "Bubble Car". (photos by Phillip Harrington)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" May 30, 1956 (Wednesday)
Ellis Auditorium, 225 North Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee.
Elvis attended the Humes and South Side High School graduations at Ellis Auditorium.