"A Day in the life"
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 1, 1960, (Tuesday)
Ray Barracks, Friedberg, Hessen, West Germany.
Press Conference.
The army held a press conference just before Elvis' departure from Germany, with over one hundred reporters
and photographers in attendance at the enlisted men's club in Friedberg. Elvis' commanding officer presented
him with a certificate of merit citing his "cheerfulness and drive and continually outstanding leadership ability."
Also present was Marion Keisker from Sun Records, who as army Captain MacInness (her married name) had been serving out her tour of duty in Europe. When Elvis, who has not seen her since her 1957 enlistment, spotted her, he reacted excitedly, saying, "I don't know whether to kiss you or salute." "In that order," she said. (photo)
In New York the Colonel had worked out new amendments to Elvis' RCA contract retroactive to January 1. Any movie recording can now be used towards the fulfillment of his contractual quota of two LPs and eight single sides annually. In addition, Elvis and the Colonel would receive a three-fourths of 1 percent recoupable royalty on top of the regular 5 percent royalty; the Colonel was granted explicit approval on all advertising, promotion and publicity material; and, with Elvis' signed assent, his manager would receive an annual payment of $27,000 in exchange for supplying photographs for record covers and in general, "exploitational" support. RCA also agreed that payments made to musicians, vocalists and arrangers on recording sessions will no longer be deducted from royalties.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 2, 1960, (Wednesday)
Goethestrasse 14, Bad Nauheim, West Germany.
Elvis said goodbye to the house on Goestrasse and drove to Frankfurt to catch the plane to that would bring him home to
the United States. Life Magazine were on hand to photograph proceedings.
Rhine-Main Air Base, Frankfurt, West Germany. - Prestwick Airport, Glasgow, Scotland, The United Kingdom - Stopover for refuelling.
Priscilla Beaulieu was held back by military policemen at the Rhine-Main air Base as she tried to bid Elvis one last farewell. She was captured by Life magazine waving goodbye, with the photo appearing in the March 14 issue and captioned "Girl He Left Behind." The military transport took off at 5:25 P.M., and had to stop off at Prestwick in Scotland for refuelling purposes before heading on to New Jersey.
(Silent footage)
(Audio: "Theme From A Summer Place" by Percy Faith)
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Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 3, 1960, (Thursday)
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McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix, Burlington County, New Jersey.
Elvis arrived at McGuire Air Force Base near Fort Dix, New Jersey, at 7:42 A.M., in the midst of a snowstorm. After
processing their celebrity sergeant through customs, the army held another full-scale press conference, with a
welcoming party that included Nancy Sinatra (who was armed with a gift of a box of shirts from her father), Colonel
Parker; Jean Aberbach, and numerous RCA representatives.
Elvis would spend the next two days at Fort Dix under going the routine discharge procedures.
(Fort Dix)
(Audio: "Lonely Blue Boy" by Conway Twitty) (see: "Danny" by Elvis Presley)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 4, 1960, (Friday)
Fort Dix, Burlington County, New Jersey.
Elvis underwent further processing.
(Screen Digest: Issue No. 10)
Tennessee senator Estes Kefauver read a tribute to Elvis into the Congressional Record that included this passage: "To his great credit this young American became just another G.I. Joe.... I for one would like to say to him yours was a job well done, Soldier." Meanwhile, Vernon had arrived home in Memphis with his mother, Dee Stanley, and Elisabeth Stefaniak.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 5, 1960, (Saturday)
Fort Dix, Burlington County, New Jersey.
Elvis was released from the army at 9:15 A.M. After receiving his mustering out check of $109.54 and his formal
honorable discharge, he, Rex Mansfield and Colonel Parker traveled by limousine, "mysteriously vanishing" the press
reported, "from a snow-packed and fan-laden highway." Their destination was a Trenton, New Jersey, hotel where they
were joined by Lamar Fike. That same evening, the group took a private railroad car to Washington, D.C.
(Silent footage)
(Audio: "Beyond the Sea" by Bobby Darin)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 6, 1960, (Sunday)
TRAIN JOURNEY FROM WASHINGTON TO MEMPHIS.
In Washington, Elvis and his party that now included Lamar Fike, Rex Mansfield, Ken Moore (photo), Bitsy Mott, Tom Diskin and Col. Parker, boarded a second private railway car, this time on the "Tennessean," which left for Memphis at 8:05 am. The train traveled from Washington through Virginia, then Bristol and eventually terminate in Memphis. Throughout the trip, Elvis appeared on the observation platform in his dress blues with an incorrect army rank on his arm and waved to the crowds gathered that were at every station, big and small, along the route. In Bristol, Tennessee, a young reporter from the Nashville Tennessean, David Halberstam, boarded the train to cover the Story.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 7, 1960 (Monday)
ARRIVING IN MEMPHIS - Union Station, Memphis, Tennessee.
Elvis remained awake throughout the night, and in the morning appeared still in uniform but with one of the formal lace-fronted shirts given to him by Nancy Sinatra at Fort Dix. The train arrived in Memphis at 7:45 A.M. in the midst of another snowstorm. When Elvis stepped off the train he was met by good friend George Klein. After greeting fans, amongst them Gary Pepper who received a warm hug, Elvis got a lift out to Graceland in his friend Police Captain Fred Woodward's squad car. Memphis reporter Bill Burk went along for the ride. (video)
(Silent footage)
(Audio: "Running Bear" by Johnny Preston) & ("Handyman" by Jimmy Jones)
PRESS CONFERENCE - Vernon's Office, Graceland, 3764 Highway 51 South, Memphis, Tennessee.
In the afternoon, Elvis held a press conference (video) in his father's office in a small building just behind
Graceland. He told the gathering of some fifty reporters that he was so happy to be home that "I just can't
get it in my mind that I'm here." He was also quizzed about Priscilla when asked did he leave anyone special
behind? "Not any special one" he answered, but also said, "I have to be careful when I answer a question like
that."
Anita Wood joined him later in the evening after waiting patiently for her summons at his cousin Patsy's house.
Elvis had also asked Rex Mansfield to join the entourage as a paid member without knowing of his on/off romance with Elisabeth Stefaniak. Rex told Elvis he would give an answer within a week. Before Rex left Graceland and while Elvis was outside signing autographs, he met Elisabeth with an ultimatum; she had to call him as he would not be contacting her. This caused a lot of turmoil for Rex who knew he was going to turn Elvis' job offer down.
(Press Conference)
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
HOT 100:
"Theme from a Summer Place" by Percy Faith.
Honor Roll of Hits:
"Theme from a Summer Place" by Percy Faith.
BILLBOARD C&W CHART (singles)
HOT C&W SIDES:
"He'll Have To Go" by Jim Reeves.
BILLBOARD R&B CHART (singles)
HOT R&B SIDES:
"Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" by Dinah Washington
and Brook Benton.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (LP)
MONO ACTION ALBUMS (on the charts 39 weeks or less)
"The Sound of Music" Original Broadway Cast.
ESSENTIAL INVENTORY ALBUMS (40 weeks or more)
"Inside Shelley Berman" by Shelley Berman.
BEST SELLING LOW PRICE MONO LP'S
"Soul of Spain" by 101 Strings.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (LP)
STEREO ACTION ALBUMS (on the charts 19 weeks or less)
"The Sound of Music" Original Broadway Cast.
ESSENTIAL INVENTORY ALBUMS (20 weeks or more)
"South Pacific" Soundtrack.
BEST SELLING LOW PRICE STEREO LP'S
"Soul of Spain" by 101 Strings.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
"Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs" by Marty Robbins.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 8, 1960, (Tuesday)
Forest Hill Cemetery, 1661, Midtown, Memphis, Tennessee.
Elvis visited the Forest Hill Cemetery to see for the first time the marker and stone angels that had been placed at his
mother's grave. From the time of her burial, there had been a standing order at Burke's Florist to deliver fresh flowers
once a week to her grave.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 9, 1960, (Wednesday)
Elvis took Elisabeth on a motorcycle ride to show her around Memphis. They were on hand to help two teen-aged boys named as Walter Dorris and Michael Spurlin who both got injured when the motor-cycle they were double-riding in and a car collided.
(News report)
It was reported that Presley, who returned Monday from two years in the Army, was out for an evening motorcycle ride himself with an unidentified girl friend.
The crash occurred at Highway 51 S. and Finley Road, one mile south of Presley´s $100.000 mansion. Highway Patrolman James G. Tobias said he was at the Presley mansion directing traffic when he got the wreck call.
(Newsreel)
(Elvis Quits US Army) (British Pathe News)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 10, 1960, (Thursday)
HOLIDAY ON ICE - Ellis Auditorium, 225 North Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee.
Elvis attended the "Holiday on Ice" show at Ellis Auditorium, he visited backstage with members of the troupe he first met when they performed in Germany.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 11, 1960, (Friday)
Graceland, 3764 Highway 51 South, Memphis, Tennessee.
Elvis had his hair dyed black, then he gave Elisabeth driving lessons in the yellow Lincoln he had bought for her to use. Charlie Hodge and Joe Esposito joined Lamar Fike at Graceland, with Red West and Cliff Gleaves coming in from the West Coast not long after. The Colonel wrote to Bill Bullock that trying to oversee Elvis' return to civilian life has been a little bit like "handling the return of Valentino from the grave." Walter Dorris, one of the young teenagers that was recently hurt in the motor-cycle accident went to Graceland to return the jacket that Elvis gave him. (photo)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 12, 1960, (Saturday)
HOLIDAY ON ICE PARTY - Graceland, 3764 Highway 51 South, Memphis, Tennessee.
Elvis threw a party at Graceland for the "Holiday On Ice" company, he also took the time out to greet a group of
deaf children who arrived at the gates. (photo)
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 13, 1960, (Sunday)
HOLIDAY ON ICE - Ellis Auditorium, 225 North Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee.
Elvis returned to Ellis for the "Holiday On Ice" show's "performance for Negroes," Elvis briefly conducted the seventeen
piece orchestra with a lighted baton.
Around this time, Rex Mansfield received a telephone call from Elisabeth Stefaniak who informed that Elvis said that she was free to date whomever she liked, and did he know anybody that might be interested? Rex decided to go to Memphis and speak with Elvis.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 14, 1960 (Monday)
Rex Mansfield arrived at Graceland and spoke to Elvis privately about his future. "Elvis, I've thought over your generous offer, but I've decided to go back to work for the same firm I was with before going into the Army." Elvis said he understood and wished him the best of luck. Rex also asked "Elvis, would you mind if I took Elisabeth out on a date tonight?" Elvis replied " Rexadus, you know Elisabeth will never love anybody but me," he then added; "Heck, I'm glad you're taking her out, I know I can count on you to treat her like a lady." Before Rex could leave with Elisabeth Elvis said, "Hey Rexadus, I have a great idea why don't you and Elisabeth come with us to the theatre?" "Thank you for the invitation, and I appreciate you thinking of us, but I have something else in mind tonight."
Memphian Theatre, Memphis, Tennessee.
In the evening Elvis rented the Memphian Theater at 11:00 pm., after the regular showings were finished, to screen movies for himself, his family, and friends.
When Rex brought Elisabeth back to Graceland, he went in to see Minnie Mae and thank her for helping him and Elisabeth. She immediately turned on him and called him a snake and told him never to come back. Shaken, Rex went downstairs and said goodbye to Lamar Fike, Cliff Gleaves, Red West, George Klein, Alan Fortas and Elvis' young cousin, Billy Smith.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (singles)
HOT 100:
"Theme from a Summer Place" by Percy Faith.
Honor Roll of Hits:
"Theme from a Summer Place" by Percy Faith.
BILLBOARD C&W CHART (singles)
HOT C&W SIDES:
"He'll Have To Go" by Jim Reeves.
BILLBOARD R&B CHART (singles)
HOT R&B SIDES:
"Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" by Dinah Washington
and Brook Benton.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (LP)
MONO ACTION ALBUMS (on the charts 39 weeks or less)
"The Sound of Music" Original Broadway Cast.
ESSENTIAL INVENTORY ALBUMS (40 weeks or more)
"Inside Shelley Berman" by Shelley Berman.
BEST SELLING LOW PRICE MONO LP'S
"Soul of Spain" by 101 Strings.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (LP)
STEREO ACTION ALBUMS (on the charts 19 weeks or less)
"The Sound of Music" Original Broadway Cast.
ESSENTIAL INVENTORY ALBUMS (20 weeks or more)
"South Pacific" Soundtrack.
BEST SELLING LOW PRICE STEREO LP'S
"Soul of Spain" by 101 Strings.
BILLBOARD POP CHART (EP)
"Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs" by Marty Robbins.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 15, 1960, (Tuesday)
Janie Wilbanks arrived at Graceland to pick up Elisabeth Stefaniak, who had told Elvis that she was going to the airport because she had arranged to visit her family in Florida, where her step-father was now stationed. She was really going to the airport to meet Rex and then visit his parents. They explained everything to Janie who left them alone.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 16, 1960, (Wednesday)
No information.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 17, 1960, (Thursday)
No information.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 18, 1960, (Friday)
No information.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 19, 1960, (Saturday)
ROLLER SKATING - Rainbow Rollerdrome, Lamar, Memphis, Tennessee.
Elvis rented the Rainbow Rollerdrome for an evening of rollerskating wars with the guys.
Elvis: "A Day in the Life" March 20, 1960 (Sunday)
At noon Elvis, his entourage, Scotty, and D.J. (but not Bill Black) took a chartered bus to Nashville for a session at RCA's Studio B, whose recording facilities had now been upgraded with a new three-track machine. There, they were joined by all of the musicians from the June 1958 session, the Jordanaires, Colonel Parker, various RCA executives, and RCA's new chief studio engineer, Bill Porter. In order to avoid both unwanted publicity and an avalanche of fans, top-secret conditions
prevail, with the Nashville musicians told they will be working on a Jim Reeves session.
RECORDING SESSION: - RCA Victor
RCA Victor Studio B, Nashville, Tennessee. (8:00 pm - 12:00 am)
Producer(s): Steve Sholes/Chet Atkins.
Engineer: Bill Porter.
Musicians: Lead Guitar & Vocals: Elvis Presley - Electric Guitar: Scotty Moore - Electric Guitar: Hank Garland - Bass: Bob Moore - Drums: D.J. Fontana - Drums: Murrey "Buddy" Harman - Piano: Floyd Cramer.
Backup Vocals: The Jordanaires: 1st Tenor: Gordon Stoker - 2nd Tenor: Neal Matthews - Baritone: Hoyt Hawkins - Bass: Ray Walker.
The session would last from 8:00 pm. to 7:00 am. Elvis liked to record late