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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                February 1, 1961, (Wednesday)

Elvis took Joe Esposito and Anita Wood to Tupelo to show them his hometown. In the field behind his birthplace they found that the sign declaring this to be the future site of the Elvis Presley Youth Center had fallen down, and no work had been done toward construction of either the building or the swimming pool for which Elvis donated $14,000 from his 1957 Tupelo performance. 

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                       February 2, 1961, (Thursday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                             February 3, 1961, (Friday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                      February 4, 1961, (Saturday)

Elvis' cousin, Junior Smith, who suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after he came home from the Korean War, died of alcohol poisoning in their uncle Travis' home. Elvis' friend from Waco, Eddie Fadal, accompanied Elvis to the house. "He just kept saying, 'It's all over, Junior. It's all over.'" 

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Junior Smith

The letter that Col. Parker wrote to his nephew arrived in Holland.

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                          February 5, 1961, (Sunday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                          February 6, 1961 (Monday)

JUNIOR SMITH FUNERAL - Memphis, Tennessee.

 

Elvis could not attend Junior Smith's funeral because he was called back to Hollywood to re-shoot the ending of "Wild in the Country." Preview audiences had reacted badly to the suicide of Hope Lange's character.

 

According to an amendment of Elvis' RCA contract, he would now receive an annual guaranteed payment of $300,000 against royalties, while the Colonel would get $100,000, as called for by their 75-25 split. This was in addition to the $1,000 a week Elvis was still getting according to the terms of his 1956 contract, with the Colonel realizing $4,333.33 quarterly (or $17,333 per year). It probably went without saying that there was no time when Elvis' royalty advances were not almost astronomically outstripped by sales.  

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BILLBOARD POP CHART  (singles)

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HOT 100:

"Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by the Shirelles,

"Are You Lonesome Tonight?" by Elvis Presley. #11

 

Honor Roll of Hits: 

"The Exodus Song" by Pat Boone, Ferrante and Telcher, Mantovani.

"Are You Lonesome Tonight?" by Al Jolson, Jaye P. Morgan, Elvis Presley. #8

BILLBOARD C&W CHART  (singles)

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HOT C&W SIDES:

"North to Alaska" by Johnny Horton.

BILLBOARD R&B CHART  (singles)

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HOT R&B SIDES:

"Shop Around" by the Miracles.

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

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MONO ACTION ALBUMS (on the charts 9 weeks or less)

"Exodus" Soundtrack.

"His Hand In Mine" by Elvis Presley. #14

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

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STEREO ACTION ALBUMS (on the charts 9 weeks or less)

"Exodus" Soundtrack.

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

BEST SELLING POP VOCAL ALBUMS

"Elvis Is Back!" (M/S) by Elvis Presley.

BEST SELLING SOUNDTRACK ALBUMS (Non Cast)

"G.I. Blues" (M/S) by Elvis Presley.

BEST SELLING SACRED/SPIRITUAL ALBUMS

"His Hand In Mine" (M) by Elvis Presley.

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                        February 7, 1961, (Tuesday)

No information.

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RCA released the latest Elvis single: "Surrender"/"Lonely Man." The sleeve used a publicity photograph from the "Wild in the Country" shoot.

 

Songs: "Surrender"/"Lonely Man" (RCA 47-7850)

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RCA Victor (47-7850)

RCA and other labels began issuing singles on 33 rpm. This was the first Elvis single: "Surrender"/"Lonely Man."

 

Songs: "Surrender"/"Lonely Man" (RCA 37-7850)

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RCA Victor (37-7850)

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                 February 8, 1961, (Wednesday)

Elvis stopped off at the Skyrider Hotel in Phoenix en route to Los Angeles. 

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                       February 9, 1961, (Thursday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                          February 10, 1961, (Friday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                    February 11, 1961, (Saturday)

No information.

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RCA shipped their new "Compact 33 Double" EP titled: "Elvis By Request." Supposedly fans who went to see Elvis' new movie liked the title track "Flaming Star" that played over the opening credits. They pressurised radio stations to play it, so RCA paired two songs from the movie with two of Elvis' biggest hits to date. The front sleeve used a publicity photograph from the "Flaming Star" shoot.

 

Songs: "Flaming Star", "Summer Kisses, Winter Tears"/"Are You Lonesome Tonight?"/"It's Now Or Never" (RCA LPC-128)

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RCA Victor (LPC-128)

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                       February 12, 1961, (Sunday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                       February 13, 1961 (Monday)

No information.

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BILLBOARD POP CHART  (singles)

Calcutta

HOT 100:

"Calcutta" by Lawrence Welk,

"Are You Lonesome Tonight?" by Elvis Presley. #21

 

Honor Roll of Hits: 

"Calcutta" by the Four Preps, Werner Muller, Vico Torriani, the Valiants, Lawrence Welk.

"Are You Lonesome Tonight?" by Al Jolson, Jaye P. Morgan, Elvis Presley. #8

BILLBOARD C&W CHART  (singles)

Wings of a Dove

HOT C&W SIDES:

"Wings of a Dove" by Ferlin Husky.

BILLBOARD R&B CHART  (singles)

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HOT R&B SIDES:

"Shop Around" by the Miracles.

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

Wonderland By Night

MONO ACTION ALBUMS (on the charts 9 weeks or less)

"Wonderland by Night" by Bert Kaempfert.

"His Hand In Mine" by Elvis Presley. #13

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

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STEREO ACTION ALBUMS (on the charts 9 weeks or less)

"Exodus" Soundtrack.

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

BEST SELLING POP VOCAL ALBUMS

"Elvis Is Back!" (M/S) by Elvis Presley.

BEST SELLING SOUNDTRACK ALBUMS (Non Cast)

"G.I. Blues" (M/S) by Elvis Presley.

BEST SELLING SACRED/SPIRITUAL ALBUMS

"His Hand In Mine" (M) by Elvis Presley.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                      February 14, 1961, (Tuesday)

Nat Lefkowitz from the William Morris Agency wrote to the Colonel and informed him that they had enclosed a cheque for $1,000 for ten luncheon tickets and twenty show tickets for the benefit concert. The tickets were returned for Parker to do whatever he wished. (photo)

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                              February 15, 1961, (Wednesday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                    February 16, 1961, (Thursday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                          February 17, 1961, (Friday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                    February 18, 1961, (Saturday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                        February 19, 1961, (Sunday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                       February 20, 1961 (Monday)

Colonel Parker invited his brother Ad Sr, to visit him in  America. He paid for the trip and arranged for him to stay with a dutch family who lived in Havensack, New Jersey.

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BILLBOARD POP CHART  (singles)

Calcutta

HOT 100:

"Calcutta" by Lawrence Welk,

"Surrender" by Elvis Presley. #24

"Are You Lonesome Tonight?" by Elvis Presley. #58

"Hearts of Stone" by Bill Black's Combo. #70

 

Honor Roll of Hits: 

"Calcutta" by the Four Preps, Werner Muller, Vico Torriani, the Valiants, Lawrence Welk.

"Are You Lonesome Tonight?" by Al Jolson, Jaye P. Morgan, Elvis Presley. #18

"Surrender" by Elvis Presley. #30

BILLBOARD C&W CHART  (singles)

Wings of a Dove

HOT C&W SIDES:

"Wings of a Dove" by Ferlin Husky.

BILLBOARD R&B CHART  (singles)

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HOT R&B SIDES:

"Shop Around" by the Miracles.

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

Wonderland By Night

MONO ACTION ALBUMS (on the charts 9 weeks or less)

"Wonderland by Night" by Bert Kaempfert.

"His Hand In Mine" by Elvis Presley. #13

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

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STEREO ACTION ALBUMS (on the charts 9 weeks or less)

"Exodus" Soundtrack.

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

BEST SELLING POP VOCAL ALBUMS

"Elvis Is Back!" (M/S) by Elvis Presley.

BEST SELLING SOUNDTRACK ALBUMS (Non Cast)

"G.I. Blues" (M/S) by Elvis Presley.

BEST SELLING SACRED/SPIRITUAL ALBUMS

"His Hand In Mine" (M) by Elvis Presley.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                      February 21, 1961, (Tuesday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                              February 22, 1961, (Wednesday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                    February 23, 1961, (Thursday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                          February 24, 1961, (Friday)

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Graceland, 3764 Highway 51 South, Memphis, Tennessee.

 

Elvis with Scotty, D.J., the Nashville session players and the Jordanaires held a rehearsal at Graceland for his Memphis

charity show. 

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                    February 25, 1961, (Saturday)

CHARITY LUNCHEON - The Balinese Room, Hotel Claridge, Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee. (12:30 pm)

Program activities (1:00 pm)

Tennessee governor Buford Ellington and Memphis mayor Henry Loeb both declared "Elvis Presley Day" at a special luncheon at

the Hotel Claridge. Elvis was presented with a diamond studded watch by RCA to honour record sales of more than 75 million. At

the 1:45 pm. press conference, Sam Phillips asked why Sun Records got so little recognition for Elvis' success, he reminded

everyone that "RCA wouldn't have him if it wasn't for Phillips."

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Press Conference - Elvis Presley
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LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - CHARITY SHOWS

The Ellis Auditorium, 225 North Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee. (2 Shows) (3:00 pm and 8:30 pm)

Musicians: Vocals: Elvis Presley - Electric Guitar: Scotty Moore - Rhythm Guitar: Hank Garland - Bass: Bob Moore -

Drums: D.J. Fontana - Piano: Floyd Cramer - Saxophone: Homer "Boots" Randolph.

Backup Vocals: The Jordanaires: 1st Tenor: Gordon Stoker  - 2nd Tenor: Neal Matthews - Baritone: Hoyt Hawkins - Bass: Ray Walker.

(3:00 pm) - Attendance: 3,860

Elvis wore a silver jacket with a white shirt and black trousers and he was backed by "The King's Men."

Songs performed: "Heartbreak Hotel", "All Shook Up", "A Fool Such As I", "I Got A Woman", "Love Me", "Such A Night", "Reconsider Baby", "Surrender", "I Need Your Love Tonight", "That's All Right", "Doin' The Best I Can", "Don't Be Cruel", "One Night", "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", "It's Now Or Never", "Hound Dog"

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LIVE PERFORMANCE(S) - CHARITY SHOWS

The Ellis Auditorium, 225 North Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee. (8:30 pm)

Musicians: Vocals: Elvis Presley - Electric Guitar: Scotty Moore - Rhythm Guitar: Hank Garland - Bass: Bob Moore -

Drums: D.J. Fontana - Piano: Floyd Cramer - Saxophone: Homer "Boots" Randolph.

Backup Vocals: The Jordanaires: 1st Tenor: Gordon Stoker  - 2nd Tenor: Neal Matthews - Baritone: Hoyt Hawkins - Bass: Ray Walker.

(8:30 pm) - Attendance: 6,540

Elvis wore a white jacket with a white shirt and black trousers. Comedian George Jessel introduced Elvis in the evening as "one of the greatest singer-actors of this century,"

Songs performed: "Heartbreak Hotel", "All Shook Up", "A Fool Such As I", "I Got A Woman", "Love Me", "Such A Night", "Reconsider Baby", "Fever", "I Need Your Love Tonight", "Don't Be Cruel", "One Night", "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", "It's Now Or Never", "Swing Down, Sweet Chariot", "Hound Dog"

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After the show Elvis held a party at Graceland.

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                       February 26, 1961, (Sunday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                       February 27, 1961 (Monday)

No information.

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BILLBOARD POP CHART  (singles)

Pony Time

HOT 100:

"Pony Time" by Chubby Checker,

"Surrender" by Elvis Presley. #4

"Are You Lonesome Tonight?" by Elvis Presley. #62

"Hearts of Stone" by Bill Black's Combo. #44

"Lonely Man" by Elvis Presley. #84

Honor Roll of Hits: 

"Calcutta" by the Four Preps, Werner Muller, Vico Torriani, the Valiants, Lawrence Welk.

"Surrender" by Elvis Presley. #13

"Are You Lonesome Tonight?" by Al Jolson, Jaye P. Morgan, Elvis Presley. #27

BILLBOARD C&W CHART  (singles)

Don't Worry

HOT C&W SIDES:

"Don't Worry" by Marty Robbins.

BILLBOARD R&B CHART  (singles)

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HOT R&B SIDES:

"Shop Around" by the Miracles.

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

Exodus (Mono)

MONO ACTION ALBUMS (on the charts 9 weeks or less)

"Exodus" Soundtrack.

"His Hand In Mine" by Elvis Presley. #16

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

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STEREO ACTION ALBUMS (on the charts 9 weeks or less)

"Exodus" Soundtrack.

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

BEST SELLING POP VOCAL ALBUMS

"Elvis Is Back!" (M/S) by Elvis Presley.

BEST SELLING SOUNDTRACK ALBUMS (Non Cast)

"G.I. Blues" (M/S) by Elvis Presley.

BEST SELLING SACRED/SPIRITUAL ALBUMS

"His Hand In Mine" (M) by Elvis Presley.

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                      February 28, 1961, (Tuesday)

No information.

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