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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                   January 1, 1969, (Wednesday)

New Year's Day.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                         January 2, 1969, (Thursday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                                January 3, 1969, (Friday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                          January 4, 1969, (Saturday)

No information.

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I heard it Through the Grapevine

HOT 100:

"I Heard it Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye.

"If I Can Dream" by Elvis Presley. #26

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"Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell.

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Daddy Sang Bass

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"Daddy Sang Bass" by Johnny Cash.

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I heard it Through the Grapevine

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"I Heard it Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye.

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The White Album

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"The White Album" by the Beatles.

"Elvis" by Elvis Presley. #93

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Wichita Lineman

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"Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell.

BILLBOARD RHYTHM/BLUES CHART  (LP)

Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Tempt

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"Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations"

by Diana Ross & the Supremes.

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                             January 5, 1969, (Sunday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                            January 6, 1969, (Monday)

Felton Jarvis met Elvis at Graceland to plan a recording session which was due to take place in Nashville later in the month. After being prompted by Marty Lacker who was now general manager of Pepper Records and George Klein who both had connections with American Sound Studio's, along with Chips Moman (Co-Founder of Stax Records). It was considered that maybe Elvis should record there. American Studio's (also known as "American North") was founded in 1964 by Moman and Don Crews and was located at a rundown part of Memphis at 827 Thomas Street. Not only had it boasted of achieving 64 chart records in 18 months, but Red West wrote and recorded there and it was only a few miles from Graceland. Felton Jarvis thought the change of studio might give Elvis a new fresh sound. So the decision was made to record there. 

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                           January 7, 1969, (Tuesday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                    January 8, 1969, (Wednesday)

34th BIRTHDAY!

Graceland, 3764 Highway 51 South, Memphis, Tennessee.

 

Elvis celebrated his 34th birthday at Graceland.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                         January 9, 1969, (Thursday)

Elvis and two members of his entourage flew to Dallas, Texas, for a few days.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                             January 10, 1969, (Friday)

Elvis was in Dallas, Texas.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                       January 11, 1969, (Saturday)

The boys returned to Memphis and stayed there until January 24.

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BILLBOARD POP CHART  (singles)

I heard it Through the Grapevine

HOT 100:

"I Heard it Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye.

"If I Can Dream" by Elvis Presley. #17

EASY LISTENING (TOP 40):

"Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell.

BILLBOARD C&W CHART  (singles)

Daddy Sang Bass

HOT C&W SIDES:

"Daddy Sang Bass" by Johnny Cash.

BILLBOARD R&B CHART  (singles)

I heard it Through the Grapevine

HOT R&B SIDES:

"I Heard it Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye.

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

The White Album

TOP LP's

"The White Album" by the Beatles.

"Elvis" by Elvis Presley. #73

BILLBOARD COUNTRY CHART  (LP)

Wichita Lineman

HOT C&W ALBUMS

"Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell.

BILLBOARD RHYTHM/BLUES CHART  (LP)

Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Tempt

HOT R&B ALBUMS

"Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations"

by Diana Ross & the Supremes.

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                          January 12, 1969, (Sunday)

No information.

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                         January 13, 1969, (Monday)

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RECORDING SESSION: - (RCA)

American Sound Studio, 821 Thomas Street, North Memphis, Tennessee. (7:00 pm - 10:00 pm) (10:00 am - 1:00 am)

Producer(s): Chips Moman/Felton Jarvis.

Engineer: Al Pachucki/Ray Shockley.

Musicians: Vocals/Guitar: Elvis Presley - Guitar: Reggie Young - Bass Guitar: Tommy Cogbill - Bass Guitar: Mike Leech - Drums: Gene Chrisman - Piano: Bobby Wood - Organ: Bobby Emmons

At 7:00 pm Elvis arrived at American Studio's, and was welcomed by the band, but they didn't know what to expect with Elvis. After the first song "Long Black Limousine" was recorded they were convinced that Elvis was serious about recording there. The next song tackled was "This is the Story".

Songs recorded: "Long Black Limousine", "This is the Story" (audio)

Long Black Limousine (unrepaired undubbed M) - Elvis Presley
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The American Group (actual photo date unknown)

Tommy Cogbill (Bass) - Gene Chrisman (Drums) - Bobby Wood (Piano) - Reggie Young (Guitar) - Bobby Emmons (Organ)

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                        January 14, 1969, (Tuesday)

(2:00 am - 5:00 am) The session continued into the early morning and they jammed at the studio until 5:00 am and recorded "Come Out, Come Out" (an instrumental track) and "Wearin' That Loved On Look" even though Elvis had a bad cold.

Songs recorded: "Come Out, Come Out" (track), "Wearin' That Loved On Look" (audio)

Come Out, Come Out (track) - Elvis Presley
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RECORDING SESSION: - (RCA)

American Sound Studio, 821 Thomas Street, North Memphis, Tennessee. (7:00 pm - 10:00 pm) (10:00 pm - 1:00 am)

Producer(s): Chips Moman/Felton Jarvis.

Engineer: Al Pachucki/Ray Shockley.

Musicians: Vocals/Guitar: Elvis Presley - Guitar/Sitar: Reggie Young - Bass Guitar: Tommy Cogbill - Bass Guitar: Mike Leech - Drums: Gene Chrisman - Piano: Bobby Wood - Organ: Bobby Emmons.

Everyone returned to the studio and Recording started once again at 7:00 pm and they began with "You'll Think Of Me", and a "A Little Bit Of Green". Later in the session they cut "I'm Movin' On" and finally "Gentle On My Mind". As Elvis' cold worsened, and as a result, his voice not at its best, the latter two vocals had to be redone at a later stage. They recorded until 8:00 am. Over the next few nights, the band (without Elvis) recorded their backing tracks and overdubbed instrumental parts to songs already recorded. Elvis didn't return until the following Monday. 

Songs recorded: "You'll Think Of Me", "A Little Bit of Green" (audio)

A Little Bit of Green (unedited unrepaired M) - Elvis Presley
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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                 January 15, 1969, (Wednesday)

(2:00 am - 5:00 am) (5:30am - 8:30 am) Recording continued and later in the session they cut "Gentle On My Mind" and finally "I'm Movin' On". As Elvis' cold worsened, and as a result, his voice not at its best, the latter two vocals had to be redone at a later stage. They recorded until 8:30 a.m.

Songs recorded: "Gentle On My Mind", "I'm Movin' On" (audio)

I'm Movin' On (unrepaired undubbed M) - Elvis Presley
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American Sound Studios.jpg

RECORDING SESSION: - (RCA)

American Sound Studio, 821 Thomas Street, North Memphis, Tennessee. (7:00 pm - 10:00 pm) (10:00pm - 1:00 am)

Producer(s): Chips Moman/Felton Jarvis.

Engineer: Al Pachucki/Ray Shockley.

Musicians: Guitar: Reggie Young - Bass Guitar: Tommy Cogbill - Bass Guitar: Mike Leech - Drums: Gene Chrisman - Piano: Bobby Wood - Organ: Bobby Emmons - Harmonica: Ed Kollis

The band returned to the studio and recorded backing tracks for "Don't Cry Daddy", "Poor Man's Gold"

 

Bobby Wood laid down some guide vocals while Elvis was ill.

Songs recorded: "Don't Cry Daddy" (track), "Poor Man's Gold" (track) (audio)

Poor Man's Gold (track) - Elvis Presley
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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                       January 16, 1969, (Thursday)

(2:00 am - 5:00 am) Recording continued from with more backing tracks for "Inherit The Wind" and "Mama Liked The Roses".

Songs recorded: "Inherit the Wind" (track), "Mama Liked the Roses" (track) (audio)

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American Sound Studios.jpg

RECORDING SESSION: - (RCA)

American Sound Studio, 821 Thomas Street, North Memphis, Tennessee. (7:00 pm - 10:00 pm)

Producer(s): Chips Moman/Felton Jarvis.

Engineer: Al Pachucki/Ray Shockley.

Musicians: Guitar: Reggie Young - Bass Guitar: Tommy Cogbill - Bass Guitar: Mike Leech - Drums: Gene Chrisman - Piano: Bobby Wood - Organ: Bobby Emmons.

The band recorded backing track for "My Little Friend"

Songs recorded: "My Little Friend" (track)

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Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                              January 17, 1969, (Friday)

No information.

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Alex Shoofey, the vice-president of the International Hotel in Las Vegas wrote to Colonel Parker and confirmed their agreement to book Elvis at a start date of September 11, 1969. (photo)

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Alex Shoofey

Elvis: "A Day in the Life"                                                                                                                       January 18, 1969, (Saturday)

Sometime in January, fan Arlene Cogan called Elvis while he was at home in Memphis. (audio)

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Arlene Cogan Calls Elvis - Arlene Cogan/Elvis Presley
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BILLBOARD POP CHART  (singles)

I heard it Through the Grapevine

HOT 100:

"I Heard it Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye.

"If I Can Dream" by Elvis Presley. #17

EASY LISTENING (TOP 40):

"Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell.

BILLBOARD C&W CHART  (singles)

Daddy Sang Bass

HOT C&W SIDES:

"Daddy Sang Bass" by Johnny Cash.

BILLBOARD R&B CHART  (singles)

I heard it Through the Grapevine

HOT R&B SIDES:

"I Heard it Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye.

BILLBOARD POP CHART  (LP)

The White Album

TOP LP's

"The White Album" by the Beatles.

"Elvis" by Elvis Presley. #55

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Wichita Lineman