Elvis Presley [1956] - Elvis Presley | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic Elvis Presley [1956] google+ AllMusic Review by Bruce Eder Today it all seems so easy -- RCA signs up the kid from Memphis, television gets interested at around the same time, and the rest is history. The circumstances surrounding this album were neither simple nor promising, however, nor was there anything in the history of popular music up to that time to hint that Elvis Presley was going to be anything other than " Steve Sholes ' folly," which was what rival executives were already whispering. So a lot was unsettled and untried at the first of two groups of sessions that produced the Elvis Presley album -- it wasn't even certain that there was any reason for a rock & roll artist to cut an album, because teenagers bought 45s, not LPs. The first of Elvis ' RCA sides yielded one song, "Heartbreak Hotel," that seemed a potential single, but which no one thought would sell, and a few tracks that would be good enough for an album, if there were one. But no one involved knew anything for sure about this music.

Seventeen days later, "Heartbreak Hotel" was released, and for about a month it did nothing -- then it began to move, and then Elvis appeared on television, and had a number one pop single. The album Sholes wanted out of Elvis came from two groups of sessions in January and February, augmented by five previously unissued songs from the Sun library. This was as startling a debut record as any ever made, representing every side of Elvis ' musical influences except gospel -- rockabilly, blues, R&B, country, and pop were all here in an explosive and seductive combination. Elvis Presley became the first rock & roll album to reach the number one spot on the national charts, and RCA's first million dollar-earning pop album. Track Listing ELVIS~1956 Elvis~1956 A VERY SIGNIFICANT YEAR IN THE LIFE OF ELVIS January 10, 1956 Presley became a national star in 1956. He and Parker traveled to Nashville. Two days after his twenty-first birthday, Elvis has his first recording session for RCA, held at their studio in Nashville.

Among the songs laid to tape during this session is "Heartbreak Hotel," "I Got A Woman", and "I Was The One." His debut session produced the epochal 'Heartbreak Hotel', one of the most striking pop records ever released. Co-composed by Hoyt Axton's mother Mae, the song evoked nothing less than a vision of absolute funerall despair. There was nothing in the pop charts of the period that even hinted at the degree of desolation described in the song. Presley's reading was extraordinarily mature and moving, with a determined avoidance of any histrionics in favor of a pained and resigned acceptance of loneliness as death. The economical yet acutely emphatic piano work of Floyd Cramer enhanced the stark mood of the piece, which was frozen in a suitably minimalist production. The startling originality and intensity of 'Heartbreak Hotel' entranced the American public and pushed the single to #1 for an astonishing eight weeks. The record sold millions of copies, and subsequent television appearances triggered the myth of Elvis and of Rock 'n' Roll throughout the entire United States.

He made the BillBoard charts 11 times in 1956 (a record only he himself would break, in 1957), with "I Was The One," "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Don't Be Cruel," among others. Whatever else he achieved, Presley was already assured a place in pop history for one of the greatest major label debut records ever released The Jordanaires, a gospel quartet and popular country back-up group, begin working with Elvis in the studio during the first few RCA sessions and would soon begin touring with him. They would also appear with him in several films.

They would be his main back-up group until the late sixties Having outsold his former Sun colleague Carl Perkins with 'Blue Suede Shoes', Presley released a debut album that contained several of the songs he had previously recorded with Sam Phillips, including Little Richard's "Tutti Fruitti," the R&B classic "I Got A Woman" and an eerie, wailing version of Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart's "Blue Moon," which emphasized his remarkable vocal range January 27, 1956 "Heartbreak Hotel" b/w "I Was the One" is released by RCA and sells over 300,000 copies in its first three weeks on the market. It would go to #1 on Billboard's pop singles chart for eight weeks and would also hit #1 on the country chart and #5 on the R&B chart. It would become the first Elvis single to sell over one million copies, thus becoming Elvis' very first gold record January 28, 1956 Elvis appears with Scotty, Bill, and D.J. on the Jackie Gleason-produced "Stage Show", starring Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey on CBS.

This is Elvis's first network television appearance Presley made his national television debut displaying his sexually enticing gyrations before a bewildered adult audience. He appears on six weekly "Stage Shows" in a row and makes minor waves nationally. The last of these six " Stage Show" appearances is March 24. Traveling and personal appearances continue during this time, including the "Louisiana Hayride" appearances for which he is still under contract. Fame and "infamy" build February, 1956 As "Heartbreak Hotel" makes its climb up the charts, "Mystery Train" b/w "I Forgot to Remember to Forget," Elvis' fifth and last single to be released on the Sun label, hits number one on Billboard's national country singles chart. His first #1 hit on a national chart In March, Parker signed Presley to a managerial agreement for which he would receive 25 percent of Presley's earnings. After hitting #1 for the second time with the slight ballad "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You," Presley released what was to become the most commercially successful double-sided single in pop history, Hound Dog/Don't Be Cruel.

The former was composed by the immortal rock 'n' roll songwriting team of Leiber and Stoller, and presented Presley at his upbeat best with a novel lyric, complete with a striking guitar solo and spirited handclapping from his backing group, the Jordanaires. Otis Blackwell's "Don't Be Cruel" was equally effective with a striking melody line and some clever and amusing vocal gymnastics from the hiccupping King of Western Bop, who also received a co-writing credit. The single remained at #1 in the USA for a staggering 11 weeks and both sides of the record were massive hits in the UK March 13, 1956 RCA releases "Elvis Presley", Elvis' first album. (He had not released an album on Sun.) The album would go to #1 on Billboard's pop album chart for ten weeks. It would become the first Elvis album to reach over $1 million in sales, thus becoming Elvis's first gold album April 1, 1956 Elvis has a screen test for Paramount Studios in Hollywood.

He lip syncs "Blue Suede Shoes" and he performs a scene from the, as yet unmade film, "The Rainmaker", a film he did not end up being in April 3, 1956 Elvis appears on "The Milton Berle Show" on ABC, which, for this particular broadcast, originates from the deck of the aircraft carrier, the USS Hancock April 6, 1956 Elvis signs a seven-year movie contract with Hal Wallis and Paramount Pictures April 23 - May 9, 1956 The Colonel arranged Elvis' debut at the New Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas that April, but compared to the usual hysteria, Elvis has lukewarm acceptance for his two-week engagement at the New Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas. He is not exactly what the adult audience of Vegas gamblers relates to very well. During these two weeks, the single "Heartbreak Hotel" and the album "Elvis Presley" both hit #1 on the Billboard pop charts Through all of this, the travel and personal appearances around the country and new record releases continue. The crowds get bigger and bigger, wilder and wilder. Elvis' fame grows dramatically.

Some shows have to end early due to fans' storming the stage. Elvis creates pandemonium wherever he goes June 5, 1956 Elvis appears again on "The Milton Berle Show", this time in the studio where the show usually originates, this time backed by the Jordanaires in addition to Scotty, Bill and D.J. Among his selections is a playfully sensuous, bump and grind performance of "Hound Dog" that drives the kids in the audience wild, and, the next day, has the press and some of the adult viewers appalled. It is one of his most controversial performances. This merely serves to fuel his seemingly unstoppable popularity even more Traveling and personal appearances and new record releases continue. By this time Elvis, with his sexy moves and black-influenced sound, is being condemned by certain factions of "the morally concerned" establishment and the religious community. But, the kids love it July 1, 1956 Elvis appears on "The Steve Allen Show" on NBC. Among his performances that night is a much toned down version of "Hound Dog".

Allen has Elvis dressed in white tie and black tux with tails and has him sing the song to a live Basset hound, a tongue-in-cheek response to all controversy created by the Berle appearance the month before. Elvis good-naturedly goes along with it, but is not too happy about it Record releases, touring, and recording continue. The condemnation and controversy continue along with the ever-growing popularity Ed Sullivan, who had said that he would never have the likes of Elvis Presley on his show, changes his tune when he sees the big ratings that Elvis attracts to the Berle and Allen shows. A three-appearance deal is worked out for $50,000 and is the highest amount ever paid to a performer, up to that time, for appearing on a variety show Click Here~July 4, 1956 August, 1956 Elvis begins shooting his first movie, "Love Me Tender" on loan-out from Paramount to Twentieth Century Fox.

It is originally titled "The Reno Brothers," but is re-titled before its release to capitalize on Elvis' sure-to-be-a-hit single from the soundtrack, "Love Me Tender." They recouped its cost--$1 million--in three days. The film was produced by David Weisbert, who had previously worked on James Dean's "Rebel Without A Cause." Elvis' movie debut received mixed reviews but was a box-office smash, while the smouldering, perfectly enunciated title track topped the US charts for five weeks. The Presley sound gradually took on more folk-like aspects: "Love Me Tender" is a lovely ballad based on "Aura Lee," a folk song from 1861. In just a few days, "Love Me Tender" received over a million advance orders, and RCA had a hard time printing all of the copies requested September 9, 1956 Elvis makes the first of three appearances on Ed Sullivan's "Toast of the Town Show," the top television program of the era. Elvis attracts the highest ratings ever for any television variety show September 26, 1956 "Elvis Presley Day" is proclaimed in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Elvis' parents join him as he returns to the town of his birth as a big star. He performs two shows that day at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show, the same fair at which he had performed at age 10. This time there are a hundred National Guardsmen surrounding the stage to control the crowds of excited fans By this time, souvenir merchandising using Elvis' name, image, and likeness has become a big part of the Elvis phenomenon. Licensees would soon be producing as many as thirty different products including hats, t-shirts, jeans, kerchiefs, sneakers, shirts, blouses, belts, purses, billfolds, wallets, charm bracelets, necklaces, magazines, gloves, bookends, a statue, lipstick, cologne, stuffed hound dogs, stationery, sweaters, crockery, and more. Elvis and the Colonel blazed new trails in the area of celebrity merchandising.

This would forever be part of the marketing of Elvis Presley, feeding a never-ending demand October 28, 1956 Elvis makes his second of three appearances on the Ed Sullivan show November 16, 1956 Elvis's first movie, "Love Me Tender" premieres at the Paramount Theater in New York City, opening nationwide in the days following. It becomes a smash hit, and the critics' reviews aren't bad for his acting in this melodrama, which is set in 1800's Civil War era, southern America. The film has Elvis performing several songs, of course. They include: "Poor Boy," "Let Me," "We're Gonna Move" and "Love Me Tender." December 31, 1956 The front page of the Wall Street Journal reports that in the past few months Elvis merchandise has grossed $22 million in sales.

Elvis ends the pivotal year of his career, when regional popularity gave way to unprecedented national and international fame The year of 1956 had seen the beginning of Elvis souvenir merchandising, the beginning of a successful movie career, history-making record sales (five #1 singles on the pop chart, two #1 albums on the pop chart, and other hits), history-making television appearances, record-breaking personal appearances and more Elvis had become the primary symbol of the new youth culture in America. He had also become one of society's most controversial figures. His unique blending of white country and gospel music, black R&B and gospel music, white pop music, and his particular brand of charisma and talent, and the resulting success and controversy, had him helping greatly to begin, without premeditation, a cycle of change in music and pop culture and the mores of American society.

Nothing would ever be the same for Elvis Presley or for the world Elvis' hit singles that year were all certified gold:� they included "Heartbreak Hotel" (#1), "Hound Dog" (#1), "Don't Be Cruel" (#1), "Love Me Tender" (#1) and "Anyway You Want Me (That's The Way I'll Be)" (#20) Here's some miscellaneous pics from 1956: Timeline « Elvis Presley Hits 1970′s Timeline Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is commonly known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll” or simply “the King”. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Presley moved to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family at the age of 13. He began his career there in 1954, working with Sun Records owner Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience.

Presley’s first RCA single, “Heartbreak Hotel”, released in January 1956, was a number one hit. He became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll with a series of network television appearances and chart-topping records. Drafted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He staged few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, after seven years away from the stage, he returned to live performance in a celebrated comeback television special that led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of profitable tours. In 1973 Presley staged the first concert broadcast globally via satellite, Aloha from Hawaii, seen by approximately 1.5 billion viewers. Prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 at the age of 42. Presley is regarded as one of the most important figures of 20th-century popular culture.

Here is Elvis’ timeline, from the beginning… �٥�杶+ez+l���r�rn�”��,r���+e{�^i��w(u��,����\��ȧz� �o�֐��)ಊ’��ۡܿ�٥ © 2017 Elvis Presley Hits Elvis Presley timeline | World History Project Elvis Presley b. Jan 8 1935 d. Aug 16 1977 Elvis Aaron Presley was an American singer, musician, and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as "the King of Rock and Roll", or simply, "the King". More Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, Presley and his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, when he started to work with Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was an early popularizer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues.

RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who was to manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", released in January 1956, was a number-one hit in the US. He became the leading figure of rock and roll after a series of network television appearances and chart-topping records. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines that coincided with the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement, made him enormously popular—and controversial. Elvis Presley timeline Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977; middle name sometimes spelled Aron)a was an American singer and actor. A cultural icon, he... Read more Sep 1942 In September 1942, Presley entered first grade at Lawhon School in Tupelo. He was considered a "well-mannered and quiet child", but sometimes...

Read more Oct 3 1945 On October 3, 1945, he made his first public performance in a singing contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show at the suggestion of... Read more Jan 8 1946 For his eleventh birthday, Presley received his first guitar. He had wanted a rifle but his parents could only afford a guitar. Over the following... Read more Sep 1948 In September 1948, the Presley family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, allegedly because Vernon—in addition to needing work—had to escape the law for... Read more Sep 1950 In September 1950, Presley occasionally worked evenings as an usher at Loew's State Theater—his first job—to boost the family income, but his... Read more Jul 18 1953 On July 18, 1953, Presley went to Sun Records' Memphis Recording Service to record "My Happiness" with "That's When Your Heartaches Begin,"...

Read more Jan 4 1954 On January 4, 1954, he cut a second acetate demo recording of "I'll Never Stand In Your Way" and "It Wouldn't Be The Same Without You". At the... Read more Jun 26 1954 She called him on June 26, 1954. However, Presley was not able to do justice to the song. Phillips would later recall that "Elvis was probably as... Read more Jan 1955 In January of 1955 Holly saw Elvis Presley perform in Lubbock, inspiring him to play rock 'n' roll. By the time he graduated high school that same... Read more Aug 15 1955 On August 15, 1955, "Colonel" Tom Parker became Presley's manager, signing him to a one year contract, plus renewals. Several record labels had... Read more Mar 23 1956 Elvis Presley was the name of Elvis Presley's debut LP.

It was released on RCA Victor, in mono, catalogue number LPM 1254, in March 1956. The... Read more Jul 1 1956 Country vocalists The Jordanaires accompanied Presley on The Steve Allen Show and their first recording session together produced "Any Way You Want... Read more Sep 9 1956 Elvis, wearing a loud plaid jacket, greeted the audience from a set decorated with stylized guitar shapes. He announced that the show was “probably... Read more Oct 19 1956 Elvis is the second album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor Records in mono, LPM 1382, in October 1956. Recording sessions took place on... Read more Oct 15 1957 Elvis' Christmas Album is the fourth album by Elvis Presley on RCA Victor Records, LPM 1951, released in October 1957, and recorded at Radio... Read more Oct 17 1957 Jailhouse Rock is an American motion picture directed by Richard Thorpe, released by MGM on October 17, 1957.

The film stars Elvis Presley (his... Read more Apr 8 1960 Elvis Is Back! is the tenth album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor Records in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 2231, in April 1960. Recording... Read more Dec 1960 His Hand in Mine was Elvis Presley's first RCA Victor 12" long-play gospel album, recorded and originally released in 1960; a followup to his 1957... Read more Jun 17 1961 Something For Everybody is the thirteenth album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 2370, in June 1961. Recording... Read more Jun 5 1962 Pot Luck with Elvis is the fifteenth album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 2523, in June of 1962. Recording...

Read more Feb 20 1967 How Great Thou Art is a musical album by American entertainer Elvis Presley; it was his first non-soundtrack album recording of new material since... Read more Jun 17 1969 From Elvis in Memphis is the thirty-fourth album, not counting budget compilations on the RCA Camden subsidiary, by Elvis Presley, released on RCA... Read more Nov 1969 From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis is the thirty-fifth studio album by Elvis Presley released on RCA Records (LSP 6020) in November 1969.... Read more Jan 2 1971 The Top 30 Songs of Elvis Presley | HowStuffWorks The Top 30 Songs of Elvis Presley NEXT PAGENEXT Elvis Presley is known as "The King of Rock 'n' Roll." You don't become "The King of Rock 'n' Roll" without your share of number-one songs. Here are 30 of Elvis Presley's chart-topping songs. 1.

"Heartbreak Hotel" (1956) Released on January 27, 1956, this heart-wrenching tune was inspired by a suicide note printed in The Miami Herald. The tune didn't catch the public's attention until Elvis started appearing on television in the months following its release. Up Next Take a Chance on This ABBA Quiz 2. "Don't Be Cruel" (1956) This was the first song that Elvis self-produced. And what a job he did! Not only did he rack up his second number one in three months, he also created a whole new style for himself -- one characterized by a free, casual sound. 3. "Hound Dog" (1956) This song was a blues classic long before anyone had heard of Elvis Presley. But it was the King's July 1956 TV appearances, in which he crooned to a real pup, that propelled it to the top of the pop charts. The machine-gun-like drumming of D. J. Fontana perfectly complemented Elvis's edgy vocals. 4.

"Love Me Tender" (1956) This song's tune came from a Civil War ballad called "Aura Lee." The lyrics were written for Elvis's first movie, also called Love Me Tender. The movie -- a depiction of the notorious Reno Brothers Gang -- was forgettable; the song was anything but! 5. "Too Much" (1957) Released on January 4, 1957, "Too Much" brought to the forefront the talents of Elvis's supporting players, especially guitarist Scotty Moore. And, of course, the King sounds great, too! 6. "All Shook Up" (1957) You can't help but dance to this great tune. Released in March 1957, it epitomizes the rock 'n' roll sound that energized teens all over the world. Listen for the sound of Elvis slapping his guitar. 7. "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" (1957) Teddy bear sales went through the roof with this June 1957 hit. The song's popularity also helped get people into theaters to see Elvis's second movie, Loving You. 8.

"Jailhouse Rock" (1957) "Jailhouse Rock" marked Elvis's third foray into film and gave him another number-one song. Even if the song hadn't been a hit, the movie's dance sequence alone would have made it memorable. 9. "Don't" (1958) This ballad, written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, brilliantly conveyed the teen angst felt by the majority of Elvis's fan base. Elvis put his heart and soul into the lyrics, connecting on a personal level with listeners, and it was one of his personal favorites. 10. "Hard Headed Woman" (1958) Released on June 10, 1958, this hit came out of the movie King Creole, which would be the last movie for Elvis until 1960, after his discharge from the army.

On the next page, you will find more of Elvis' top songs, including "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" and "Stuck on You." 1 Elvis Presley, 1956 for ï¿½ Advanced Composition, East TN State U , December 2011 For Elvis Aaron Presley, 1956 was an epic and life-changing year. ï¿½Heartbreak Hotel,ï¿½ his first single with RCA records was recorded and released in January and became a number one hit, and by December 31 of the same year, he was famous worldwide. Within this one pivotal year Elvis sold ten million singles and well over three million EP and LP records and was well on his way to becoming the King of Rock and Roll. Preface Born March 7, 1989, I could easily say that I was not raised during ï¿½Elvis Presleyï¿½s time.ï¿½ I could also go on to explain that he was not particularly relevant to my life growing up. Although my parents are both music fans, I donï¿½t recall them ever playing Elvisï¿½ music around the house.

My dad, who plays guitar, has always been more inclined to bluegrass music and my mom enjoys just about anything good that she happens to hear.ï¿½ ï¿½There were no Elvis posters in our home and I donï¿½t particularly recall ever being encouraged to watch one of his old films. To this day, despite a few minor similarities in ethnicity and geography, it can be easily concluded that Elvis Presley and I have absolutely nothing in common. However, while I cannot state a single logical reason for someone like me to appreciate someone like him, I have defied the odds with my miraculous admiration and love for Elvis Presley. While I canï¿½t explain my odd obsession with someone who died twelve years before I was born, I can pinpoint when it began. After a quick trip to Memphis when I was fourteen, I realized that I had missed an opportunity to visit the infamous Graceland. While I regretted this, I also realized how little I knew about the man they called the ï¿½King.ï¿½ This sparked an interest in Elvis within me that could not be reversed.

After purchasing the collective album, ï¿½ELV1S: 30 #1 Hits,ï¿½ I quickly became obsessed with the album and the man behind the music. In fact, prior to embracing actual medication, this album was the Zoloft that helped me through my adolescent years. ï¿½In addition to listening to his 30 greatest hits on replay, I also became interested in Elvisï¿½ personal life and film career. I began collecting posters and books with biographical information and images of him in his early years, never once denying amongst friends the fact that I was in love with the pop icon of our grandparents. This proved to be the one teenage girlï¿½s crush in history that did not fizzle out over time. To this day it remains a question in the minds of my peers whether my appreciation for Elvis Presley means that I am endearingly eccentric and musically cultured, or merely bat shit crazy.

The truth is, my passion for Elvis aside, I have come to realize that it would be utterly incomprehensible for me, or anyone who has inhabited this earth since 1956, to claim that they were not raised during ï¿½Elvis Presleyï¿½s time.ï¿½ -Before 1956- 1935-1955: Setting the Stage Born January 8, 1935 to parents Vernon and Gladys Presley in Tupelo, Mississippi, was a baby boy by the name of Elvis Aaron Presley. Though born and raised to an impoverished life in Mississippi, the young boyï¿½s surroundings were rich with musical influence and culture. Having been exposed by radio to various types of country, gospel, and blues, Elvis, showing both a talent for and an interest in music, began to perform for anyone who would listen. Recognizing their sonï¿½s musical passion and potential, Elvisï¿½ parents gave him his first guitar on his eleventh birthday.

Just a few years later, when Elvis was 13, the family moved to Memphis, Tennessee in hopes of making a better life .(Evans 12-19)It was here that Elvis was able to further nurture his passion for music, allowing his style to develop and evolve. After graduating from Humes High School in 1953, Presley began his singing career by signing with Sun Records in 1954. (Simpson, pars. 3-4) It was with Sun Records that Elvis recorded and released his very first single. With guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Elvis covered a blues tune originally performed by Arthur Crudup called ï¿½Thatï¿½s Alright Mama.ï¿½ Presley went on to record five singles with Sun Records. (Rockability) To hear Elvisï¿½ first ever single, ï¿½Thatï¿½s Alright Mama,ï¿½ visit .

ï¿½In addition to ï¿½Thatï¿½s Alright Mama,ï¿½ his Sun recordings included ï¿½Blue Moon of Kentucky,ï¿½ ï¿½Good Rockinï¿½ Tonight,ï¿½ ï¿½Baby Letï¿½s Play House,ï¿½ and ï¿½Mystery Train.ï¿½ Each of these sold well in the Memphis area initially, then began to gain popularity among country audiences in the South by 1955. (Rockability) While Elvis Presleyï¿½s recordings with Sun Records had already achieved regional success from West Texas to Tennessee, it wasnï¿½t until he signed with RCA in November of 1955 that Presley really began his path to fame. It was January 10, 1956 when Elvis began his first recordings for RCA. The recordings were made in Nashville, Tennessee and featured Elvisï¿½ backup musicians, Scotty Moore, Bill Black, and D.J. Fontana as well as an additional guitarist, a pianist, and three backup singers.

It was during this session that Elvisï¿½ life changing single, ï¿½Heartbreak Hotel,ï¿½ was born. -January, 1956- ï¿½Heartbreak Hotelï¿½ After the singleï¿½s release on January 27, 1956, ï¿½Heartbreak Hotelï¿½ quickly climbed to the top of Billboardï¿½s Top 100. Not only was this Elvisï¿½ first single to go platinum, it was also the best selling single of 1956 ï¿½ period. This track had an immense effect on music in America, establishing Rock and Roll as a popular and successful genre, and even went on to cross international territory, influencing artists such as John Lennon. In fact, after being originally touched and inspired by ï¿½Heartbreak Hotel,ï¿½ ï¿½Lennon has gone on to claim that without Presley, there would be no Beatles, at least not the same infamous Beatles that we know and love. (Connolly) To hear ï¿½Heartbreak Hotel,ï¿½ go to .

-March, 1956- Debut Album Elvisï¿½ debut album was released on March 23, 1956 featuring seven recent recordings with RCA, as well as five previously recorded tracks he made with Sun Records. Far more versatile than most albums today, the self-titled collection featured two country songs and one pop song in addition to the rest of his signature rock and roll tracks with a hint of R&B. This became the first ever rock and roll album to top the Billboard chart and held its position there for 10 weeks. Elvis Presley [1956] Debut Album Track List and Cover Side one -1956- Television Appearances ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ After his initial visit on January 28th, Elvis made multiple appearances throughout the year on The Dorsey Brothers ï¿½Stage Show,ï¿½ recorded by CBS in New York.

He also appeared twice on both ï¿½The Milton Berle Showï¿½ and ï¿½The Ed Sullivan Show,ï¿½ and once on ï¿½The Steve Allen Show.ï¿½ It was here that the audience was exposed to the charismatic man behind the music, with Elvis bringing his live and exceedingly controversial performances to the homes of America. For a recording of Elvisï¿½ first ever television appearance on the ï¿½Stage Showï¿½ January 28th, 1956, visit . -November, 1956- Movie Debut Love Me Tender - 1956 ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ By the end of the year, Elvis Presley was a movie star, having played the role of Clint Reno in the film Love Me Tender. The movie premiered on November 15 at the Paramount Theater in New York City and went on to have its national release on November 21, 1956.

This was the beginning of a highly successful and lucrative movie career for Elvis, launching him to a whole new level of stardom. (Early Elvis) -Beyond 1956- Lasting Effect ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Not only was ï¿½56 a big year for Elvis Presley, but thanks to him 1956 was a big year for music worldwide. It was during this one incredible year that Elvis established and popularized Rock and Roll. This was the year that a white boy from the south bore his soul to the world and became a musical King.ï¿½ His fearlessness, talent, and downright sex appeal sparked an epic cultural movement, paving the way for some of the most celebrated celebrity icons in history such as The Beatles.

As put beautifully by a fellow Rock and Roll icon and one of The Beatles most celebrated members, John Lennon, ï¿½Before Elvis there was nothing.ï¿½ About the Author: Katie Bibee has been a devoted Elvis Presley fan since the age of 14. While most of her classmates were shamelessly fawning overï¿½ high school athletes or painting their fingernails black, listening to Rage Against the Machine, Bibee was neither secretive nor shameful about her love for the one and only Elvis Presley. Bibee has long decided and maintained that the man she is most intrigued with is the Elvis as he was in 1956. Resources Connolly, Ray. "What If Elvis Presley Had Never Been Born? - Telegraph." Telegraph.co.uk - Telegraph Online, Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph - Telegraph. 16 Aug. 2007. Web. 30 Oct. 2011. < This article pays respect to Elvis Presley and points out advances in society, music, etc. we may never have made without him. "Culture Shock: Flashpoints: Music and Dance: Elvis Presley." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 30 Oct. 2011.

< Audio and Video. Audio and Video. Evans, Mike. Elvis: a Celebration : Images of Elvis Presley from the Elvis Presley Archive at Graceland. New York: DK Pub., 2004. 6-152, Print. Although the cover text would imply that this source provides only visual images of the subject, the book is actually full of useful facts and information delivered in the form of summaries and captions. I would recommend this source for anyone with an interest in Elvis Presley. The first three chapters were provided important facts and the most helpful was chapter 3, "Shake, Rattle & Roll," which is mostly dedicated to 1956. Simpson, Paul. "Elvis Presley 1956 : The King of Rock 'n' Roll." Elvis Presley Music - His Music, Concerts, Movies and Life in Video and Audio - Elvis Presley The King Of Rock 'N' Roll Music. Web. 30 Oct. 2011. < This is a timeline of every Elvis concert, recording, TV appearance, etc. in 1956. It provides a better understanding of event sequence, career development, and progress made throughout this year.

Simpson, Paul. "Elvis Presley Biography." Elvis Presley Biography. Comprehensive History of Elvis Presley's Dynamic Life : Elvis Presley Biography : Official Elvis Presley Fan Club : Elvis Australia : Elvis Presley Biography,elvis Presley. For Elvis Fans Only, 8 Jan. 2004. Web. 30 Oct. 2011. < All the way from Australia, this website is a fantastic dedication to Elvis. I focused specificallyï¿½ on the biography section. Elvis Presley - Music on Google Play Elvis Presley About the artist Elvis Aaron Presley was an American singer and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as "the King of Rock and Roll", or simply, "the King". Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, as a twinless twin—his brother was stillborn. When he was 13 years old, he and his family relocated to Memphis, Tennessee. His music career began there in 1954, when he recorded a song with producer Sam Phillips at Sun Records.

Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was an early popularizer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who managed the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number-one hit in the United States. He was regarded as the leading figure of rock and roll after a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records. 0 If anyone on Earth knows about Rock & Roll Time, it’s Jerry Lee Lewis. After all, this is a man who did so much to help invent rock & roll. Yet what’s most impressive about Jerry Lee Lewis’ moving... 0 Roy Orbison 0 Roy Kelton Orbison, nicknamed the Big O, was an American singer-songwriter and musician, known for his distinctive, impassioned voice, complex compositions and dark emotional ballads. The combinati... 0 Buddy Holly 0 Buddy Holly was an American musician and singer-songwriter who was a central figure of mid-1950s rock and roll.

Holly was born in Lubbock, Texas, to a musical family during the Great Depression; he... 0 Fats Domino 0 Antoine "Fats" Domino, Jr. is an American pianist and singer-songwriter of French Creole descent. Five of his records released before 1955 sold over a million copies and were certified as gold reco... 0 The Everly Brothers 0 The Everly Brothers were American country-influenced rock and roll singers, known for steel-string guitar and close harmony singing. Isaac Donald "Don" Everly and Phillip "Phil" Everly were elected... 0 Tom Jones 0 At 75 years of age, Tom Jones – the man, the legend, the voice – is in fabulous shape. In the latest upturn in his fabled career, Sir Tom has been more acclaimed than ever before, thanks to a serie... 0 Bill Haley 0 William John Clifton "Bill" Haley was an American rock and roll musician. He is credited by many with first popularizing this form of music in the early 1950s with his group Bill Haley & His Comets...

0 Chuck Berry 0 Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter and is one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Roc... 0 Dean Martin 0 Dean Martin was an Italian-American singer, actor, comedian, and film producer. One of the most popular and enduring American entertainers of the mid-20th century, Martin was nicknamed the "King of... 0 0 Richard Wayne Penniman, known as Little Richard, is an American musician, singer and songwriter. An influential figure in popular music and culture for more than six decades, Little Richard's most ... 0 Connie Francis 0 Connie Francis is an American pop singer and top-charting female vocalist of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Although her chart success waned in the second half of the 1960s, Francis remained a top... 0 The Platters 0 The Platters are an American vocal group. They were one of the most successful vocal groups of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound was a bridge between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley t...

0 Eddie Cochran 0 Edward Raymond "Eddie" Cochran was an American musician. Cochran's rockabilly songs, such as "Twenty Flight Rock", "Summertime Blues", "C'mon Everybody", and "Somethin' Else", captured teenage frus... 0 The Million Dollar Quartet 0 "Million Dollar Quartet" is a recording of an impromptu jam session involving Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash made on December 4, 1956, at the Sun Record Studios in Me... 0 Brenda Lee 0 Brenda Lee is an American performer and the top-charting solo female vocalist of the 1960s. She sang rockabilly, pop and country music, and had 47 US chart hits during the 1960s, and is ranked four... 0 Ricky Nelson 0 Ricky Nelson was an American actor, musician and singer-songwriter. He starred alongside his family in the television series The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet as well as co-starring alongside Joh...

0 Elvis Presley Elvis Presley (January 8, 1935  August 16, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor. One of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as "the King of Rock and Roll", or simply, "the King". His music career began there in 1954, and his first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", released in January 1956, was a number-one hit. His energized interpretations of songs, many from African-American sources, and his uninhibited performance style made him enormously popular. In November 1956, he made his film debut in Love Me Tender. After two years of military service, he resumed his recording career in 1960. Along with Frank Sinatra, Presley is one of the most celebrated musicians of 20th-century. His versatile voice and wide success encompassed many genres, including country, pop music, gospel, and blues. He is the best-selling solo artist in the history of popular music.

Frank Sinatra (December 12, 1915  May 14, 1998) was a very popular American singer and film actor. Beginning his musical career in the swing era as the boy singer with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra found unprecedented success as a solo artist from the early to mid-1940s. His professional career had stalled by the 1950s, but it was reborn in 1953 after he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in From Here to Eternity. He was a founding member of the "Rat Pack" and fraternized with celebrities and statesmen, including John F. Kennedy.

Question: What was Elvis Presley’s first number one hit single, released in January 1956?
Answer: Heartbreak Hotel