Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Elvis Presley

Discover the career path of Elvis Presley, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Elvis Presley, the "King of Rock and Roll," was a pivotal American singer and actor of the 20th century. He achieved iconic status through his energetic performances, unique interpretations of songs, and sexually suggestive stage presence. His music and style, blending various influences, transcended racial barriers during a period of significant change in race relations, leading to widespread popularity and some initial controversy.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

August 1953: Records First Acetate Disc

In August 1953, Elvis Presley checked into Memphis Recording Service to record a two-sided acetate disc, "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin", marking his first recording endeavor.

January 1954: Cuts Second Acetate at Sun

In January 1954, Elvis Presley cut a second acetate at Sun, "I'll Never Stand in Your Way" and "It Wouldn't Be the Same Without You", but it did not lead to immediate success.

July 17, 1954: First Public Performance

On July 17, 1954, the trio played publicly for the first time at the Bon Air club. This marked Elvis Presley's first public performance with Scotty Moore and Bill Black.

November 1954: Louisiana Hayride Performance

In November 1954, Elvis Presley performed on Louisiana Hayride, which was broadcast to 198 radio stations. After a nervous first set, his energetic second set led to a year's worth of Saturday-night appearances.

1954: Music Career Begins

In 1954, Elvis Presley's music career began at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, under the guidance of producer Sam Phillips.

1954: First Professional Recordings

In 1954, at the age of 19, Elvis Presley made his first professional recordings, showing his considerable musical knowledge despite having no formal training.

1954: Emergence of Rockabilly with Presley's First Release

In 1954, rockabilly crystallized into a recognizable style with Elvis Presley's first release on the Sun label, marking a fusion of blues and country elements.

August 1955: Parker Appointed as Special Advisor

In August 1955, Elvis Presley renewed Neal's management contract and appointed Parker as his special advisor, a decision that would greatly influence his career.

1955: Presley Becomes a Regional Star

By early 1955, Elvis Presley's regular Hayride appearances, constant touring, and well-received record releases had made him a regional star.

1955: D.J. Fontana Joins Presley

In 1955, D. J. Fontana joined Elvis Presley's band as a drummer, completing the lineup of Presley's classic quartet. RCA Victor also acquired Presley's contract this year.

1955: Introduction of the 'Vocal Stutter'

In 1955, Elvis Presley introduced the "vocal stutter" on his song "Baby Let's Play House", marking a distinctive feature of his vocal style.

January 10, 1956: First RCA Victor Recordings

On January 10, 1956, Elvis Presley made his first recordings for RCA Victor in Nashville, Tennessee. The session included musicians like Moore, Black, Fontana, Cramer, Atkins, and the Jordanaires. The recording session produced "Heartbreak Hotel".

January 1956: "Heartbreak Hotel" Released

In January 1956, Elvis Presley's first RCA Victor single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released and became a number-one hit in the US, launching him to national fame.

September 9, 1956: First Ed Sullivan Show Appearance

On September 9, 1956, Elvis Presley made his first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, viewed by approximately 60 million people. His performance of "Love Me Tender" prompted a million advance orders, marking him as a national celebrity.

November 1956: Film Debut in Love Me Tender

In November 1956, Elvis Presley made his film debut in "Love Me Tender", marking his entry into the world of acting.

1956: Elvis Expressed Respect for African-American Performers

In 1956, Elvis Presley expressed his respect for African-American performers and their music, also disapproving of segregation and racial prejudice during an interview.

1956: Played Piano on 'Old Shep' and 'First in Line'

In 1956, Elvis Presley played the piano on the songs "Old Shep" and "First in Line", which appeared on his album, Elvis.

1956: First UK Chart Topping Album

In 1956, Elvis Presley topped the British charts for the first time with his self-titled debut album.

1956: Rise to National Attention

In 1956, Elvis Presley's rise to national attention transformed popular music and had a huge effect on the broader scope of popular culture.

January 6, 1957: Final Ed Sullivan Show Appearance

On January 6, 1957, Elvis Presley made his third and final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, shot only down to the waist. He performed "Peace in the Valley", displaying his range. At the end of the show, Sullivan declared Presley "a real decent, fine boy".

1957: Jailhouse Rock Film

In 1957, Elvis Presley starred in the film "Jailhouse Rock", one of his most famous films.

1957: Gospel EP Release

In 1957, Elvis Presley's first gospel record, the four-song EP Peace in the Valley, was released, becoming a million-seller and the top-selling gospel EP in recording history.

January 1958: King Creole Soundtrack Sessions

In mid-January 1958, Elvis Presley held recording sessions in Hollywood for the King Creole soundtrack. Leiber and Stoller provided three songs, marking the last time Presley and the duo worked closely together.

1958: Top 40 Hits During Military Service

While in the army, Elvis Presley had hits such as "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck", the bestselling "Hard Headed Woman", and "One Night" in 1958, RCA Victor also generated four albums compiling previously issued material during this period, most successfully Elvis' Golden Records which hit number three on the LP chart.

1959: Continued Success During Military Service

While in the army, Elvis Presley had the hits "(Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I" and the number-one "A Big Hunk o' Love" in 1959.

1960: "Crying in the Chapel" Recording

In 1960, Elvis Presley recorded the gospel number "Crying in the Chapel", which would later become a top-ten hit in 1965.

1960: Flaming Star Release

In 1960, Elvis Presley starred in "Flaming Star," a film in a more dramatic vein. However, its less commercially successful performance led him to revert to formulaic musical comedies.

1960: Post-Army Single Release

In 1960, after his return from military service, Elvis Presley released "Stuck on You", which hit number one and was described as having a mild rock beat.

February 1961: Benefit Concerts in Memphis

In February 1961, Elvis Presley performed two shows in Memphis for a benefit for 24 local charities. RCA Victor presented him with a plaque certifying worldwide sales of over 75 million records.

1961: "Can't Help Falling in Love" Release

In 1961, Elvis Presley released "Can't Help Falling in Love", which became one of his most popular songs from his films.

1961: Wild in the Country Release

In 1961, Elvis Presley starred in "Wild in the Country," another film in a more dramatic vein. Similar to "Flaming Star", its less commercially successful performance led him to revert to formulaic musical comedies.

1961: Blue Hawaii Film

In 1961, Elvis Presley starred in the film "Blue Hawaii", another one of his most famous films.

June 1962: Pot Luck Release

In June 1962, Elvis Presley released the album "Pot Luck", marking a period with few non-film albums released until his comeback special in 1968.

1962: "She's Not You" Release

In 1962, Elvis Presley released the song "She's Not You," which reached number five and featured integrated vocals from the Jordanaires, resembling doo-wop.

1964: Commercial Returns Diminished

From 1964, Elvis Presley's commercial returns steadily diminished, facing challenges in maintaining top-ten hits.

1964: Viva Las Vegas Film

In 1964, Elvis Presley starred in the film "Viva Las Vegas", another one of his most famous films.

1965: "Crying in the Chapel" Hit

In 1965, Elvis Presley's "Crying in the Chapel", a gospel number recorded in 1960, became his only top-ten hit between 1964 and 1968.

1966: Recordings such as "Down in the Alley" and "Hi-Heel Sneakers"

In 1966, Elvis Presley made recordings such as "Down in the Alley" and "Hi-Heel Sneakers".

1966: "How Great Thou Art" Recording

In 1966, Elvis Presley recorded "How Great Thou Art", creating an ad-hoc arrangement where he took every part of the four-part vocal, showcasing his vocal ambitions.

1966: Paradise, Hawaiian Style Release

In 1966, Elvis Presley starred in the film "Paradise, Hawaiian Style," but he reportedly disliked many of the songs featured in it, reflecting the declining quality of his soundtrack music during this period.

January 1967: Singles Released

From January 1967 Elvis Presley had eight singles released, only two charted in the top 40, none higher than number 28.

October 1967: Clambake LP Low Sales

In October 1967, the Clambake soundtrack LP registered record low sales for a new Elvis Presley album, signaling a decline in his reputation among serious music lovers.

1967: How Great Thou Art Release

In 1967, Elvis Presley released the gospel album "How Great Thou Art", which later won him his first Grammy Award.

May 1968: Singles Released

Until May 1968 Elvis Presley had eight singles released since January 1967, only two charted in the top 40, none higher than number 28.

November 1968: Comeback Special Soundtrack Release

In November 1968, Elvis Presley released the soundtrack to the television special that signaled his comeback, marking a shift after a period with few non-film albums released.

December 3, 1968: '68 Comeback Special Airs

On December 3, 1968, Elvis Presley's '68 Comeback Special aired on NBC, marking his return to live performances and capturing a large portion of the viewing audience.

1968: Performance of "U.S. Male"

In 1968, Elvis Presley performed "U.S. Male", delivering the hard-guy lyrics with a tough yet gentle assurance.

1968: Elvis TV Comeback Special

In 1968, Elvis Presley returned to the stage with the acclaimed NBC television comeback special "Elvis", which revitalized his career.

January 1969: "If I Can Dream" Reaches Number 12

In January 1969, the single "If I Can Dream", written for the '68 Comeback Special, reached number 12, and the soundtrack album rose into the top ten, signaling a resurgence in Elvis Presley's career.

June 1969: From Elvis in Memphis Release

In June 1969, Elvis Presley released "From Elvis in Memphis", his first secular, non-soundtrack album in eight years, marking a return to dedicated studio work and acclaimed success.

1969: "Rubberneckin'" Recording

In 1969, Elvis Presley recorded the song "Rubberneckin'".

1970: International Hotel Engagements

In 1970, Elvis Presley returned to the International Hotel for two-month-long engagements, performing two shows a night and recording the album "On Stage" from these performances.

April 1972: Filming of Elvis on Tour

In April 1972, MGM filmed Elvis Presley for "Elvis on Tour", which later won a Golden Globe Award.

January 1973: Aloha from Hawaii Concerts

In January 1973, Elvis Presley performed two benefit concerts for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund in connection with the Aloha from Hawaii television special. On January 14, the show aired live via satellite to audiences in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand, and later to Europe and the U.S.

December 1973: Recording Session

In December 1973, Elvis Presley had a recording session that produced eighteen songs.

1973: Aloha from Hawaii Concert

In 1973, Elvis Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, "Aloha from Hawaii", marking a monumental achievement in his career.

1974: Intensive Touring Schedule

Despite his failing health, Elvis Presley undertook another intensive touring schedule in 1974.

1974: No Official Studio Recordings

In 1974, Elvis Presley made no official studio recordings, and Parker delivered RCA another concert record, Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis.

March 1975: Return to Recording Studio

In March 1975, Elvis Presley returned to the recording studio.

July 13, 1976: Bodyguards Fired

On July 13, 1976, Vernon Presley, Elvis's father, fired bodyguards Red West, Sonny West, and David Hebler due to financial reasons or concerns about their behavior.

1976: Recording Sessions at Graceland

In 1976, RCA sent a mobile recording unit to Graceland, making possible two full-scale recording sessions for Elvis Presley.

June 6, 1977: Release of "Way Down"

On June 6, 1977, Elvis Presley's last single released during his lifetime, "Way Down," was issued.

June 26, 1977: Final Concert

On June 26, 1977, Elvis Presley held his final concert in Indianapolis at Market Square Arena.

1977: Posthumous Singles Released

Between 1977 and 1981, six of Elvis Presley's posthumously released singles were top-ten country hits.

1977: President Carter Remarks on Presley's Legacy

In 1977, President Jimmy Carter remarked on Elvis Presley's legacy, noting how his music and personality changed American popular culture.

1981: Posthumous Singles Released

Between 1977 and 1981, six of Elvis Presley's posthumously released singles were top-ten country hits.

2002: A Little Less Conversation Remix Success

In 2002, a Junkie XL remix of Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation" topped charts in over twenty countries and was included in the ELV1S compilation album.

2003: "Rubberneckin'" Remix Tops Charts

In 2003, a remix of Elvis Presley's 1969 recording "Rubberneckin'" topped the U.S. sales chart.

2005: Reissued Singles Go to Number One in UK

In 2005, three reissued Elvis Presley singles, including "Jailhouse Rock", went to number one in the UK as part of a re-release campaign.

November 2010: Viva Elvis: The Album Released

In November 2010, Viva Elvis: The Album was released, setting Elvis Presley's voice to newly recorded instrumental tracks.

2015: Album If I Can Dream Reached Number One in the UK

In 2015, the album 'If I Can Dream', setting Elvis Presley's vocals against music by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, reached number one in the UK.

2016: Album The Wonder of You Reached Number One in the UK

In 2016, the album 'The Wonder of You', setting Elvis Presley's vocals against music by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, reached number one in the UK.

2018: Release of Where No One Stands Alone Album

In 2018, RCA/Legacy released Elvis Presley – Where No One Stands Alone, a new album focused on Presley's love of gospel music.

August 2022: Elvis Biopic Success

In August 2022, the movie "Elvis", a biographical film about Elvis Presley starring Austin Butler, grossed $261.8 million worldwide, becoming the second-highest-grossing music biopic of all time.

2023: RIAA Credits

As of 2023, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) credits Presley with 146.5 million certified album sales in the US, third all time. He holds records for most gold albums (101) and platinum albums (57).