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. His sexually charged performances and genre-bending music, drawing from diverse influences during a period of evolving race relations, propelled him to immense fame, although not without initial controversy. He remains an iconic figure in music and popular culture.
October 3, 1945: First Public Performance
On October 3, 1945, Elvis Presley had his first public performance at the Mississippi–Alabama Fair and Dairy Show, singing "Old Shep".
1946: Arthur Crudup's "That's All Right"
Elvis Presley launched into the Arthur Crudup's 1946 blues number, "That's All Right".
June 1953: Graduation and Musical Aspirations
By the time Elvis Presley graduated high school in June 1953, he had singled out music as his future.
August 1953: First Recording at Memphis Recording Service
In August 1953, Elvis Presley recorded a two-sided acetate disc, "My Happiness" and "That's When Your Heartaches Begin", at Memphis Recording Service.
1953: Humes' Annual "Minstrel" Show
In 1953, Elvis Presley competed in Humes' Annual "Minstrel" Show, singing and playing "Till I Waltz Again with You".
January 1954: Second Acetate at Sun Records
In January 1954, Elvis Presley cut a second acetate at Sun Records with the songs "I'll Never Stand in Your Way" and "It Wouldn't Be the Same Without You", without success.
July 17, 1954: First Public Performance as a Trio
On July 17, 1954, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, and Bill Black played publicly for the first time at the Bon Air club.
November 1954: Louisiana Hayride Performance
In November 1954, Elvis Presley performed on Louisiana Hayride, which was broadcast to 198 radio stations in 28 states.
1954: Beginning of Music Career
In 1954, Elvis Presley began his music career at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, pioneering rockabilly music.
1954: First professional recordings
In 1954, at the age of 19, Elvis Presley made his first professional recordings.
1954: Rockabilly crystallizes with Elvis Presley's first release
In 1954, rockabilly crystallized into a recognizable style with Elvis Presley's first release on the Sun label, according to music historians.
August 1955: Parker Appointed as Special Adviser
In August 1955, Elvis Presley renewed Neal's management contract and simultaneously appointed Parker as his special adviser.
1955: 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 the Band
In 1955, D. J. Fontana joined Elvis Presley's band as a drummer, completing the classic quartet lineup.
1955: Introduction of vocal stutter on "Baby Let's Play House"
In 1955, Elvis Presley introduced the "vocal stutter" on the song "Baby Let's Play House".
January 10, 1956: First Recordings for RCA Victor
On January 10, 1956, Elvis Presley recorded his first songs for RCA Victor in Nashville with his band and additional musicians like Chet Atkins and The Jordanaires. The session produced "Heartbreak Hotel".
January 1956: "Heartbreak Hotel" Release
In January 1956, Elvis Presley's first RCA Victor single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released and became a number-one hit in the US.
September 9, 1956: First Ed Sullivan Show Appearance
On September 9, 1956, Elvis Presley made his first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, which was seen by approximately 60 million viewers. His performance of "Love Me Tender" led to a million advance orders and cemented his status 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.
1956: Elvis expresses respect for African-American performers
In 1956, Elvis Presley expressed respect for African-American performers and their music, recalling his childhood listening to blues musician Arthur Crudup and stating his desire to be a music man like him. The Memphis World reported that Presley "cracked Memphis' segregation laws" by attending the local amusement park on its "colored night".
1956: Elvis plays piano on songs from his album Elvis
In 1956, Elvis Presley played piano on songs such as "Old Shep" and "First in Line" from his album Elvis.
1956: Presley's Debut Album Tops British Chart
In 1956, Elvis Presley topped the British chart with his self-titled debut album.
1956: Presley's rise to national attention
In 1956, Elvis Presley's rise to national attention transformed popular music, impacting youth culture and rebellious attitudes by defining rock and roll as a musical genre and cultural touchstone. His influence helped facilitate a new acceptance and appreciation of Black culture.
1956: Previous Las Vegas Engagement
Prior to his 1969 engagement, Elvis Presley had a Las Vegas engagement in 1956, which was considered dismal. This made him nervous about his return to Las Vegas.
January 6, 1957: Third Ed Sullivan Show Appearance
On January 6, 1957, Elvis Presley made his third and final appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. He wore an outlandish costume and sang "Peace in the Valley".
1957: Release of Jailhouse Rock
In 1957, Elvis Presley starred in the movie Jailhouse Rock.
1957: Release of gospel EP Peace in the Valley
In 1957, Elvis Presley's first gospel record, the four-song EP Peace in the Valley, was released and became the top-selling gospel EP in recording history.
January 1958: Recording King Creole Soundtrack
In January 1958, Elvis Presley held recording sessions in Hollywood for the King Creole soundtrack, marking the last time he worked closely with Leiber and Stoller. "Don't" became his tenth number-one seller around this time.
1958: First Concert Tour Since 1958
After the end of his International engagement on September 7, 1970, Elvis Presley embarked on a week-long concert tour, largely of the South, marking his first tour since 1958.
1958: Drafted into Military Service
In 1958, Elvis Presley was drafted into military service.
1960: "Crying in the Chapel" Recording
In 1960, Elvis Presley recorded the gospel number "Crying in the Chapel", which later became a top-ten hit in 1965.
1960: Release of "Stuck on You"
In 1960, Elvis Presley released "Stuck on You" after returning from military service which became a number-one hit, marking a shift to a toned-down rock and roll style.
1960: Flaming Star Release
In 1960, Elvis Presley starred in the film 'Flaming Star'. The film, a more dramatic role than his usual musical comedies, was less commercially successful, causing him to revert to formulaic musical comedies.
February 1961: Memphis Benefit Concerts and RCA Victor Award
In February 1961, Elvis Presley performed two shows in Memphis to benefit 24 local charities. Before the event, RCA Victor awarded him a plaque recognizing over 75 million records sold worldwide. The shows were a significant contribution to the community and marked Presley's ongoing success.
1961: Last Live Performance Before Comeback Special
Elvis Presley's '68 Comeback Special on December 3, 1968, marked his return to live performing since 1961, revitalizing his career.
1961: "Can't Help Falling in Love" Release
In 1961, Elvis Presley released the song "Can't Help Falling in Love" from one of his films. The song became one of his most popular songs during this period.
1961: Wild in the Country Release
In 1961, Elvis Presley starred in the film 'Wild in the Country'. The film, a more dramatic role than his usual musical comedies, was less commercially successful, causing him to revert to formulaic musical comedies.
June 1962: Pot Luck Album Release
In June 1962, Elvis Presley released the album 'Pot Luck'. It was his last non-film album before the release of How Great Thou Art in 1967.
1962: Release of "She's Not You"
In 1962, Elvis Presley released "She's Not You", which integrates the Jordanaires, creating a doo-wop sound.
1962: "Return to Sender" Release
In 1962, Elvis Presley released the song "Return to Sender" from one of his films. The song became one of his most popular songs during this period.
1963: Bossa Nova Baby Release
In June 1969, 'From Elvis in Memphis' was released and it featured the hit single "In the Ghetto". Prior to this release, the most recent top ten hit, excluding gospel, was "Bossa Nova Baby" in 1963.
1964: Diminishing Commercial Returns
Starting in 1964, Elvis Presley's commercial returns steadily diminished, marking a challenging period in his career.
1965: "Crying in the Chapel" Top Ten Hit
In 1965, Elvis Presley's gospel number "Crying in the Chapel", recorded in 1960, became a top-ten hit. This was his only top-ten hit between 1964 and 1968.
1966: Recording of "How Great Thou Art"
In 1966, Elvis Presley recorded "How Great Thou Art", creating a four-part vocal arrangement.
1966: Recordings such as "Down in the Alley" and "Hi-Heel Sneakers"
In 1966, Elvis Presley returns to modern blues/R&B sound with recordings such as "Down in the Alley" and "Hi-Heel Sneakers".
1966: Paradise, Hawaiian Style Release
In 1966, Elvis Presley starred in 'Paradise, Hawaiian Style'. However, he disliked many of the songs in the film, which reflected a decline in the quality of his soundtrack music.
January 1967: Singles Release and Chart Performance
Between January 1967 and May 1968, Elvis Presley released eight singles, but only two charted in the top 40, with none higher than number 28, indicating a decline in his musical success.
October 1967: Clambake Soundtrack LP Record Low Sales
In October 1967, the Clambake soundtrack LP registered record low sales for a new Elvis Presley album, signaling a problem recognized by RCA Victor executives. This highlighted the damage to his reputation among serious music lovers.
1967: How Great Thou Art Album Release and Grammy Win
In 1967, Elvis Presley released the gospel album 'How Great Thou Art', which won him his first Grammy Award for Best Sacred Performance.
May 1968: Singles Release and Chart Performance
Between January 1967 and May 1968, Elvis Presley released eight singles, but only two charted in the top 40, with none higher than number 28, indicating a decline in his musical success.
November 1968: Comeback Special Soundtrack Album Release
In November 1968, Elvis Presley released the soundtrack to his television special, marking a comeback in his career.
December 3, 1968: Elvis '68 Comeback Special Airs
On December 3, 1968, Elvis Presley's special, simply called 'Elvis', aired on NBC. Later known as the '68 Comeback Special, it featured both lavish studio productions and live performances, marking Presley's return to live performing since 1961 and revitalizing his career.
1968: Reading of "U.S. Male"
In 1968, Elvis Presley performed "U.S. Male", bearing down on the hard guy lyrics with tough yet gentle assurance.
January 1969: "If I Can Dream" Chart Success and Soundtrack Album
In January 1969, the single "If I Can Dream", written for Elvis Presley's '68 Comeback Special, reached number 12, and the soundtrack album rose into the top ten. This success reminded Presley of his ability to choose his own songs and people, marking a turning point in his career.
June 1969: Release of From Elvis in Memphis
In June 1969, Elvis Presley released 'From Elvis in Memphis', his first secular, non-soundtrack album from a dedicated studio period in eight years. The album was critically acclaimed, showcasing Presley catching up with pop music trends and demonstrating his conviction in singing various genres.
1969: "Rubberneckin'" recording
In 1969, Elvis Presley recorded the song "Rubberneckin'".
December 21, 1970: Meeting with President Richard Nixon
On December 21, 1970, Elvis Presley met with U.S. President Richard Nixon at the White House to discuss combating drug culture and his desire to receive a Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs badge. During the meeting, Presley expressed his views on the Beatles and their anti-American influence.
1970: Las Vegas Engagements, Houston Astrodome Performances, and Jumpsuit Trademark
In early 1970, Elvis Presley returned to the International Hotel for two-month-long engagements, performing two shows a night. In late February, he performed six attendance-record-breaking shows at the Houston Astrodome. During this time, he adopted the jumpsuit, which would become a trademark of his live act. In August, recordings of the engagements were filmed at the International for the documentary 'Elvis: That's the Way It Is'.
April 1972: Elvis on Tour Filming and He Touched Me Album Release
In April 1972, Elvis Presley was filmed by MGM for 'Elvis on Tour', which later won a Golden Globe Award. His gospel album 'He Touched Me' was also released that month, earning him his second Grammy Award for Best Inspirational Performance.
January 1973: Aloha from Hawaii
In January 1973, Elvis Presley performed two benefit concerts for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund and aired the groundbreaking television special, Aloha from Hawaii, live via satellite to audiences worldwide. The accompanying double album, Aloha from Hawaii, released in February, went to number one in the U.S. and sold over 5 million copies, marking Elvis's last U.S. number-one pop album during his lifetime.
December 1973: Recording Session
In December 1973, Elvis Presley had a recording session that produced eighteen songs, enough for almost two albums.
1973: Aloha from Hawaii Broadcast
In 1973, Elvis Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, Aloha from Hawaii.
1974: Intensive Touring Schedule
Despite his failing health, Elvis Presley undertook another intensive touring schedule in 1974, continuing to perform live shows.
1974: No Official Studio Recordings
In 1974, Elvis Presley made no official studio recordings, although Parker delivered RCA another concert record, Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis.
March 1975: Return to the Recording Studio
In March 1975, Elvis Presley returned to the recording studio, marking a shift after a period of limited studio activity.
1976: Recording Sessions at Graceland
In 1976, RCA sent a mobile recording unit to Graceland to make two full-scale recording sessions possible, although the recording process had become a struggle for Elvis Presley.
June 6, 1977: Release of "Way Down"
On June 6, 1977, Elvis Presley's last single issued during his lifetime, "Way Down", was released.
June 26, 1977: Final Concert
On June 26, 1977, Elvis Presley held his final concert in Indianapolis at Market Square Arena.
1977: Posthumous Top-Ten Country Hits
Between 1977 and 1981, six of Elvis Presley's posthumously released singles were top-ten country hits.
1977: Decline in Health and Performance
By early 1977, Elvis Presley's health had severely declined, and his performances were described as sad and sloppy, with a bloated, drugged Presley struggling to remember lyrics. He canceled a performance on March 31 in Baton Rouge due to his condition.
1977: President Jimmy Carter remarks on Presley's legacy
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter commented on Elvis Presley's legacy, noting how his fusion of white country and black rhythm and blues styles permanently changed American popular culture. That year, Presley was regarded as one of the most famous people in the world.
1981: Posthumous Top-Ten Country Hits
Between 1977 and 1981, six of Elvis Presley's posthumously released singles were top-ten country hits.
2003: Remix of "Rubberneckin'" tops U.S. sales chart
In 2003, a remix of the 1969 recording "Rubberneckin'" topped the U.S. sales chart.
2005: Reissued singles reach number one in the UK
In 2005, three reissued Elvis Presley singles, "Jailhouse Rock", "One Night"/"I Got Stung", and "It's Now or Never", went to number one in the UK as part of a campaign to re-release all eighteen of his previous chart-topping UK singles.
November 2010: Release of Viva Elvis: The Album
In November 2010, Viva Elvis: The Album, setting Elvis Presley's voice to newly recorded instrumental tracks, was released.
2015: If I Can Dream Album Reaches 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: The Wonder of You Album Reaches 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, extending his record for longest span between number-one albums.
2018: Release of Elvis Presley – Where No One Stands Alone
In 2018, RCA/Legacy released Elvis Presley – Where No One Stands Alone, a new album focused on Presley's love of gospel music, featuring newly recorded instrumentation and vocals from singers who had performed with Elvis.
August 2022: Elvis film grosses $261.8 million worldwide
As of August 2022, Baz Luhrmann's biographical film Elvis had grossed $261.8 million worldwide.
2023: RIAA credits Presley with 146.5 million certified album sales
As of 2023, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) credits Elvis Presley with 146.5 million certified album sales in the US, holding records for the most gold and platinum albums.
2024: London Palladium Offer Value in 2024
In May, the brand-new International Hotel in Las Vegas, booked Elvis Presley for fifty-seven shows over four weeks, beginning July 31. Before this offer, The London Palladium offered Parker US$28,000 (equivalent to $240,000 in 2024) for a one-week engagement.
2024: Martin Instrument Price Equivalent
In November 1954 Elvis Purchased a Martin instrument for $175 (equivalent to $2,000 in 2024)
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