Questions
When and where was Elvis Presley born?
Elvis was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. His twin brother, Jesse Garon, was stillborn 35 minutes before him.
What was Elvis's first single?
His first released single was That's All Right, on Sun Records in July 1954. He recorded with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, and drummer D.J. Fontana joined in 1955.
How much did RCA pay for Elvis's contract?
Colonel Tom Parker and Sun owner Sam Phillips negotiated a deal with RCA Victor for $40,000 on November 21, 1955, an unprecedented sum at the time.
What was Elvis's first number one hit?
Heartbreak Hotel, his first RCA single, released in January 1956, became his first number one pop hit. His debut album that March was the first rock and roll album to top the Billboard chart.
How many people watched Elvis on The Ed Sullivan Show?
His first Ed Sullivan appearance on September 9, 1956, drew about 82.6 percent of the TV audience, roughly 60 million viewers.
Did Elvis really sing Hound Dog to a dog on TV?
Yes. On The Steve Allen Show on July 1, 1956, Elvis wore a tuxedo and sang Hound Dog to a basset hound in a top hat.
Did Elvis serve in the Army?
Yes. He was drafted in 1958 and served until 1960, stationed in Germany with the 3rd Armored Division. He reached the rank of sergeant.
How many movies did Elvis make?
Elvis made 31 films, starting with Love Me Tender in 1956. Well-known titles include Jailhouse Rock, Blue Hawaii, and Viva Las Vegas.
What was the 1968 comeback special?
Elvis, sponsored by Singer and directed by Steve Binder, aired on NBC on December 3, 1968. Parker reportedly wanted a Christmas show, but Binder steered it toward a modern concert, and it was the season's most-watched program.
Is it true the black leather suit had to be blow-dried?
Yes. The leather suit from the 1968 special, designed by Bill Belew, got so soaked with sweat that the costume crew hand-washed and blow-dried it between takes.
What was Aloha from Hawaii?
Broadcast on January 14, 1973, from Honolulu, it was the first concert by a solo artist transmitted worldwide by satellite. Early reports claimed 1.5 billion viewers, though critics put the real number closer to 150 to 200 million.
How many stones were on the eagle jumpsuit?
The white jumpsuit Elvis wore for Aloha from Hawaii, designed by Bill Belew, featured an eagle made of about 6,500 individual stones.
Who first said Elvis has left the building?
Promoter Horace Logan first said it on December 15, 1956, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to calm the crowd so the rest of the Louisiana Hayride show could go on. Announcer Al Dvorin used it often in the 1970s.
When did Elvis buy Graceland?
Elvis bought Graceland on March 19, 1957, for $102,500. It opened to the public as a museum on June 7, 1982, and became a National Historic Landmark in 2006.
How many records did Elvis sell?
Elvis is estimated to have sold about 500 million records worldwide. He won three Grammy Awards and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36.
