Elvis Presley on National TV
Harry Kalcheim, an agent with William Morris Agency, which represented Elvis, was upset that Parker had booked Elvis through another agent. Colonel Parker, in a straightforward letter written December 16, 1955, chastised Kalcheim for his lackluster attempts to book Elvis. Colonel told him that writing a letter and then sitting back and waiting to hear a reply was no way to sell Elvis. He continued, 'If I waited for someone to call me with deals all the time, I would have to start selling candy apples again. Nuff said..'
On Monday, January 23, 1956, Elvis, Scotty, Bill and D.J. rehearsed in Memphis for their television debut. Elvis and the Colonel flew to New York on Wednesday the 25th. They stayed at the Warwick Hotel on 52nd Street. Scotty, Bill and D.J. drove from Memphis to New York and arrived on Friday, January 27th. 'Stage Show' was produced by Jackie Gleason and hosted by big band leaders Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey. The thirty-minute program aired on Saturday nights at 8:00 PM as a lead-in to Jackie Gleason's 'The Honeymooners'.
Elvis and his band rehearsed at Nola Studios in New York on the morning of Saturday, January 28th. That night the show aired from CBS Studio 50. It was raining and the then-unknown Elvis Presley did not draw a large studio audience. Also appearing on the show were singer Sarah Vaughan and comic Gene Sheldon. Tommy Dorsey introduced Cleveland disc jockey Bill Randle, who, in turn, introduced Elvis to his first national audience by saying: 'We'd like at this time to introduce to you a young fellow who, like many performers - Johnnie Ray among them - came out of nowhere to be an overnight big star.
This young fellow we saw for the first time while making a movie short. We think tonight that he's going to make television history for you. We'd like you to meet him now - Elvis Presley'.
Elvis wore a black shirt, white tie, dress pants with a shiny stripe, and a tweed jacket. He sang a 'Shake, Rattle & Roll / Flip, Flop & Fly' medley and 'I Got a Woman'. The audience reacted with both shock and interest. The show received an 18.4 % ratings share while its competition 'The Perry Como Show' on NBC received a 34.6% share. The option was picked up and Elvis appeared a total of six times on 'Stage Show'.
For these appearances the band rented instruments in New York while Elvis associates Red West and Gene Smith transported the band's own instruments to the next concert appearance using a pink trailer that Elvis' father Vernon had built for this purpose. After the fourth 'Stage Show' the rented standup bass that Bill Black had enthusiastically played had to be repaired. Bill had broken the neck, sound post and the back of the instrument. The repairs cost $32.96.
Elvis' sixth and final 'Stage Show' appearance was on March 24, 1956. That night Carl Perkins was to have been on the opposing 'Perry Como Show'. However, Carl had been badly hurt in an automobile accident on the way to New York. That night on 'Stage Show,' out of respect for his friend Carl, Elvis refused to sing Perkins' 'Blue Suede Shoes' as previously planned and instead sang 'Money Honey'.
Elvis' Television Appearances 1956 - 1960
The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show
CBS Studio New York - 28.01.1956
Shake Rattle & Roll / Flip Flop & Fly
I Got A Woman
The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show
CBS Studio New York - 04.02.1956
Baby Let's Play House
Tutti Frutti
The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show
CBS Studio New York - 11.02.1956
Blue Suede Shoes
Heartbreak Hotel
The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show
CBS Studio New York - 18.02.1956
Tutti Frutti
I Was The One
The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show
CBS Studio New York - 17.03.1956
Blue Suede Shoes
Heartbreak Hotel
The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show
CBS Studio New York - 24.03.1956
Money Honey
Heartbreak Hotel
The Milton Berle Show - U.S.S. Hancock
San Diego, California - 03.04.1956
Heartbreak Hotel
Blue Suede Shoes
Dialogue
Blue Suede Shoes
The Milton Berle Show - NBC Studio
Hollywood, California - 05.06.1956
Hound Dog
Dialogue
I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
The Steve Allen Show - Het Hudson Theatre
New York - 01.07.1956
Dialogue
I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
Introduction
Hound Dog
The Ed Sullivan Show - CBS Studio
Hollywood, California - 09.09.1956
Don't Be Cruel
Love Me Tender
Ready Teddy
Hound Dog
The Ed Sullivan Show - CBS Studio
New York - 28.10.1956
Don't Be Cruel
Love Me Tender
Love Me
Hound Dog
The Ed Sullivan Show - CBS Studio
New York - 06.01.1957
Hound Dog
Love Me Tender
Heartbreak Hotel
Don't Be Cruel
Too Much
When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again
Peace In The Valley
The Frank Sinatra Timex Special - Welcome Home Elvis
Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami - 26.03.1960
Nelson Riddle Orchestra
Screening - May 12, 1960
Fame And Fortune
Stuck On You
Love Me Tender / Witchcraft (Duet Elvis & Frank)
Elvis' TV Specials
Welcome Home Elvis
Elvis' - 68 Comeback Special
Aloha From Hawaii
Elvis In Concert
The Ed Sullivan Show
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Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.
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