(Saturday, April 21, 1956) — “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presleys peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for eight consecutive weeks (Apr. 21/28, May 5/12/19/26, June 2/9, 1956).
It was Presley’s first of 18 number one hits on the chart (1956-1969).
In 2004, it was ranked #45 on Rolling Stone‘s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
Video: '''The Milton Berle Show'' - 3 April 1956'
(Tuesday, April 3, 1956, 8:00-9:00 p.m. EST) — Elvis Presley made the first of two appearances on the comedy-variety show The Milton Berle Show, broadcast live from the deck of the USS Hancock on NBC while docked at the Naval Air Base in San Diego, California, performing 13-second “Shake Rattle & Roll,” “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Blue Suede Shoes.” He earned $5,000. Continue reading Elvis Presley performs on ‘The Milton Berle Show’ 60 years ago this hour (Apr 3 1956)
Video: 'Elvis Presley - Blue Suede Shoes'
(Monday, January 30, 1956, at around 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. EST) — Elvis Presley, 21, recorded a cover version of Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes” today during a seven-hour session at the RCA Studio, 155 E. 24th Street in New York City.
Three other tunes were recorded this day, including “My Baby Left Me,” “One-Sided Love Affair,” and “So Glad You’re Mine.”
Video: '19560128 - Elvis Presley - Dorsey Brothers Stage Show-1'
(Saturday, January 28, 1956, 8:00-8:30 p.m. EST) — Elvis Presley, 21, made his first national TV appearance tonight on Stage Show, broadcast live from CBS Studios in New York City and hosted by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, performing “Shake, Rattle and Roll/Flip, Flop and Fly” and “I Got a Woman.”
Video: 'Michael Jackson & Lisa Marie Presley - News At Ten Divorce Report'
(Thursday, January 18, 1996) — Citing irreconcilable differences, Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock legend Elvis Presley, filed divorce papers today in Los Angeles Superior Court asking that her 20-month marriage to another rock legend, Michael Jackson, be ended.
(Saturday, December 25, 1965, Christmas Day) — “Puppet on a String” by Elvis Presley peaked at #14 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week.
Video: 'Elvis Presley: Good Rockin' Tonight (the 1955 album)'
(Monday, November 21, 1955) — RCA Records purchased the contract, singles and released masters of 20-year-old Elvis Presley today from Sam Phillips of Sun Records for an unprecedented sum of $40,000 ($35,000 to Sun and a $5,000 bonus to Presley).
Video: 'Elvis talks about the 1945 and 1953 talent shows (in 1972)'
(October 3, 1945) — Ten-year-old Elvis Presley made his first public appearance in a talent show today at the Mississippi-Alabama Dairy Show, singing “Old Shep.” He won fifth place and $5.
(Friday, August 27, 1965, (after) 10:00 p.m.-Saturday, August 28, 1965, 1:00 a.m. PDT) — The two most popular musical acts of the 20th century, The Beatles (in town for 1965 North American tour) and Elvis Presley, met for the first time tonight at Presley’s mansion at 565 Perugia Way in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, California. Continue reading The Beatles meet Elvis Presley in Los Angeles 50 years ago this hour (Aug 27 1965)
(Saturday, June 12, 1965) — “Crying in the Chapel” by Elvis Presley peaked at #3 on today’s Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for one week.
