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[GuitarMan66]

In this series of articles I would like to lay out Elvis' life on a year to year basis, highlighting as many key events as possible, both profesionally and personally that occured during his lifetime.I have decided to start in 1953 the year that Elvis turned 18 and of course the year when he would make his first venture into a recording studio.

1953
March 26
An 18 year old Elvis Presley signs on at the Tennessee State Employment Security office. His address is now 462 Alabama during their 5 years in Memphis (since moving from Tupelo Miss)the Presley family (Elvis his father Vernon and mother Gladys)have moved many times due mostly to the fact that they are continually earning more in wages than the Memphis housing projects will allow.
The interviewer at the security office notes "rather flashily dressed playboy type" on his application
April 9
Elvis takes part in the annual Humes High School Minstrel Show singing Till I Waltz Again With You by Teresa Brewer. Despite being wrongly listed on the bill as Elvis Prestly after his performance Elvis suddenly becomes very popular in school.
June 3
Elvis receives his High School diploma.
July 1
Elvis starts work on a temporary basis at M.B Parker Co. on an assembly line making $36 a week.
Around this time Elvis visits Sun Studios on Union Ave he has frequented the premises on a number of occasions making small talk with the lady on the front desk Marion Keisker usually enquiring as to whether she knows of any groups that may be looking for a singer however, this time he takes things a step further and decides to cut a record at his own expense hoping that this will attract at least Marion's attention as the owner Sam Phillips is not present. He records 2 songs "My Happiness" and "That's When You're Heartaches Begin" whilst accompanying himself on guitar.
Aug 21
Colonel Tom Parker the self titled one time carny operator who is now working as manager for country singer Eddy Arnold receives a telegram from his client informing him that his services are no longer required. Parker who is fast becoming well known for his rather unique management skills is taken aback by this and finds himself temporarily unemployed.
Sept 21
Back at work this time for Precision Tools Elvis is now assembling shelves for $1.55 an hour a job he will keep until March '54.
1954
Elvis again returns to Sun Studios cutting another 2 songs "I'll Never Stand In You're Way " and " It Wouldn't Be The Same Without You" like the previous time Marion takes some interest in his singing though nothing comes of it.
Also around this time Elvis begins dating 14 year old Dixie Locke they see each other frequently and often attend the all night gospel sing in's at Ellis Auditorium which features such groups as The Blackwood Brothers and Elvis' favourites The Statesmen and especially the lead singer Jake Hess.
March 19
Due to constant tormenting about his dress sense and length of his hair from fellow work mates Elvis leaves his job at Precision Tools.
April 20
Starting out as a truck driver Elvis begins work for Crown Electric Co. Hoping one day to train as an electrician.
June 26
Marion phones Elvis to ask if he would be interested in trying out a song that Sam Phillips has acquired, a ballad called "Without You" Elvis is at the studio practically before she hangs up the phone, but the session is unsuccessful as Elvis struggles with the song.
July 3
A young guitarist called Scotty Moore calls at Elvis' house he has been given Elvis' name by Sam Phillips and Scotty is wondering whether he would like to audition for his group the Starlight Wranglers. The next day Elvis meets up with Scotty and bass player Bill Black to run through some songs none of which seem to work though Scotty after talking with Sam agrees that it could be worth a try in the studio to see if they can come up with something better.
July 5
Now in the studios at Sun the trio tries to come up with something to impress the owner Sam Phillips without much luck. However during a "break" Elvis begins to fool around with a country song called "That's All Right" Scotty and Bill join in and suddenly Sam hears that "something "he has been waiting for. The three do a couple of more takes to iron out the edges and soon a master take is complete.
Sam is very excited about this song and despite having no B side as yet he decides to play the record for Dewey Philips (no relation to Sam) a local disc jockey, in the hope of getting some air time. Dewey loves the song and plays it on his next show. Gladys and Vernon listen intently to hear Elvis' song on the radio for the first time but Elvis himself can't stand the tension and decides to go the movies. The song is played and the switchboard lights up as callers go crazy wanting to know more about the record. Dewey calls Elvis' home to get him to come over for an interview so Vernon and Gladys have to chase Elvis down at the movie theatre and take him over to the studio where Dewey is playing the record over and over again.
During the coming days Elvis Scotty and Bill are back in the studio frantically trying to come up with a B side worthy of "That's All Right" and once again by pure chance they stumble across "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" during another improvised session.
July 12
Due to the complete confidence in their new single Scotty Moore now becomes Elvis' manager
and booking agent with the 3 agreeing to split all earnings 50% to Elvis and 25% each to Scotty and Bill.
July 17
The trio play the Bon Air club in Memphis singing the two songs on their first single.
Having been away on vacation in Florida Dixie is quite surprised on her return to see so how so much has changed for Elvis in such a short time.
July 26
Sam Philips signs Elvis to a contract with Sun records for a two year period with a further two year option to be added at the company's discretion.
July 30
Elvis and the boys appear at the Overton Park Shell in Memphis their biggest venue to date. Elvis' family, Dixie and Sam Phillips are among the crowd. It's at this show that Elvis' gyrations first begin to come to attention whether it is nerves on Elvis' part or just an unconscious movement to the music the reaction from the crowd is amazing. And this sets the precedent for most shows thereafter.
August
Billboard magazine in a review of his first single hail Elvis as "a strong new talent".
Throughout this month and up until November the trio regularly play at The Eagles Nest nightclub in Memphis honing their stage talents. As well as making ever more regular appearances on the Louisiana Hayride
Also around this time it is announced Col.Tom Parker will become the new manager of country star Hank Snow in a joint partnership called Hank Snow Enterprises and Jamboree Attractions.
September
Good Rockin' Tonight/ I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine is released as Elvis' second single whilst it does well in the Memphis area it never lives up to the success of his first release.
Dec 13
Scotty Moore writes a letter to Tom Diskin, Col. Parkers right hand man enquiring about help with future bookings for the group.
Dec 23
Elvis and the boys are pulled over for speeding whilst heading home from Shreveport, fortunately the officer only cautions them. The three men count up their money at the curbside, with Elvis reminiscing years later that he "had never had so much money in his pockets at one time" to which he promptly went out and blew the lot on Christmas presents.
Dec 29
A write up in the Memphis Press-Scimitar states DJ Bob Neal is to take over as manager of Elvis Presley in the New Year and also releases details of his third Sun single Milk Cow Blues Boogie/ You're A Heartbreaker.

This post has been edited by Pacer: Mar 2 2007, 10:11 PM

[GuitarMan66]

1969
January 6
Various discussions take place at Graceland between Elvis and his record producer Felton Jarvis over a scheduled recording session later in the month to be held in Nashville. However friends George Klein and Marty Lacker suggest to Elvis that he should try recording at Chips Moman’s American Studio on Thomas Street, North Memphis. Felton agrees with the idea as it might help give Elvis a fresh sound plus the convenience of not having to travel as far as Nashville and a decision is made.
January 8
Elvis celebrates his 34th birthday at Graceland.
January13
Elvis reports to American Sound studios for a recording session with some of the country’s top session men including guitarist Reggie Young, bassist Tommy Cogbill and drummer Bobby Wood. The musicians are at first sceptical of Elvis’ commitment to the session but soon change their opinion when the first song (Long Black Limousine) is rehearsed. Despite Elvis having a heavy cold the session runs until 5.00am and 3 songs are cut.
January 14
Recordings continue from 7.00pm until 8.30am with several more songs committed to tape. But Elvis’ cold gets worse and he leaves for home while the musicians lay down backing tracks for further recordings and overdubs for the songs already recorded.
January 20-22
With Elvis now recovered from his cold the sessions resume for the next 3 days at American Sound studios. Recording some of his finest work in years including massive hit singles In The Ghetto (23 takes) and Suspicious Minds which Elvis completes in only 4 takes.
During these sessions Elvis meets one of his heroes r&b star Roy Hamilton and in a moment of spontaneous generosity Elvis offers him one of his songs Angelica which he was due to record.
January 24
Along with several of the entourage Elvis, Priscilla and Lisa fly out to Aspen Colorado for a ski and snow-mobile holiday.
February 1
In Aspen the group celebrate Lisa Marie’s first birthday.
Over the next few weeks a huge legal battle breaks out over the publishing rights to Suspicious Minds and a division between Felton Jarvis and Chips Moman has also began to arise as Felton feels Elvis is being taken away from him.
However the difficulties are eventually smoothed over and another session is booked at American Sound.
February17-22
Elvis is at the studios every night usually from 7.30pm until around 5.30am again recording some of his most contemporary music to date, including songs True Love Travels On A Gravel Road, Stranger In My Own Hometown, Only The Strong Survive and Kentucky Rain.
February 26
Whilst in Vegas Elvis and the Colonel visit the construction site of the International Hotel and Elvis is photographed signing his contract to appear there in the coming summer, however the real document is actually signed on April 15th.
March 5
In L.A. Elvis begins work on the soundtrack to his last ever scripted movie Change of Habit. Sessions run from 7.00pm until 2.00am at Decca Universal Studios.
March 10
Pre-production work begins on the movie, which co-stars Mary Tyler Moore.
March 12
Filming begins primarily in the studio though some locations around L.A. are used.
March 27
Elvis begins work on material for his up coming Vegas engagement working closely with Charlie Hodge on plans for the show. Joe Esposito buys a new tape recorder, speakers and other audio equipment as well as a drum kit all for ongoing musical experimentation.
April 15
Elvis signs the official contract for his Vegas engagement at the International Hotel. In the contract there is a clause permitting filming of a concert documentary as well as an option for a second season and complimentary suites for both Elvis and the Colonel.
April 29
With filming now complete on the movie Elvis is dismissed from Change Of Habit.
May 4
Elvis, Priscilla and Lisa together with the Gambills, the Fikes, the Espositos and Charlie Hodge they all fly out to Hawaii. They spend time at 2 hotels, the Ilikai and Coco Palms.
May 18
The group return to L.A.
May 20
The Circle G ranch is sold for $440,000 to the North Mississippi Gun Club though the ranch will end up back in Elvis’ hands when they default on the payments.
May 28
Now back in Memphis Elvis spends most of the day sleeping before taking a late afternoon dip in the pool. This is followed by the now regular autograph signing sessions down at the gates. During the night he screens Goodbye, Columbus, Winning ( a racing film with Paul Newman) and Death of a Gun Fighter at the Memphian.
June 8
Once again Elvis is down at the gates signing autographs and meeting the fans. According to Elvis’ uncle Vester the Colonel doesn’t like him doing this but feels it is helping him get used to crowds again in preparation for his upcoming Vegas shows.
June 10
International owner Kirk Kerkorian arranges an 8.00pm flight for Elvis and some friends to fly from Memphis to Vegas to view construction of the new two thousand seat showroom. From here Elvis flies on to L.A. for wardrobe fittings with Bill Belew whom Elvis had previously worked with on the NBC special.
July 14
Around this time Elvis speaks with virtually every musician he knows about accompanying him to Vegas. He finally settles on a band that comprises of James Burton (lead guitar) Larry Muhoberac (keyboards) Ronnie Tutt (drums) Jerry Scheff (bass) and John Wilkinson (rhythm guitar). He also hires gospel singers The Imperials and The Sweet Inspirations.
July 18
Rehearsals begin at the RCA studio on Sunset Blvd. With Elvis and the musicians learning around 150 songs over the next six nights of work. Charlie Hodge continues his role working closely with Elvis on song choices and pacing of the show, his role as a serious musical collaborator and on stage helper are set from the start.
July 28
With rehearsals running every day Elvis takes a break to catch another of Barbra Streisand’s shows at the hotel. Elvis remarks to Charlie that “its one helluva big stage to fill” and that he’s pleased his band and back up singers will be around him.
July 29
Two days of rehearsals now follow in the showroom itself along with the 30 piece International orchestra led by Bobby Morris.
Meanwhile Colonel Parker has been running massive ad campaigns all over Vegas and the surrounding areas.
July 31
During the course of the day Elvis the musicians, back up singers and orchestra go through two complete shows, with Elvis dressed in one of the karate style “Cossack” outfits Bill Belew has designed complete with dangling macramé belt.
At 8.15pm The Sweet Inspirations start the opening of the show, while backstage Elvis is trying to cope with a bout of panic attacks that don’t cease until he takes the stage to rapturous applause at 10.15pm.
The invitation -only audience consists of stars of screen and music as well as the press many of whom have been flown in on Kirk Kerkorian’s private jet. The response to Elvis’ performance is almost cataclysmic as Elvis is bursting with energy, falling to his knees, sliding across the stage and according to some reports even doing summersaults and the audience is on its feet almost the entire show.
The press reports over the following days have the reporters almost lost for words trying to explain what they have witnessed.
After the show in the hotel coffee shop after some impromptu negotiations Parker rewrites Elvis’ contract on the tablecloth along with International president Alex Shoofey. Elvis’ salary is raised to $125,000 a week while extending the hotels option to include two engagements a year for the next five years.
Aug 1
During a 12.30am press conference following the show, Elvis confesses to the press that he was “a little nervous for the first three songs” but then thought “What the heck, get with it man, or you might be out of a job tomorrow”
The evening show takes on the usual set up for the remainder of the engagement, two shows a night starting at 8.15pm and the next at midnight.
Aug 14
Parker completes a deal for Elvis to appear at the Houston Livestock and Rodeo show at the Astrodome from Feb 27th - March 3rd for a fee of $150,000.
Aug 21
Felton Jarvis tests recording equipment during an afternoon rehearsal and dinner performance for a full taping of the midnight show. These are the first recordings of Elvis playing with the new band.
Aug 22
By now Elvis is in total control of the shows and often engaging in informal chats with the audience. However in the Colonels view some of these “chats” can sometimes be deemed offensive especially during the dinner shows when children are present. He writes to Elvis expressing his opinions and concludes saying “Only you can change it” and “not to undo all of the good that we have created during the first part of our engagement”.
Aug 28
Elvis completes his record breaking summer season with total attendance figures of 101,500 and gross receipts of $1,522,635. Compared to Dean Martin who has just finished a 3 week stint at the smaller Riviera Hotel with attendance figures of 50,000.
Alex Shoofey conveys his thanks to Elvis and on the success of the shows presents him with an all expenses paid trip to Hawaii plus eight others.
September 1
Elvis is back in L.A. and for the first time in almost ten years has nothing in his calendar until a scheduled recording session in January 1970. He spends the month restlessly flying between Las Vegas, L.A., Palm Springs and Memphis where he regularly hires the Memphian for all night movie screenings.
October 3
Elvis flies to L.A then onto Hawaii accompanied by Priscilla, Vernon and Dee along with the Espositos, Gambills, and Schillings in a trip largely financed by thee International Hotel.
October 12
Plans are drawn up for Elvis, Priscilla and some of the families to go to Europe on an extended holiday. Passport papers are finalized and everyone is ready to go until Parker hears of the plan. He explains to Elvis that his European fans would be greatly insulted for him to go over as a tourist and have no plans to do any shows. At first Elvis puts up a fight but soon the momentum is lost and on Parkers advice everyone heads for the Bahamas where the Colonel has contacts and they will enjoy the gambling.
Nov 7
Elvis again spends most of his time in Vegas and L.A. and whilst in L.A. takes karate lessons from Ed Parker who awards him with certificates of advancement largely based on his contributions to the sport.
Dec 18
Elvis returns to Memphis for the Christmas holidays, where he spends almost every night at the Memphian until his return to L.A. in January.
Dec 25
Vernon once again dresses up as Santa Clause. Elvis gives Priscilla a black fox coat while she gives him a black velvet suit plus shirts and trousers for his personal use designed by Bill Belew.
Dec 30
$612.41 worth of fireworks are delivered to Graceland for the annual New Years Eve display.
Dec 31
Elvis’ party is held at a new Memphis club TJ’s, where Alan Fortas is now working. Entertainment is provided by Ronnie Milsap, Flash and the Board of Directors and songwriter Mark James performs his song Suspicious Minds.