[GuitarMan66]

Thanks fellas I'm pleased you like it. (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/king.gif)

[GuitarMan66]

1963
January 7
Colonel Parker refuses an offer for Elvis to do a non paying guest spot on TV to promote his new movie Fun in Acapulco. He has done this on several occasions in the past citing that to do so would lead to overexposure and cut into movie profits.
January 11
Priscilla flies back to Germany despite Elvis’ best efforts to convince her parents into letting her stay in Memphis.
January 21
Production work begins on Fun in Acapulco. Richard Thorpe the director of Jailhouse Rock is once again in charge.
January 22
Soundtrack sessions begin and run through the following day.
January 28
Filming begins on the new movie with all of Elvis’ scenes filmed in Hollywood with background material shot in Acapulco.
March 1
While filming the song Marguerita Elvis complains of feeling self conscious in an untucked short sleeved shirt, explaining that he would never wear such clothing himself. However it is too late for the clothing to be changed as a shot of Elvis’ body double in the same outfit exiting the bandstand has to be used in the picture.
March 2
Priscilla and her father arrive in L.A to meet with Elvis to discuss arrangements for her to complete her education in Memphis at the Immaculate Conception High School. And on the condition that she stays with Vernon and Dee at their home just around the corner from Graceland.
March 13
Principal photography ends on Fun in Acapulco and the Colonel throws a party for cast and crew.
March 14
Publicity stills are taken for the film and Hal Wallis approves Elvis’ request to keep two of the black silk shirts and the flamenco outfit he wore during filming.
March 22
Elvis flies home to Memphis where Priscilla is waiting.
April 1
Elvis buys Priscilla a red Corvair so she can drive to school herself instead of being chauffeured every day by Vernon.
April 15
Today eighteen trees are planted on the grounds of Graceland. There are also two new front and back porches constructed, burglar proof bars are also added over the windows and the mansion painted.
The work is carried out by Vernon and Gladys’ long time friend Carl Nichols whom a few years earlier had accompanied the Presley’s to Hollywood to visit their son on the set of Loving You.
April 24
Around 30 books are purchased by Elvis at the Readin’ & Ritin’ book store in Memphis, the titles include Eye-witness History of World War Two, Exploring the Earth, Giants of Medicine, Underwater, Giants of Science, Strange People, World Philosophy, East of Eden, World Atlas, Trail Guide, Jokes for the John, and Goodnight Mrs. Calabash.
May 26
Over the next two days Elvis records fourteen songs in RCA’s Studio B in Nashville with the intention of an album being released and the song “You’re the(Devil in Disguise)” being used as a single. However the album never materializes and the songs are filtered out over the next couple of years as soundtrack ‘bonus’ songs and singles.
May 29
Priscilla graduates from High School though Elvis does not attend the ceremony after Priscilla expresses concern about the disruption his presence would cause. He does however wait outside in his car before taking her home for a graduation party at Graceland where they will spend the whole of the next month.
July 4
Elvis and the guys stage their annual fireworks show and fight at Graceland.
Elvis flies back out to Hollywood the next day or two.
July 9
Elvis reports to MGM for the start of his new movie Viva Las Vegas to be directed by Hollywood veteran George Sidney and co-stars Ann Margret.
Soundtrack recording starts at 7.00 pm and runs till 4.15 am. The three day sessions feature the largest group of musicians Elvis has ever worked with. As well as the usual L.A and Nashville session men there is also a brass section, organist and additional percussionist.
Elvis and Ann Margret perform three duets but only one (The Lady Loves Me) will make it into the film and none will be released on record.
July 14
The cast and crew travel to Las Vegas where they stay at The Sahara Hotel.
July 15
Principal photography begins and runs for the next eleven days with various Vegas locations being used.
July 27
Cast and crew return to Los Angeles. By now Elvis and Ann Margret are inseparable with the gossip columnists having a field day.
August 6
Back in Memphis Priscilla reads about the press speculation concerning Elvis and Ann Margret.
August 15
Filming costs start to soar way over budget with the Colonel trying desperately to stop it. With this problem in mind the Colonel strikes a deal with another MGM producer Sam Katzman to produce Elvis’ next movie. He is known as ‘King of the Quickies’ for good reason, thanks to his tight shooting schedule and budget control.
September 11
Elvis returns to Memphis after completing stills photography and over dubs for Viva Las Vegas.
September 23
Elvis is at the Memphian Theatre almost every night watching such films as The Terror, The Sky Above, The Mud Below and Hootenanny Hoot.
September 29
Elvis goes to RCA’s studio B in Nashville to record the soundtrack for his next movie Kissin Cousins. The recording session is taking place in Nashville at the Colonels request because it helps keep costs down.
However due to a bad cold Elvis cannot record the vocals, and only the backing tracks are recorded.
October 7
Elvis reports to MGM in Hollywood for pre production work, as well as a wig fitting for his role of twin brothers in the movie (one blonde, the other dark).
October 10
Elvis records the vocals for the soundtrack songs at MGM.
October 13
Location filming begins in the town of Big Bear in the San Bernardino Mountains.
October 17
Elvis receives his 2nd degree black belt ‘honorary’ award for outstanding work, enthusiasm and support of karate. He carries the certificate (card) in his wallet for the rest of his life.
November 5
Location filming concludes and cast and crew return to L.A.
November 6
Priscilla joins Elvis in Hollywood after she reads press reports of him being seen out motor cycle riding with Ann Margret.
November 8
Ann Margret is reported in the press as having said that she is in love with Elvis but doesn’t know if they will marry.
When the Colonel hears of this he advises Elvis to send Priscilla back to Memphis to avoid un wanted press speculation.
November 14
MGM release Elvis after publicity stills have been taken.
November 22
Elvis and Ann Margret watch the news of President Kennedy’s assassination at Elvis’ Perugia Way home.
December 10
After a private screening of Viva Las Vegas Hal Wallis writes to the Colonel with grave concerns over Elvis’ appearance in the movie. Saying he looks soft, fat and jowly with a hairdo that makes him look like he is wearing a wig that is painted too black. He urges Parker to have a talk with Elvis about this as he wants Elvis to be in top shape to play the tough hard hitting character he is slated to play in Roustabout.
After various communications it is decided that Elvis is not to bring his own hairdresser to the set.
December 17
Elvis is photographed with the mayor of Memphis as he presents a cheque for $55,000 to be shared between 58 Memphis based charities.
RCA extend Elvis’ contract adding two additional years carrying him through till December 1971.
December 23
Elvis and Priscilla spend Christmas together at Graceland.

1964
January 8
Elvis celebrates his 29th birthday quietly at home.
January 12
Elvis arrives at RCA’s studio B in Nashville on his motorcycle. He starts of a 5 hour recording session cutting tracks such as Memphis Tennessee, Ask Me and It Hurts Me. The first two songs he had been recorded during a May ’63 session but Elvis was not satisfied wit the takes, so now re-records them.
January 30
Colonel Parker buys Franklin D Roosevelt’s retired yacht the Potomac for $55,000 in Elvis’ name. The purpose being to generate publicity by donating the boat to Elvis’ favourite charity The March of Dimes. However the gift is refused and the Colonel has to now scramble around for a suitable recipient.
Elvis takes off to Vegas with various friends including Joe Esposito, Alan Fortas, and cousin Billy Smith.
February 9
The Beatles make their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, Colonel Parker and Elvis send a telegram to be read out ‘On Air ‘.
February 14
Elvis travels to Long Beach, California to present the yacht Potomac to Danny Thomas on behalf of St. Jude’s research hospital in Memphis.
February 17
Colonel Parker throws himself into his role as Technical Advisor for Elvis’ next movie Roustabout. Offering insider tips on carnival life, providing suggestions for locations and casting and making sure that the film does not denigrate those who work in the circus.
He also writes a scene for the movie in which a boy discovers a worm inside his apple to which Elvis’ character replies “No charge for the meat, son”.
Wallis pays the Colonel $25,000 for his services.
February 26
Elvis reports to Paramount for the start of his new movie Roustabout. Which co-stars actors Leif Erickson and Barbara Stanwyck (Mae West had previously turned down the role).
March 2
Recording sessions begin at Radio Recorders for the next two days.
March 5
Elvis reports to the Paramount make up department for a haircut by the studio barber.
March 6
Cast and crew head out to the Hidden Valley Ranch north of L.A for location shooting.
March 11
After virtually begging director John Rich, Elvis is allowed to do his own fight scene. However an accident occurs and Elvis is cut above his left eye. To avoid any loss of filming a band aid is placed over the stitches and explained in the film as a result of his characters motorcycle being run off the road earlier in the movie.
March 20
In an article in the Las Vegas News Hal Wallis in an interview for the paper remarks that “In order to do the artistic pictures, it is necessary to make the commercially successful Presley pictures. But that doesn’t mean a Presley picture can’t have quality to”
These remarks hurt Elvis deeply and he will often refer to them in private to the end of his life.
April 30
Elvis meets hairdresser Larry Geller for the first time, due to Elvis’ normal hairdresser being unable to make the appointment. The pair strike up a conversation regarding their spiritual studies
and within a couple of hours Elvis has Larry promise to quit his job straight away and go to work for him full time so they can continue their studies.
May 1
As promised Larry reports for his new job with Elvis, bringing with him various books including The Impersonal Life, this book quickly becomes one of Elvis’ favourites and he will closely study it for the rest of his life, as well as pass on many copies to friends and associates over the years.
May 14
Following publicity stills and a brief recording session to overdub the new title song all work on Roustabout is completed.
Elvis spends much of the remainder of the month at his home on Parugia Way studying books with Larry.
June 9
A music meeting is held to discuss Elvis’ next picture Girl Happy.
June 10
Elvis is at Radio Recorders to begin soundtrack recordings. Working from 7.00pm -3.00 am
June 11
Soundtrack recording continues but Elvis is both disappointed by the material and his own performance. And the session ends after 34 takes of Do Not Disturb.
June 15
Elvis completes the vocal soundtrack recordings, and does not set foot in a recording studio again for another 8 months.
June 22
Shooting begins on Girl Happy
June 23
Colonel Parker celebrates his 55th birthday with a party ‘on set’.
August 3
Filming of Girl Happy concludes though Elvis is not released from the picture until the 12th.
August 17
Elvis storms out of a meeting with Col. Parker. Having been accused of being on a ‘religious kick’.
With Elvis retorting ‘My life is not a kick, its real’.
Tension is also building within Elvis’ circle of friends as resentment grows over the amount of time Elvis is spending studying books with Larry Geller. This comes to a head with Elvis firing Joe Esposito for no real reason and replacing him with Marty Lacker.
August 21
Elvis’ next film is to be produced by Allied Artist and titled Tickle Me.
However with the company being in financial difficulties the Colonel comes up with the idea of using previously recorded songs by Elvis for the soundtrack, thus saving money on studio time etc.
Parker sends Elvis a telegram to ask his approval of the idea to which Elvis’ reply is quite simply “Arrangements with records OK. Elvis”
For the remainder of the month Elvis continues his studies with Larry (he even has Larry’s wife and 2 young children fly in to Memphis). However Elvis still finds time to rent out the fairgrounds and the Memphian almost every night.
September 21
Elvis is made a ‘Special Deputy Sheriff’ of Shelby County police force. And is photographed and fingerprinted for his badge.
September 25
On his final night in Memphis Elvis is once again at the Memphian screening one of his favourite films Dr. Strangelove.
Whilst there Elvis asks Jerry Schilling if he would like to join their group heading out to Hollywood tomorrow. Jerry who’s brother is a Memphis policeman has been hanging around the group for some time now often playing football with Elvis and the guys at Guthrie Park.
October 6
Elvis reports to Allied Artists for preproduction work on Tickle Me.
October 23
Vernon and family move to a new house, 1266 Dolan just behind Graceland.
November 18
Hal Wallis’ associate Paul Nathan has a conversation with the Beatles press officer Brian Sommerville in which the officer describes the group’s eagerness to appear in the finale of Elvis’ next Paramount picture. As he says the Beatles ‘are crazy about Elvis’ and if contracts can be agreed they would be very interested in working with him.
November 24
With production over on Tickle Me the caravan of motor homes begins the journey back to Memphis.
December 3
Almost every night of the month Elvis is at the Memphian.
December 14
Elvis hands out his usual $55,000 to local Memphis charities.
December 25
Elvis refuses to accept his Christmas gift from the guys.
It is a tree of life pendant with all the names of the ‘mafia’ engraved on its branches but with one omission, that of Larry Geller. So the gift is returned for it to be corrected.
December 31
Elvis rents out the Memphian.

[LittleDarlin]

Have been looking forward to this next installment, Thanks for your time Steve (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/notworthy.gif)

[GuitarMan66]

Have been looking forward to this next installment,  Thanks for your time Steve  (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/notworthy.gif)

Thanks Carol (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/king.gif)

[pacer1965]

Thanks Steve (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/angel.gif) it must have taken a while to write them (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/swoons.gif)

TCE
Lorraine

[GuitarMan66]

Thanks Steve (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/angel.gif) it must have taken a while to write them (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/swoons.gif)

TCE
Lorraine

It does take me a while as I'm not the fastest of typers Lorraine (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/pcwhack.gif) (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif) (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif)

[GuitarMan66]

1965
January 8
Elvis celebrates his 30th birthday quietly at Graceland.
Various newspaper articles pick up on this noting the “passing of an era” with the Memphis Commercial Appeal running an interview with Elvis in which he says “I guess if you are poor you always think bigger and want more than those who have everything.”
February 24
A hastily put together soundtrack session is arranged for Elvis’ new film Harum Scarum .It’s Elvis’ first recording session in over eight months and the other musicians note Elvis’ dissatisfaction with the material. He works for only four hours going through 38 dreary takes of Shake That Tambourine.
This general lack of interest in his career is not lost on the Colonel who arranges for Elvis to have his cast medical done in Memphis to allow him to delay his departure for Hollywood a little longer.
March 5
During the cross country trip to LA Elvis conveys his disappointment to Larry Geller in that after all his study and meditation he has still not had a ‘religious experience.’
Shortly after this conversation Elvis stops the motor home in the middle of the desert as he sees a cloud formation in the shape of Joseph Stalin’s face which slowly turns into the face of Jesus.
Elvis is visibly shaken by the experience though the majority of the guys traveling with him are clearly skeptical about the whole episode.
March 15
Principal photography begins on Harum Scarum.
Joe Esposito whom Elvis had fired on the way back to Memphis in August ’64 is rehired and joins Marty Lacker as co-foreman of the group.
Around this time Elvis joins the Self Realization Fellowship based in Pacific Palisades and spends many hours with its leader Sri Daya Mata. His relationship with her remains central to his spiritual quest for the rest of his life.
April 4
After seeing Jerry Schillings new Triumph motorcycle Elvis goes on a spending spree purchasing a fleet of bikes for himself and the guys.
April 19
After barely a months production Elvis completes his work on Harum Scarum.
May 11
Preproduction begins on his next movie Frankie and Johnny.
May 12
Elvis spends the next three days recording the soundtrack for his new movie. During the first day Elvis throws a tantrum stating he is “in no mood to record” and storms out the studio leaving the band to record the instrumentals to which Elvis overdubs his vocals to over the following two days.
May 24
Principal photography begins on Frankie and Johnny.
June 18
After a private screening of Harum Scarum even the Col has to concede defeat. Even going so far as to doubt his own judgment on agreeing to such a hurried production schedule. Declaring “It would take a fifty fifth cousin to PT Barnum to sell this picture” also adding “The best thing to do is to book it fast get the money, then try again”.
A month or so later Parker comes up with the suggestion that a talking camel be used in the movie as a narrator so that way the ridiculousness of the presentation might seem intentional.
June 24
Elvis completes publicity stills for Frankie and Johnny and whilst on the set he is recognized at a special ceremony with the likes of Barbara Stanwyck and Frank Sinatra in attendance for his contributing a cheque for $50,000 to the Motion Picture Relief Fund.
June 26
Elvis gives the Colonel an electric golf cart for his 56th birthday.
July 7th
Tickle Me opens nationwide and though it never appears on the box office charts it quickly earns back it’s costs and in the process saves Allied Artists from closure.
During this time Elvis experiments with LSD encouraging friends Red and Sonny West and Alan Fortas to try the drug under his supervision. He also serves up marijuana brownies to the guys obviously fascinated by the psychedelic experience.
August 2
A week late, Elvis arrives at Paramount Studios for pre-production on his next movie Paradise Hawaiian Style. After a cast insurance medical exam and wardrobe fittings Elvis starts laying down vocal overdubs at Radio recorders for the movie soundtrack. This continues for the next two days.
August 5
Elvis and his entourage (which now includes Red and Sonny West, Ray ‘the chief’ Sitton, Larry Geller and Richard Davis) as well as his father and stepmother fly out to Hawaii for location filming.
August 7
Filming begins on Paradise Hawaiian Style.
August 15
Elvis, his father Vernon and Col.Parker visit the U.S.S Arizona memorial where they lay a bell shaped wreath containing 1,177 carnations, one for each serviceman killed aboard the ship.
August 16
Elvis receives a telegram from the president of Capitol Records inviting him to a cocktail party in L.A to meet the Beatles.
He does not attend.
August 27
Amidst tight security the Beatles get to meet Elvis at his Perugia Way home. Elvis remains seated on a long L shaped couch watching a soundless TV when his guests arrive. After a brief chat Elvis picks up his bass and they fool around with a few songs interspersed with sparse conversation and the Beatles go home disappointed, though John Lennon tells Jerry Schilling the evening really meant a lot to him and asks him to let Elvis know that “if it hadn’t been for him the Beatles would be nothing”.
September 11
In a newspaper article the Colonel appears to show his continued frustration with Elvis’ frequent erratic behavior when he states that “sooner or later someone is going to have to take over the reigns”.
September 30
Elvis completes filming on Paradise Hawaiian Style and sets off for Memphis the following day.
October 7
Whilst away there has been extensive work carried out on the grounds of Graceland, namely the construction of the Meditation Garden just beyond the swimming pool. The inspiration coming from the Self Realization Park in Pacific Palisades. The total cost of the garden comes to around $21,000.
October 21
Elvis’ one time bass player Bill Black dies of a brain tumor at the Baptist Hospital in Memphis.
In the commercial Appeal Elvis is quoted as saying that Bill “was a great man and a person that everyone loved. This comes as such a shock to me that I can hardly explain how much I loved Bill”. Whilst Vernon and Dee attend the funeral Elvis does not for fear of causing disruption.
Sales figures show in this year Elvis sells 40% fewer records than he did in 1960 but despite this Colonel Parker still manages to substantially improve Elvis’ RCA contract through to 1972 with a two year option.
October 22
Almost every evening Elvis is at the Memphian Theatre screening movies such as A Patch of Blue, Cleopatra, Dr No, Thunderball and his favourite Dr.Strangelove.
December 17
Elvis makes his annual $50,000 donation to various Memphis charities.
December 14
Elvis purchases various items of jewellery from Harry Levitch including bracelets, charms, diamond rings and gold wristwatches one with the initials GK for friend George Klein.
December 25
Priscilla gives Elvis a home slot car racing set as he has been spending much of his spare time on this activity since being introduced to it in California. Elvis is given a statue of Jesus by his entourage, which they have commissioned from a local artist at a cost of $500. The statue still stands in the Meditation Garden.
Sometime over the holidays Elvis finally tries LSD himself under carefully controlled conditions. And according to Larry Geller like everything he did he tripped ‘Elvis style’.
A few hours after the group ordered pizzas and watched movies. And as far as is known it’s the only time Elvis ever used LSD.
December 31
Elvis holds a party at the Manhattan Club for family, friends and fans.

1966
January 8
Elvis celebrates his thirty first birthday by screening It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World at the Memphian.
He also receives a ceremonial telegram from ninety RCA executives stating “Your understanding and cooperation made 1965 the biggest of all the ten years you have spent with us”.
January 14
Elvis’ passion for slot car racing takes another step up when he orders a professional slot car race track at a cost of $4,990.And he also has plans drawn up for an extension onto the side of Graceland to accommodate the track, ( this is now the Trophy Room ). Toward the end of the month all the guys have their own customized cars and fights break out during some hotly contested races.
January 28
Rumours still persist that the Colonel has plans to sell Elvis’ contract, with an article in one of the Memphis papers declaring that the Beatles manager Brian Epstein is negotiating to buy Elvis’ contract.
February 3
Elvis and his entourage arrive in L.A at the new house 10550 Rocca Place in Bel Air. This house like the Bellagio property is rented from Mrs. Reginald Owen.
February 11
Preproduction work starts on Spinout, and he spends the next few days in the studio recording the soundtrack.
February 21
Principal photography begins on Spinout.
During an interview Elvis indicates that he will never sell Graceland because of the memories of his mother. He also speaks of working on a new gospel album that will be his first non-soundtrack record in 2 years.
March 19
Elvis flies to Vegas for the weekend.
April 2
Colonel Parker and Hal Wallis complete what will be the last contract they both enter into. But not before the Colonel has beaten a better deal out of Wallis on virtually every point. There are no extension options and not altogether surprisingly Wallis will never attempt to do another Presley picture after Easy Come Easy Go.
April 8
Filming concludes on Spinout.
April 16
At the wheel of his newly customized Greyhound bus Elvis and a convoy of cars start the long trip back to Memphis.
April 28
Back at Graceland Elvis once again frequents the Memphian Theatre.
May 22
Elvis and the boys organize a football team on the grounds of Whitehaven High School near Graceland.
May 25
At 1.00am Elvis sets off for Nashville for scheduled recording sessions to take place over the next few days. As previously mentioned these are the first non soundtrack recording he has made in two years. The session are mostly made up of gospel songs for an up coming album of which Elvis will receive a Grammy award for Best Sacred Performance.
These are Felton Jarvis’ first sessions as Elvis’ producer taking over from Chet Atkins who has had enough of doing ‘the night shift’ in reference to Elvis’ sessions always taking place in the small hours.
June 27
Elvis reports to MGM for work on his next movie Double Trouble and is in the studio recording the soundtrack over the next few days.
June 28
Tracey Smith, Gladys’ retarded younger brother dies after a brief illness. Elvis has always been kind to his Uncle Tracey whose favourite saying was “I got my nerves in the dirt”
July 11
Filming begins on Double Trouble.
Around this time the Col turns down a movie offer from Japan stating that Elvis is fully booked up until 1969.
August 6
During the filming of Double Trouble Elvis spends most of his weekends in either Vegas or Palm Springs where the Colonel has a home loaned to him cost free from the William Morris Agency.
August 30
Filming on Double Trouble is completed.
RCA takes up the option of extending Elvis’ current contract through to December ’74.
Rumours start to surface that Elvis and Priscilla are soon to be married. With Vernon going as far as to write to the British Fan Club to quash the rumours though he states that he wouldn’t object to his son marrying Priscilla or any other girl he might choose.
September 6
In preparation for Elvis’ up coming filming of Easy Come Easy Go Hal Wallis writes a long letter to the Colonel expressing his concerns about Elvis’ appearance and how much it has deteriorated since Roustabout.
September 27
Elvis reports to Paramount for pre production work on Easy Come Easy Go. Filming continues through October.
November 7
Principal photography is completed on the movie.
November 22
Hal Wallis delays releasing Elvis from Easy Come Easy Go until today despite the fact that filming had finished two weeks ago. Whether this is due to his getting revenge for all the problems he has had with the Colonel over the years and also on this movie is not known.
November 24
After spending Thanksgiving at the Colonels home in Palm Springs Elvis sets off for home in the newly customized bus.
November 29
On his way home Elvis hears George Klein playing Green Green Grass of Home on his Memphis radio show. He phones the station and requests they play the song over and over again much to the annoyance of Red West who the previous summer had brought Elvis the song to record but was told it was far too country for him to consider it.
December 5
Elvis begins to take a serious interest in horseback riding buying a variety of boots, jackets and other horse riding related clothes.
December 12
Elvis donates $105,000 to various local charities.
December 15
George Klein receives a yellow Cadillac convertible from Elvis.
December 20
Elvis buys two bay horses, one of which is a Christmas present to Priscilla. As part of his ongoing interest in horse riding Elvis also buys horses for Jerry Schilling and his fiancée Sandy Kawelo.
December 24
Elvis proposes to Priscilla and presents her with a ring he has purchased from his favourite jeweler Harold Levitch some time before.
December 25
Christmas is spent at Graceland with family and friends.
December 28
Elvis takes his equestrian activities further by purchasing two more horses though at the same time he returns one of the bay horses he had just bought previous.
Over the next couple of days he buys a further four horses along with a great deal of riding material.
Dec 31
Elvis holds his annual New Years Eve party at the Manhattan Club but he does not attend as he cannot find a parking space outside and returns to Graceland.

[LittleDarlin]

Fantastic Steve......

Does anyone know anything about that Newspaper interview from September 11th?
I would love to know what the article was about.

[GuitarMan66]

Does anyone know anything about that Newspaper interview from September 11th?
I would love to know what the article was about.

I wouldn't read too much into what the Colonel was saying Carol.
IMO he was just trying to get to Elvis through the newspaper as opposed to coming out and saying something to his face.
Parker was getting more and more frustrated with Elvis' erratic behaviour and especially him getting so deep into relegion wth Larry Geller so I think he was just trying to scare Elvis by saying things like that in the papers to hopefully get through to him.
Hope that helps (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[LittleDarlin]

Yeah Steve it does.

Then I think well, if he couldn't/didn't want to say anything to Elvis about it........was he as controlling as we have been led to believe (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/undecided.gif)

[GuitarMan66]

Yeah Steve it does.

Then I think well, if he couldn't/didn't want to say anything to Elvis about it........was he as controlling as we have been led to believe  (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/undecided.gif)

Probably after the way Elvis stormed out of Parkers office after their first argument about his 'religious kick' re: Aug 17 1964, he probably thought he would try a different method.

NOTE Hyperlinks are now starting to be added to certain names and places etc starting from the first years covered ( page 1) and continuing on from there as and when I have the time and info available. (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[LittleDarlin]

Probably after the way Elvis stormed out of Parkers office after their first argument about his 'religious kick' re: Aug 17 1964, he probably thought he would try a different method.

NOTE Hyperlinks are now starting to be added to certain names and places etc starting from the first years covered ( page 1) and continuing on from there as and when I have the time and info available. (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

FANTASTIC PACER (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/clap.gif) (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/clap.gif) (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/clap.gif)

[stefan]

GREAT work Steve ! I bow for you: (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/notworthy.gif) (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/notworthy2.gif)
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It's interesting to read that Parker not only declined concert offers from Japan in the 70's, but also movie offers in the 60's, claiming in 1966 that Elvis was fully booked till 1969. Were the movie contracts indeed that far ahead, or was Parker talking out of his *ss here ?

[GuitarMan66]

1967
January 2
On this day a new agreement comes into effect which for the first time recognises Elvis and Colonel Parker to be engaged what amounts to be a partnership or joint venture. Within this agreement the Colonel will now receive 50% of any profits or royalties beyond basic payments, as well as 50% of all special or side deals.
January 3
Over the next few days Elvis’s current obsession of horse-back riding escalates. He buys a Palomino horse called Midgets Vandy, that he rechristens Rising Sun, as well as buying other horses and purchasing horse riding equipment for various friends. The barn behind Graceland is renovated to accommodate the horses and Elvis now names the barn the House of the Rising Sun.
January 8
Elvis spends his 32nd birthday at Graceland.
January 9
Over the coming days Elvis buys another five horses and has the area behind Graceland cleared and bulldozed to create a riding ring.
January 24
Colonel Parker renegotiates Elvis’s contract with RCA through 1974 with an extension through 1980. Elvis receives word of the new contract and telegrams the Colonel, ‘Dear Colonel the greatest snowman on earth has caused another storm’. Looking forward to another great forecast from you, respectfully Elvis.
Before the end of the month Elvis purchases another three horses.
February 8
During a horse buying trip in Mississippi Elvis and the boys come across Twinkletown Farm a 160 acre cattle ranch, marked by a lighted 65 foot high white cross about 10 miles from Graceland. The property is for sale and Elvis almost immediately decides to buy it, costing him $437,000. Soon after Elvis and the gang take up residence at the ranch which is renamed The Circle G (for Graceland). During the next three weeks, Elvis purchases at least two dozen pick-ups for use on the ranch, he also starts buying house trailers as the main ranch house is too small for the group and yet more horses.
February 21
On this day Elvis was scheduled to report to United Artists for the start of filming on Clambake however the Colonel realising the impossibility of getting Elvis away from the ranch arranges for the cast insurance exam to take place at RCA’s Studio B in Nashville where the soundtrack for the movie is due to be recorded. Recording continues over the next couple of days though it is obvious to all that Elvis’s mind is elsewhere. He even turns up at the studio for vocal overdubs dressed in a cowboy outfit complete with chaps.
February 26
Elvis puts off flying to L.A. once again this time complaining of saddle sores. On the advice of George Klein’s girlfriend Elvis calls Dr. George Nichopoulos to resolve the problem. He and Elvis immediately become friends and is the beginning of a long standing friendship.
March 3
Colonel Parker frustrated and embarrassed by Elvis’s continuing delays manages to get a postponement from United Artists on the condition that he reports without fail on Monday March 6. Elvis’s spending spree on the ranch continues as he buys eleven Rancheros, two more pick-ups and yet another mobile home.
March 6
Elvis reports to United Artists to begin work on Clambake.
March 8
The Colonel writes to MGM in the hope that for Elvis’s next film scriptwriters can come up with a good hard hitting story. He says he wants to do away with the same old scenarios focusing on girls in bikinis and nightclub scenes which have been in the last 15 pictures.
March 9
Sometime during the night Elvis falls in the bathroom in his house at Rocca Place badly bruising his head. The Colonel arrives with a doctor soon after, x-rays are taken, but shows no fracture and Elvis is confined to his bed for a couple of days. This gives the Colonel the opportunity he has long been waiting for, he gathers all the guys into the living room and reprimands each and every one of them, but especially Larry Geller, he continually stomps his cane into the floor and says to the effect ‘Some people had better start looking for new jobs’. Vernon and Priscilla fly out immediately upon hearing of the accident and in the meantime Colonel Parker has dismissed Marty Lacker as co-foreman, thus leaving Joe Esposito in sole charge. Larry Geller is effectively banned from the group and everyone told there will be no more religious discussions and certainly no more books to fill Elvis’s head with.
March 20
Elvis returns to the studio after 11 days off to begin rehearsals for Clambake.
March 22
Principal photography begins with Elvis back to his old self as co-star Bill Bixby recalls many high-jinx on the set. Over the next two weeks both Easy Come, Easy Go and Double Trouble open Nationwide with both films grossing less than $2,000,000, this leaves Hal Wallis in no doubt that Elvis is no longer the attraction he once was.
April 12
Wrought-iron protective bars are fitted over the windows at Graceland, which can still be seen today replacing the old burglar proof screens that were fitted in 1963.
April 27
Elvis completes work on Clambake.
April 28
More rumours appear in the papers of Elvis’s imminent marriage. Meanwhile members of Elvis’s wedding party begin to assemble in Palm Springs with security so tight that not even close friends Lamar Fike and Alan Fortas receive invitations. Larry Gellar only learns of the wedding when he sees it on the front of a supermarket tabloid.
May 1
Elvis, Priscilla and the wedding party fly out to Las Vegas in 2 leased jets, obtaining a $15 marriage licence at 3.30 a.m. at the Clark County Court House. At 11.45 a.m. in The Aladdin Hotel on the 2nd floor, Suite of the Colonel’s friend and hotel owner Milton Prell, Supreme Court Justice David Zenoff marries Elvis and Priscilla. Only Joe Esposito and Marty Lacker, Elvis’s two best men are present. As Colonel Parker at the last minute decides the room is too small to accommodate everyone.
Everyone is present at the reception afterwards, with the exception of Red West (and his wife) who is furious at being excluded from the ceremony. He and Elvis will remain estranged for the next two years.
April 4
After two days honeymooning in Palm Springs the newly married couple fly back to Memphis. The following day she persuades Elvis to burn all the books the Colonel had banned.
May 8
Ann Margret marries the actor Roger Smith.
May 29
Elvis and Priscilla hold a reception at Graceland for friends, relatives and employees. They are dressed in their full wedding attire. The room just off the pool patio that recently held the now dismantled slot-car track is decorated in green and white for the 8.30 p.m. affair.
June 7
Elvis sends a guitar shaped flower arrangement to Ann Margret for her opening in Vegas. Something Elvis will continue to do for everyone of her Vegas openings until his death.
June 9
Priscilla learns she is pregnant just before leaving for California with Elvis and the gang as he is due to start work on his next motion picture Speedway. The larger than normal caravan of cars and tourers sets of for California including for the first and only time wives and girlfriends with the journey becoming somewhat of an extended family vacation much of which was captured on home movies by Joe Esposito.
June 19
Elvis reports to MGM for pre-production of Speedway, he presents co-star Nancy Sinatra with a car that has Speedway painted on one door and starring Nancy and Elvis on the other.
June 20
Soundtrack recording for Speedway takes place at the MGM Studio in Culver City.
June 26
Principal photography begins for Speedway.
July 12
On the movie set Elvis announces to all that Priscilla is pregnant. He later tells reporters ’This is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me’.
August 8
Vernon begins to sell off pick-up trucks, mobile homes and cattle from the ranch as Elvis’s interest in horse back riding etc has virtually vanished.
August 18
Principal photography for Speedway is completed.
August 21
After completing looping on Speedway, after lunch Elvis has make-up tests for his next picture Stay Away Joe.
August 22
Elvis is scheduled to begin two nights of recording sessions, however the plans are scrapped when Elvis’s friend Richard Davis accidently knocks over and kills a gardener who steps out onto the road from behind a hedge near to Elvis’s Bel-Air home. The Colonel worried about bad publicity sends Elvis and the group off to Vegas.
August 27
Elvis spends some time at the ranch having now taking up a new hobby, target shooting, buying rifles, targets, ear protectors and other supplies. However by the end of September the ranch is up for sale.
September 10
Re-scheduled recording sessions begin for the next two days, with Elvis cutting some of his most contemporary recordings to date, these include Guitar Man written by Jerry Reed who also plays guitar on the track, the resulting song sets a good feeling for the rest of the session at which Elvis also cuts the song Big Boss Man, however the mood quickly changes when music publisher Freddy Beinstock gets into an argument over publishing rights with Reed and the songwriter storms out. Recording session continues the next day.
October 1
Elvis is at Nashville’s Studio B to record three songs for the Stay Away Joe soundtrack. Elvis is so discouraged with the quality of the material that he goes as far as to have his record producer Felton Jarvis swear to never release one of its songs, Dominic (a song which Elvis sings to a bull) on record.
October 5
Elvis spends a few days in Vegas before travelling to Arizona for location shooting.
October 9
Principal photography begins on Stay Away Joe in Sedona, Arizona.
October 26
Priscilla and several wives and girlfriends fly out from Memphis to Sedona.
November 6
Now that Elvis’s movie contracts have ran out Colonel Parker is busy lining up new work for Elvis. He makes a deal with National General Pictures for one film (Charro) and also continues negotiations which had begun in October with NBC vice-president Tom Sarnoff for a Christmas special to be shown in 1968.
November 22
Location shooting is completed for Stay Away Joe.
November 28
Elvis completes filming and is released by MGM.
November 30
Plans are drawn up for a nursery and other renovations on the second floor at Graceland.
December 10
Elvis and Priscilla fly to San Francisco to visit her family who are currently stationed at Travis Air Force Base near Sacramento, they return to Memphis six days later.
December 25
Elvis and Priscilla spend Christmas at Graceland. Soon after the ranch is shut down with the remaining horses etc. moving back to Graceland where Elvis and his friends continued to ride around the grounds.
December 31
For the first time Elvis holds his New Years Eve party at the thunderbird lounge on Adam Street, several singers entertain including Sun Records rockabilly singer Billy Lee Riley. Elvis and Priscilla dance several times including once to his request of ‘Summertime’.

[LittleDarlin]

Well worth waiting for Steve Thank Mate (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/rockon.gif)

[NightRider]

Nicely done Steve...... (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/notworthy.gif)

Can't believe that i never saw this before now.... (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/oops.gif)

[One Night]

(IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/swoon.gif) (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/swoon.gif)

(IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/oops.gif) i didnt see it either Steve...........sorry mate

1967 ......the year i was born (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

Great reading......bet that took ages to type in......... (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/thanks.gif)

(IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

[GuitarMan66]

Thanks for the comments Carol,Chris and Jules...I'm pleased you like it....and yes it took ages to type in...my fingers are sore for weeks after, thats why it takes so long between years..lol

[GuitarMan66]

1968

January 3
Elvis is unhappy with the mix of his new single Guitar Man which to him sounds as if it has been altered from the original sound achieved in the studio. He complains to RCA that his voice is too prominent where as the original was more integrated with the band.
January 8
Elvis celebrates his 33rd birthday at Graceland and screens movies at the Memphian in the evening.
January 12
Details are released by NBC Vice-President Tom Sarnoff concerning Elvis’ first television appearance in eight years. The deal will pay Elvis $250,000 for a Christmas T.V. special, also included are plans for a feature film for which Elvis will be paid $850,000 and a further $25,000 for the films music.
January 15
Elvis flies to Nashville where over the next couple of days he records some new tracks for Stay Away Joe as well as additional songs for RCA which include Too Much Monkey Business and US Male both which feature the guitar skills of Jerry Reed which help inspire Elvis to record some of his best material in a number of years.
February 1
Priscilla gives birth to a baby girl at Baptist Hospital in Memphis at 5.01 p.m. Elvis and some of his friends wait nervously for news in a doctors lounge set-a-side for their use. A special detail of Memphis police paid for by Elvis stand guard at the hospital over the next four days.
February 5
Elvis brings Priscilla and baby Lisa Marie home to Graceland.
February 6
Elvis’ father Vernon is given power of attorney, putting him in official charge of all of Elvis’ business activities. Elvis’ long time friend, actor Nick Adams passes away.
February 14
Elvis and Priscilla lay a wreath of flowers on Gladys’ grave with a card reading Elvis-Priscilla-Lisa Marie. The florist is given special orders that the card be burned along with the flowers when they wilt.
February 25
Elvis and Priscilla take residence in their new home at 1174 Hillcrest Drive. The house is much more secluded than their previous property at only Charlie Hodge and Patsy and Gee Gee Gambill live with the Presleys.
March 4
Elvis reports to MGM for pre-production of his new movie Kiss My Firm But Pliant Lips. This title will soon be revised to Live A Little Love A Little and once again Norman Taurog will direct.
March 5
Bob Finkel is selected as Producer for the NBC Television Special. Elvis begins rehearsals and script readings for his new movie.
March 7
After morning script rehearsals Elvis goes to Western Recorders on Sunset Boulevard to record the soundtrack for the movie.
March 13
Principle photography begins for Live A Little Love A Little.
March 15
Location scenes for the movie are filmed at Marineland in L.A.
March 28
Tom Sarnoff asks the Colonel for Elvis to do a brief walk-on on a another NBC show to advertise his forthcoming special, however the Colonel demands $250,000 for Elvis’ services, needless to say Sarnoff passes up the Colonels request.
April 4
Martin Luther King is assassinated in Memphis. Elvis takes the news just as hard as he did JFK’s assassination, though more personally because of it happening in his home town. Elvis often recites Dr King’s “I have a Dream” speech over the years but no more often than Douglas MacArthur’s Farewell Address.
April 6
Elvis and Priscilla fly to Vegas to see Tom Jones’ midnight show at The Flamingo.
April 8
Electric gates are installed at the Hillcrest house to ensure greater privacy as Lisa Marie grows up.
April 14
Elvis and Priscilla spend Easter at their new rental house on Camino del Norte in Palm Springs.
May 1
The Deli Restaurant on La Cienega caters a party at the new rental house for Elvis and Priscilla’s first wedding anniversary. Principal photography ends on Live A Little Love A Little. The Colonel holds a meeting with both MGM Representatives from NBC and Executives from the T.V. Specials sponsor Singer Sewing Machine Company. Producer Bob Finkel persuades the Colonel to change the format of the Christmas Special to an Elvis Special which will include songs taken from his entire career. The Colonel surprisingly agrees and hands over creative control to Finkel.
May 16
Bob Finkel hires young director Steve Binder for the T.V. Special. Binders partner Bones Howe who once worked as an assistant engineer at Radio Recorders when Elvis first recorded there in ‘56 will produce the music for the Special.
May 18
Elvis, Priscilla and Lisa Marie along with Charlie Hodge, the Gambill’ and the Esposito’ fly to Hawaii in order for Elvis to get a sun tan prior to filming.
May 25
Whilst in Hawaii Elvis and Priscilla attend Ed Parkers championship karate tournament, Ed in later years will become one of Elvis’ closest friends, it is also worth mentioning that the tournament is held at the Honolulu International Center where five years later the Aloha from Hawaii T.V. Special Concert will be filmed. The couple also meet former international light contact champion, Mike Stone.
June 3
Looking tanned and fit Elvis reports to the Binder-Howe offices on Sunset Boulevard at 1 p.m. for the start of informal rehearsals which will carry on for the next two weeks. Elvis is told writers Chris Beard and Alan Blye have created a thematic link along the lines of Belgium playwright Maurice Maeterlinck’s 1909 theatre staple The Blue Bird, this story is of a young man who sets out from home searching for happiness travelling half way around the world, only to find happiness resided all along in his own backyard. The song Guitar Man will serve as a kind of autobiographical link tieing various scenes in the special together. When asked of his opinion Elvis simply says he likes it. Binder and Howe ask Elvis for more input, but he simply says I like it all.
June 6
After Robert Kennedy is assassinated in San Francisco, Steve Binder witnesses Elvis’s heartfelt reaction, this compels him to ask songwriter Earl Brown to compose a closing number capturing Elvis’s idealistic sentiments. Binder later says here was a guy who was not prejudiced, who was raised in the heart of prejudice, but who was really above all that.
June 11
Bill Belew costume designer for the special meets with Elvis. Belew suggests putting Elvis in a black leather suit with a high “Napoleonic” collar to frame Elvis’s face. The only suggestion Elvis has a problem with is the reprise of the gold lame suit though he finally agrees to a gold jacket with black tuxedo trousers.
June 12
Speedway opens across the U.S. and barely recovers production costs.
June 19
After watching Elvis and the guys fooling around in rehearsals with various songs etc, Steve Binder comes up with the idea to film an informal jam session, for a short while he actually thinks of filming these dressing room jam sessions, however after talking to Elvis he settles on the idea of bringing in Elvis’s original musicians from the 50’s, Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana and records a live informal jam on the stage that has been set-a-side for the more formal live concert at the centre of the show.
June 20
Elvis has wardrobe fittings and also on this day the Colonel reminds song publisher Freddy Bienstock to keep out of the way once a song has been recorded, because all musical selections on production are strictly up to Elvis and the producers. Parker is quoted as saying, “If the Colonel can’t stick his nose in, the other people are self-explanatory”.
June 21
Steve Binder inspired by the intensity that Elvis brings to the recording process and the man he has come to know over the last few weeks, asks vocal arranger Earl Brown to commission a song that embodies the idealism he feels the show should project as Binder feels to end the show with a Christmas song would be sacriliege. Brown overnight writes the song If I Can Dream and brings it to Binder who convinces the Colonel, Singer and NBC to let Elvis end the show with this song. Elvis embraces the idea and everyone falls in line, including the Colonel who half heartedly suggests that there must be a Christmas song somewhere in the show.
June 22
Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana (Elvis’ guitarist and drummer from his Sun Studio’s days) arrive from Nashville and immediately strike up the rapport they have always had with Elvis.
June 24
Rehearsals take place at NBC studios from 11.00am -4.00pm.Elvis then works on the informal section of the show with Scotty and DJ.
June 25
Various rehearsals and run through’s are actioned today. Both the ‘gospel’ and ‘guitar man’ sequence are worked on as well as more rehearsals for the informal segment.
At 6.15pm a press conference is held, when Elvis is asked “Why are you finally doing a TV special now?” He replies “We figured it was about time. Besides, I figured I’d better do it before I get too old”.
June 26
Following a complete run through of the show there is a birthday party held for Colonel Parker. Set to the melody of ‘It Hurts Me’ and with lyrics rewritten by the shows scriptwriters Elvis sings the song to Parker complete with various comic put downs including, ‘It hurts me to see the budget climb so high’ and ‘the way Finkel spends my dough’ concluding with the Colonels now familiar lament ‘Is it too much to ask for one lousy tired ol’ Christmas song?’
June 27
At 9.00am the gospel medley is rehearsed and at 1.00pm the amusement park sequence is filmed. At 6.00pm the first of the 2 one hour informal ‘sit down’ shows is recorded in front of a live audience. Just as Elvis is about to go on stage he panics and starts to have serious doubts about the show.
“What if I freeze?” he says to Steve Binder to witch Binder replies “ Then you go out, sit down, look at everyone, get up, and walk off. But you are going out there”
Elvis does go out and puts on two of the greatest and most mesmerising performances of his career.
June 28
The gospel medley is taped in the morning as is the ’bordello’ scene. Meanwhile the shows choreographer holds rehearsals for the Elvis look-alikes who will be featured in the shows opening ’Guitar Man’ sequence.
June 29
After more rehearsals during the day Elvis tapes the 2 ’stand up’ performances for the show. Again much like the ’sit down’ performances they showcase Elvis’ magnificent ability to command the stage with his magnetism, all round showmanship and amazing voice.
June 30
With production falling behind schedule an extra day is added to complete the taping. The first part of the day is taking up completing the “Guitar Man” road medley after which Elvis performs 4 live vocal takes (3 of them complete) the Climatic Number “If I Can Dream” the final take (officially the fifth, since an incomplete rehearsal is counted as the first) will be used for the final broadcast.
The rest of the day spent on completing various sequences and portions of the show.
July 1
Elvis spends a week resting in Palm Springs.
July 8
Elvis reports to National General for pre-production of his new movie which at the moment has working titles of Johnny Hang, Jack Valentine and Come Hell or Come Sundown but will eventually be called “Charro”.
July 22
Principal photography for Charro begins in Apache Junction, Arizona. Elvis and friends occupy rooms on the second floor of the Superstition Inn outside Phoenix. A bearded Elvis arrives on set with high hopes of making a “raw” western depicting life in the early West but discovers to his dismay production is in as much a state of confusion as the films wandering title.
August 20
After viewing a rough-cut of the NBC special the Colonel is outraged that not a single Christmas song has made it into the final edit. In a two page memo he expresses his astonishment that after all his concessions the one thing he had been assured would never happen has happened. The Christmas number has to be put back in the show the Colonel warns “or we will all lose a tremendous amount of promotion”. The Colonel also states the show should be put on ice until the following summer and NBC should do a complete Christmas Show as per our contract. With this in mind as throw away version of Blue Christmas is restored into the final cut of the special.
August 27
Elvis holds a buffet dinner for cast and crew at Goldwyn Studios then heads to Vegas for a brief stay at The Aladdin Hotel.
August 2
Filming is completed and Elvis is released by National General.
September 2
For most of the month Elvis is in Palm Springs.
September 11
Variety magazine releases news that the bordello scene has been cut from the tv special due to the sponsors request.
September 25
Elvis flies home to Memphis at around 6 a.m.
September 26
Elvis, Priscilla and various friends go the Memphian to watch the Thomas Crown Affair, starring Steve McQueen and Clint Eastwood’s Hang ‘Em High. Elvis goes to the movies virtually every night of his two weeks at home.
September 28
Dewey Phillips, the first d.j. to play an Elvis record dies at age 42, Elvis tells a local news reporter we were good friends and I have always appreciated everything he did for me in helping me in my career in the early days.
October 1
Elvis attends Dewey’s funeral at the Memphis Funeral Home.
October 13
Elvis flies back to L.A. with Priscilla and Lisa Marie.
October 15
Although the intention of Charro was to present Elvis in a straight dramatic role, MGM now call upon him to record a title song for the movie along with one other number which in the end does not make it into the finished film.
October 22
Elvis begins pre-production for his new (and final) MGM film, Chautauqua with rehearsals starting at 11 a.m. The Colonel expresses to concern about the title which he feels will be difficult to advertise properly, so it is eventually changed to “The Trouble with Girls” (and how to get into it),
October 23
Live a Little, Love a Little opens nationwide and does as poorly as Speedway had in June.
October 29
Principal photography begins.
November 14
Elvis has the day off from filming and flies to Reno.
December 3
“Elvis” (in the ad it says Singer presents Elvis) airs in the U.S. to critical acclaim and gives NBC a 42% share of the viewing audience making it the number one show for the season.
December 10
William Morris agent Abe Lastfogel is informed by the Colonel that Elvis will consider an engagement in Las Vegas at a price of $500,000 for four weeks or $300,000 for two weeks, plus in addition to having Mondays off and performing one show a night on weeknights (at 11.30 p.m.) and two shows a night on the weekend.
December 12
Abe Lastfogel is swamped with requests for more tv appearances but the Colonel tells him to respond that Elvis is not available.
December 18
Filming on The Trouble with Girls is completed and Elvis is released by the studio.
December 19
Kirk Kerkorian owner of the as yet unfinished International Hotel in Las Vegas strikes up a deal with the Colonel for Elvis to perform at the venues 2,000 seat showroom (the largest in Vegas). The arrangement is for Elvis to open in July 1969 with a four week engagement performing seven nights a week, the standard two shows a night. Salary is $100,000 per week out of which Elvis will pay for his band and back-up singers.
December 20
Elvis flies home to Memphis and for the month he is there he attends the movies almost every night.
December 23
At Goldsmiths Department Store in Memphis, Elvis’s friend Joe Esposito purchases gift certificates in amounts between $100 and $200 to be used as Christmas presents by Elvis.
December 25
Elvis, Priscilla and Lisa Marie spend Christmas at Graceland with Vernon dressing up as Santa for Lisa’s first Christmas.
December 31
Elvis’s New Year’s Eve party is held once again at The Thunderbird Lounge. Performers this year include The Shortcuts, Vaneese Starks, Flash and the board of directors Billy Lee Riley and B.J. Thomas.

[NightRider]

Excellent and detailed as ever Steve. Some interesting reading there.....especially the Colonel throwing several "wobblies" as the NBC wasn't going the way he wanted it to...and ain't we so thankful that he didn't get that all his own way.....

Also made me smile about him changing the name of Chautauqua to The Trouble With Girls ( and how to get into it).........much more of a catchy title (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif) (IMG:http://elvis-tkc.com/forum2/style_emoticons/default/LSHIC.gif)