In a thrilling turn of events, Elvis
Presley was summoned to perform on a TV variety show hosted by the enigmatic Milton Berle
This episode was broadcasted not only for general audiences but also exclusively for the crew of
the USS Hancock, docked in San Diego, California The audience eagerly anticipated Elvis'
renditions of 'Shake, Rattle and Roll', 'Heartbreak Hotel', and 'Blue Suede Shoes'
Little did they know the intriguing tale that lay behind these performances.
As the spotlight fell up
on Elvis, his voice filled the air with the familiar tunes
But there was more to this performance than met the eye
It had been only days since a devastating accident left Carl Perkins, the original owner
of 'Blue Suede Shoes', struggling to recover In an unspoken tribute, Elvis chose to
perform this song closer to Perkins' arrangement - a poignant moment
that added depth to his performance Milton Berle, never one to shy away from humor,
played a comedic skit featuring 'Melvin', the twin brot
her who supposedly
taught Elvis everything he knew While tasteless in retrospect, this segment
may have been written without knowledge of Jessie Garon, Elvis' own twin who was stillborn
In a twist of fate, Carl Perkins would take years to recover from his accident, eventually
falling into disillusionment and heavy drinking It wasn't until the Beatles
popularized his songs that he finally found some measure of success again
Meanwhile, Elvis continued to dazzle audiences with his performances
On April 14, he returned to the RCA studios in Nashville to record a new
hit, 'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You' This soulful ballad showcased
a huskier side of Elvis' voice and marked a turning point in his career
Soon after, Elvis embarked on a month-long residency at the New Frontier Hotel in
Las Vegas - a decision that would prove to be both risky and intriguing
Colonel Parker, always looking for ways to maximize profits, hoped that
establishing Elvis' presence in Vegas would allow him
extended periods of leisure time
However, this plan backfired as Las Vegas, despite its expanding cityscape, was not yet
the destination for young fans like Elvis' own To make matters more challenging, only
those over 21 were allowed entry into casinos - making it difficult for his
young fanbase to see him perform live Despite these obstacles, Elvis gave it his
all, performing night after night to mostly middle-aged and elderly audiences
Little did he know that these early struggles in Las
Vegas would inform
his triumphant return years later During this time, Elvis crossed paths with a
myriad of colorful characters - from comedians like Shecky Greene to fellow musicians
such as Freddie Bell and the Bellboys These encounters added to the intrigue of
Elvis' journey through the entertainment world Through all the ups and downs, Elvis'
talent and determination shone brightly, even in the face of adversity
As he continued to make history with hits like 'I Want You, I Need You,
I
Love You', the future looked promising for this enigmatic icon of rock 'n' roll
But little did everyone know that Elvis was on the verge of an even greater adventure
- one that would take him from the stages of Las Vegas to the big screen in Hollywood
The fascinating story of Elvis Presley's rise to fame and his impact on the
music industry was only just beginning. In the midst of Elvis Presley's whirlwind tour,
an unexpected event transpired that would further ignite the fire surrounding his
performances
Amidst the sensational success of being No.1 on six different charts and selling millions
with his album, Elvis found inspiration in Freddie Bell's comic rendition of 'Hound Dog'
Taking note of Bell's stage choreography, Elvis incorporated it into his own act, adding
a unique twist that left audiences spellbound However, not all reactions to the King of
Rock and Roll's performances were positive The arts editor of La Crosse Register, a
small Wisconsin town, was incensed by Elvi
s's appearance and penned an inflammatory article
suggesting that the singer posed a "definite danger to the security of the United States"
Claiming his shows were filled with "sexual self-gratification" and comparing Elvis's
actions to those of a sexual pervert, this writer left no stone unturned in his critique
This controversy only served to heighten interest in Elvis Presley, and on June 5th, he gave
what would be known as the most controversial performance of his career on The Milton Ber
le Show
With his signature moves and an electrifying rendition of 'I Want You, I Need You,
I Love You' and an unreleased version of 'Hound Dog,' Elvis sent shockwaves
through the audience and across the nation As the debate over rock 'n' roll's
influence on society continued to rage, critics accused Elvis of encouraging juvenile
delinquency and being a moral outrage Church leaders, politicians, and concerned
parents all demanded he be banned from performing In response, one journalist from
Journal
American wrote a scathing review, calling Elvis's performance "the weirdest
suggestive animation short of an aborigine's ma" Despite the relentless criticism, Elvis
Presley continued to captivate audiences with his unique blend of talent and charisma
The controversy surrounding him only served to fuel his rise to fame and cement
his status as a cultural icon As fans eagerly awaited his next
move, one thing was certain: Elvis Presley's enigmatic presence would continue
to intrigue a
nd inspire debate for years to come In the shadowy world of rock and roll during
the 1950s, Colonel Parker masterfully controlled Elvis Presley's career moves with a mysterious air
Analyzing the booking schedule, it's bewildering that Elvis hardly graced the stage in New
York City while consistently performing in smaller cities across the United States
Despite the evident financial opportunities in the Big Apple, one can only speculate about Parker's
intentions and motives behind these choice
s Elvis, ever the charismatic performer,
drew amazement from fellow musicians such as John Stewart of the Kingston Trio who
was left stunned after witnessing a powerful performance by Elvis in Los Angeles
The energy radiating from the stage, coupled with his strong voice and
infectious joy, had an undeniable impact on those fortunate enough to attend his concerts
Meanwhile, Bill Haley, a veteran musician of the rock and roll scene, recognized the impending
doom for his own success as he prop
hetically warned Red Robinson about Elvis' rising stardom.
"The Hillbilly Cat" as Elvis was often dubbed, would soon overshadow Bill Haley's
reign, leaving him feeling outdated Barney Kessel, a seasoned jazz guitarist who
later worked on rock records including some of Elvis' own, offered an intriguing
perspective on the King's popularity He acknowledged that Elvis' success was rooted
in his ability to emulate the style and movements of black artists while also exuding raw sex
appeal throug
h his good looks and masculinity However, Kessel believed that much of what
made Elvis great was not entirely original, leading to a flood of imitators over the years
Gladys Presley, Elvis' mother, primarily expressed concern about the unruly
behavior of fans at her son's concerts rather than his suggestive dance moves
She once cautioned Elvis that such antics would continue regardless of
whether she attended his performances or not - a warning he seemed to take in stride
Despite the controve
rsy surrounding Elvis and his dancing, the media often found creative
ways to poke fun at him, as evidenced by Bill Buchanan and Richard Goodman's hit single
"The Flying Saucer" which parodied Elvis's quirky responses to hypothetical situations
These satirical efforts did not sit well with Colonel Parker, who frowned upon the unlicensed
use of his client's music for comic relief As Elvis prepared for a highly anticipated
performance in Memphis on Independence Day, he made an appearance on Wi
nk Martindale's
Top Ten Dance Party, where he was overshadowed by the boisterous Dewey Phillips
The future held great opportunities for Elvis, including a landmark television appearance on The
Steve Allen Show from New York's Hudson Theatre Despite concerns about potential controversy,
Elvis toned down his performance, singing to a Bassett hound dressed in a top hat and bow-tie as
part of a calculated effort to avoid any backlash This decision proved successful,
garnering exceptional rating
s for the show and solidifying Elvis's growing fame
Yet, for some, this sanitized version of the rock 'n' roll star felt like a pale imitation
of the original – a theme that continues to resonate in modern music as artists continue
to emulate the styles of their predecessors Even Gladys Presley, despite her concerns
about fan behavior, appeared content with her son's meteoric rise to stardom and the
controversial dance moves that defined his legend Following an appearance on The Steve Allen
Show, a tired but energetic Elvis Presley retreated to the Warwick Hotel for a split-screen
telephone interview with Hy Gardner for WRCA-TV His sleep pattern was understandably affected
by his late-night television schedule, leaving him with only five hours of rest each night
The following day, Elvis arrived at RCA for what turned out to be a pivotal recording session
Alongside his band, the Jordanaires and pianist Shorty Long, they produced three starkly
different tracks: 'Don't Be Cruel',
'Anyway You Want Me', and 'Hound Dog'
Alfred Wertheimer, a renowned photographer, captured these historic moments
on film, providing us with iconic images of Elvis in the midst of his craft
Despite being produced by Steve Sholes, Elvis took charge, knowing what he
wanted from the recording process Drawing inspiration from Sam Phillips at Sun
Records, Elvis sought a clearer sound for his voice, moving away from the rockabilly echo
that had previously characterized his music 'Hound Dog', origi
nally a sketch, was given
new life as Elvis chose to take it seriously The resulting recording is
powerful and unapologetic, with the Jordanaires adding handclaps to the mix
However, there were some technical challenges; due to limitations in the recording equipment, certain
elements of the song such as the turnarounds and 'aahs' did not come out quite right
RCA's session approach was distinctly different from that of Sun Records
While Sam Phillips and his team would continue working until th
ey captured
the desired sound, major studios like RCA operated within strict time constraints
This meant that sessions were booked in three-hour slots, forcing Elvis to carry on
with 'Hound Dog' even after reaching what might have been considered a satisfactory point
The recording process for 'Don't Be Cruel', written by Otis Blackwell in 1955, was
unique due to the Jordanaires' contributions Their wordless vocals interwoven with Elvis'
performance elevated the song to new heights For his pa
rt, Elvis delivered an impassioned
rendition that captivated listeners In a deal brokered by Colonel Parker, Otis
Blackwell was forced to publish 'Don't Be Cruel' under Hill and Range, but he
accepted in order to ensure the song reached its rightful audience - Elvis Presley
'Anyway You Want Me', penned by Aaron Schroeder with Cliff Owens (under his pseudonym Clyde
Otis), was a new addition to Elvis' repertoire The Jordanaires were impressed by
Elvis' performance on this ballad, noting the d
epth and range of his voice
Scotty Moore's guitar solos added an extra layer of flavor to the track
As day turned into night, rock'n'roll was thriving in Memphis
In Nashville, the Johnny Burnette Rock'n'Roll Trio recorded their
classic hit, 'The Train Kept A-Rollin'' The music scene was ablaze
with creativity and innovation, thanks in large part to visionaries like Elvis
Presley who dared to challenge the status quo Sey Burnette's bandmates bore a striking
resemblance to the boxers they emul
ated, and like many brother acts, internal conflicts were rife
Dorsey was on the verge of departing, disgruntled over Johnny being lauded as the frontman
Colonel Parker, ever the ambitious visionary, observed Frank Sinatra's dual
success in films and records And envisioned Elvis Presley
following in his footsteps The two biggest teen idols of their
time, Marlon Brando and James Dean, lacked singing abilities, leaving the door open
for a charismatic singer like Presley to swoop in Hal Wallis,
a seasoned film producer known
for his work on classics such as Casablanca, was approached by Parker to discuss
potential film projects for Elvis Though initially hesitant and unimpressed by
the rock 'n' roll sensation's acting abilities, Wallis recognized Presley's immense popularity and
decided it would be prudent to create a vehicle that could capitalize on his fame
Upon meeting at Paramount Studios, Elvis was asked to read from an
upcoming script, The Rainmaker, where he would portray
the character of Jimmy Curry
However, since Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn had already been cast in the starring
roles, Wallis realized that a supporting role would not showcase Presley's full potential
He decided to produce a film specifically tailored for Elvis instead
After much negotiation and haggling over fees, a contract was signed
for three films with Paramount Pictures Elvis' debut in the film industry
began with Loving You, produced in 1957 But before that, Wallis arranged for
him to appear in a western at Twentieth Century-Fox, titled The Reno Brothers
Initially a supporting role, this movie ended up being retitled Love Me Tender as Elvis'
presence became increasingly central to the plot Filming commenced on August 22nd, and in his first
leading role, Elvis played Clint Reno, a man who marries his deceased brother's fiancée, only for
his brother to return alive and seek forgiveness The film featured widescreen CinemaScope
but was predominantly a B-feature produ
ction Despite its flaws, the movie introduced
Presley's talent to a wider audience, marking the beginning of his illustrious film career
In a thrilling plot twist, a highly advanced tripwire was set up to entrap unsuspecting
individuals in a dangerous game of cat and mouse This ingenious mechanism, so realistic that even
the legendary Elvis Presley fell victim to it, unknowingly ignited an intense gunfight
Tragically, Elvis met his demise in this first film, causing widespread shock among
fa
ns who were left questioning the motivations behind such a daring turn of events
The story takes a twist as we explore why Elvis was so harsh towards a girl
and why she favored Richard Egan over him Why end the life of an icon in his debut film?
These questions loom over the heads of perplexed fans, who long for more conventional storylines
However, the ending does offer some solace as Elvis is seen superimposed on the
final credits, singing 'Love Me Tender' This unexpected finale divided opi
nions; some
found it charming, while others dismissed it as an appeal to the bizarre and macabre
The Monthly Film Bulletin of the British Film Institute expressed their disapproval,
stating that only "connoisseurs of the grotesque" would appreciate such an ending
Meanwhile, The Times criticized Elvis's acting abilities, comparing his singing style to
a "species of St.Vitus's dance and breathlessness natural to the end of a cross-country race"
Despite these harsh reviews, the film's soundtrack
garnered attention due to its unique blend of
instrumentation, including accordion and banjo The composition 'Love Me Tender', which
caused quite a stir, had a complicated history The melody was originally written
by George Poulton and later given new lyrics by Ken Darby for this film
Due to ownership disputes and credit controversies, the song's
authorship became convoluted Even Elvis himself occasionally attributed it
to Stephen Foster during his live performances In an era where musical
compositions
were divided between ASCAP and BMI, Darby had to find a way around the rules in
order to give credit to both himself and Elvis He achieved this by registering
his wife, Vera Matson, with BMI As a result, the song's
credit reads Matson-Presley The soundtrack also featured three new songs:
'We're Gonna Move', 'Poor Boy', and 'Let Me' Though these tracks were well-crafted,
they paled in comparison to the enduring popularity of 'Love Me Tender'
The film's score was conducted by L
ionel Newman, adding further depth to the musical experience
Some argue that he exploited these artists for his own gain,
While others believe he played a vital role in introducing black music to mainstream America
Bobby Vee echoes the latter sentiment, acknowledging that Elvis and country
musicians helped pave the way for rock'n'roll and doo-wop genres across the nation
In conclusion, the tragic end of Elvis Presley in his first film, 'Love Me Tender', left
fans puzzled and seeking explanatio
ns for the unconventional storyline
Yet, it also provided an intriguing twist that kept audiences engaged
The film's soundtrack, composed by Ken Darby, further added to its allure despite the
complicated authorship of its most famous song And although Elvis met a sad fate in this movie,
his haunting performance on the final credits left a lasting impression on those who dared
venture into this unique cinematic experience
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