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Early Elvis
One of the longest-running
web sources for facts and fiction
about his early career
Dear Readers,
If you use any of the information on this page
please give credit to Early Elvis
at
Thank you.
Contents
- Book about Electric Elvis and Bill Randle
- A Songwriter Remembers Elvis
- Recommended CDs
- No. 1 Hits in the 1950s
- The Truth Behind "Don't Be Cruel" and "Love Me Tender"
- What is the best Elvis record and album?
- Elvis on television
- Recommended books
Copyright picture by PineTree Press
not to be reproduced without permission
Above picture shows Bill Randle
about to introduce Elvis and his combo
when filming a movie short
in 1955.
Here for the first time is information about
the popular 1950s Cleveland disc jockey
named "Top Jock in America" by TIME Magazine
who helped promote Elvis into national fame in the mid-1950s.
To order your copy of this PDF book
sent directly to you by email,
The Bill Randle Chronicles
illustrated with many pictures
-- click here
For the centennial of the birth of
popular
Cleveland disc jockey,
Bill Randle (1923-2004)
A special Zoom program, sponsored by
the Shaker Historical Society and Shaker Heights Public Library,
was presented
by Roger Lee Hall,
a songwriter and former disc jockey who once worked for Bill Randle
as his teaching assistant in Cleveland in the 1970s.
This program is now available on YouTube:
click here
A Songwriter Remembers Elvis
Roger Hall was a big fan of Elvis when he first became a sensation on national television in 1956. Inspired by Elvis recordings, Roger wrote some of his first songs like -- "Dream World" and "Peace-Lovin' Blues."
Roger was a fan of the early Elvis in the 1950s, especially KING CREOLE,
which was also a favorite of Elvis--
Here is Roger holding the original soundtrack LP album of KING CREOLE
he received as a Christmas gift back in 1958--
Learn about Bill Randle and the Lost Elvis film from 1955:
Listen to Roger Hall, pop songwriter and former disc jockey
tell about his conversations with Bill Randle on YouTube --
Elvis: The Ultimate Fan Channel Podcast -- click here
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A few recommended CDs
with early Elvis hits
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Elvis - The 50 Greatest Love Songs
No. 1 Hits in the 1950s
Between 1956 and 1958, Elvis had more No. 1 hits than any other years of his career. Based on the accurate statistics in Joel Whitburn's Top 40 Hits. Here is the list of...
Ten No. 1 Hits in Two Years
- "Heartbreak Hotel" -- No. 1 for 8 weeks in 1956/ 22 weeks charted in Top 40
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"I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" -- No. 1 - 1 week in 1956/ 19 weeks Top 40
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"Don't Be Cruel"/"Hound Dog" -- No. 1 for 11 weeks in 1956/ 23 weeks in Top 40
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"Love Me Tender" -- No. 1 for 5 weeks in 1956/ 19 weeks in Top 40
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"Too Much" -- No. 1 for 3 weeks in 1957/ 14 weeks in Top 40
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"All Shook Up" -- No. 1 for 9 weeks in 1957/ 22 weeks in Top 40
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"(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" -- No. 1 for 7 weeks in 1957/ 18 weeks in Top 40
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"Jailhouse Rock" -- No. 1 for 7 weeks in 1957/ 19 weeks in Top 40
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"Don't" -- No. 1 for 5 weeks in 1958/ 16 weeks in Top 40
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"Hard Headed Woman" -- No. 1 for 2 weeks in 1958/ 14 weeks in Top 40
These No. 1 hits are available on this superb 5 CD set that's essential
for any Elvis collection:Elvis - The King of Rock n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters
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In the August 1956 issue of COUNTRY SONG ROUNDUP, with Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley on the cover, there is a poll of favorite singers compiled from magazine readers and from the Jimmie Rodgers Day Committee in their poll of the Country music trade.
The magazine wrote that:
"The achievements of Mr. Presley, of course, need no further explanation. All we can do is agree that he's one of the most dynamic performers to ever hit the music scene - and a wonderful boy besides."
Here are the results for the top singers of 1956:
Top Ten Male Singers
1. ELVIS PRESLEY
2. WEBB PIERCE
3. FARON YOUNG
4. HANK SNOW
5. CARL SMITH
6. ERNEST TUBB
7. WILBURN BROTHERS
8. RED FOLEY
9. SONNY JAMES
10. JIM REEVESTop Ten Female Singers
1. KITTY WELLS
2. JEAN SHEPARD
3. GOLDIE HILL
4. WANDA JACKSON
5. JUNE CARTER
6. CHARLINE ARTHUR
7. PATSY CLINE
8. MARTHA CARSON
9. HARVIE JUNE VAN
10. ANITA CARTER
The Truth Behind
"Don't Be Cruel"
and
"Love Me Tender"
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The Fiction
Many authors and websites still credit Elvis as co-writer of "Don't Be Cruel" and "Love Me Tender" and others too because that is what is on the RCA records.
But that is NOT correct!
The Facts
Elvis did not write his biggest early hit, "Don't Be Cruel." It was written by the sadly underrated songwriter, Otis Blackwell, who also wrote other Elvis hits like "All Shook Up" and "Return To Sender."
Neither Vera Matson nor Elvis Presley wrote the words or the music for "Love Me Tender." Actually the song was written by Ken Darby who was a songwriter/arranger at 20th Century-Fox Studios. He
cleverly based his tune on the old Civil War Era song, "Aura Lea."Naturally Elvis was involved in the "creative process" during the recording but according to Darby himself, Elvis listened to what Darby suggested about having a simple vocal delivery and followed that suggestion. Elvis was very respectful on his first film because he had high hopes for his future movie career.
It was actually Colonel (an honorary title) Tom Parker, his shrewd and often ruthless manager, who made sure that Elvis received co-writer credit on his early RCA records, including "Love Me Tender."
This shameful practice denied the full royalties to the songwriters who wrote the song. To his credit, Elvis never said he had co-written any of these songs. It was Parker who insisted on songwriting credit to gain more attention and money for "his boy" and to fill Parker's pockets with cash.
The Songwriters
Read about songwriter, Otis Blackwell -- click here
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Read about songwriter, Ken Darby -- click here
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What's The Best Elvis Record?
What was the best 45 RPM record made by Elvis during his career?
There are so many to choose from and the choices will probably be depending on who you ask.
Some fans might pick one of his up tempo hits like
"Don't Be Cruel," "Hound Dog" or "Jailhouse Rock."Others might prefer one of the slow ballads like "Love Me Tender," "Don't" or "Can't Stop Falling in Love With You."
All of these songs were mileposts along the Elvis music highway.
But for me, and for Elvis himself, his best record was not even a rock n'roll song.
It was instead based on an old Italian tune and his mother had a 78 RPM record of it sung by the famous opera singer, Enrico Caruso.
Okay, have you guessed the record title yet?
The multi-million-selling record (which sold for 98 cents back in 1960, about the same as a download today) was...
"It's Now Or Never"
Recorded April 3, 1960, RCA Studio B, NashvilleIn his book, Elvis Presley: A Life in Music - The Complete Recording Sessions, Ernst Jorgensen describes this million-selling record perfectly when he writes:
"This was pure pop music, delivered with both superb musical command and the highest level of professionalism."
The song, with English lyrics by Aaron Schroeder and Wally Gold, was based on the popular Italian song "O Sole Mio," which Elvis had heard Mario Lanza sing in Italian. Elvis had also heard an earlier record by Tony Martin titled, "There's No Tomorrow."
The Elvis record of "It's Now Or Never" stayed at the No. 1 spot in the USA for five weeks and eventually sold over 20 million copies worldwide, making it the largest selling single of his entire career. With just a few audio takes, Elvis had made "It's Now Or Never" the most brilliant and accomplished record of his singing career. Elvis also reportedly said it was his favorite record.
With that 1960 record, Elvis had reached beyond being just another popular rock n'roll singer.
He had become the greatest singer of the rock 'n' roll era and inspired many a singer and songwriter after that record came out.
So "It's Now or Never" to celebrate the best of all the Elvis recordings.
-- Roger Lee Hall
"It's Now Or Never" is available on the special anniversary CD:
Also available on the 4 CD Set with the same title:
What's The Best Elvis Recordings?
It seems unfair that he never received any Grammy Awards
for his popular rock n'roll recordings.
There are some of his early rock albums which could be named
as best or maybe one of his film albums,
like JAILHOUSE ROCK or KING CREOLE.
But he did receive several Grammys for his favorite music.
Amazing Grace - His Greatest Sacred Performances
Compilation produced by Ernst Mikael Jorgensen, Roger Semon,
and Paul Williams (RCA/BMG, 1994)This 2-CD set includes the best of his gospel recordings
from 1957 to 1972.
The first CD opens with his four recordings
originally released on this 45 RPM EP album in 1957 --
This million-selling EP album was my first
Elvis record purchase when it was released
and I still have my copy.
One of my favorite numbers on the Amazing Grace gospel collection is "Run On," recorded in 1966 with The Jordanaires and The Imperials which was arranged by Elvis himself, and performed at a infectiously fast tempo with incredible gospel intensity. That song was included with 13 others on the first Elvis gospel album for his RCA Victor,
"How Great Thou Art," for which he received his first Grammy in 1967. His other two Grammys are for the album,
"He Touched Me" (1972), and
"How Great Thou Art" - Best Inspirational Live Performance (1974).I believe Elvis put his greatest singing efforts into his gospel recordings, both the slow and up tempo songs.
These recordings bring out his very best singing and
the "Amazing Grace" 2-CD set brings them all together in one beautiful package, including an appealing and a fact-filled 32 page illustrated booklet with excellent notes by Charles Wolfe.This is a terrific collection and it is all together literally -- Amazing!!
--By Roger Hall
Elvis Debut On National Television
Cleveland disc jockey Bill Randle was the one who introduced Elvis Presley on national television on The Dorsey Brothers program, Stage Show.
Elvis made his first appearance on that TV show on Saturday night, January 28, 1956.
Contrary to some descriptions, Elvis did not sing "Heartbreak Hotel" (by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden) for his national TV debut appearance, even though it had been recorded by RCA on January 10. The "Heartbreak Hotel" single was the A side of the first official RCA record. It was released January 27. The B side contained the song, "I Was the One." This first RCA single became a million seller by April of 1956.
Bill Randle told me that Elvis wanted an upbeat number for his TV debut and RCA wanted to be sure their new singer had a chance to be seen on television so Elvis held off singing "Heartbreak Hotel" until his February 11appearance on Stage Show. He sang the song again on the March 17 and March 24 telecasts.
For his national television debut on January 28, Elvis sang two songs in a medley:"Shake, Rattle and Roll" (Charles Calhoun) and "Flip, Flop and Fly" (Charles Calhoun and Lou Willie Turner). Elvis also sang the Ray Charles song, "I Got a Woman," on that first TV appearance.
This is the cover of the original 2 LP set --
The TV footage showing Bill Randle introducing Elvis on that national debut in 1956 is featured in the two hour documentary film, This is Elvis (1981). This film combines both original films of Elvis and various Elvis impersonators who portray him during his life and even with those impersonators it still remains one of the best film documentaries about Elvis.
You can order this documentary on DVD -- click here
All the songs sung by Elvis on the Dorsey Brothers "Stage Show", "The Milton Berle Show", "The Steve Allen Show", and "The Ed Sullivan Show" are found on this outstanding 4-CD Box Set:
Elvis Television Performances (1956-1957)Stage Show - hosted by two Big Band musicians:
Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey (CBS-TV)January 28 -
Tommy Dorsey introduced Cleveland disc jockey Bill Randle, who spoke about Elvis and the 1955 film short
on this first national US TV appearance for Elvis.
Songs: "Shake, Rattle and Roll / Flip Flop and Fly" and "I Got A Woman"
February 4 -
Songs: "Baby, Let's Play House" and "Tutti Frutti"
February 11 -
Songs: "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Heartbreak Hotel"
February 18 -
Songs: "Tutti Frutti" and "I Was the One"
March 17 -
Songs: "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Heartbreak Hotel"
March 24 -
Songs: "Money Honey" and "Heartbreak Hotel"
The Milton Berle Show
(NBC TV)
April 3 -
Songs: "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Blue Suede Shoes"June 6 -
Songs: "Hound Dog" and
"I Want You, I Need You, I Love You".
The Steve Allen Show
(NBC TV)July 1 -
Songs: "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" and
"Hound Dog"
The Toast of the Town (or The Ed Sullivan Show)
(CBS TV)
September 9, 1956 -
Actor Charles Laughton not Ed Sullivan in New York introduced Elvis from Hollywood - Songs: "Don't Be Cruel"; "Love Me Tender"; "Ready Teddy"; "Hound Dog"
October 28, 1956 -
Ed Sullivan introduced Elvis -
Songs: "Don't Be Cruel"; "Love Me Tender"; "Love Me"; "Hound Dog"
January 6, 1957 -
Ed Sullivan introduced Elvis -
Songs: "Hound Dog"/"Love Me Tender"/Heartbreak Hotel" (Medley); "Don't Be Cruel"; "Too Much"; "When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again"; "Peace in the Valley"
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Recommended Books
Channeling Elvis:
How Television Saved the King of Rock n' Roll
The best book about early Elvis
Read the interview with Alanna Nash,
author of the book, The Colonel,
which originally appeared in the "Elvis On Record" blog
and available now in this book --
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DVDs
There have been numerous DVD documentaries about the life and
music career of Elvis Presley, some are pretty bad and others quite good.
First a bad one...
This 2 DVD set is poorly edited with bad sound and fuzzy images,
especially the television appearances.The narration is fine and most of the songs are complete.
But don't expect great quality even with over 3 hours about Elvis.
You can read more at this link:
Now for several good ones...
Documentary about early years of Elvis in Tupelo and Memphis and including interviews with authors Elaine Dundy and Alanna Nash, DJs George Klein and Wink Martindale, Historian Roy Turner, several Elvis friends from his youth. Also excerpts from early Elvis songs.
This fascinating DVD is recommended for your collection.
And another recommended one,
especially Disc 2 (The Man and His Music) is...
Elvis - The Great Performances (2 DVDs)
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