For Elvis Week Day #6 - TODAY IN ELVIS HISTORY August 15, 1955 Elvis and Vernon Presley attended a meeting in Memphis with Colonel Parker and Bob Neal at which a new contract is signed that names Colonel Parker as special advisor, with control of virtually every aspect of the operation. Presleys parents signed a contract on Elvis behalf as he was not yet 21. Elvis was still a regional sensation and unknown to the national market when he got the attention of record industry executives. By the summer of 1955, almost all the major and independent record labels were inquiring about him. Sam Philips had mixed feelings about selling Presleys contract, but his record company could not accommodate such a phenomenon, his finances were very tight, and he had other artists who needed his attention. When the Colonel and Elvis signed their first contract, Bob Neal still had a contract as Elvis manager. Parker initially signed on as special adviser, and his duties were to assist in any way possible the buildup of Elvis Presley as an artist. Parker was also given the right to negotiate renewals on all existing contracts. At this point, Neal was kept on merely as a courtesy. When Neals contract expired on March 15, 1956, he was completely out of the picture, and Parker became Elvis full-time manager for a 25 percent cut. August 15, 1957 Elvis asked Steve Shoals to hire Millie Kirkham for his next session. August 15, 1958 The funeral of Gladys Presley was held at Graceland at 3:30 p.m. and Elvis and Vernon almost collapsed. August 15, 1959 The single A Big Hunk O Love hit #1 in the U.S. August 15, 1965 There were 1,177 carnations in this bell-shaped wreath -- one for every man who lost his life aboard the USS Arizona. Elvis and company visited the USS Arizona which a benefit concert by Elvis had helped to build. August 15, 1969 International Hotel - Las Vegas, NV Showtimes: Dinner (8:30 p.m.) & Midnight Attendance: 2,200 each show (SOLD OUT) During the engagement in Vegas Elvis entertained friends and other in his suite after the late show. He sang with the Imperials as often as he could and with friends like Tom Jones. During the show, Elvis introduced Jerry Lee Lewis who was in the audience. August 15, 1970 International Hotel - Las Vegas, NV Showtimes: Dinner (8:30 p.m.) & Midnight Attendance: 2,200 each show (SOLD OUT) Elvis album On Stage hit #2 in the U.K. August 15, 1971 International Hotel - Las Vegas, NV Showtimes: Dinner (8:30 p.m.) & Midnight Attendance: 2,200 each show (sold out) The show was shortened due to Elvis illness, which he complained about the night before. August 15, 1973 Hilton Hotel - Las Vegas, NV Showtimes: Dinner (8:30 p.m.) & Midnight Attendance: 2,200 each show (Sold out) August 15, 1975 Elvis canceled his lease on the Fairchild plane and bought a Jet Commander in its place at a cost of $508,000. Later in the evening Elvis left Memphis for Las Vegas, but the plane was forced to make an unscheduled stop in Dallas because Elvis had difficulty breathing. After resting for several hours in a motel, he continued the trip. August 15, 1977 Elvis was planning to leave to begin a tour which would start in Portland. He woke at about 4:00 p.m. He watched television until 10:30 p.m. Then he left for his dentist appointment. August 15, 1987 On the tenth anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley thousands of people marched past his grave in Memphis, TN. August 15, 2003 On NBCs Today Show a segment aired about a special song being planned for inclusion on the Elvis 2nd To None CD. At Graceland, Ernst Jorgensen and Joe DiMuro from BMG/RCA announced the discovery of a lost Elvis recording, Im a Roustabout. The crowd on hand witnessed the premiere of the music video for the new Paul Oakenfold remix of Elvis 1969 recording of Rubberneckin. Photos shown below in order: #1 Colonel Parker, Elvis, Bob Neal & Hank Snow #2 Gladys Presleys casket at her funeral #3 Elvis visiting the Arizona memorial #4 Elvis shown in outfit worn August 15, 1969 #5 Elvis shown in outfit worn Aug. 15,1972 #6 Last known photo of Elvis arriving at Graceland
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 23:59:58 +0000
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