Born on the 8th of January in Buffalo, Mississipi Presley was already riding high on the success of his song “The Heartbreak Hotel” and sure enough, he had been on television before. But his debut on the Ed Sullivan show was phenomenal with over 60 million viewers tuned in.
His debut was watched by over 82 % of the television viewing audience and Elvis made his way straight into not only their living rooms but their hearts as well. And with this entry he revolutionalized forever the musical tastes as well as entertainment scene.
His energetic performances strongly pushed against the conservatism of the times and scores of youngsters across America were thoroughly captivated. But this was so radically different from what Elvis had begun his musical journey with. As a child deep love for gospel music was inculcated in him when he attended church at the First Assembly of God with his parents.
Shortly after being gifted a guitar on his 11th birthday, he taught himself how to play the instrument and looked upon gospel singers for further inspiration. By the time he was 20 years old in 1955, he had already gained immense fame in the south.
His spunky live performances were a good amalgamation of country music, gospel music, R&B, rock and roll. It was at this time that Elvis had managed to impress Dutch born Colonel Tom Parker, who was a famous music promoter. At that point of time Elvis’ producer was Sam Phillips. Tom Parker soon got RCA to buy Elvis’ contract for a whopping sum of $35,000.
And thus, on January 27th Elvis released his first single Heartbreak Hotel and followed up by releasing his self titled album two months later. Both “Heartbreak Hotel” as well as his debut album attained roaring success. Presley was first nationally showcased on Tommy and Jimmy Dorseys Stage Show. And by making six appearances on this show, he had successfully achieved national presence.
After he successfully acquired national popularity, even Hollywood wanted a piece of him and he went on to sign two movies. Shortly afterwards Parker booked him for two appearances on the Milton Berle Show. Hundreds of sailors cheered on excitedly as Elvis filmed his first appearance on the show aboard the flight deck of the USS Hancock in San Diego.
For his second performance on the show, Presley performed the “Hound Dog” and this drove the teens wild but adults as well as the press were thoroughly disgusted. They were outraged at his bumps and grinds as well as gyrating hips and so Ed Sullivan initially refused to book him on his show as he wanted to distance himself from the harsh criticism that Presley was receiving.
However, Presley still managed to work things out to his advantage by appearing on NBC’s new Steven Allen Show. Once again Presley performed the “Hound Dog”, but this time he was conservatively dressed. And Allen’s show crushed Sullivan’s weekly ratings. The rivalry between the two caused Sullivan to bow down and ultimately booked Elvis for three appearances for an outrageously high sum of money.
But as luck would have it once again a month before his appearance on Sullivan’s show, Ed suffered from an almost fatal automobile crash that left him hospitalized for weeks. Because he was unable to recover from his injuries quick enough, it was the British actor Charles Laughton, who hosted Presley from Sullivan’s show. And 60 million viewers tuned in excitedly as Elvis performed “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Love me Tender”.
And Elvis lived up to his reputation once again by gyrating and moving his hips which once again attracted controversy. When Elvis appeared on the Ed Sullivan show on October 28 th, 1956 it was Ed Sullivan himself who hosted him. And once again viewers were treated to a head to toe sight of Elvis performing “Love Me Tender”, “Don’t Be Cruel” as well as “Hound Dog”.
This performance once again earned the wrath of certain sections of society as his effigy was burnt by huge crowds in Nashville and St Louis. The press too had unkind things to say about his dance movements. Rock and Roll began to receive harsh and negative criticism for its bad influence on the American youth. Yet despite the criticsm, Presley’s fan base continued to grow.
Elvis went on to make his third and final appearance on Sullivan’s show on January 6th 1957, where Sullivan impressionist Will Jordan, ventriloquist Arthur Worsley and a rising comedienne, Carol Burnett were also present along with him.
Elvis’ sensual hip swaying and gyrations had by now already garnered enough criticism from all across America, and therefore he was shot from waist up only. “Too much,” “When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again,” and a gospel favorite, “Peace in the Valley.” were some of the songs that he performed along with “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel.”
Following this performance Ed Sullivan stated the incredible potential and talent he saw in Presley. He also wished him all the best for his future endeavors .Presley humbly accepted all the praises heaped upon him. In a short span of time Elvis would become one of the most popular and most successful artists in the history of entertainment.
Today, even 35 years after his death Elvis continues to be a cultural sensation and a global phenomenon and his stepping stone to success was undoubtedly the three appearances that he made on the Ed Sullivan show.
Author’s Bio: Ron Tomlinson, the entertainment expert of Dish Network TV deals (visit) comes up with new and abridged informative with every article. His writes ups are very authentic and provide exact updates to customers. This review will satiate all the movie lovers and fill up all their queries.
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