ELVIS PRESLEY

80 YEARS TODAY

Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977)

Elvis Aaron Presley was an American singer and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as "the King of Rock and Roll", or simply, "the King".

Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. Commercially successful in many genres, including pop, blues and gospel, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music, with estimated album sales of around 600 million units worldwide. He was nominated for 14 competitive Grammys and won three, also receiving the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.

Check out some of his studio albums here…

1956 - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley (released in the UK as Elvis Presley Rock n' Roll) is the debut studio album by Elvis Presley. It was released on RCA Victor, in mono, catalogue number LPM 1254, in March 1956. The recording sessions took place on January 10 and January 11 at RCA recording studiosin Nashville, Tennessee, and on January 30 and January 31 at RCA studios in New York. Additional material originated from sessions at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, on July 5, August 19 and September 10 of 1954, and on July 11, 1955. The album spent ten weeks at number 1 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart in 1956, the first rock and roll album ever to make it to the top of the charts, and the first million-selling album of that genre. In 2003, it was ranked number 56 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Elvis Presley was also one of three Presley albums accoladed in the reference book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, the others being Elvis Is Back! and From Elvis in Memphis. It was certified Gold on November 1, 1966 and Platinum on August 8, 2011 by the Recording Industry Association of America.

1956 - Elvis

Elvis is the second studio album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor in mono, LPM 1382, in October 1956.

Recording sessions took place on September 1, September 2, and September 3 at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, with one track left over from the sessions for Presley's debut album at RCA recording studios on January 30 in New York. It spent four weeks at #1 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart that year, making Presley the first recording artist to have both albums go straight to number one in the same year. It was certified Gold on February 17, 1960, and Platinum on August 10, 2011 by the Recording Industry Association of America.

1957 - Elvis' Christmas Album

Elvis' Christmas Album is the fourth studio album and first Christmas album by Elvis Presley on RCA Victor, LOC 1035, a deluxe limited edition, released in October 1957, and recorded at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. It has been reissued in numerous different formats since its first release. It spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, and was the first of two Christmas-themed albums Presley would record, the other being Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas, released in 1971. The publication Music Vendor listed Elvis' Christmas Album on their singles charts for two weeks in December 1957 – January 1958, with a peak position of #49. According to the latest certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America, Elvis' Christmas Album has shipped at least 13 million copies in the United States (3 million of the original 1957 release on RCA Victor, plus 10 million total copies of a "budget" edition first released byRCA Camden in 1970 and then by Pickwick Records in 1975). It is the first Presley title to attain Diamond certification by the RIAA, and is also the best-selling Christmas/holiday album of all time in the United States.

1959 - For LP Fans Only

For LP Fans Only is the seventh album by Elvis Presley, issued by RCA Victor in February 1959.

It is a selection of material from an August 1956 recording session at 20th Century Fox Stage One, a September 1956 session at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, sessions on January 10 and 11 at RCA Studios in Nashville, two more at RCA Studios in New York, and multiple sessions at Sun Studio.

The album reached number 19 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. It is currently out of print, but available on iTunes.

1959 - A Date with Elvis

A Date with Elvis is the eighth album by Elvis Presley, issued on RCA Victor Records (LPM 2011) in July 1959.

It is a selection of previously unreleased material from an August 1956 recording session at 20th Century Fox Stage One, two from Radio Recorders in Hollywood, and multiple sessions at Sun Studio.

The album reached #32 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. It is currently out of print, but available on iTunes.

1960 - Elvis Is Back!

Elvis Is Back! is the tenth studio album by Elvis Presley. It was released on RCA Victor Records in mono and stereo in April 1960. Recorded over two sessions in March and April, the album marked Presley's return to recording after his discharge from the U.S. Army. In 1957, as Presley's fame was soaring, he received a draft notice from the Memphis Draft Board, but was given a deferment so he could finish his latest film production, King Creole. During Presley's two-year military service in Germany, RCA Victor and Paramount Pictures progressively released material he had completed prior to enlistment. During his last months in the Army, Presley experimented with new sounds and worked on further improving his performance. He also prepared material for his first session in Nashville, which was scheduled to take place upon his return. Presley returned to the United States on March 2, 1960; the first session was held on March 20–21 and the second session was held on April 3–4, completing the album. Elvis Is Back! was released on April 8, 1960. The album topped the UK Albums Chart and reached number two in Billboard's Top Selling LP's. Since release, the album's critical reviews have become progressively more positive and it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1999.

1960 - His Hand in Mine

His Hand in Mine is the twelfth studio album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor Records in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 2328, in November 1960.

It was the first of three gospel music albums that Presley would issue during his lifetime. Recording sessions took place on October 30 and 31, 1960, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee.

It peaked at #13 on the Top Pop Albums chart. It was certified Gold on April 9, 1969 and Platinum on March 27, 1992 by the Recording Industry Association of America.[2]

1961 - Something for Everybody

Something for Everybody is the thirteenth album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 2370, in June 1961.

Recording sessions took place on November 8, 1960, at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, and on March 12, 1961 at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee.

It peaked at number one on the Top Pop Albums chart. It was certified Gold on July 15, 1999 by the Recording Industry Association of America.

1962 - Pot Luck

Pot Luck with Elvis is the fifteenth studio album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor in mono and stereo, LPM/LSP 2523, in June 1962.

Recording sessions took place on March 22, 1961, at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, and on June 25 and October 15, 1961, and March 18 and March 19, 1962, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee.

It peaked at number four on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart.

1967 - How Great Thou Art

How Great Thou Art is the twenty-eighth studio album by Elvis Presley, released by RCA Victor in mono and stereo in February 1967.

Recording sessions took place at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, on May 25, 26, 27, and 28, 1966. It peaked at No. 18 on the Top Pop Albums chart.

It was certified Gold on February 16, 1968, Platinum and 2x Platinum on March 27, 1992 and 3x Platinum on October 13, 2010 by the RIAA. It won a Grammy Award for 1967 in the Best Sacred Performance category.

1969 - From Elvis in Memphis

From Elvis in Memphis is the ninth studio album by American rock and roll singer Elvis Presley, released on RCA Victor. It was recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis in January and February 1969 under the direction of producer Chips Moman and backed by its house band, informally known as "The Memphis Boys". Following the success of Presley's 1968 Christmas television special and its soundtrack, the album marked Presley's return to non-soundtrack albums after the completion of his film contract with Paramount Pictures.

From Elvis in Memphis was released in June 1969 to favorable reviews. The album peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200, number two on the country charts and number one in the United Kingdom, and its single "In the Ghetto" reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1970. In later years, it garnered further favorable reviews, while it was ranked number 190 on Rolling Stone magazine's 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

1969 - From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis

From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis is the 36th studio album by Elvis Presley, released in October 1969 on RCA Victor, catalogue LSP 6020. Recording sessions took place at American Sound Studio in Memphis, on January 13–15 and 21–22, and February 17–18, 1969, and at the International Hotel in Paradise, Nevada on August 24–26, 1969. It peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200, and has been certified Gold on December 13, 1969, by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The first album consisted of recordings from those shows, Elvis' first live performances since his March 1961 benefit concert in Hawaii.[6] Oldies from his 1950s repertoire appeared alongside a cover of "Words" by The Bee Gees and an extended version of "Suspicious Minds."

The second album consisted of ten recordings from the winter of 1969 sessions at American Sound not used for From Elvis in Memphis

1971 - Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old)

Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old) is the eleventh studio album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Records (LSP 4460 in January 1971. Recorded at RCA Studio B in Nashville, it reached number 12 on the Billboard 200. It peaked at number six in the United Kingdom, selling over one million copies worldwide. It was certified Gold on December 1, 1977 by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The lead single for the album, "I Really Don't Want to Know" b/w "There Goes My Everything" was released on December 8, 1970 and peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Adult Contemporary chart, and number 23 on the country singles chart.

1971 - Love Letters from Elvis

Love Letters from Elvis is the twelfth studio album by Elvis Presley, released in 1971.

The album was made up of leftovers from Elvis' marathon June 1970 recording sessions in Nashville. Most of the other 35 songs recorded during those sessions had been used in Elvis' 1970 albums That's the Way It Is and Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old). Wanting to squeeze out a third album from the sessions, RCA records had producer Felton Jarvis mix, overdub and compile the remaining songs. The album was critically panned upon release, and failed to crack the top 20 of the Billboard album charts but did reach #12 on the US Top Country Albums chart and #7 on the UK best-selling albums chart.

Three songs from this album were released on singles. The single "Life / Only Believe" was released in March 1971 and reached only #53 on the US Billboard Singles chart. It was Elvis's lowest chart position for a single since "Almost in Love" had reached #95 in late 1968. "Heart Of Rome" was placed on the B-side of the non-album track "I'm Leavin'" released as a single in August 1971 it reached #23 in the UK and #83 in Australia.

1971 - Elvis sings The Wonderful World of Christmas

Elvis sings The Wonderful World Of Christmas is a 1971 album by Elvis Presley, and Elvis' second and final Christmas album. The album was released in October 1971, followed by the single from the album "Merry Christmas Baby" / "O Come All Ye Faithful" released in November 1971.

This album was a top seller and topped the Billboard Holiday Albums Chart, and would have charted high on the Billboard 200 but from 1963 to 73 Holiday albums were not allowed to chart. It did not have the commercial appeal of Elvis’ first Christmas album.

Over the years, it has become a perennial favorite. It was certified Gold on November 4, 1977, Platinum on December 1, 1977, 2x Platinum on May 20, 1988 and 3x Platinum on July 15, 1999 by the RIAA.

On later pressings, the song "Blue Christmas", which was recorded on June 27, 1968, was added to the track listing. The song had been previously released on the 1968 album, Elvis.

1972 - Elvis Now

Elvis Now is a gold-selling Elvis Presley album from 1972. Despite the "now" in the title, the tracks on this album were recorded anywhere from one to three years before its release.

The Beatles' "Hey Jude" was a leftover from the legendary sessions at the American Studio in Memphis in early 1969 and, judging by its casual performance, not intended for an album release. "Sylvia" and "I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago" were recorded during the Nashville "marathon" sessions of June 1970 (the latter had been released in fragmentary form on the Elvis Country album). The rest of the songs emanate from the more recent sessions held at RCA Studio B in Nashville in March, May, and June 1971.

The only single from the album, "Until It's Time for You to Go" / "We Can Make The Morning" reached number 9 on the Adult Contemporary Chart in the US in March 1972 and number 5 on the UK Singles Chart in April 1972.

1972 - He Touched Me He Touched Me is a 1972 contemporary gospel music album by Elvis Presley. It earned him his second of three Grammy Awards.

The album his third and final studio gospel album, and the most contemporary of the three. He Touched Me was certified gold on March 27, 1992 and platinum on July 15, 1999 by the RIAA.

1973 - Elvis

Elvis is Elvis Presley's self-titled 1973 album. This album is often called "The Fool" album after one of the songs included in it, in order to differentiate it from the 1956 album of the same title. The album sold over 1 million copies worldwide despite it being released soon after the much more successful Aloha from Hawaii album. "Fool" and "Where Do I Go From Here" were recorded in March 1972. "It's Impossible" is a live recording from the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas from February 1972.

Tracks 3, 4, 6–10 were leftovers from the March and May 1971 recording sessions at RCA's Studio B in Nashville. Three songs feature Presley on piano: "It's Still Here", "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen" and "I Will Be True".

These three selections were all released together for a second time as part of the 1980 boxed set, Elvis Aron Presley. The song "Fool" was also released in this collection. Four other songs in this album were also reissued in other albums, as well; "It's Impossible" (Pure Gold, 1975), "Padre" (He Walks Beside Me, 1978), "(That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me" (A Canadian Tribute, 1978) and "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" (Our Memories Of Elvis Volume 2, 1979). The title track "Fool" was issued as a single and managed to reach No. 15 in the UK backed by a live version of "Steamroller Blues".

1973 - Raised on Rock

Raised on Rock is a studio album by Elvis Presley released in 1973. Along with the album Elvis, it was released after the massive success of Aloha From Hawaii (although the entire Elvis album contained material recorded before the Aloha show).

The album, which sold over one million copies worldwide, was recorded at Stax Studios in Memphis, Tennessee in July 1973 and at Presley's home in Palm Springs, California in September 1973.

The album actually was one of the few that failed to chart in the United Kingdom, but the single "Raised on Rock" / "For Ol' Times Sake" did enter the British charts. Raised on Rock had a very different sound about it, more funky and soul-like than many of the previous efforts and was certainly a change in direction.

In 1979 a stripped down version of "Are You Sincere" was included on the album Our Memories of Elvis and released as a single, reaching #10 on the Billboard country chart.

1974 - Good Times

Good Times is a 1974 album by Elvis Presley.

The album was constructed by the first pick of a session held at Stax Studios in Memphis in December 1973 and two songs, "I've Got a Thing About You Baby" and "Take Good Care of Her", which were left over from the session at Stax in July 1973. The album includes a collection of songs that vary in style and genre. Released the same day as the recording of Elvis: As Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis was being made, the title was taken from the song "Talk About the Good Times". Many of the songs are covers of hits at the time, like "Spanish Eyes" and "She Wears My Ring". Charting low at the time of its release, it was considered typical 1970s Elvis material and was his first album to hit the "cut-out bins". The album did have some success though upon its original release, becoming a Cashbox #1 hit and charting in the Top 50 in the UK.

Original copies of the LP with the sticker on the cover (stating the singles on the album) are very rare and sell for large amounts on auction sites.

The album released two singles, both hits: "I've Got a Thing About You Baby" rose to #4 on the Country charts, #39 pop; "My Boy" hit #1 on the Adult Contemporary charts, as well as #14 Country and #20 Pop.

1975 - Promised Land

Promised Land is a 1975 album by Elvis Presley on RCA Records. It was recorded in December 1973 at Stax Records studios in Memphis and released on Presley's 40th birthday.

The material was the second pick from the December 1973 session as the songs considered strongest had been issued on Good Times. The title track, a cover of a 1965 hit by Chuck Berry, was issued as a single and hit number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK top ten, the flip side "Its Midnight" reached 9 on the Country Charts. Another hit single from the album was "If You Talk in Your Sleep" reaching 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In the US the album only reached number 47 on the Billboards Top LP's chart, but reached 1 in the Billboards Top Country Lp's chart. The album also reached 1 in the Country Cashbox albums chart. In the UK the album reached a 21 position.

In 2011, the FTD (Follow That Dream) collectors label released an expanded, 48-track version of the album including outtakes.

1975 - Today

The Today sessions were held in RCA's Studio C, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, March 10–12, 1975, and marked the last time Elvis Presley would record in a studio.

Elvis last recorded at Studio C, Hollywood in 1972 where he recorded the gold records "Burning Love" and "Separate Ways". At this time, Elvis was 40 years old. He was accompanied by his then-current girlfriend, Sheila Ryan.

In the 2005 FTD TODAY release from these sessions, Elvis asked her to "step up here Sheila, let me sing to ya baby" on Take 1 of Don McLean's "And I Love You So". He continued to make "And I Love You So" and "Fairytale" a part of his live concerts until his death. On stage, he often referred to "Fairytale" as the story of his life.

Today featured a new rock song, "T-R-O-U-B-L-E", which was released as its first single and went Top 40 in the US. "Bringin' It Back" was its second single in the US. The album also features covers of songs by Perry Como, Tom Jones, The Pointer Sisters, Billy Swan, Faye Adams, The Statler Brothers and Charlie Rich.

1976 - From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee

From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee is an album by Elvis Presley, released in 1976 on RCA Records. It is often mistaken that this is a concert recording as the album states the songs were "recorded live".

While this is true, the songs were recorded live in the recording studio at a studio set up in Presley's mansion, Graceland, not in front of an audience. Two songs recorded during the session would be released the following year on his final album, Moody Blue, Moody Blue and She Thinks I Still Care. From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee was the King's fourth album to reach #1 on the Billboard country music album sales chart within the last four years.

"Hurt" was a top 10 hit on both the country and adult contemporary charts, while "For the Heart" stalled at #45 on the country charts. The latter did make the pop top 30. (Both songs would again find success on the country charts in the '80s--"For the Heart" became the first single for the Judds in 1983, while Juice Newton took her version of "Hurt" to #1 in 1986.)

1977 - Moody Blue

Moody Blue is the final studio album by Elvis Presley. The album was a mixture of live and studio work, and included the four tracks from Presley's final studio recording sessions in October 1976 and two tracks left over from the previous Graceland session in February 1976.

Moody Blue was a previously published hit song recorded at the earlier Graceland session and held over for this album. Also recorded at the February session was "She Thinks I Still Care". "Way Down" became a hit after Presley's death less than one month after this album's publication.