Elvis Presley makes first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show
The King of Rock and Roll teams up with TVs reigning variety program as Elvis Presley appears on The Ed Sullivan Show for the first time.After earning big ratings for The Steve Allen Show the Dorsey Brothers Stage Show and The Milton Berle Show Sullivan finally reneged on his Presley ban signing the controversial singing star to an unprecedented 50000 contract for three appearances.With 60 million viewersor 82.6 percent of TV viewers at the timetuning in the appearance garnered the shows best ratings in two years and became the most-watched TV broadcast of the 1950s.Although The Ed Sullivan Show was filmed in New York Presley performed remotely from CBSs Los Angeles studio (he was filming his first movie Love Me Tender in California).At the time his first album Elvis Presley had already debuted and Heartbreak Hotel was a hit single but he wasnt quite yet The King.
On the variety show Presley then 21 was introduced by British actor Charles Laughton who was filling in for Sullivan that night as the legendary host was at home recovering from a serious car accident.Presley performed Dont Be Cruel Little Richards Ready Teddy and Hound Dog and viewers got a full head-to-toe look at the singer despite fears of vulgar hip-shaking gyrations.He also sang Love Me Tender and according to Variety For the first time in the history of the record business a single record has achieved one million sales before being released to the public.Presley clad in a plaid jacket told the audience performing on the show was probably the greatest honor I have ever had in my life before kicking things off with Dont Be Cruel.
He said Thank you ladies to the screaming fans and then introduced Love Me Tender as completely different from anything weve ever done.During his second segment Presley sang Ready Teddy and Hound Dog.Laughtons closing remarks that night Well what did someone say Music hath charms to soothe the savage beastWhen it was over parents and critics as usual did a lot of futile grumbling at the vulgarity of this strange phenomenon that must somehow be reckoned with a reviewer for Time magazine wrote at the time.Other guests that night included singers Dorothy Sarnoff and Amru Sani a comedy act from novelty quartet The Vagabonds a tap dancing duo and an acrobat act.
During his second performance on October 28 1956 Presley once again performed Dont Be Cruel and Hound Dog along with Love Me Tender.And during his third and final performance on The Ed Sullivan Show on January 6 1957 he sang seven songs including the gospel song Peace in the Valley over three segments but the episode is most famously remembered for TV censors refusing to show Elvis below the waist.At the end of his performance however Sullivan called Presley a real decent fine boy.
Weve never had a pleasanter experience on our show with a big name than weve had with you. READ MORE 7 Fascinating Facts About Elvis Presley
