Elvis Presley

Summer Of 1956 – August 11th – ELVIS PRESLEY Sets Singles Chart Record Today 70 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

11 August 2026

On 11 August 1956, today 70 years ago, the eternal king ELVIS PRESLEY
released his double-sided single, Don’t Be Cruel / Hound Dog.

The two songs hit No.1 on the US Charts, and remained there for a
record-breaking 11 weeks. Presley would hold the record until he was
surpassed in 1992 by BOYZ II MEN’s massive hit End Of The Road.

– HOUND DOG –

– DON’T BE CRUEL –

– END OF THE ROAD –

ELVIS PRESLEY Released Hit Single ‘DON’T BE CRUEL’ Today 70 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

Top singles from the past

ELVIS PRESLEY released his hit single DON’T BE CRUEL (more than
221 million streams on Spotify) today 70 years ago, on 13 July 1956.

Must be the first time we have a 70-year-old song here on TUTV.

It was written by Otis Blackwell who was more than happy to give up 50% of the royalties and a co-writing credit to Presley to ensure that the “hottest new singer around covered it”. But unfortunately, he had already sold the song for only $25 ($289 in 2024), as he later stated in an interview.

Discography

Summer Of 1954 – July 12th 19-Year-Old ELVIS Signs His First Label Contract

Posted on by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

12 July 2026

On 12 July 1954, a 19-year-old singer named ELVIS AARON PRESLEY signed
a contract with the legendary Memphis-based record label Sun Records (also
the first label for giants like Charlie Rich, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins,
and Johnny Cash).

He also gave in his notice at his day
job at The Crown Electric Company.

Sun Records‘ boss Sam Phillips originally wanted to use the young
man to make demos of songs meant for other artists, but he soon
realized that the 19-year-old could bridge the gap between white
and black performances.

That’s Alright was Elvis debut single with Sun Records.

ELVIS PRESLEY – The King Scored His First US Hit Single With ‘HEARTBREAK HOTEL’ Today 70 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

6 May 2026

Today 70 years ago, on 5 May 1956, ELVIS PRESLEY occupied the top
spot on the American Single Charts and stayed there for 7 consecutive
weeks. It was The King‘s first No. 1 in his home country.

The song was written by a songstress and former high-school teacher
named Mae Boren Axton and songwriter/steel guitarist Tommy Durden
and also credited to Presley himself.

A newspaper article about the suicide of a lonely man
who jumped from a hotel window inspired the song.

“Well, since my baby left me
Well, I found a new place to dwell
Well, it’s down at the end of Lonely Street
At Heartbreak Hotel

Where I’ll be, I’ll be so lonely, baby
Well, I’m so lonely
I’ll be so lonely, I could die”

STUDIO

LIVE

Spotify – Short Bio – Discography

THE KING Passed Away 48 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

16 August 2025

As we all know, except those who grew up on Mars (unless they had Internet),
ELVIS was one of the first real rock stars (let’s not forget other giants such as
Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and Bill Haley). Utterly cool, utterly
charismatic, utterly good-looking, and an utterly great voice signing utterly
catchy tunes. Oh, almost forgot his utterly swing-and-shake pelvis.

Today, 16 August, it’s already 48 years since his untimely
death. Only 42, after a heavy roller-coaster life. R.I.P.

Elvis biographer Joel Williamson wrote later: “Perhaps involving a reaction to
the codeine and attempts to move his bowels—he experienced pain and fright
while sitting on the toilet. Alarmed, he stood up … and fell face down in the fetal
position.” Drooling on the rug and “unable to breathe, he died.”

Bio – Discography – Instagram

11 August 1956 – ELVIS Releases Record-Breaking (Double) Single ‘DON’T BE CRUEL / HOUND DOG

Posted on by JL

Back in time

11 August 2025

The immortal King hit the No.1 spot in the US with his double
single DON’T BE CRUEL / HOUND DOG this day 69 years ago,
on 11 August 1956.

The pair of songs remained at the top seat for a record-breaking 11 weeks.
Presley would hold the record until he was surpassed in 1992, by soul band
Boyz II Men’s sugary tearjerker End Of The Road.

DON’T BE CRUEL

HOUND DOG

BOYZ II MEN

2 July 1956 – ELVIS Records Millionseller Hit ‘HOUND DOG’

Posted on by JL

2 July 2025

ELVIS PRESLEY (1935-1977) recorded his twelve-bar blues single HOUND DOG,
written by Leiber and Stoller, at RCA Studios in New York, this day in 1956, yes,
69 years ago. Take 31 was the version that was released.

This was the first time the King worked with The Jordanaires. The single sold over
10 million copies globally, became his best-selling song and topped the US chart for
11 weeks, a record that stood for 36 years.

Discography