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February 7, 2023

Memphis Flash: A Look Back at Elvis Presley in the 1950s

On November 1955, Elvis Presley officially became RCA Victor’s newest single under the management of Colonel Tom Parker. Presley's first RCA Victor single, Heartbreak Hotel, was released in January 1956 and became a number-one hit in the United States. His self-titled debut album was released on March 23 and became the first rock and roll album to top the Billboard chart, a position it held for 10 weeks.

Elvis Presley poses for a portrait holding a guitar, 1956.

With a series of chart-topping records and successful network television appearances, from Milton Berle Show to Steve Allen Show and Ed Sullivan Show, Presley became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll; though his performative style and promotion of the then-marginalized sound of African Americans led to him being widely considered a threat to the moral well-being of the White American youth.

Accompanying Presley’s rise to fame, a cultural shift was taking place that he both helped inspire and came to symbolize. The audience response at Presley's live shows also became increasingly fevered. Elvis, Presley’s second RCA Victor album, was released in October and quickly rose to number one on the billboard.

In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. One of his most famous films, Jailhouse Rock, was released in 1957. Presley was drafted into the United States Army at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas on March 24, 1958.

Take a look back at the King in the 1950s through these 30 fantastic photos:

Elvis Presley performing on stage, 1955.

Elvis Presley, 1955.

Elvis Presley performing, 1956.

Elvis Presley, 1956.

Elvis Presley performs live on stage on the Dorsey Brothers' 'Stage Show' program, New York, 1956.

Elvis Presley performs on stage, 1956.

Elvis Presley performs on stage, 1956.

Elvis Presley embraces Bobbi Owens backstage at the Mosque Theatre, Richmond, Virginia, 1956. (Alfred Wertheimer)

Elvis Presley adjusts his tie before his performance backstage at the Mosque Theater, Richmond, Virginia, 1956. (Alfred Wertheimer)

Elvis Presley combs his hair before his performance at The Mosque Theater, Richmond, Virginia, 1956. (Alfred Wertheimer)

Elvis Presley between takes during a recording session in RCA Victor's Studio 1, 1956.

Elvis Presley records at RCA Victor's Studio 1, New York, 1956.

Elvis Presley on the Steve Allen Show, 1956.

Elvis Presley and fans outside the Hudson Theatre in New York, 1956. (Alfred Wertheimer)

Elvis Presley on the train from New York to Memphis, 1956. (Alfred Wertheimer)

Elvis Presley combs his hair in the washroom of the New York to Memphis train, 1956. ( Alfred Wertheimer)

Elvis Presley on his Harley-Davidson motorcyle, Memphis, Tennessee, 1956. (Alfred Wertheimer)

Elvis Presley performs live at the Mississippi-Alabama Fairgrounds in Tupelo, 1956.

Elvis Presley during the filming of "Love Me Tender" in Los Angeles, 1956.

Elvis Presley on the set of "Love Me Tender" at the 20th Century Fox Ranch, Malibu Creek State Park, California, 1956.

Elvis Presley poses for a portrait, circa 1957.

Elvis Presley poses for a portrait, circa 1957.

Elvis Presley on the set of "Jailhouse Rock", 1957.

Elvis Presley in a promotional still for "Loving You", 1957.

Elvis Presley with Sophia Loren, 1958. (Bob Willoughby)

Elvis Presley in a promotional still for "King Creole", 1958.

Elvis Presley clad in newly issued Army fatigues & jacket, 1958. (Don Cravens)

Elvis Presley waves to the crowd before he ships out , New York, 1958. (Alfred Wertheimer)

Elvis Presley during national military service duty, 1958.

Elvis Presley serving in the U.S. forces as an American G.I. in Germany, 1958.

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