Jan. 28, 1956 – Stage Show
For Elvis, Scotty Moore, Bill Black and DJ Fontana, it was the first of another five television appearances on the Dorsey brothers’ “Stage Show.” Elvis sang the Flip, Flop and Fly/Shake, Rattle and Roll and I Got A Woman medley . Elvis’ performance shocked older viewers of the show. The Dorsey brothers had previously distanced themselves from Elvis and invited Cleveland disc jockey Bill Randle to introduce Elvis to the audience. Bill Randle played a similar role to the well-known disc jockey Allan Freed, who repeatedly helped unknown artists to make a breakthrough in his programs.
Feb. 04, 1956 – Stage Show
Elvis’ second appearance on The Dorsey Brothers’ Stage Show. Elvis sings Baby Let’s Play House and Tutti Frutti .
Feb. 11, 1956 – Stage Show
Elvis’ third appearance on the Stage Show. He sings Blue Suede Shoes and Heartbreak Hotel .
Feb. 18, 1956 – Stage Show
Elvis’ fourth appearance on the Dorsey Brothers TV show. Due to the enormous ratings of the past shows, the Dorseys now adorn themselves with Elvis and announce him personally, as they did last week. Elvis sings Tutti Frutti and I Was The One .
Mar. 17, 1956 – Stage Show
Elvis’ fifth show. Reaching an audience of millions again, his notoriety grows and the Stage Show’s ratings skyrocket. He sings blues Suede Shoes and Heartbreak Hotel .
Mar. 24, 1956 – Stage Show
Elvis’ sixth and final appearance on the Dorsey Brothers Stage Show before heading off to Hollywood for a screen test. He sings Money Honey and Heartbreak Hotel .
Apr. 03, 1956 – The Milton Berle Show
Actor, entertainer and comedian Milton Berle brought Elvis onto his eponymous television show. Berle and Elvis liked each other. Due to the sympathy that both felt for each other, an extraordinarily good cooperation developed, which was reflected in both of Elvis’ guest appearances. In Elvis’ first performance, broadcast from the aircraft carrier USS Hancock, he sang Shake, Rattle and Roll , Blue Suede Shoes and Heartbreak Hotel . After the song Heartbreak Hotel , Elvis announces his “twin brother” “Melvin” Presley. None other than Milton Berle himself comes disguised and with a guitar on stage and plays a sketch with Elvis.
Jun. 05, 1956 – The Milton Berle Show
Elvis sang Hound Dog and received a Billboard Award for Heartbreak Hotel during the show . He caused an outcry from the American public with his wild movements while singing the title Hound Dog . He was accused of being sexually provocative and vulgar, thereby corrupting American youth. The critics literally tore him apart! Also a guest on the show is Debra Paget, who in a skit, to Elvis’ delight, throws herself screaming around his neck and kisses him.
Jun. 16, 1956 – Dance Party
On the show “Dance Party” with Wink Martindale, Elvis gives an interview while chewing gum. He says he will be donating a ring with his initials, which he had previously received from Judy Sprackles, as a prize for an upcoming charity event.
Jul. 01, 1956 – The Steve Allen Show
Elvis had to show up for the show in a black tailcoat and sang the songs I Want You, I Need You, I Love You and Hound Dog to a basset hound . Elvis himself later said that this was probably the most ridiculous performance he had ever made and that he would never accept such humiliation again.
Jul. 01, 1956 Hy Gardner Calling
Live interview with Elvis from his hotel room at the Warwick Hotel in New York. Among other things, Gardner asked Elvis if fame had gone to his head and how he managed to get by with so little sleep.
Sept. 9, 1956 – The Ed Sullivan Show
Although Ed Sullivan disliked Elvis and was only shown from the waist up in his performances, he won over audiences and Ed Sullivan with his charm and television presence. Elvis sang Don’t Be Cruel , Love Me Tender , Ready Teddy and Hound Dog while only being shown from the waist up. The audience rating was 82 percent.
Oct. 28, 1956 – The Ed Sullivan Show
Elvis sang Don’t Be Cruel , Love Me Tender , Love Me and Hound Dog . During the show, Elvis was awarded a gold record for Love Me Tender .
Jan. 06, 1957 – The Ed Sullivan Show
Still only filmed from the waist up, Elvis sang the tracks Hound Dog , Love Me Tender , Heartbreak Hotel , Don’t Be Cruel , Too Much , When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again and Peace In The Valley . This was Elvis’ last television appearance before being drafted into the US Army. At the end of the show, Sullivan called Elvis a “well behaved and nice boy” – Elvis had cracked Sullivan as well.
May 12, 1960 – Welcome Home Elvis
This was Elvis’ first public appearance after his military service in Germany. During this last Frank Sinatra – Timex TV special, Elvis sang the songs Fame and Fortune and Stuck On You . After that there was a duet by Elvis and Sinatra entitled Witchcraft and Love Me Tender .
Dec. 03, 1968 – Singer Presents ELVIS
Seven years had passed before Elvis finally performed in front of a live audience again. With the show Singer Presents ELVIS, which he recorded in June 1968, he impressively showed the music world who the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was. With producer Steve Binder, he had someone at his side who not only brought his artistic skills back to the surface, but also a strong partner when it came to establishing songs with Colonel Tom Parker.
The show, also known as the NBC TV Special or Elvis Comeback Special, heralded his comeback and ultimately the opportunity to return to America’s big show stages.
Jan. 14, 1973 – Elvis – Aloha From Hawaii
Elvis wrote television history with this concert, which was broadcast worldwide for the first time via satellite. To be on the safe side, a complete concert including the audience was recorded on August 12th. Mainly to deal with the technical problems and to have backup images in case the satellite connections break down.
In Asia, where the show was broadcast live, the ratings were over 90 percent. In the USA and Germany it was broadcast as a recording.
October 1977 – Elvis In Concert
Following Elvis’ death, this CBS TV special features excerpts from Elvis’ final concert tour. It was clear that he was suffering from major health problems.