elvus Presley

The Colonel sold some of the band's songs to various New York City based-enterprises and to RCA Victor. The deal of this contract was that Elvis would receive $5,000.00 for his songs.(1, p2) In 1956, Elvis received a new back-up group called "The Jordanaires." One of his most famous songs, "Heartbreak Hotel," was released on January 27, 1956 and approximately 300,000 copies were sold the first week it was released.(4, p2) This was a very large number of people buying the songs at that time period. On March 13 of the same year, his first album by RCA Victor was named a Gold Album. Later that year, he recorded "Hound Dog" which was one of the most flamboyant songs released. Throughout 1956 and 1957, Elvis produced three songs entitled, "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender," and "All Shook UP." Between 1956 and 1958, Presley dominated the best-seller charts. One of his most renowned appearances was on the Ed Sullivan Show. He was paid $50,000.00 for three appearances.(4, p3) Also, Elvis got into the "movie scene" during those years. On November 16, 1956, he produced his first movie, "Love Me Tender." In March of 1957, he purchased the famous area of Graceland. To this day, Graceland is known as Elvis Presley's home.
             In December of 1957, Elvis received his Draft notice from the army. In 1958, Presley was drafted into the army. "Presley became the teen idol of his decade, greeted everywhere by screaming hordes of young women, and, when it was announced in early 1958 that he had been drafted and would enter the United States Army, there was that rarest of all pop culture events, a moment of true grief"(1, p2). His serial number while he was in the army was 53310761.(4, p3) While Elvis was in the army, his mother, Gladys Love Presley, died of hepatitis. In November of 1959, Elvis met his later wife, Priscilla Beaulieu. In 1960, Elvis was moved up in rank from a Private to a Sergeant.
             After serving in the army for many years in Germany, Elvis returned to the United States in 1960.