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Elvis biography   -   1955


A series of live dates commenced in 1955 with drummer D.J. Fontana added to the ranks. Presley toured clubs in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas billed as 'The King Of Western Bop' and 'The Hillbilly Cat'. Audience reaction verged on the fanatical, which was hardly surprising given Presley's semi-erotic performances. His hip-swivelling routine, in which he cascaded across the stage and plunged to his knees at dramatic moments in a song, was remarkable for the period and prompted near-riotous fan mania. Even though the reception he got wasn't particularly enthusiastic, he began to sing regularly in public and increased his popularity in the Southern states. He appeared in over 200 oncerts between 1954 and 1955 and, at a performance on April 16, he met Colonel Parker, the figure who would do the most to create the "Presley legend". At the end of 1955, Parker got him an extremely lucrative contract with RCA.

January 1955

In early 1955, Moore stopped managing Presley, although he would continue to play in Presley's band for several years.  Presley's new manager was Memphis disc jockey Bob Neal.  Colonel Thomas Parker first entered Presley's career when he helped Neal make some tour arrangements.  Presley, still considered a country act, continued to perform locally, and in April he traveled to New York City, where he auditioned unsuccessfully for Arthur Godfrey's "Talent Scouts" program.  But on May 13, his performance in Jacksonville, Florida, started a riot, Presley's first.   "Baby, Let's Play House" b/w "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone" was released and hit # 10 on the national country & western charts in July.

Elvis, Scotty, and Bill continue touring on their own and in package shows with various country stars, including package tours of artists from the "Hayride". Colonel Parker is involved. This includes touring with Hank Snow. The regular "Hayride" appearances continue. Drummer D.J. Fontana joins Elvis's band. In the spring, Elvis fails to be accepted on "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts", a network television show. As always, Elvis's live appearances have special appeal for the teenagers, especially the females. Elvis's unusual style, sexy moves, and good looks start to cause excitement wherever he plays. Sometimes the crowds break through the barricades in near-riot behavior. Elvis gains more and more popularity and begins to receive national attention. Colonel Parker becomes more involved in Elvis's career.

August 15, 1955

Elvis signs a management contract with Hank Snow Attractions, which is owned equally by Snow and Colonel Tom Parker. Bob Neal remains involved as an advisor. Colonel Parker will be Elvis's manager from this time on, and Snow is soon no longer connected to Elvis.

September 1955

Presley had his first # 1 country record, a cover version of Junior Parker's "Mystery Train" b/w "I Forgot To Remember To Forget." These final Sun single was later acclaimed by many as the definitive rock 'n' roll single, with its chugging rhythm, soaring vocal and enticing lead guitar breaks. It established Presley as an artist worthy of national attention and ushered in the next phase of his career, which was dominated by the imposing figure of Colonel Tom Parker.
The Colonel was a former fairground huckster who managed several country artists including Hank Snowand Eddy Arnold.
After relieving disc jockey Bob Neal of Presley's managership, Parker persuaded Sam Phillips that his financialinterests would be better served by releasing the boy to a major label. By this time, Colonel Parker, despite Presley's agreement with Neal, had become increasingly involved in his career. When RCA purchased Presley's contract from Sun for a then unheard of $25,000, Hill and Range, a music publisher with whom Parker had some connections, purchased Sam Phillips' Hi-Lo Music for another $15,000. In addition, Presley received a $5,000 advance, with which be bought his mother a pink Cadillac.

That was an incredible sum for the period. The sheer diversity of Presley's musical heritage and his remarkable ability as a vocalist and interpreter of material enabled him to escape the cultural parochialism of his R&B-influenced predecessors. The attendant rock 'n' roll explosion, in which Presley was both a creator and participant, ensured that he could reach a mass audience, many of them newly affluent teenagers.

November 20, 1955

Elvis signs his first contract with RCA Records, which would be the label he would record for from then on. Colonel Parker negotiates the sale of Elvis's Sun contract to RCA, which includes Elvis's five Sun singles and his unreleased Sun material. The price is an unprecedented $40,000, with a $5,000 bonus for Elvis. RCA soon re-releases the five Sun singles on the RCA label. At the same time Elvis signs a contract with Hill and Range Publishing Company, which is to set up a separate firm called Elvis Presley Music, Inc. Elvis would share with Hill and Range the publishing ownership of, and share writers' royalties with writers of, songs bought by Hill and Range for him to record. Elvis is the hottest new star in the music business.