Graceland Television Series: Elvis Presley’s Ed Sullivan Show Performances

64 years ago, over 60 million viewers tuned in to witness Elvis Presley’s groundbreaking performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” a pivotal moment in the history of rock and roll and a significant event for the future resident of Graceland. Elvis’ debut on the show, on September 9, 1956, catapulted him to even greater fame. Prior to this appearance, he had already made waves on national television with performances on shows like the Dorsey Brothers’ “Stage Show” and “The Milton Berle Show.” He had released his debut album, begun filming his first movie, and charted hits like “Heartbreak Hotel.” Though already famous, this Sullivan Show appearance solidified his trajectory to becoming a global icon and revolutionizing music forever. Notably, this was months before he would purchase Graceland, the future home that would become synonymous with his name.

However, Elvis’s path to “The Ed Sullivan Show” was not without obstacles. Ed Sullivan, the show’s host, had initially pledged not to feature the controversial young singer. Conservative leaders and parents deemed Elvis’s energetic performances, characterized by his signature hip movements, as inappropriate and even dangerous. This initial resistance only heightened the anticipation surrounding his eventual appearance.

Surprisingly, Sullivan announced in the summer of 1956 that Elvis would perform not once, but three times on his show. Recognizing Elvis’s growing popularity and the potential for record-breaking ratings, Sullivan secured the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll for an unprecedented fee of $50,000 for all three appearances.

Interestingly, neither Elvis nor Ed Sullivan was present in the studio for the first performance on September 9, 1956. Sullivan was recovering from a near-fatal car accident, and British actor Charles Laughton filled in as host. Elvis, meanwhile, was in Hollywood filming “Love Me Tender,” appearing via remote. Despite these unusual circumstances, the show was a resounding success.

The broadcast drew an audience of 60 million viewers, representing a staggering 82.6 percent of the television audience. Elvis performed “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender,” “Ready Teddy,” and verses of “Hound Dog.” The performance of “Love Me Tender,” which had not yet been released, further fueled anticipation for the upcoming movie and soundtrack.

Elvis returned to “The Ed Sullivan Show” on October 28, 1956, this time with Ed Sullivan hosting and Elvis performing live in New York City. He performed “Love Me Tender”, “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Hound Dog.” This performance, with its characteristic hip movements, reignited the controversy surrounding his performance style. However, the criticism only seemed to amplify his growing fan base.

Elvis’s third and final appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” took place on January 6, 1957, two days before his 22nd birthday. He performed a medley of hits, including “Love Me Tender,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” “When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again,” “Too Much,” and the gospel song “Peace in the Valley.”

For this final performance, the cameras controversially focused primarily on Elvis from the waist up, supposedly in response to complaints about his earlier performances. While the live audience witnessed his full performance, millions of viewers at home were only shown a limited view.

At the conclusion of the show, Ed Sullivan praised Elvis as a “real decent, fine boy,” a significant endorsement that further solidified his image with a broader audience. All three of Elvis’s Ed Sullivan Show performances were instrumental in his rise to superstardom and cemented his place in music history, paving the way for his future at Graceland and beyond. The controversy surrounding his performances only enhanced his rebellious image and contributed to his enduring legend.