Elvis Presley’s Ed Sullivan Show: The King’s TV Debut

64 years ago, over 60 million viewers watched Elvis Presley’s groundbreaking performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” a pivotal moment in rock and roll history and a significant event for the future King of Graceland. Elvis’ debut on September 9, 1956, catapulted him to superstardom. Before this, he’d appeared on the Dorsey Brothers’ “Stage Show” and “The Milton Berle Show,” released his debut album, started filming his first movie, and charted hits like “Heartbreak Hotel.” Though already famous, the Sullivan Show solidified his iconic status and revolutionized music forever, months before he purchased Graceland.

However, Elvis’s path to the show wasn’t easy. Ed Sullivan initially refused to book the controversial singer. Conservative leaders and parents considered Elvis’s energetic performances and hip movements inappropriate and even dangerous. This resistance only heightened anticipation for his eventual appearance.

Surprisingly, Sullivan announced in the summer of 1956 that Elvis would perform three times. Recognizing Elvis’s popularity and potential for record-breaking ratings, Sullivan secured the King for an unprecedented $50,000 for all three appearances.

Interestingly, neither Elvis nor Sullivan was present for the first performance on September 9, 1956. Sullivan was recovering from a car accident, and British actor Charles Laughton hosted. Elvis, filming “Love Me Tender” in Hollywood, appeared remotely. Despite this, the show was a resounding success.

The broadcast drew 60 million viewers, 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 the unreleased “Love Me Tender” fueled anticipation for the movie and soundtrack.

Elvis returned on October 28, 1956, with Sullivan hosting and Elvis performing live in New York City. He sang “Love Me Tender”, “Don’t Be Cruel,” and “Hound Dog.” This performance, with its characteristic hip movements, reignited controversy, but only amplified his growing fan base.

Elvis’s final appearance was 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 “Peace in the Valley.”

For this final performance, the cameras controversially focused primarily on Elvis from the waist up, supposedly due to complaints. While the live audience saw his full performance, millions of home viewers saw a limited view.

At the show’s conclusion, Sullivan praised Elvis as a “real decent, fine boy,” further solidifying his image. All three performances were instrumental in his rise to superstardom and cemented his place in music history, paving the way for his future at Graceland. The controversy only enhanced his rebellious image and contributed to his enduring legend.