NOVEMBER 21, ON THIS DAY IN ELVIS HISTORY

 

November 21, 1955 Today was a big day. Elvis signed his contract with RCA which included all the Sun Masters. Elvis took his last unaccompanied walk down a city street in New York on Nov. 21. before he was discovered staying in the Warwick Hotel and was  swamped by phone calls, eager girls, and bags of mail, he strolled down the Avenue of the Americans toward Times Square, and the cultural icon confessed he got  lonesome sometimes in the crowd. In times like these, he turned to sacred music for comfort.Elvis had become a conglomerate of opposites. If audience members  or critics became uncomfortable with "All Shook Up" or "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," it was difficult for them to criticize his soulful delivery of "Take My  Hand, Precious Lord." He appeared to be dangerous, but he could look and sound so innocent. Elvis's style and personality were as diverse as his songs,  and it both pleased and puzzled his fans and detractors, who were not sure of what to make of this slick-back hoodlum who sang gospel. Colonel Parker removed Bob Neal from Elvis completely and made Neal sign yet another contract to that effect. Hank Snow was paid an unknown sum to  agree not to feel he was owed a finder's fee for Elvis. The Colonel owned "his boy" lock, stock, and barrel. November 21, 1957 In New York City, Jailhouse Rock caused riots in the streets. It grossed a profit within three weeks. That was another all-time first,  unprecedented by any other actor or performer in the film world. November 21, 1961 Because of a snowstorm, the filming of Kid Galahad had to move back to Hollywood. Paramount's film Blue Hawaii was released nationally and, by the end of the year, has grossed $4.7 million and was a huge hit throughout the U.S. for over a year. ut it upset Elvis when west Side story was named Best Picture of 1961  because the Colonel made him turn down its leading role. Elvis admitted it was better than any film he had ever done. November 21, 1962 The film Girls! Girls! Girls! premiered to a full house in Honolulu. National release of Girls! Girls! Girls!, which went on to gross $2.6 million by the end of the year. November 21, 1963 "Fun in Acapulco" premiered. November 21, 1964 "Ain't That Loving You Baby" hit #16 in the U.S. November 21, 1970 Around this time during one of Elvis' visits to Palm Springs, Elvis met the Vice President, Spiro Agnew. Elvis wanted to give Agnew a special gun as a present, which the Vice President had to refuse. However, he was very impressed by Elvis patriotic sentiments. November 21, 1973 During this period Elvis was introduced to racquetball by Dr. Nick who was an accomplished player. This was a kind of therapeutic exercise for Elvis. They played frequently in the early morning at the local Y and at Memphis State. November 21, 2006   The album "Elvis at the Hayride" was released. The live show was the a remastered version of the original recording.

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