THE KING
I don't remember who first told me about the king. It was undoubtedly a high school friend in my Freshman class. After hearing a song or two on the radio, I quickly bought his first album in March of 1956 and became mesmerized by this thing called rock and roll.
Up until then everything in my world was Patti Page and Teresa Brewer with an occasional Eddie Fisher or Johnny Mathis throw in.
That fall, when it was announced that Elvis would be on "The Ed Sullivan Show" the anticipation was palpable. At last, we would get to see this talent that had everyone at school talking, much to the dismay of their parents.
And on September 9th of that year, he appeared and the rest is history.
While you may not remember it clearly, Sullivan was not on the show. He was recuperating from an automobile accident and Charles Laughton filled in for him. Yes, that Charles Laughton. Furthermore, Elvis was in Hollywood doing his first movie "Love Me Tender" and not even in the same state as Laughton who was in New York.
Over time, we recall that the CBS censors decided to shoot Mr. Presley only from the waist up because of his "gyrations." In fact, that did take place but it was on his third and last appearance (with Ed in attendance).
All, I really know, was about a week after that first appearance, I bought myself a pair of blue suede shoes and eagerly awaited his first movie. And, to repeat myself, the rest is history.
Up until then everything in my world was Patti Page and Teresa Brewer with an occasional Eddie Fisher or Johnny Mathis throw in.
That fall, when it was announced that Elvis would be on "The Ed Sullivan Show" the anticipation was palpable. At last, we would get to see this talent that had everyone at school talking, much to the dismay of their parents.
And on September 9th of that year, he appeared and the rest is history.
While you may not remember it clearly, Sullivan was not on the show. He was recuperating from an automobile accident and Charles Laughton filled in for him. Yes, that Charles Laughton. Furthermore, Elvis was in Hollywood doing his first movie "Love Me Tender" and not even in the same state as Laughton who was in New York.
Over time, we recall that the CBS censors decided to shoot Mr. Presley only from the waist up because of his "gyrations." In fact, that did take place but it was on his third and last appearance (with Ed in attendance).
All, I really know, was about a week after that first appearance, I bought myself a pair of blue suede shoes and eagerly awaited his first movie. And, to repeat myself, the rest is history.
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