60th anniversary of the broadcast that brought Elvis to the world

[prberk]

Today is the 60th anniversary of the day that Memphis, Tennessee, radio DJ Dewey Phillips made history by spinning "That's Alright, Mama" by Elvis Presley for the first time, and starting the first strains of the rock-n-roll revolution. It was fresh off the presses, having been recorded just down the street at Sun Studios on July 5, 1954. I am not sure, but I believe it was delivered by Elvis himself.

Anyhow, today is the anniversary of the day it was first played on the radio. The article below (whicih includes video and pictures from Memphis this week) celebrates the anniversary of the actual recording, but I think that getting it on the radio was more important than getting it recorded.

Happy anniversary to Elvis fans!

http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/25948284/saturday-marks-60th-anniversary-of-poplar-elvis-recording

 

[Tiggerish]

I wondered why the "Biographic" comic strip in yesterday's newspaper featured Elvis. Now I know. Thanks for sharing that!

 

[Lucky]

Thanks for this. I wasn't around that long ago, but I was growing up in Memphis the last 10 years Elvis was alive. I used to listen to George Klein on WHBQ (mentioned in the article) and we drove past Elvis' mansion nearly every day, since it's on a major road in that part of town.

 

[prberk]

Thanks for this. I wasn't around that long ago, but I was growing up in Memphis the last 10 years Elvis was alive. I used to listen to George Klein on WHBQ (mentioned in the article) and we drove past Elvis' mansion nearly every day, since it's on a major road in that part of town.

Were you there when he died? Do you remember the reactions?

 

[Lucky]

Were you there when he died? Do you remember the reactions?

I don't remember much of the reactions. I was surprised at just how much worldwide attention it got, and a lot of people were surprised at all the drug use, as that info came out later.