Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley RCA Debut Album

This music documentary in the Classic Albums series looks at the King's 1956 official debut album on RCA Victor. The legendary Sun Sessions weren't issued in album form until well after the fact which backs up that claim. The song selections plus 40 minutes of bonus interview material on the 2002-released DVD combines performance footage (the early TV shows are not to be missed), photos, and more to describe Presley's early days when he combined country, blues, and R&B to forge a unique, galvanizing style. The Bonus Material includes the chapters For The Record, The Early Years, The Sun Recordings, On The Road, and RCA Buys Elvis' Contract.

Sun producer Sam Phillips, author Peter Guralnick, Presley's musicians, and others are on hand to provide insight and background. But in the end, of course, it comes down to the music--and when you're talking about the likes of "Blue Suede Shoes," "Tutti Frutti," "Money Honey," and "Heartbreak Hotel" (a single that actually wasn't on the album), "classic" hardly begins to cover it. -- Review by Sam Graham

The first Elvis album spent ten weeks at number one on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart in 1956, the first rock and roll album ever to make it to the top of the charts, and the first million-selling album of that genre. In 2003 and 2012, Elvis Presley was ranked number 56 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Elvis Presley Track listing
Side one
No. Title Writer(s) Recording date
1. "Blue Suede Shoes" Carl Perkins January 30, 1956
2. "I'm Counting on You" Don Robertson January 11, 1956
3. "I Got a Woman" Ray Charles Renald Richard January 10, 1956
4. "One-Sided Love Affair" Bill Campbell January 30, 1956
5. "I Love You Because" Leon Payne July 5, 1954
6. "Just Because" Bob Shelton Joe Shelton Sydney Robin September 10, 1954
Side two
No. Title Writer(s) Recording date
1. "Tutti Frutti" Dorothy LaBostrieRichard Wayne Penniman January 31, 1956
2. "Tryin' to Get to You" Rose Marie McCoyCharles Singleton July 11, 1955
3. "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry (Over You)" Howard BiggsJoe Thomas January 31, 1956
4. "I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin')" Jimmy Wakely September 10, 1954
5. "Blue Moon" Richard RodgersLorenz Hart August 19, 1954
6. "Money Honey" Jesse Stone January 10, 1956

[paulinetaylor]

That, s my boy, giving his best as a young boy and he just got better and better through the years and became the GOAT,
he always gave his best and no other will ever be better than he was, love you my super nova, sleep well.

[Sunny-jzdy]

This is great! I've never seen this before uncut! He was larger than life...one of a kind!!! No one else has ever had the "Presence" Elvis had!!!

[Mary-lozl]

I wish I could have been there to see him in person ! He was the best ever .

[bobbiemoore]

Yeah you go Elvis. Great song. Way back in the 50s. I love Elvis from the first time i seen him. So wild. I loved him so much. Always the king.

[BearStar]

Elvis gave 1, 684 Concerts and over 6, 000 Live Performances during his career as a Entertainer Super Star, a astonishing and amazing achievement not surpassed by anyone ! And over 2.5 Billion Records sold Worldwide ! The Highest Selling Single Artist in the History of Recorded Music ! AND the Only Entertainer in the World that is a member of 4 Music Halls of Fame ! Rock 'n Roll, Country, R & B, and Gospel ! And 21 other Halls of Fame !
That's Why Elvis is the KING of Music !!!

[nitasheehan]

Elvis was definitely the real thing. Never duplicated.

[littlejohn]

From a player's point of view this feels very right - life on the road when you're not famous and not staying in nice hotels etc is exactly like this description of the early days of Elvis's and the band's career. You have to carry and set up the equipment; and after you've spent a lot of energy performing then pack it up - in fact the main reason you're playing for money is to pay for the equipment you're using.

[danielbautista]

I still remember that day in august 1977, when I heard Elvis died. I was on my way to work when it was announced over the radio. Rest in peace Elvis your little girl has joined you

[jimmyjennings]

Elvis Presley was something that only comes along once and that's it period, I don't care what anybody else's opinion is it's a fact that Elvis Presley is a one time thing there will absolutely never ever be another Elvis Presley.

[johnndname]

what a great video!.. Elvis in his early recordings.. and hearing Keith Richards comments is so what makes this video.. thankyou so much!

[bvallelunga]

This is the most enlightening and most interesting piece that highlights the magic and the impact that Elvis had on early rock and roll.

[rubyreddy]

I Was The One my all-time favorite Elvis song never get tired of listening to it. He thought it was his best too 👍

[dennishardy]

The thing I really appreciated about Elvis was he didn't go in to Sun Records with the intent of becoming a singing artist. He went in to make a record for his Mom. He had no idea he would become a sensation overnight. And that was all for his Mom. He said that when he was hovering over her body in the casket. Everything he did was for his Mom. Is why he was so devastated. I can really appreciate the guy. How many sons do that for their Mom?! That's how special he was. Plus he loved his fans. Never another Elvis.

[drtessliew]

No superlative is adequate for describing the magic that is Elvis! ❤

[marion_R]

This is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen!💚
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!🌞

[andyrenorocks]

Elvis was the best singer and entertainer that has graced a stage. There were and are some amazing singers but none compare to what Elvis had. Elvis had a unique sound that was raw, warm, smooth, soulful and exciting, it was a supernatural combination and then he also looked so striking and handsome and dangerous while having the manners of a preacher. Elvis truly set the bar so high as an entertainer, nobody has yet reached it.

[TigerKing]

That's one of the coolest songs🪄 ever written Elvis and Carl Perkins both cool cats Slade Blue suede shoes... Monumental Rock and roll, and Elvis I wanna playhouse 🎵 forget about 🤘.👑⚡.

[snowyherge]

This was the beginning of names in Rock n Roll say it all at the opening of the video- Perfection

[diabeticketorewind]

This was a God given Gift that Elvis had

[paulansell]

This is ten times better then the latest elvis film for me.