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Elvis on the Rise

“hound Dog”, Las Vegas, And Steve Allen



Elvis's two-week appearance at the New Frontier hotel in Las Vegas bombed. The fans in Las Vegas were older, and they did not like rock and roll. In Las Vegas, Elvis heard a band performing “Hound Dog,” first recorded by blues singer Big Mama Thornton in 1953. It was a song that would become one of Elvis's most famous recordings.



Elvis appeared again on The Milton Berle Show and performed “Hound Dog.” Elvis's outrageous performance and his sexy dance moves provoked a big reaction from parents and critics.

Elvis appeared next on The Steve Allen Show. Steve Allen did not like rock and roll. He insisted that Presley appear wearing a tuxedo and blue suede shoes, and he made Elvis stand still. Elvis appeared onstage alone, singing to a real-live hound dog.

Elvis fans picketed in front of the television studio with signs that read, “We want the real Elvis!” This made Ed Sullivan, the host of the popular The Ed Sullivan Show, book Elvis Presley. Sullivan offered Elvis $50,000, three times the money that Ed Sullivan had ever offered anyone.

Additional topics

Musician BiographiesElvis PresleyElvis on the Rise - Good-bye To Sun, The Man Behind Elvis Presley: Colonel Tom Parker, Recording At Rca