THE MILTON BERLE SHOW AND THE HOUND DOG PERFORMANCE CONTROVERSY
On July 5, 1956, Elvis appears again on “The Milton Berle Show,” this time in the studio where the show usually takes place. With the backing of The Jordanaires, Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Black on bass and DJ Fontana on drums, between the songs he performs a playful and sensual performance of “Hound Dog“, which impacts and pleases young people but which repels the press and some of the adult viewers. It is one of his most controversial performances. This only serves to fuel his popularity, which at this point is already unstoppable, all while making it extremely uncomfortable for the most conservative sectors.
The trips, live appearances and new albums continue. At that time, his sensual movements and his black R&B-influenced sound are being condemned by certain factions of the “moral issue” and the “establishment” and the religious community. But young people love it.
ELVIS WAS WEARING A WHITE TIE AND TAILS AT THE PERFORMANCE
Elvis appears on “The Steve Allen Show” on NBC. Among his performances tonight is a very watered down version of “Hound Dog.” Allen has dressed Elvis in a white tie and black tailcoat with a tail and has him sing the song live to a Basset dog, a response to all the controversies created by his appearance on the Berle Show the previous month. Elvis accepts it with good humor, but he is not proud of it. Elvis also appears in a comedy sketch dressed as a cowboy with Allen, Imogene Coca and Andy Griffith. The release of new albums, new tours and recordings continues. Condemnation and controversy continue equally, along with increasing popularity. Ed Sullivan, who had said he would never have Elvis Presley on his show, changes his mind when he sees the audiences Elvis attracts on Berle and Allen’s shows. A three-appearance contract is signed for $50,000, the highest amount ever paid to an artist or performer, up to that point, for appearing on a variety show. On July 2, 1956, The Jordanaires, a very popular country gospel quartet, begin working with Elvis in the studio during their fourth set of sessions for RCA and will soon begin a tour with him. They will also appear with him in several films, being his main backup group until the end of the sixties.
Information provided by Club Elvis Spain http://www.clubelvis.org
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