March 23: Elvis Presley released his debut album “Elvis Presley” in 1956

This was as startling a debut record as any ever made, representing every side of Elvis’ musical influences except gospel — rockabilly, blues, R&B, country, and pop were all here in an explosive and seductive combination. Elvis Presley became the first rock & roll album to reach the number one spot on the national charts, and RCA’s first million dollar-earning pop album.
-Bruce Eder (allmusic.com)

Blues Sued Shoes:

Released March 23, 1956
Recorded July 1954 to January 1956
Genre
  • Rock and roll
  • rockabilly
  • rhythm and blues
  • country
Length 28:03
Label RCA Victor
Producer Sam Phillips (Sun recordings)
Steve Sholes (RCA recordings)

Elvis Presley (released in the UK as Elvis Presley Rock n’ Roll) is the debut studio album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley. It was released on RCA Victor, in mono, catalogue number LPM 1254, in March 1956. The recording sessions took place on January 10 and January 11 at the RCA Victor recording studios in Nashville, Tennessee, and on January 30 and January 31 at the RCA Victor studios in New York. Additional material originated from sessions at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, on July 5, August 19 and September 10 of 1954, and on July 11, 1955.

What is more remarkable about the album is the fact it simultaneously established rock n’ roll no longer as a teenage fad but as a genuine cultural movement, albeit firmly removed from its racial roots. Elvis Presley proved that a rock album could not only sell, as teenagers generally only invested in ’45s in those days, but it could outsell the singles from its own and any other genre. More importantly, though the correlation is hardly incidental, it established a degree of vocal primacy on a genre not yet blessed with a number of great singers. Chuck Berry’s unique selling point was his ear-splitting guitar solos and strong backbeat; Elvis’ main selling point was his beautiful voice, which was only increasing in confidence and stature as he released more and more new material. By the end of the year and the release of his second album Elvis, the Memphis singer was America’s most successful musician bar none.
-Dr Dave De Sylvia (sputnikmusic.com)

I Got A Woman (Ray Charles):

  • The album spent ten weeks at number 1 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, it was ranked number 56 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
  • Elvis Presley was also one of three Presley albums to receive accolades in the reference book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, the others being Elvis Is Back! and From Elvis in Memphis.
  • It was certified Gold on November 1, 1966 and Platinum on August 8, 2011 by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Track listing Original release

Side one
No. Title Writer(s) Recording date Length
1. Blue Suede Shoes Carl Perkins January 30, 1956 2:00
2. “I’m Counting on You” Don Robertson January 11, 1956 2:25
3. I Got a Woman Ray Charles, R. Richard January 10, 1956 2:25
4. One Sided Love Affair Bill Campbell January 30, 1956 2:11
5. I Love You Because Leon Payne July 5, 1954 2:43
6. Just Because Bob Shelton, Joe Shelton, S. Robin Sept. 10, 1954 2:34
Side two
No. Title Writer(s) Recording date Length
1. Tutti Frutti D. LaBostrie, R. W Penniman Jan 31, 1956 1:59
2. Tryin’ to Get to You R. M. McCoy, C. Singleton July 11, 1955 2:31
3. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Cry H. Biggs and Joe Thomas Jan 31, 1956 2:01
4. I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’) Jimmy Wakely Sept 10, 1954 2:24
5. Blue Moon R. Rodgers and L. Hart Aug 19, 1954 2:40
6. Money Honey Jesse Stone Jan 10, 1956 2:36

Album @ Spotify:

-Egil

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