Elvis Went #1 With This Single 61 Years Ago 8/4/56

The group onstage was Freddie Bell and the Bellboys. They gave their own version of Willa Mae’s “Hound Dog,” a more souped-up, rockier version. Elvis broke up when he first heard the funny song with its strange lyrics. Soon, Elvis was coming to see Freddie and his Bellboys every night, and yes, every time they sang “Hound Dog,” Elvis would crack up hysterically.

Now we cut to July 1, 1956. TV host Steve Allen featured the 21-year-old Elvis as the guest star on his television program The Steve Allen Show. Steve was trying to “tame” the reckless rock and roll whirling dervish and he had poor Elvis appear on his show in a formal tuxedo and tails.

And so, in what Elvis would later call “the most embarrassing moment” of his career, he appeared, singing “Hound Dog” to a Bassett hound (!!!) while wearing his white tie and tails. No hip-wiggling, no gyrations, Elvis was directed to just stand there and sing the song to the bored-looking mutt named Sherlock. Elvis dutifully did what he was told and the whole “Hound Dog” thing might have just ended like the memory of a bad toothache for a disillusioned Elvis.

…But every once in a while (although not often enough), a terrible experience develops into something wonderful…

Click “Next” to find out what happened the very next day…