The 60th Anniversary of Elvis Presley's National Television Debut

It was sixty years ago tonight, on January 28 1956, that Elvis Presley made his debut on national broadcast network television. It was on the variety show Stage Show hosted by big band leaders Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. It aired on CBS at 8:00 Eastern/7:00 Central on Saturday night. Elvis Presley was introduced by disc jockey Bill Randle of Cleveland, Ohio. He performed three songs: "Shake, Rattle and Roll", "Flip, Flop and Fly" and "I Got a Woman".

This was not Elvis Presley's last appearance on Stage Show. He appeared five more times: on February 4 1956, February 11 1956, February 18 1956, March 17 1956, and March 24 1956. On the February 11, March 17, and March 24 editions of Stage Show he performed his hit "Heartbreak Hotel". The song had been released only the day before Elvis's historic first appearance on Stage Show, on January 27 1956.

Without further ado, here is Elvis Presley's first appearance on national broadcast network television.



19560128 - Elvis Presley - Dorsey Brothers... by ladcrp