Presley, Elvis

In late 1955, Colonel Tom Parker , a former fairground huckster, took over Presley's career. He replaced DJ Bob Neal as Presley's manager and convinced Sun Records to release Elvis so he could sign with RCA. RCA paid $35,000 to gain Presley's release—an incredible figure at the time. “Heartbreak Hotel,” released on January 27, 1956, was Presley's first RCA recording and his first American No. 1 single. There followed, in remarkably short order, seven more...