Elvis Presley - The Breakthrough

Choose an answer from the three choices offered after each question and then "Check Your Answers" at the end of the quiz.

1. Several major record labels had shown interest in signing Presley.  On November 21, 1955, Tom Parker and Sam Phillips negotiated a deal with RCA Victor Records to acquire Presley's Sun contract.  What was the amount of that contract?

• $15,000

• $25,000

• $35,000

2. In March 1955, Elvis failed an audition for what TV show?

• Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour

• Ed Sullivan’s Toast of the Town

• Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts

3. January 28, 1956, Elvis first appeared on national television.  What was the show?

• Dorsey Brothers

• Milton Berle

• Ed Sullivan

4. On January 27, Presley's first RCA single was released.  By April it reached number one in the U.S., and sold a million copies.  On March 23, RCA released the first Presley album: Elvis Presley.  As with the Sun recordings, the majority of the tracks were songs by or from country artists.  What was the first RCA single?

• Last Train to Georgia

• Shake, Rattle, and Roll

• Heartbreak Hotel

5. From April 23, 1956, Elvis had a two-week booking in Las Vegas - billed this time as “the Atomic Powered Singer”.  His performances were badly received, by critics and guests (it was an older, more conservative audience).  What was the Las Vegas hotel’s name.

• New Frontier Hotel

• Monte Carlo

• MGM

6. On April 3 Elvis appeared on The Milton Berle Show.  The show was shot where?

• Disneyland

• Aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CV-19)

• Statue of Liberty, New York City

7. From his appearances on television, along with huge ratings, many critics had a field day with his performance.  What made him controversial?

• His gyrations

• His duckbill haircut

• His southern accent

8.  Because of the huge ratings on the Steve Allen Show and the top Sunday night ratings, previously critical Ed Sullivan (CBS) booked Elvis for three appearances for an unprecedented $50,000.  When was the first Ed Sullivan appearance?

• August 2, 1956

• September 9, 1956

• September 9, 1957

9. Bob Neal wrote: “It was almost frightening, the reaction... from teenage boys.  So many of them, through some sort of jealousy, would practically hate him.”  In one town, a teenage gang fire-bombed Elvis's car.   Where was the town?

• Memphis, Tenn

• Tupuelo, Miss.

• Lubbock, Texas

10. His parents moved into a new house in Memphis, but the singer lived there briefly.  With increased concerns over privacy and security, Elvis bough property in 1957, a mansion with several acres of land.  This was Presley's primary residence until his death.  What was this property known as?

• Mississippi River Land

• ElvisLand

• Graceland

Check Your Answers

1. $35,000

2. Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts

3. Dorsey Brothers

4. Heartbreak Hotel

5. New Frontier Hotel

6. Aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CV-19)

7. His gyrations

8. September 9, 1956

9. Lubbock, Texas

10. Graceland